Acquiring property and citizenship in Türkiye
The process is not complicated, but it is sequential. Skipping one step can invalidate the next — this page sets out the real order.
For a foreign buyer acquiring in Türkiye, the hard part is not the price but the process. Knowing which document is obtained when, which channel the payment must pass through, and what the restriction placed on the title means, makes the transaction shorter than expected.
The steps below describe the general flow. Details vary with nationality, the region the property sits in and the purpose of the application; the official source should be consulted for definitive figures.
- Eligibility and preliminary checksWhether the buyer's nationality carries an acquisition restriction, and whether the property sits outside a military restricted zone, is checked against the title records.
- Tax number and bank accountA potential tax number is obtained from the tax office, then a Turkish bank account is opened. Routing the payment through this account matters for documentation.
- Valuation reportA real estate valuation report is obtained from a CMB-licensed firm. The report is mandatory for the title transaction and has a validity period.
- Currency transfer and FX receiptThe purchase amount is transferred from abroad and a foreign currency purchase document is issued. Where a citizenship application follows, this document sits at the centre of the file.
- Title transferTransfer takes place by appointment at the Land Registry. A sworn interpreter is required if the buyer does not speak Turkish. The DASK policy must be in place before transfer.
- Citizenship applicationA certificate of conformity is obtained, then the residence permit and citizenship applications are filed. The application may cover family members.
- Passport with notarised translation
- Potential tax number
- Biometric photographs
- CMB-licensed valuation report
- DASK compulsory earthquake insurance policy
- Foreign currency purchase document (for citizenship applications)
- Sworn interpreter (if Turkish is not spoken)
It is possible to apply for Turkish citizenship through a real estate investment. For the application to be accepted the property must exceed the stated minimum amount, the purchase amount must have been transferred correctly, and a restriction preventing sale for a defined period must be entered on the title.
The application may also cover a spouse and children under eighteen. Threshold amounts and holding periods change with legislation, so current values should be confirmed from the official source before deciding.
| Minimum real estate investment | USD 400,000 |
|---|---|
| Sale restriction period | 3 years |
| Application scope | Spouse and children under 18 |
Can a foreign buyer purchase any property in Türkiye?
No. Properties in military and security zones are restricted, and some nationalities face limits. The check is made against the title records before purchase.
Can I buy without seeing the property?
A transaction by power of attorney is possible, but for upper-segment property I do not recommend deciding without a site visit. A detailed video walkthrough followed by an in-person visit works better.
Why is a valuation report mandatory?
It documents that the amount declared at the title office is realistic. In a citizenship application it also evidences that the minimum amount has been met.
How long does it take?
With documents ready, the title transfer can complete within a few working days. Concluding the citizenship application is a separate and longer process.
Source: Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change — Your Key Türkiye · Last updated: 17 August 2026
Legislation and threshold amounts change. Check the official source for current figures.