Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Investment: 2026 Updated Guide

Quick Answer: How to Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Investment?

Turkish citizenship by investment is a category of Turkish citizenship that can be acquired exceptionally, provided that the foreign national fulfills one of the investment requirements stipulated under Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law and Article 20 of the relevant Regulation, along with meeting other statutory conditions.

As of 2026, two methods particularly stand out in practice regarding Turkish citizenship by investment:

 

1. 1. Depositing at least 500,000 US Dollars or the equivalent in foreign currency in banks operating in Turkey and holding this deposit for 3 years,
   2. Acquiring eligible real estate valued at least at 400,000 US Dollars and placing a commitment on the title deed not to sell it for 3 years.

 

The Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs also counts maintaining a deposit of 500,000 USD for three years and acquiring real estate worth 400,000 USD with a three-year non-sale encumbrance among the methods granting citizenship by investment.

However, In citizenship by investment applications in 2026, merely depositing the funds or purchasing the real estate is not sufficient. It is of utmost importance that the source of funds, bank transfers, foreign exchange sale transactions, real estate history, valuations, title deed records, payment dates, 3-year commitments, and application documents are mutually consistent.

Particularly in applications through real estate, acquisition of fractional/shared real estate,, payment date in the commitment to sell agreement,, how the 400,000 USD amount is calculated,, Amount Determination Certificate (TTB) and Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate and similar matters can directly affect the outcome of the application.

More importantly, it is observed that citizenship applications are scrutinized much more strictly in 2026 compared to the past. In a statement made by the Ministry of Justice on August 4, 2026, it was announced that legal proceedings have been initiated to revoke the citizenship of 687 individuals who were determined to have acquired Turkish citizenship through fraudulent valuation reports showing low-value real estate as high-value and through collusive sales.

Therefore, when applying for Turkish citizenship by investment, a simplistic approach such as "finding a $400,000 property" or "depositing $500,000 in the bank" is not sufficient. The transaction must be legally and documentarily sound from start to finish.

 

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What is Turkish Citizenship by Investment?

Turkish citizenship by investment is the legal mechanism that enables a foreigner to acquire Turkish citizenship through exceptional pathways in exchange for realizing a specific investment in Turkey.

This method is based on Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.

Within the scope of the relevant legislation, a foreigner who fulfills one of the investment requirements may acquire Turkish citizenship by a Presidential decree upon the completion of the necessary evaluations.

There is an important distinction here:

Making an investment does not mean automatically becoming a Turkish citizen.

Investment is one of the fundamental requirements for a citizenship application. In addition, the applicant must meet other legal requirements, and the investment must be executed in compliance with the legislation.

According to the recent announcement by the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality, during the citizenship by investment process;

 

1. 1. One of the investment conditions in the Regulation is fulfilled,
   2. A Certificate of Conformity is obtained from the relevant institution,
   3. A short-term residence permit is obtained within the scope of Law No. 6458,
   4. Then, the citizenship application is submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality.

 

 

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What are the Investment Amounts for Turkish Citizenship in 2026?

As of 2026, the baseline investment amounts are as follows:

 

Investment type	Minimum amount	Retention period
Acquisition of real estate	400,000 USD	3 years
Bank deposit	500,000 USD	3 years
Fixed capital investment	500,000 USD	–
Employment	50 people	–
Government debt securities	500,000 USD	3 years
REIF/VCIF participation shares	500,000 USD	3 years
Private pension system	500,000 USD	3 years

Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality explains these investment options on the current citizenship services page.

In this article, the two most commonly used methods in practice, USD 500,000 bank deposit and USD 400,000 real estate investment are examined in detail.

 

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1. Turkish Citizenship through a USD 500,000 Bank Deposit

 

Can Turkish Citizenship Be Obtained by Depositing USD 500,000 in a Bank?

Yes.

A foreign national, by depositing at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency in banks operating in Turkey and undertaking to keep this amount for three years, can apply for Turkish citizenship by investment.

This method is regulated under Article 20 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law. The Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality also explicitly lists this investment method among the conditions for citizenship.

However, there is a particular issue that must be paid attention to in 2026.

