TURKISH CITIZENSHIP

Turkish citizenship

Turkey has attracted the attention of international investors, especially in the last decade, due to its standard of living and advanced healthcare system, as well as its scenic beauty. This attention also leads to an increase in naturalization applications. The process of applying for citizenship is not that complicated, but it can be difficult if applicants want to apply on their own. Currently, Home World Alanya accompanies its customers throughout the entire process of obtaining citizenship. Below you will find information about obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment.

Citizenship through investment

This is the most convenient way to obtain Turkish citizenship if you were not born into a Turkish family. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette of Turkey on September 19, 2018 and December 7, 2018, obtaining Turkish citizenship is possible by purchasing a property in Turkey in the amount of at least $400,000 or by submitting a commitment to a notary to purchase a property in Amount of $400,000. It is also possible to obtain citizenship by depositing $500,000 in Turkish banks.

The most preferred type of citizenship in recent years is citizenship through investment in real estate, as applicants not only receive citizenship but also have consistently profitable investments. The necessary information about citizenship by investment is presented in the continuation of the article.

How do I apply for citizenship?

Home World Alanya guarantees to be with you throughout the citizenship process. First, you buy a property worth 400,000 $ and we contact the General Directorate of Land Cadastre and Cadastre (TAPU Office) to ensure that you can exercise your citizenship right. Once the application is received, staff will review the assessment report and transfer documents. An application for citizenship is usually approved within 3 to 7 days. With this approval, we submit an application to the immigration authorities on the same day. After applying for ownership, the entire process takes place at the Citizenship Information Office in Istanbul and Ankara. You complete citizenship within 2-6 months.

The advantage of applying for citizenship by investing in Home World Alanya is the most reliable, cost-effective and easiest way. Why? Most of these offices charge much more than the brokerage fees. In addition, many of them do not guide you correctly at every stage. You should consider all options and work with a reliable company. Home World Alanya is the leading real estate company in Turkey in terms of selling properties to foreign investors with experience since 2011. In addition, with over 12 local experts in our team, we speak over 10 languages in our offices including English, Turkish, Russian , German, Arabic and Persian. We know how important it is to be able to communicate in your language and we speak your language.

Legal support is also crucial when applying for citizenship. With our experienced team and the support of our legal team, this process will be easy and smooth for our clients and their families.

Another option is to give Home World Alanya a power of attorney to manage the process for you. We have a Power of Attorney (POA) template that contains only the necessary rights for the purchase process. Since 2011, we have extensive experience and a reputation for being error-free. (DFor details see.”Power of attorney when buying real estate in Turkey”)

Required Documents for Turkish Citizenship by Investment

  • registration form
    • Valid passport
    • Four passport photos of each family member
    • Birth certificate
    • Residence permit or valid tourist visa in passport
    • Health certificate
    • Documents confirming your relationship with your spouse and children (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children), if any
    • Copy of Turkish ID card and address of applicant's relatives in Turkey (if any)
    • Application for tax payment
    • Assessment report
    • Bank receipt for a payment of at least 400,000 $.
    • Title deed or notarized commitment to purchase a property

Benefits of Turkish Citizenship

Continuous residence in Turkey for a specific period of time is not required to qualify for citizenship. You can continue to live abroad and apply for citizenship once you receive a residence permit.

Your wife/husband and children under 18 can acquire citizenship at the same time as you.

When you apply for citizenship, you do not have to declare your assets or income that you currently have in other countries.

Many countries allow Turkish citizens a visa-free stay of 30 to 90 days, and some countries also issue visas on arrival or issue an electronic visa (e-Visa) when applying online.

In addition, you can travel to many countries visa-free with your Turkish passport.

Types of citizenship

Turkish Citizenship through Investment

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette of Turkey on September 19, 2018 and December 7, 2018, one can become a Turkish citizen by purchasing real estate in Turkey for at least $400,000 or by committing before a notary to purchase real estate worth $400,000. You can also apply for Turkish citizenship by investing $500,000 in Turkish banks or hiring 50 Turkish employees for your workplace. However, you are not allowed to sell this property for three years.

birth

According to Article 1 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403, you can qualify for Turkish citizenship if you were born in Turkey or abroad to a Turkish father or mother. However, you cannot obtain citizenship if your father and mother are not Turkish citizens. If the mother and father have successfully applied for naturalization, this also applies to children. In addition, those who have lost their Turkish citizenship can be naturalized again under certain conditions.

Turquoise card system

The Government of the Republic of Turkey created the Turquoise Card System to attract highly qualified foreign teachers, investors or anyone who contributes to the development of arts, sports, social and cultural activities. (More on the turquoise card.)

