ACQUISITION OF TURKISH CITIZENSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATES
With the amendment made in the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreigners who bought real estate worth at least USD 250,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish lira, with a note in Tapu (on a document confirming ownership) that it will not be sold within 3 years, could obtain Turkish citizenship in order of exception. However, on 13 June 2022, the minimum purchase amount was updated to 400,000 US dollars, and now, eligibility for Turkish Citizenship will be valid for real estate purchases from Turkey that correspond to exactly this amount.
It is also possible to acquire Turkish citizenship if the agreement, which is issued before the notary public in a manner to include promise of sale for a real estate with condominium or construction servitude created thereon worth at least USD 400.000 or equivalent thereof in foreign currency or in Turkish Lira deposited in cash along with the undertaking of no transfer and cancellation for 3 years, is annotated into land registry
In case of purchase of real estate(s) worth USD 400.000 and an undertaking of not selling the same for 3 years, or in case of an agreement, which is issued before the notary public in a manner to include promise of sale for a real estate along with the undertaking of no transfer and cancellation for 3 years, then a “Certificate of Eligibility” will be issued by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre or the relevant Regional Directorate as a document to be relied upon for citizenship request
Upon receiving the certificate of eligibility, foreigners first file an application for residence permit before the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and then an application for citizenship before the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs.
| NECESSARY DOCUMENTS | COMMENT |
| dentity document or passport | Identity document or passport indicating the foreign country of origin (along with translation when necessary) must be submitted |
| Identity Declaration Form | 1 photo is requested from the foreign natural person for “Identity Declaration Form |
| Document regarding representation if the procedure involves representation | Power of attorney, court order regarding guardian, letter of authorization etc. (If the transaction will take place based on a power of attorney issued abroad, original or certified copy of the power of attorney is to be submitted as accompanied by the translation) |
| Foreigner ID No | In case Foreigner ID No does not exist, Land Registry Directorate will ensure allocation thereof during application. |
| Title deed for the real estate sold | Required if it exists. |
| Valuation report for the real estate |
To be received from the firms authorized for valuation as published on the official website of CMB (Capital Market Board) or TDUB (The Turkish Association of Appraisers) |
| Bank-certified receipts evidencing money transfer | May be presented before or after the sale. |
| Compulsory earthquake insurance policy | Necessary for buildings such as residences, workplaces etc. |
| Sworn interpreter | Necessary if there is any party that does not speak Turkish (Must be authorized by the regional judicial commission). |
TEMPLATE FOR ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING CITIZENSHIP
- An agreement is reached for the real estate to be purchased. The real estate must be worth at least USD 400.000.
- CMB applies to one of the organizations authorized for real estate valuation and commissions a “real estate valuation report”.
- Land registry directorate is applied with the necessary documents.
- Land Registry Directorate undertakes an examination and checks whether the receipt, valuation report and the declared values meet the criteria sought in the regulations or not.
- If the necessary conditions are met, the parties concerned are informed by SMS about the land registry fee and circulating capital charge payable for the procedure.
Once the fees are paid, appointment time is notified by SMS so that the contract will be signed. - Once the signatures are affixed and the contracts are concluded, a statement is entered into the registry of the real estate to the effect that it will not be sold for three years and the title deed.
- Once the procedure is complete, land registry directorate sends the procedure documents to the General Directorate/Regional Directorate through the system so that the “certificate of eligibility” will be issued for citizenship application.
- Once the necessary checks are performed, the “Certificate of Eligibility” issued is sent to the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs and General Directorate of Migration Management for due action by an offical letter and it is sent to the parties concerned by e-mail.