 

Is it Possible to Keep 500,000 USD as Foreign Currency in the Bank?

Regarding the citizenship investment transaction, the former practice of keeping the foreign currency amount directly as a foreign currency deposit for three years has been abolished.

Pursuant to the CBRT Implementation Instruction on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, the foreign currency amount to be used to fulfill the citizenship investment requirement is first sold to a bank operating in Turkey and transferred by the bank to the Central Bank. The resulting foreign currency sale transaction Turkish Lira amount is held in a Turkish Lira deposit for three years.

Therefore, in the 2026 practice, the applicant must;

500,000 USD → foreign currency sale through the bank → sale to the CBRT → depositing the TL equivalent into a TL time deposit → holding it for 3 years

properly execute the process as outlined.

 

What Should Be Considered Regarding the YUVAM Account in 2026?

In past practices, there were various applications regarding the protection of foreign exchange value through the YUVAM account.

However, the critical point in the current citizenship investment procedure is that the foreign currency to be used for citizenship purposes is subject to the procedure of sale to the CBRT, and the obtained Turkish Lira amount is evaluated as a citizenship deposit. In the CBRT's current instruction, it is stated that in deposit transactions within the scope of citizenship, the foreign currency will be sold to the Central Bank, and the TRY obtained as a result of the transaction will be kept in Turkish Lira deposits for three years, is governed by.

Therefore Transactions should not be carried out based on the old practice of "I will deposit 500,000 USD into the YUVAM account, keep it in foreign currency terms for three years, and thus fulfill the citizenship requirement."

There is also a mechanism for converting foreign currency into Turkish Lira in YUVAM accounts; the CBRT's current YUVAM regulation states that foreign currency balances are converted into Turkish Lira at the conversion rate, and a YUVAM account is opened.

Therefore, in deposit investments to be made for citizenship purposes, the bank's current procedure regarding citizenship transactions and the proper execution of the foreign currency sale transaction to the CBRT is of particular importance.

 

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Example of 500,000 USD Deposit Investment

For instance, let us assume that Iranian citizen A wishes to obtain citizenship in Turkey.

A has 500,000 USD.

A;

 

1. 1. Opens a suitable bank account in Turkey.
   2. Transfers the foreign currency amount subject to the citizenship investment to the bank.
   3. The relevant foreign currency is sold in accordance with CBRT procedures.
   4. The TRY equivalent obtained from the foreign currency sale is held in a citizenship deposit.
   5. The necessary documents are obtained from the bank.
   6. The compliance process demonstrating that the investment condition has been met is conducted by the bank.
   7. Following the Certificate of Conformity, the citizenship application process is initiated.

 

Here it is not sufficient for the funds to simply be held in a bank account in Turkey.

The transaction must be structured in compliance with citizenship legislation.

 

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2. Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate Valued at USD 400,000

 

Can Turkish Citizenship Be Obtained by Purchasing a Property Valued at 400,000 USD?

Yes.

A foreign national possesses the qualifications specified in the legislation, real estate with a value of at least 400,000 US Dollars by purchasing and registering on the title deed an undertaking not to sell for 3 years if placed, can apply for Turkish citizenship through the acquisition of real estate.

In the recent statements by the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality and Invest in Türkiye, this amount is 400,000 USD stated as.

However, applying for citizenship through real estate is a much more technical process than it appears at first glance.

 

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Which Real Estate Can Be Used for Turkish Citizenship?

In the 2026 practice, the real estate must possess the qualifications required by the legislation.

For example, in the current TKGM guide;

 

• • real estate with condominium ownership established,
  • real estate with floor easement established,
  • immovable properties designated as land with structures built on them

 

regulations are in place. In addition, there are certain restrictions regarding the use of agricultural or vacant immovable properties for citizenship purposes.

Therefore "Every immovable property with a title deed value of USD 400,000 grants citizenship" is not correct to state.

The immovable property's;

 

• • nature/status,
  • title deed registration,
  • foreigner's right to acquire immovable property,
  • encumbrances,
  • past transfers,
  • status of the seller,
  • valuation assessments,
  • payment documents

 

must be examined separately.

 

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Can Turkish Citizenship Be Obtained in Case of Co-Ownership of Real Estate?

