How Türkiye citizenship by investment works (UK guide)

If you’re thinking about getting a foreign passport, citizenship by investment programmes are one of the possible routes. Türkiye is a great choice, since it’s a country spanning two continents, offering a taste of both Europe and Asia.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the essentials of obtaining Türkiye citizenship by investment as a UK citizen. We’ve included information about the costs, requirements and benefits of taking this route.

How do citizenship by investment visas work?¹

A citizenship by investment visa is a route towards obtaining a foreign passport by making a significant financial contribution to a foreign country’s economy. This can usually be achieved by investing in real estate, government bonds or national development projects.

Türkiye citizenship by investment²

The Türkiye citizenship by investment programme was launched in 2017. It was created to stimulate the real estate market and to attract foreign investors. This is one of the easiest investment visa schemes, since you don’t even have to visit Turkey or pass a language test to receive their passport.

Once you get a Turkish passport, your family members can get it too. This includes your spouse and dependent children.

Türkiye citizenship by investment requirements²

The Türkiye citizenship by investment scheme is one of the easiest and most straightforward investment programmes.The requirement is that you’re a legal resident first, but you don’t need to stay in Turkey either before or even after getting a residence permit.

Some basic requirements include being over 18, not having a criminal record and having adequate health insurance. You also need to provide a list of documents, such as residence proof, proof of investment or a purchase contract.

The investment options you can choose from are the following:

• Real estate investment
• Making a bank deposit
• Contributing to government bonds
• Creating jobs
• Investing in a Turkish business or investment fund

How long does it take?²

The application and approval process only lasts between three and four months. There’s also no minimum residency period, so you’ll be able to get a Turkish passport in no time.

How much is a citizenship by investment visa in Türkiye?³

The investment amount depends on the option you choose. Here are the costs for each of them:

• Real estate investment - $400,000
• Bank deposit - $500,000
• Government bonds - $500,000
• Business investment - $500,000
• Investing in a Turkish business or investment fund - $500,000

There are some additional fees included, such as a $400 application fee, a $500 passport fee and $700 healthcare coverage.

Since you’ll have many expenses to take care of, you’ll need a cost-effective way to manage all of the visa fees in a foreign currency. The Wise account from the money services provider Wise allows you to send and receive money from 160+ countries with mid-market currency exchange and low, transparent fees*.

Benefits of Türkiye’s citizenship by investment visa³

Here are some benefits you’ll have if you apply for the Türkiye citizenship by investment visa:

• Visa-free travel to 120+ countries
• Having access to both Europe and Asia
• Easy citizenship for your family
• Profitable investments
• Being able to enter Turkey even if the borders are closed

Can you retain your original citizenship and passport?²

Yes, Türkiye allows dual citizenship, so you can keep your UK passport.

Manage your money internationally with the Wise multi-currency account

Türkiye citizenship by investment is a rather straightforward way to get a Turkish passport. After reading this guide, you should understand the ropes of how this scheme works, but make sure to keep an eye out for any updates.

Applying for Turkish citizenship in this way requires thorough financial planning. Opening a Wise account can help you avoid any additional hidden costs and allow you to send money from the UK with low fees* using the mid-market exchange rate for all transactions.

Your Wise account awaits 🌍

You can even rely on Wise’s dedicated team for large amount transfers to help you move larger amounts of money, such as those needed for your citizenship by investment visa.

Make your large transfer

Türkiye citizenship by investment FAQs

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about Türkiye citizenship by investment:

What is the easiest way to get citizenship in Turkey?⁴

Getting Türkiye citizenship by investment is actually the quickest way to obtain a Turkish passport.

Can I buy property in Turkey and get citizenship?

Yes, buying real estate is one of the options in the Türkiye citizenship by investment scheme.

How much do you need to invest to get Turkish citizenship?

You need to invest between $400,000 and $500,000 in order to qualify for Türkiye citizenship by investment.

What is the difference between Turkish residency and citizenship?

Both Turkish residency and citizenship allow you to live and work in Turkey, but citizenship comes with many more rights and responsibilities.

How fast can you get Turkish citizenship?

The application approval time is usually between three and four months.

Sources used:

1. Global Citizen Solutions - how citizenship by investment schemes work
2. Global Citizen Solutions - Türkiye citizenship by investment requirements
3. Immigrant Invest - benefits of the Turkish citizenship by investment visa
4. Get Golden Visa - easiest route to Turkish citizenship

Sources last checked on date: 01-Nov-2024