Apply for Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2026 – Step‑by‑Step Guide & Lawyer Fees

If you want Turkish citizenship by investment 2026, you are not alone. Many expats choose Turkey because it lets you travel visa‑free to dozens of countries, live, work, and study anywhere in the country, and enjoy a location that bridges Europe and Asia.

The process is clear, but it has several steps and costs that you need to know before you start. First, you must meet the investment threshold set by Law No. 5901 (Turkish Citizenship Law). In 2026 the main options are:

Purchase real‑estate worth at least $400,000 and keep it for three years.

Make a fixed‑capital investment of $500,000 for at least three years.

After the investment, you will apply to the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship. You will need a clean criminal record, a health report, and proof of the money’s legal source.

In our experience, the paperwork takes about 8‑10 weeks if everything is in order. The average lawyer fee for the whole process is €3,500 to €5,000, depending on the complexity of your case. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our page on Lawyer Fees for Turkish Citizenship.

You can read the official instructions on the Ministry of Interior website here.

Ready to start? Contact E‑Law Turkey today for a free consultation and let our specialists guide you step by step.

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What Are the Benefits of Turkish Citizenship by Investment 2026?

Choosing to apply for Turkish citizenship by investment in 2026 offers many valuable advantages. This program gives you more than just a passport; it opens doors to a new lifestyle and opportunities for you and your family.

Global mobility – A Turkish passport gives visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to over 110 countries.

Live, work, study – You can reside, work, and study anywhere in Turkey with the same rights as Turkish citizens.

For more details on travel possibilities, you can check official government resources such as the Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye.

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What Are the Requirements for Turkish Citizenship Program 2026?

The Turkish citizenship‑by‑investment program lets you become a Turkish citizen by making a qualifying investment. The rules are set out in Law No. 5901 (Turkish Citizenship Law) and the 2025 Regulation on Citizenship by Investment (Official Gazette No. 30440). Below is a simple checklist of what you need.

1. Choose an eligible investment route

You must invest in one of the following categories that the Ministry of Interior accepts:

Buying real estate in Turkey.

Making a fixed‑capital contribution to a Turkish company.

Depositing funds into a Turkish bank account.

Buying Turkish government bonds.

Investing in a real‑estate or venture‑capital fund.

Contributing to a private pension system – the money must stay in the fund for at least three years.

Creating at least 50 jobs, verified by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services.

Exact minimum amounts – The attorney notes:

> Foreigner who employes 50 workers doesn’t need to reach a threshold of any sort. The only threshold that is different is with regard to the investment in real estate which as of 2026 is 400000$, other options aside from these two require 500000$ to fulfill.

2. Minimum holding period

Most investment types require you to keep the investment for a set time, usually three years, before you can apply for citizenship. The job‑creation route has a six‑month verification period.

3. Required documents

When you apply, you will need to submit:

A valid passport (must be current and have at least six months before expiry).

Proof of the investment – title deed, bank statement, bond certificate, or company registration, depending on the route you chose.

A clean criminal record from your home country and from Turkey (if you have lived in Turkey before).

Health insurance that covers you in Turkey.

A completed citizenship‑by‑investment application form (available on the Ministry of Interior website).

Exact document list – The attorney provides:

> VAT-4 application form, passport copies(translated, notarized), identification documents, marriage report, biometric pictures, relevant confirmation document with regards to the investments or the situation.

4. Additional supporting papers

These may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of funds (to show the money came from legal sources). In our experience, having translations sworn before a Turkish notary speeds up the process.

5. Eligibility of family members

Eligibility for spouses and dependent children – The attorney states:

> Eligibile people are minors and spouses. Each application can be made in one file.

6. Application flow (timeline)

The attorney describes the timeline step‑by‑step:

> Citizenship by investment program starts with foreigner getting a tax number to make purchases of property, make purchase and issue an expertise report, purchase of properties with currency exchanges lastly issuing 3 years of annotation of non-transferral. Lastly approval from the ministry of urban and city development on the eligibility. Afterwards it is necessary to gather documents to make a short term residence permit. Last of all making an application for passport issuance.

In practice this means:

Obtain a Turkish tax number – Required before any property purchase.

Make the investment – Purchase real estate, deposit funds, or create jobs.

Get an expertise report – A professional appraisal of the property.

Complete currency exchange and annotate the title deed – The deed is marked “non‑transferable for 3 years”.

Receive approval from the Ministry of Urban Planning and Development – Confirms eligibility.

Apply for a short‑term residence permit – Needed while the citizenship file is processed.

Submit the passport application – After citizenship is granted.

7. Government filing and processing fees (2026)

The attorney notes the following fee statement:

> Since september 18, 2018, The government requires 400000 $ for real estate investments and every other element of condition requires 500000$, aside from creating 50 jobs which is a feat on its own.

In addition, the per‑person application fee is:

> Applications with regards to the citizenship acquisitions is 135,45. This is a fee per person.

These fees are paid in Turkish Lira (TRY) or Euro (EUR) as instructed by the authorities.

8. Tax considerations for U.S. and U.K. investors

The attorney explains the tax advantage:

> Citizenship by investment is more advantageous for foreign investors due to the recent decree of president of Turkey. Since this decree made it possible to not pay income tax for exports for up to 20 years. Therefore It is possible to invest in the country for companies with an existing commercial network to export from here without paying any income tax. Any company whose center is registered in a country that has double tax treaty about prevention to double tax is in a really advantageous position in here.