 

One of the Most Important Issues in 2026: Jointly Owned Real Estate

No. A citizenship application cannot be made through the purchase of jointly owned real estate by more than one foreign national.

This issue is particularly important as it differs from past practices.

The current TKGM guideline explicitly states that it is not possible to apply for citizenship through the acquisition of real estate as shared ownership. For instance, if a piece of real estate is acquired by more than one foreign national in a way that establishes shared ownership, the property cannot be the subject of a citizenship application. Conversely, the acquisition of the entirety of a property previously registered in the name of multiple persons by a single foreign national is permitted.

 

Example

Assume the value of a house is:

USD 800,000

.

Two foreign nationals purchase this house;

 

• • A:
  • B:

 

if they purchase it in such a manner that, even though each of their shares has a theoretical value of USD 400,000 this structure cannot be used for the purposes of a citizenship application.

In other words:

 

"My share is worth USD 400,000."

saying this alone is not sufficient.

The acquisition of the real estate by the applicant through shared ownership (co-ownership) may constitute an obstacle to the citizenship application.

 

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Can the USD 400,000 Threshold Be Met by Purchasing Multiple Properties?

Yes, provided that the conditions stipulated in the legislation are met, it is possible to fulfill the minimum investment amount with the total value of multiple real estate properties.

For example;

 

• • a real estate property valued at USD 250,000 in Istanbul,
  • If a real estate property valued at USD 180,000 in Antalya

 

is acquired, the total investment value:

may be USD 430,000.

may be.

However, consideration is not solely given to the sum of the estimated market values of the properties.

Sales prices, payments, and official appraisals must be consistent with one another in compliance with the legislation.

The current guideline of TKGM stipulates that the determination of the investment amount shall involve the joint evaluation of the sales prices declared in the official deed and the price transfers/payments, and that these must be confirmed by a Value Determination Certificate.

 

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Can Turkish Citizenship Be Obtained via a Real Estate Promise to Sell Contract?

Yes.

In addition to the direct purchase of real estate, a promise to sell real estate agreement drawn up before a notary public meeting the conditions set forth in the legislation may also be the subject of a citizenship application.

However, applications through a promise to sell are among the procedures that must be executed with utmost care in practice.

The immovable property's;

 

• • the existence of condominium ownership (kat mülkiyeti) or floor servitude (kat irtifakı),
  • the sales price meeting the statutory amount,
  • the price being paid in cash,
  • the promise-to-sell contract being executed for citizenship purposes,
  • the necessary annotation being entered into the land registry

 

are important conditions.

 

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When Must the 400,000 USD Be Paid in a Promise-to-Sell Contract?

 

One of the Most Critical Practical Details

In a citizenship application based on a promise-to-sell contract, the required amount of 400,000 USD must be paid in cash, and the payment regarding this amount must be made no later than the date of the promise-to-sell contract.

This matter is explicitly regulated in the current TKGM guideline.

 

Example

Foreigner A signs a promise-to-sell contract on September 1, 2026.

For A to make the 400,000 USD payment:

on August 31, 2026

compliance regarding the date can be achieved if done.

However:

on September 5, 2026

a payment made after the date of the promise to sell agreement may pose an issue regarding citizenship.

Therefore, in the promise to sell agreement, "let's make the agreement first, and send the money later" such an approach is risky.

 

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Should the Funds Be Sent to the Seller's Account in a Promise to Sell Agreement?

In practice, the payment chain must be documentable and compliant with the legislation.

Particularly, regarding the sales price;

 

• • by whom it was sent,
  • from whose account it was withdrawn,
  • whose account it was sent to,
  • which real estate property it relates to,
  • on what date it was sent,
  • in which currency it was paid,

 

must be clearly demonstrated.

In a citizenship application, it is not sufficient to simply state "I paid 400,000 USD".

The source of the funds and the payment chain must be verifiable through bank records.

 

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How is the USD 400,000 Valuation Report Calculated?

It is extremely important that the valuation is conducted accurately when subjecting a real estate property to a citizenship investment.

