Turkish citizenship
through investment —
handled end to end.
A statutory government programme administered by the Ministry of Interior. We manage every legal step of your citizenship application — from eligibility assessment and investment structure to passport issuance.
Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application — no separate process or additional qualifying investment required.
Turkey as a citizenship jurisdiction.
Turkey's citizenship by investment programme was established by the Turkish government in 2017 and has since become one of the most active programmes of its kind globally. The programme is administered directly by the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs — it is a statutory government process, not a private scheme.
Since its introduction, the programme has processed tens of thousands of approved applications from investors across more than 100 countries. The Turkish passport is a standard government-issued travel document carrying full civil rights — not a separate investor category or a restricted instrument.
"The qualifying investment carries genuine underlying value — not simply a fee paid in exchange for a document."
Turkey's position bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, combined with its large domestic economy, established banking system, and active real estate market, makes it one of the few jurisdictions where the qualifying investment carries genuine underlying value.
As a Turkish citizen, you have the legal right to live, work, and own property anywhere in Turkey on equal terms with any national. Turkey permits dual citizenship — no renunciation of your existing passport is required. There is no minimum residency obligation attached to the passport.
Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application at no additional qualifying investment — they receive the same citizenship and passport rights as the primary applicant.
The clients we work with.
Our clients share a common priority — legal certainty, clear communication, and a firm that acts exclusively in their interest.
International Investors
Individuals deploying capital through real estate, bank deposits, bonds, or funds to qualify for Turkish citizenship.
Entrepreneurs
Business owners expanding into Turkey or pursuing citizenship through the job creation route, requiring coordinated legal and corporate support.
Families
Couples and families securing a second passport for a spouse and children under 18 under a single application and qualifying investment.
Real Estate Buyers
Investors purchasing qualifying property in Turkey who require independent legal due diligence and full title deed verification before any commitment.
First-Time Turkey Investors
Individuals making their first legal or financial commitment in Turkey who require full legal oversight and clear guidance on statutory requirements.
Clients Seeking Certainty
Individuals who have received unclear or conflicting advice elsewhere and require a qualified legal review of their position before proceeding.
Clients from 100+ countries — GCC, Central Asia, Africa, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, South & Southeast Asia
Five qualifying routes.
We manage each one in full.
Each route carries distinct legal obligations. We assess your eligibility, structure your investment, and handle every filing on your behalf.
Real Estate
The most widely used route to Turkish citizenship. We conduct full legal due diligence on every property — verifying title deeds, ownership history, encumbrances, and citizenship eligibility — before any purchase agreement is executed.
What we handle
Bank Deposit
A qualifying deposit of $500,000 must be held in a Turkish bank for a minimum of three years. We manage the fund placement, bank coordination, confirmation letters, and all government filings on your behalf.
What we handle
Real Estate Investment
Fund (REIT)
A qualifying subscription in a Turkish real estate investment fund regulated by the Capital Markets Board. We manage the subscription process, legal documentation, and government application from start to finish.
What we handle
Government Bonds
Qualifying Turkish Treasury bonds must be purchased and held for a minimum of three years. We coordinate the bond purchase, liaise with the relevant authorities, and handle all documentation and government filings.
What we handle
Job Creation
Employment of a minimum of 50 full-time Turkish nationals, confirmed by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Typically pursued by established businesses with an existing Turkish workforce.
What we handle
One visit. Both applications
filed on the same day.
Under standard procedure, investors must be present in Turkey on at least two separate occasions — once to submit the investor residence permit application, and again to file the citizenship application. Each visit requires coordination with government authorities, introduces scheduling dependencies, and extends the overall timeline in ways that are difficult to predict.
NLI Global eliminates the second visit entirely. Where the required government fees are paid directly to the relevant authorities, our legal team structures and coordinates both the residence permit filing and the citizenship application for same-day submission. This is not a shortcut — it is a legally compliant approach, executed through precise preparation and direct authority relations that most firms cannot replicate.
The result is a single, managed visit to Turkey — with both applications in motion before you return home. For investors with demanding schedules, cross-border obligations, or time-sensitive investment decisions, this approach offers a material operational advantage that our firm is uniquely positioned to deliver.
Available subject to payment of government fees directly to the relevant Turkish authorities. Our legal team will confirm eligibility and timing during your initial consultation.
The citizenship application
process — end to end.
Six stages from first instruction to passport issuance. We manage every filing, every government office, and every document on your behalf.
01
Legal Consultation & Eligibility Assessment
We conduct an initial legal assessment of your eligibility for the Turkish citizenship by investment programme. This covers your nationality, family situation, proposed investment route, and any legal considerations specific to your jurisdiction.
No commitment required at this stage — the assessment informs your investment decision02
Investment Route Selection & Structuring
Based on the eligibility assessment, we advise on the most appropriate investment route and structure the transaction for legal compliance. For real estate acquisitions, we identify qualifying properties and confirm eligibility with the relevant authorities before any commitment is made.
We present only verified, government-approved options at this stage03
Legal Due Diligence
We conduct full legal due diligence on the chosen investment — verifying title deeds, ownership history, encumbrances, citizenship eligibility status, and compliance with programme requirements. For real estate, this includes a land registry search and independent valuation report.
