Offering luxury properties in prime locations across Istanbul
Istanbul sits on the crossing between Asia and Europe, with a population of around 16 million — roughly a fifth of Turkey’s total. One of the world’s most visited cities, a liquid domestic market, and a citizenship programme attached to real estate that remains among the most accessible anywhere.
USD 400k
Citizenship threshold
3 years
Title restriction
Under 18
Children included
Dual
Citizenship permitted
Turkish citizenship through real estate
Qualifying property with a combined appraised value of at least USD 400,000 entitles the buyer to Turkish citizenship, together with their spouse and children under 18.
The detail is where applications come unstuck:
- Value is assessed by a CMB (SPK)-licensed appraiser whose report is filed with the Land Registry, converted at the Central Bank rate on the transaction date — not the asking price, and not your own valuation.
- Value may be aggregated across more than one property.
- Mortgaged portions do not count. The qualifying amount is net of any financing, so the figure must be paid from your own funds.
- A three-year non-alienation annotation is recorded on the title deed. Selling within that period can retroactively void the citizenship.
- Dependent children of any age with a certified disability are included alongside children under 18. Parents and independent adult children are not.
Turkey permits dual citizenship, so there is no requirement to renounce an existing passport. There is no residence requirement during the process and no language test, and an attorney can act for you throughout — though you will attend in person to collect Turkish identity documents once naturalisation is issued.
Speak to an advisor
Most applications fail on valuation or funding, not on price. We check both before you commit.
Transaction costs
Title deed transfer tax is 4% of the registered land value, which is usually below the sale price. Turkish law splits this 2% to the seller and 2% to the buyer unless the parties agree otherwise. Annual property tax applies to foreign owners on the same basis as Turkish nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in their own name, provided the property sits within a municipality’s boundaries and is not in a military zone. Agricultural land and property in villages and certain rural areas are excluded.
Yes. Value may be aggregated across more than one property provided the total appraised value meets USD 400,000.
No. The qualifying amount is net of financing — mortgaged portions are excluded, so the threshold must be met from your own funds.
A three-year non-alienation annotation is recorded on the title deed. Selling within that period can retroactively void the citizenship granted on the basis of that property.
No to both. An attorney can handle the application, though you will need to attend in person to collect Turkish identity documents once naturalisation is issued.
Considering Turkish citizenship?
The threshold is straightforward. The valuation, funding and title conditions are where applications fail — we work through all three first.