Regarding real estate properties after 2024, the Valuation Determination Certificate (TTB) Basis for Acquisition of Citizenship through Real Estate Acquisition system is applied.

According to the recent announcements by TKGM, the validity period of TTBs issued after December 9, 2024, 6 months stated as.

Therefore, instead of proceeding in 2026 based on the former valuation report practice, the current TTB procedure must be followed.

 

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I Purchased USD 400,000 Worth of Real Estate, Is Citizenship Guaranteed?

No.

This is one of the most significant misunderstandings regarding citizenship by investment.

Purchasing real estate valued at USD 400,000 is only one part of the investment requirement.

Furthermore;

 

• • the real estate being eligible for citizenship,
  • the payment documents being in order,
  • the TTB reflecting the required value,
  • the 3-year non-sale commitment being registered,
  • the applicant having no impediments regarding citizenship,
  • the documents being accurate,
  • making the necessary residence and citizenship applications

 

.

The procedure announced by the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality indicates that following the investment requirement, there are stages for obtaining a Certificate of Conformity, short-term residence permit, and citizenship application.

 

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What is a Certificate of Conformity?

Certificate of Conformity, is an important document demonstrating that the realized investment fulfills the investment requirements stipulated by the legislation in terms of Turkish citizenship.

For applications through real estate acquisition, the conformity process is conducted following the review carried out by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre.

According to the statement by TKGM, following the acquisition of the 3-year non-sale commitment on the real estate, the transaction details are forwarded to the relevant authority for the issuance of the Certificate of Conformity. Once the Certificate of Conformity is issued, information is transmitted to the Directorate General of Migration Management and civil registration authorities.

 

In How Many Days Is the Certificate of Conformity Issued?

In practice approximately 30 days although it is stated that it can be concluded within this timeframe, this period should not be considered fixed and guaranteed for every file.

The workload of the transaction, completeness of the documents, characteristics of the real estate, and administrative reviews may affect the duration.

Therefore, for the applicant "It will definitely be issued in 30 days" it is not accurate to provide such a guarantee.

 

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What to Do After the Certificate of Conformity?

The general procedure proceeds as follows:

Investment → Certificate of Conformity → Short-Term Residence Permit → Citizenship Application → Security/Archive Investigation → Presidential Decree → Turkish Citizenship

The Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality also stipulates obtaining a short-term residence permit and subsequently applying for citizenship following the fulfillment of the investment condition and the acquisition of the Certificate of Conformity.

 

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Is It Necessary to Live in Turkey for Turkish Citizenship?

In citizenship applications through investment, the 5-year residence requirement under the general naturalization path is not applied.

However, during the citizenship process through investment short-term residence permit it is a stage that must be completed.

Therefore, the investor is not required to live in Turkey for 5 years for citizenship.

This is also one of the primary advantages of this system.

 

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Can the Spouse and Children of an Investor Also Obtain Turkish Citizenship?

One of the significant advantages of acquiring citizenship by investment is that, under certain conditions, the investor's spouse and minor children or dependent children may also be included in the citizenship application file.

However, for each family member;

 

• • identity documents,
  • birth certificates,
  • marriage certificates,
  • custody status,
  • translation and legalisation procedures

 

must be prepared accurately.

Discrepancies in first and last names, discrepancies in dates of birth, or failure to sufficiently document family ties, particularly in documents obtained from foreign countries, may prolong the application process.

 

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Why Do Citizenship Applications Require Greater Caution in 2026?

It would be a major mistake to think that citizenship applications through investment will be evaluated solely based on formal documents in 2026.

Particularly in real estate investments, the alignment between the actual economic value and the officially declared value has gained critical importance.

In a statement made by the Ministry of Justice on August 4, 2026, it was announced that legal proceedings had been initiated against an organization that allegedly inflated low-value properties through fraudulent appraisal reports to show high values and granted Turkish citizenship through collusive sales transactions, and that legal processes have been launched for the revocation of citizenship of 687 individuals. has been explained.

This development delivers a very significant message to investors:

 

Meeting the USD 400,000 threshold merely on paper is not sufficient for a citizenship application. The transaction must be genuine, the documents accurate, and the investment compliant with the regulations.