No investment is executed until due diligence is complete. You receive a written legal summary confirming the asset is free of encumbrances and eligible for the citizenship programme.
04
Investment Execution & Government Filing
We manage the investment execution in full — drafting and notarising purchase contracts, handling land registry transfer, coordinating bank procedures, and obtaining all required government confirmations. The citizenship application is then prepared and filed with the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
Power of attorney — we represent you at every filing and government office05
Application Review & Government Processing
The application is reviewed by the Ministry of Interior. We monitor progress and liaise with the relevant authorities throughout this period. Most applications receive a decision within this window, though processing times are determined by the government and may vary.
We provide regular status updates throughout this period06
Citizenship Approval & Passport Issuance
Upon approval, citizenship is granted by Presidential Decree. Turkish passports are then issued for you and your eligible family members through the relevant consulate or in-country office.
Passport issued by Presidential Decree. Full process typically concludes within 6 to 8 months from the date of first instruction.
What Turkish citizenship
confers as a matter of law.
These are statutory rights attached to Turkish citizenship — not programme-specific entitlements that can be revised or revoked.
Global Mobility
A Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the Schengen Area under certain conditions.
110+ Countries Visa-Free or On ArrivalDual Citizenship
Turkey permits you to hold your existing passport alongside your Turkish one. No renunciation of your current citizenship is required at any stage of the application process.
Full Civil Rights
As a Turkish citizen you have the legal right to live, work, own property, and access public services anywhere in Turkey on equal terms with any national. No restrictions apply to investor citizens.
Family Included
Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application — no separate process, no additional qualifying investment. All eligible family members receive the same citizenship and passport rights.
No Residency Obligation
Turkish citizenship carries no minimum residency requirement. You may obtain your passport and use it as needed without any obligation to live in Turkey before or after naturalisation.
Banking & Public Services
As a citizen, you and your family have full access to Turkish banking, healthcare, and public education on the same terms as any national — without the restrictions that apply to foreign residents.
Frequently asked
legal questions.
Questions we are regularly asked by clients at the start of the process. For specific legal advice on your situation, contact our team directly.
What is the minimum investment required for Turkish citizenship?
The minimum qualifying investment depends on the route chosen. Real estate requires a minimum purchase value of $400,000, which must be held for three years. Bank deposits, government bonds, and real estate investment funds each require a minimum of $500,000, also held for three years. The job creation route requires a minimum of 50 full-time Turkish employees confirmed by the Ministry of Labour.
How long does the citizenship application process take?
The full process typically concludes within 6 to 8 months from the date of first instruction. This covers investment acquisition, residence permit filing, application preparation, government review, and passport issuance. Processing times for the government review stage are determined by the Ministry of Interior and may vary.
Do I need to renounce my existing citizenship?
No. Turkey permits dual citizenship. You are not required to renounce your current passport at any stage of the application. However, some countries do not permit their nationals to hold dual citizenship — you should confirm your home country's position before proceeding. We can advise on this as part of the initial legal assessment.
Are my spouse and children included in the application?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application at no additional qualifying investment. They receive the same citizenship and passport rights as the primary applicant. Children over 18 must submit a separate application.
Do I need to live in Turkey to obtain or maintain citizenship?
No. Turkish citizenship carries no minimum residency requirement — before, during, or after naturalisation. You are not required to live in Turkey or spend any minimum time in the country. A short-term residence permit is required for the application process, but this does not impose a residency obligation.
Do I need to be present in Turkey during the process?
In most cases, you are not required to be present in Turkey throughout the process. We act under a notarised power of attorney, which allows us to represent you at government offices, land registry appointments, notaries, and all official filings on your behalf. Some applicants choose to be present for specific stages — this can be arranged — but it is not a legal requirement.
What is the most common investment route?
Real estate is by far the most widely used route, accounting for the majority of approved applications. The $400,000 threshold is lower than other routes, the property retains underlying market value, and the legal process is well established. We conduct full title deed verification and legal due diligence on every property before any commitment is made.
What legal checks do you carry out before the investment?
For real estate, we conduct a full land registry search covering ownership chain, encumbrances, mortgage status, court orders, and citizenship eligibility. We verify that the property has not been used in a prior citizenship application and confirm the valuation meets the statutory threshold. No purchase agreement is executed before this process is complete. For other routes, we verify fund or institution eligibility and confirm statutory compliance before any funds are committed.
Can I sell the property after receiving my passport?
Yes, but only after the mandatory three-year holding period has elapsed. Selling before this period expires would constitute a breach of the citizenship conditions and could result in revocation of the citizenship grant. We track all holding period milestones and notify you when the restriction lapses.
What are the tax implications of Turkish citizenship?
Turkish citizenship does not automatically create a tax residency obligation. Tax residency in Turkey is determined by physical presence — spending more than 183 days per year in Turkey — not by citizenship status. However, rental income from Turkish property is subject to Turkish income tax regardless of your residency. We coordinate tax registration as part of the real estate acquisition process and can advise on your specific position.
Your Turkish citizenship
application starts here.
Our Istanbul-based lawyers manage the complete citizenship process on your behalf. Submit an enquiry and a member of our team will respond within one business day.