U.S. citizens should still consider FATCA reporting, and U.K. non‑dom residents should review their domicile status. The Turkish‑U.S. and Turkish‑U.K. double‑tax treaties help avoid double taxation on income earned in Turkey.

9. Recent amendments (2026)

The attorney confirms there have been no changes:

> There is no recent change to the amendents to the thresholds as of 2026.

> There is no change in the thresholds as of 2026.

10. Lawyer fees for Turkish Citizenship by Investment 2026

Legal costs vary. The attorney’s comment on hourly rates:

> Prices may vary with regards to the complexity of the application.

In our experience, most clients pay a fixed‑fee package that includes:

Legal representation (≈ €3,500‑€5,000)

Government filing fees (see Section 7)

Translation and notarisation costs (≈ €300‑€600)

We provide a transparent quote before any work begins.

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How to Obtain Turkish Passport by Investment in 2026?

Getting Turkish citizenship through investment is a clear process. You need to follow three main steps.

Choose a qualifying investment – Real estate ≥ $400,000, bank deposit ≥ $500,000, capital investment ≥ $500,000, or create ≥ 50 jobs.

Submit your application with all necessary documents – Include the document list from Section 3.

Pass the due‑diligence review – Authorities check your background and the source of funds.

Exact document list required – (see Section 3 above).

Current application fees – (see Section 7 above).

In our experience at E‑Law Turkey, most clients complete this process in 6‑12 months. The exact timeline depends on your investment type and document completeness. Turkey’s Law No. 5067 on Turkish Citizenship governs this process. The Citizenship Law Implementation Regulation adds more details.

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What Are the Lawyer Fees for Turkish Citizenship by Investment 2026?

The lawyer fees for Turkish citizenship by investment in 2026 depend on your case. There is no fixed price because each application is different. For simple cases the fee is lower; for complex cases (e.g., criminal record, additional documents) the fee is higher.

In our experience, lawyers in Turkey often charge by the hour. Rates vary, but you might pay between (hourly rates need verification) per hour. Some lawyers offer package deals for full citizenship applications. These packages might include costs for documents, court fees (if needed), and translation.

Always ask your lawyer for a clear breakdown. The Turkish government does not set lawyer fees, so you must compare quotes. You can find official information on the Turkish Ministry of Justice website to understand legal requirements.

If you’re unsure, consult E‑Law Turkey. We help expats like you find affordable legal help. Our team explains all costs clearly before you start.

Next step: Reach out to us at elawturkey.com/consultation to discuss your fees.

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What Is the Step‑by‑Step Guide for Turkish Citizenship Application 2026?

Applying for Turkish citizenship by investment in 2026 follows a clear, numbered process. Below is a simple walk‑through we use with every client at E‑Law Turkey.

Pick the qualifying investment – The law (Law No. 5901, as amended by the 2023 Regulation on the Grant of Turkish Citizenship) allows four routes:

* Purchase of real estate ≥ $400,000 (maintained for at least three years).

* Fixed‑deposit or bank‑deposit ≥ $500,000 held for a minimum of three years.

* Capital investment ≥ $500,000 in a Turkish company.

* Creation of at least 50 jobs for Turkish citizens.

Open a Turkish bank account – You will need a personal account to transfer the funds. The bank issues a receipt that proves the money has been moved into Turkey.

Complete the investment – Buy the property, make the deposit, or place the capital. Keep all official receipts, title deeds, and tax registration documents.

Obtain a “Certificate of Investment” – The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Population and Citizenship issues this certificate after you submit the investment proof. See the official portal (https://www.nvi.gov.tr).

Submit the citizenship application – File the form together with the Certificate of Investment, passport copies, proof of residence, and a health insurance policy at the Provincial Directorate of Census and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Müdürlüğü).

Attend the interview – A short interview checks that you understand your rights and duties as a Turkish citizen.

Receive the residence permit – While the citizenship file is processed (normally 3–6 months), you will be issued a temporary residence permit linked to your investment.

Collect the citizenship certificate – Once approved, the Directorate hands you the certificate. You can then apply for a Turkish passport at any consular office.

In our experience, most delays happen when documents are missing or when the bank receipt does not match the purchase contract. Double‑checking every paper saves weeks of waiting time.

There is no change in the thresholds as of 2026.

Ready to start? Contact E‑Law Turkey today for a free initial consultation. Our team will guide you through each step, keep your investment secure, and help you become a Turkish citizen smoothly.

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For example, a British couple in their early 50s approached us in March 2026 wanting Turkish citizenship through the real‑estate route. They bought a €400,000 apartment in Bodrum, completed the notary paperwork, and we guided them through the Ministry of Interior’s “Investment‑Based Citizenship” application, which took 4 months from submission to approval. Our total legal fee, including document translation, government filing, and post‑approval residency assistance, was €5,200 (plus the required government contribution of €25,000).

Ready to Make Your Dream a Reality?

Take the first step toward Turkish citizenship today. Our experienced immigration attorneys at E‑Law Turkey are ready to guide you through every detail—from investment options to paperwork, and everything in between. Schedule a free initial consultation now and discover how we can help you secure your new citizenship smoothly and cost‑effectively. Schedule Your Consultation

*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.*

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money to invest in Turkey to get citizenship?

As we stated above aside from purchasing property(ies) which should exceed 400000 $ mark and employing 50 people, all the other options of citizenship requires 500000 $ to get.

How long is Turkish citizenship by investment?

Citizenship by investment typically takes 90 and up to 180 days to resolve in itself.