 

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Can Turkish Citizenship Be Revoked Retroactively?

Yes, if the legal conditions are met, the revocation or withdrawal of citizenship may come into question.

Under Article 31 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, the decision to acquire citizenship is issued as a result of false statements or the concealment of essential matters constituting the basis for the acquisition of citizenship in the event of such circumstances, a revocation mechanism is applicable.

Furthermore, Article 40 of the Law provides that decisions regarding the acquisition or loss of citizenship may be withdrawn if it is subsequently understood that they were issued without the fulfillment of legal conditions or were issued in duplicate, is governed by.

Therefore, the legality of the transaction remains significant for the investor even after the acquisition of citizenship.

 

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Can Real Estate Be Sold Before the 3-Year Holding Period Expires?

The 3-year non-alienation commitment is one of the fundamental conditions in the acquisition of real estate for citizenship purposes.

Selling the real estate or requesting the removal of the citizenship annotation before the expiration of this period may lead to severe consequences.

TKGM states that if the removal of the commitment is requested before the expiration of the three-year period, the request can be fulfilled, but the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship and the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management will be notified regarding the revocation of Turkish citizenship.

Therefore:

"I will sell the house immediately after obtaining citizenship."

such a plan carries serious legal risks.

 

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Can Another Foreign National Obtain Citizenship Using the Same Property After It Is Sold?

The history of each real estate property must be examined individually.

The TKGM guidelines contain restrictions regarding the subsequent use of a real estate property or share used in citizenship acquisition for acquiring citizenship again.

Therefore, a person wishing to purchase real estate for citizenship purposes must examine not only the current title deed holder, but also the past citizenship transactions of the real estate.

 

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Due Diligence and Checks Required Before Purchasing Real Estate

One of the most important practices to recommend to investors in 2026 is to conduct a legal due diligence before purchasing real estate.

For example, the following matters must be verified:

 

1. Is the real estate eligible for citizenship investment?

Not every real estate property can be used for citizenship.

 

2. Are there any encumbrances?

Mortgages, liens, annotations, or other restrictions must be examined.

 

3. Who is the seller?

The risks that the seller may pose in terms of past real estate acquisition and citizenship must be investigated.

 

4. Has the real estate been previously used for citizenship?

This is particularly important.

 

5. Are the valuation assessments realistic?

Reports that do not correspond to the actual economic value should be avoided in order to meet the USD 400,000 threshold.

 

6. How will the payment be made?

Bank transfers and foreign exchange purchase documents must be planned from the outset.

 

7. Will the 3-year annotation be established correctly?

During the title deed transaction, the citizenship purpose and the three-year commitment must be properly established.

 

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Most Common Mistakes in Turkish Citizenship by Investment Applications

 

1. Relying Solely on the Purchase Price of the Real Estate

A sales price stating USD 400,000 is not sufficient on its own.

Valuation assessments and payment documents must also comply with the legislation.

 

2. Purchasing Shared Real Estate

Even if the applicant's own share is valued at USD 400,000 citizenship applications based on shared acquisition may not be possible.

 

3. Sending Money After the Promise to Sell Agreement

It must be remembered that the advance payment of USD 400,000 must be made no later than the date of the agreement.

 

4. Relying on the Obsolete YUVAM Practice

The current CBRT foreign exchange selling and TRY deposit procedures must be taken into account for citizenship deposits.

 

5. Using an Appraisal Value Higher Than the Actual Value

There is a very serious risk regarding this matter in 2026.

 

6. Failing to Review the Real Estate's History

It must be investigated whether the real estate has been previously used in a citizenship transaction.

 

7. Disregarding the Three-Year Undertaking

The violation of the three-year investment requirements following the acquisition of citizenship may lead to severe consequences.

 

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Practical Roadmap for Turkish Citizenship by Investment

 

Phase 1: Selection of the Investment Method

First, it must be determined whether the investor will use:

a deposit of 500,000 USD,

or

real estate worth 400,000 USD.

method will be utilized.

 

Phase 2: Preparation of Funds and Documents

The source of funds, bank transfers, and investment documents must be prepared.

 

Phase 3: Execution of the Investment

The investment must be made in accordance with the chosen method.