Wedding

You cannot acquire Turkish citizenship directly by marrying a Turkish citizen. The applicant must have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years at the time of application and the marriage must be valid. If a person meets these conditions, he or she can “only” apply for Turkish citizenship.

Long term accommodation

Foreigners who have lived in Turkey with a residence permit for five years or more are eligible for citizenship if they have not spent more than 185 days per year outside the country. When applying, you must prove that you can support yourself financially. The officials will also carry out an on-site check and ask you for an interview in Turkish.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the process

Q: How do you become a Turkish citizen and how does the process work?
A: After purchasing a property worth more than $400,000, you can submit an application to the General Directorate of Land Registry (Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü in Turkish). This is one of the fastest ways to obtain Turkish citizenship. This application form will be sent to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. Appraisers check the value of the property, its value must be at least 400,000 $. However, please note that you are not allowed to sell this property for three years. Finally, the application will be sent to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship and you will receive an invitation for the final signature. Obtaining citizenship is completed within 2 to 6 months.

Q: What documents are needed to obtain Turkish citizenship?
A: After purchasing a property from us, the Home World Alanya team will help you prepare all the necessary documents.

Q: How can I calculate the exchange rate for USD and Turkish Lira?
A: The General Directorate of Land Registry calculates the lira/dollar exchange rate as of the application date based on the Central Bank of Turkey exchange rate.

Question: How long does this process take?
A: Obtaining citizenship is completed within 2 to 6 months.

Q: What is the most important point we need to know?
A: The ministry wants to ensure that the minimum amount is $400,000. Sworn real estate valuation companies confirm the accuracy of the price to prevent price fraud. Appraisers can have a deviation (difference) of up to 20% from the sales price. Therefore, Home World Alanya advises you to buy a property with this assessment.

Q: Is an interview or test required at any stage?
A: No.

Q: Will I be granted citizenship if I meet the requirements?
A: No. First, you should make sure that the applicant does not pose a threat to national security.

Q: Do you help with applying for and obtaining Turkish citizenship?
A: Home World Alanya will accompany you and guide you through the entire process.

Q: Do I have to come to Turkey to get citizenship?
A: No. Home World Alanya organizes the entire process from start to finish. 

Q: How do I obtain Turkish citizenship as a stateless person?
A: When purchasing a property worth at least $400,000, you can apply for Turkish citizenship with a mandatory document proving the applicant's statelessness. (Travel document issued by the United Nations.)

Q: The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship takes approximately two months. Can I get a residence permit through this procedure?
A: You and your family can get a residence permit. (No.: 6458/31-J)

Q: If I become a Turkish citizen, will I have to do military service?
A: If you can prove that you have already completed military service in your home country, or if you are 22 years old or older on the day you obtained Turkish citizenship, you do not need to do military service in Turkey.

Q: Who can apply for a Turkish passport? Which nationalities?
A: All nationalities who buy property worth more than 400,000 $ in Turkey are eligible to apply.

Q: Do I have to live in Turkey to get citizenship?
A: No.

Q: Is it possible in Turkey have citizenship of several countries?

A: The Turkish government allows multiple citizenships. However, you can check this point with your country's consulate as some countries such as China, India and Saudi Arabia do not recognize multiple citizenship.

Q: Do I have to give up my current citizenship if I become a Turkish citizen?
A: No, Turkish laws allow dual or multiple citizenship. It depends on which federal state you are a citizen of.

Q: Is there an alternative way to obtain Turkish citizenship?
A: You can apply for the Turquoise Card if your budget is not enough to obtain Turkish citizenship through investment. The turquoise map serves as the green map of the United States. The turquoise card gives its holder all civil rights, with the exception of the right to vote and military service for men.

Q: Is the applicant allowed to do business in Turkey?
A: Yes.

Real Estate Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I only have to buy one property worth more than 400,000 $, or can it be multiple units?
A: You can purchase various properties with a total value of over 400,000 $. But you have to apply for all of them at the same time. If the declared value exceeds $400,000, the General Directorate of Land Cadastre and Cadastre accepts applications for citizenship.

Q: Can I be eligible to become a Turkish citizen if I buy a property under construction for which I do not have a title deed in my name?
A: Yes, the Turkish government also recognizes notarized property purchase obligations. You can apply for citizenship with a notarized commitment to purchase real estate if the payment amount exceeds $400,000.

Q: I buy real estate on installments. Can I get Turkish citizenship?
A: Yes. You can apply for Turkish citizenship if you have a notarized commitment to purchase a property, paid the installments through a bank after September 19, 2018 and the total amount of payments exceeds $400,000.