 

Phase 4: Certificate of Conformity

The relevant institution determines that the investment meets the citizenship requirements.

 

Stage 5: Short-Term Residence Permit

The short-term residence permit process for citizenship purposes is carried out for the investor.

 

Stage 6: Citizenship Application

An application is filed with the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality.

 

Stage 7: Review

Necessary background checks and reviews are conducted regarding the applicant and family members.

 

Stage 8: Decision

Upon fulfillment of the conditions, citizenship is acquired by the decision of the President.

 

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USD 400,000 Real Estate Investment or USD 500,000 Deposit?

This question does not have the same answer for everyone.

 

Subject	USD 400,000 Real Estate	USD 500,000 Deposit
Minimum amount	400,000 USD	500,000 USD
Duration	3-year non-disposal period	3-year holding period
Principal transaction	Acquisition of real estate	Bank deposit
Valuation	TTB and related documents	Bank/BRSA process
Title deed transaction	Required	Not required
Acquisition risk	High	Lower
Property history	Important	None
Rental income	Possible	Deposit yield
Sale restriction	3 years	3 years

In the real estate method, the investor additionally assumes the economic and legal risks of the property.

In the deposit method, however, there is no property selection or title deed procedure, although investment amount of USD 500,000 is required.

 

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Citizenship by Investment from the Perspective of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State

Turkish citizenship by investment is essentially administrative law and citizenship law a matter evaluated within the field.

Therefore, in practice, decisions of the Danıştay may be of particular importance regarding the lawfulness of citizenship procedures, administrative actions, and the annulment of citizenship decisions.

The Yargıtay, on the other hand, addresses issues arising in real estate transactions such as;

 

• • collusion (muvazaa),
  • cancellation of title deed and registration,
  • forgery,
  • fraud,
  • private law and criminal disputes arising from sales transactions

 

may gain significance in terms of.

Especially in citizenship by investment, sham transaction in the event of such claims being raised, consequences may arise not only in terms of citizenship law, but also in terms of real estate law and criminal law.

Investigations conducted in 2026 due to allegations of acquiring citizenship through fraudulent expert appraisals and collusive sales demonstrate that this matter is not merely an administrative procedure.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I become a Turkish citizen by purchasing a house worth USD 400,000?

Yes. Provided that the other conditions in the legislation are met and the necessary commitment not to sell the real estate for three years is established, eligible real estate valued at least USD 400,000 may be the subject of a citizenship application.

 

Can I become a Turkish citizen by depositing USD 500,000 in the bank?

Yes. This method can be used provided that a deposit of at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency is deposited in a bank operating in Turkey and held for three years. Compliance with current foreign exchange selling and TRY deposit procedures is required.

 

Can I become a citizen if I purchase half of a house valued at 400,000 USD?

No. Citizenship applications cannot be made through fractional acquisitions. The fact that the theoretical value of the applicant's own share equals USD 400,000 does not change this outcome.

 

When must the 400,000 USD be paid in the promise to sell agreement?

At the latest by the date of the promise to sell agreement. The current TKGM (General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre) guidelines stipulate that the required amount must be paid in cash and the price regarding this amount must be paid no later than the date of the contract.

 

Is it prohibited to sell the real estate for three years for citizenship purposes?

Yes. There is a three-year non-sale commitment regarding real estate acquired for citizenship purposes.

 

What happens if the real estate is sold before the three-year period expires?

Early removal of the undertaking or the sale of the real estate may result in the revocation of citizenship. TKGM states that in the event of the cancellation of the undertaking before the expiration of the three-year period, the relevant civil registry and migration authorities are notified.

 

How long does it take to issue the Certificate of Conformity?

In practice, approximately around 30 days it can be concluded; however, this is not a fixed and guaranteed period. The nature of the file and administrative workload may alter the duration.

 

Is citizenship granted definitively after making the investment?

No. Fulfilling the investment requirement enables the initiation of the citizenship process; the final citizenship decision is rendered as a result of the relevant legal examinations.

 

Can Turkish citizenship be revoked after making the investment?

Yes. Particularly in the event of concealing material facts forming the basis for the acquisition of citizenship, making false statements, or the subsequent discovery that legal conditions were not met, revocation or withdrawal mechanisms may come into play.

 

Is it risky to use fake appraisal reports in citizenship applications in 2026?

Yes, it is extremely risky. On August 4, 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced that revocation proceedings had been initiated regarding 687 individuals on the grounds that low-value real estate was shown as high-value through fraudulent appraisal reports and citizenship was acquired through collusive transactions.

 

Can I keep USD 500,000 as foreign currency in the YUVAM account for three years?

In deposit investments made for citizenship purposes, current CBRT foreign exchange sale procedures and TRY deposit requirements must be taken as a basis. The foreign currency related to the citizenship investment is sold to the CBRT within the scope of the relevant procedure, and the resulting TRY is required to be held in a TRY deposit.

 

Is it necessary to live in Turkey for 5 years to obtain Turkish citizenship?

No. Exceptional citizenship through investment is a different legal path from the five-year residence requirement for general naturalization. However, there is a short-term residence permit stage during the citizenship process for the investor.

 

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Conclusion and Legal Assessment

It is possible to acquire Turkish citizenship through investment in 2026. In practice, particularly a bank deposit in the amount of 500,000 US Dollars and acquisition of real estate valued at 400,000 US Dollars methods stand out.

However, citizenship by investment is not merely depositing a certain amount of money or purchasing real estate of a certain value.

Particularly in the real estate route;

real estate selection → legal due diligence → TTB/valuation report → payment → Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate → title deed transaction → 3-year commitment → Certificate of Conformity → residence permit → citizenship application

the process outlined above must be executed correctly as a whole.

As for the deposit route;

500,000 USD investment → relevant bank → foreign exchange sale transaction → TCMB → TRY equivalent → TRY deposit → 3-year holding period → Certificate of Conformity → residence permit → citizenship application

the procedure outlined above must be carried out in compliance with current regulations.

Particularly, reliance on former practices should be avoided regarding matters such as YUVAM accounts, keeping foreign currency directly as foreign currency for three years, shared real estate, making payments after a sales promise contract, appraisal reports that do not reflect the actual value, and failure to examine the history of the real estate .

One of the most critical developments to heed in this regard in 2026 is the post-audit of citizenship procedures and the concrete emergence of proceedings aimed at revoking citizenships acquired unlawfully. The Ministry of Justice's statement regarding the initiation of legal proceedings for the revocation of citizenship against 687 individuals in August 2026 indicates that investors must exercise significantly greater caution before and after the transaction.

Therefore, a foreign national applying for Turkish citizenship by investment should, prior to making an investment decision, comprehensively evaluate the compliance of the real estate or financial investment with citizenship legislation, the source of funds, the payment chain, the consistency of documents with one another, and the three-year investment obligations together.

Especially in real estate investments of 400,000 USD, rather than adopting an approach of "let's buy the property first and think about the citizenship procedures later," conducting a legal review regarding citizenship prior to purchasing the real estate is a much safer method.

 

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Author Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ
İstanbul Barosu Sicil: 77008

This article has been prepared for general legal informational purposes regarding Turkish citizenship by investment as of 2026. Since investment amounts, administrative practices, and application procedures may be subject to legislative changes and administrative practices, current legislation and official institution practices must be separately verified prior to any specific application.

 

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Compliance Statement with TBB Professional Rules and Advertising Prohibition

This content for general legal information purposes has been prepared. It does not aim to provide legal advice to any specific person, guarantee any specific outcome, or imply that any attorney is superior to others.

The explanations contained herein, Turkish Code of Obligations, the Turkish Citizenship Law, relevant regulations, and current information and practices published by official institutions, and are provided for general informational purposes.

 

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Communication and Legal Information

Attorney Batın YILMAZ
İstanbul Barosu Sicil: 77008

Regarding Turkish citizenship by investment, citizenship through acquisition of real estate, citizenship through bank deposits, Certificate of Conformity, real estate valuation, and citizenship application processes, for legal information and consultation requests İletişim applications can be made through channels.

This contact section do not aim to constitute advertising, solicitation, client acquisition, claims of professional superiority, or guarantees of outcome.