Q: Can I apply for citizenship with a property I previously purchased?
A: You can apply for Turkish citizenship with a declaration of ownership after September 20, 2018.

Q: Can I buy commercial property with guaranteed rental income? Does this allow me to get citizenship by investment?
A: Yes, all property types are suitable.

Q: What is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization?
A:The ministry checks with sworn experts whether the value stated in the land register exceeds 400,000 $. The entire value of the property must be paid to the property seller via bank transfer.

Q: How do I get Turkish citizenship through investment and how does the process work?
A: After purchasing a Real Estate Investment Fund (REIF) of more than $500,000, you can apply to your bank (Halkbank, İş Bank, Akbank or QNB Finansbank). This is one of the fastest ways to obtain Turkish citizenship. This application form is submitted to the Capital Markets Board of Turkey. We receive a “Document of Approval of Citizenship” from the bank, which is mandatory for applying for citizenship by investment. Home World Alanya will help you collect/fill out all required documents. Finally, the application will be sent to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship and you will be invited for the final signature.

Frequently asked questions about acquiring citizenship through family members

Q: Can my family get Turkish citizenship?
A: Yes. Citizenship is granted to you, your wife/husband and your children under 18 years old.

Q: I have a disabled child/children over 18. Can he obtain citizenship?
A: If they prove that they cannot support themselves, they can obtain Turkish citizenship together with their parents with special documents.

Q: We have a child over 18 years old. Will he/she receive Turkish citizenship from us?
A: No.

Q: Is it necessary for the applicant to bring his entire family to Turkey at any time?
A: There is no need to bring your entire family to Turkey at any time. You should only have documents from your entire family with you.

Q: Can more than one person with the same title deed apply for the program?
A: Yes. You, your wife (or husband) and any of your children under 18 years of age.

Power of attorney

Power of Attorney (POA) a legal document that gives one person the right to represent another person in legal matters or to act on behalf of another person. When you give someone a power of attorney, it means that the agent can act on your behalf in relation to the powers specified in the power of attorney.

POA helps you with many legal transactions such as transfer of ownership when buying a property in Turkey. However, Home World Alanya points out that only registered and certified lawyers or professional real estate agents issue powers of attorney. You also need to be careful to only grant the powers of attorney that your attorney needs for a limited time. We strongly advise against granting a general power of attorney that contains powers of attorney.

When you buy a property in Turkey, your power of attorney includes the authority to purchase the property on your behalf and connect electricity and water. In this case, the trustee only has the necessary powers, so your trustee cannot violate your rights. You should always think twice before granting the right to sell a property.

Home World Alanya notes that professional advice is key when granting a power of attorney and therefore you should “leave the job to the experts”. Our professional team makes this process safe and easy for you. Since 2004, we have been guaranteeing our customers “zero failure” thanks to our extensive market experience.

Granting of a power of attorney

You can issue a power of attorney at a notary in Turkey. The process usually takes 2 hours. The presence of a lawyer when issuing a power of attorney is not required. In some cases you may need your trustee's identification details, your passport and your photograph. In addition, foreign buyers who do not speak Turkish must have a sworn translator registered with a notary. Turkish notaries have sworn translators who arrive at the notary's offices within 15 minutes of being called. In addition, every Turkish embassy and consulate also acts as a notary abroad by appointment.

Türkiye is part of the “Hague Apostille Convention”. If you live in one of the convention countries, you can contact any local notary to issue a power of attorney. Your real estate agent can provide you with a power of attorney template that contains only the necessary powers. Once the power of attorney is issued, you must have it apostilled with the relevant authorities such as the governorate, municipality, etc. Please note that some power of attorney documents are only valid with photos in Turkey. Therefore, contact a local notary and attach your photo. your power of attorney as required,

FAQ

Q: What is a Power of Attorney (POA)?
A: A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives one person (the trustee) the right to act on behalf of another person (the attorney) when notarized. The trustee has the authority to sign legal documents on behalf of the attorney for decisions regarding his attorney's property, finances, or medical care.

Q: What documents are required to grant a power of attorney?
*: Your original passport and its translation, tax number and two photos (for some transactions only).

Q: How can I grant a power of attorney in Turkey?
*: The notary's employees will create a power of attorney for you after receiving the necessary documents. A certified translator from a notary office translates power of attorney documents. After signing the documents, you pay the costs and then receive the documents.

Q: Why do I need an interpreter to issue a power of attorney in Turkey?
A: You must have a certified translator to explain the terms in the documents before signing, as the documents are only prepared in Turkish.

Q: How much does a power of attorney cost?
A: The cost is calculated after the power of attorney document is ready, as the notary has certain prices depending on the number of characters. The costs therefore depend on what is stated in the power of attorney.

Q: Do I have to be in Turkey to grant a power of attorney?
A: No. There are two ways to grant a power of attorney abroad:

  • After making an appointment, you can have a power of attorney issued at the Turkish consulate in your country and then send it to your authorized representative in Turkey.
    • If you live in one of the countries that have an apostille agreement with Turkey, go to a notary in your country to issue a power of attorney. You then take it to the responsible authority (district, municipality, etc.) for an apostille. After sending the documents to Turkey, they will be sent to the Notary Office of Turkey for notarization of the translation. Please note that some powers of attorney are only valid with photographs, so please ask your local notary to enclose your photo with this power of attorney if requested.

Q: Who can I give power of attorney to in Turkey?
A: A power of attorney can be granted to any person who has reached the age of 18.

Q: Can children under 18 make a power of attorney in Turkey?
A: Children under 18 may only grant power of attorney with the written consent of their parents.

Q: Do I need a photo for a power of attorney?
A: Yes. This is required for a sellable power of attorney, but not for other types of powers of attorney.

Q: Can I give someone power of attorney to withdraw money from my bank account?
A: Yes, you can carry out banking transactions using a power of attorney.

Q: A tax number is required to issue a power of attorney. How do I obtain a power of attorney if I am outside Turkey?
A: The passport number serves as a tax number when issuing a power of attorney from abroad. In such cases, the power of attorney should be accompanied by the right to issue a tax number. This allows your trustee to obtain your tax number on your behalf.

Q: How many people can make a power of attorney per person?
A: There is no limit to the number of people who can grant power of attorney for the same person.

Q: What transactions and services can I perform with a power of attorney?
A: A power of attorney gives the trustee the authority to conduct financial transactions, sign legal documents, or make healthcare decisions, but there are some exceptions:

  • Your agent must be an attorney if you want your documents taken to or from court.
    • Your agent must be a lawyer when conducting a transaction with immigration authorities.

Turkish citizenship through fund investment

Flexible and new requirements for foreigners to obtain Turkish citizenship have come into force in the Turkish Parliament. According to the agreement published in the Turkish Official Gazette on September 19, 2018, the conditions for obtaining Turkish citizenship by foreign investors have been changed. Home World Alanya supports you throughout the entire Turkish citizenship process with this professional service.

Information and FAQs about Turkish citizenship through fund investments

  • Minimum investment amount 500,000 USD through banks (Halkbank, İş Bank, Akbank or QNB Finansbank)
    • Funds licensed by the Turkish Capital Markets Board
    • In 2017, average productivity is 321 TP2T
    • Your monetary and title documents are under the control of the custodian
    • Ernst and Young fund audits

Question: How do I obtain Turkish citizenship and what is the process of obtaining citizenship?
Answer: When purchasing a real estate fund (REIF) for more than 500,000 USD, you can apply to a bank (Halkbank, İş Bank, Akbank or QNB Finansbank). This is the shortest route to Turkish citizenship. Once the application is submitted, this form will be sent to the Capital Markets Board of Turkey. As Home World Alanya, we receive a “Citizenship Approval Document” from the bank, which is required to invest in the Citizenship Application Fund. Finally, the application will be sent to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship and you will be asked to sign.

Q: What documents are required to obtain Turkish citizenship?
A: After you receive the funds from us, Home World Alanya team will help you provide all the necessary documents.

Q: Should I only buy one fund over $500,000 or can it be multiple funds or bank deposits?
A: You can buy various funds and invest part of the money in bank deposits with a total value of more than $500,000. But remember that you have to apply for all of them at the same time. If the values are over $500,000, the Turkish government accepts applications for citizenship.

Question: What is the three year rule?
A: Remember that you cannot sell your investment for 3 years. But you can receive interest, profits or dividends.

Question: How long does the process take?
A: If all the necessary documents for applying for Turkish citizenship are completed, it will take 2 to 4 months.

Q: Can I purchase a commercial fund with a rental income guarantee? Does this allow me to get citizenship by investment?
A: Yes, you can invest in any type of fund. (land funds, housing funds or commercial funds)

Q: Can more than one person use the fund?
A: You, your wife or husband and your children under 18 use the fund.

Q: How much does Home World Alanya charge for the subsequent maintenance of the process?
A: At Home World Alanya, we have experience in obtaining citizenship through investing in real estate, which is the most popular way to obtain citizenship. Home World Alanya helps you choose the best value for money before receiving your Turkish passports. We charge $2,500 + VAT as a fee for our services.

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