USD 400,000 in property, USD 500,000 in capital or deposits, or 50 jobs. What the Turkish citizenship-by-investment routes really require in 2026, and why the property route deserves a closer look.
Investor guide · 2026
Short answerTürkiye grants citizenship to foreign investors who buy property worth at least USD 400,000 (held for 3 years), invest or deposit at least USD 500,000 (3 years), buy USD 500,000 in government bonds or qualifying funds, or create 50 jobs. Processing usually takes 3–6 months after the investment. The property route is the most marketed, but not always the best investment.
Citizenship by investment is one of the most advertised topics for Gulf and international investors looking at Türkiye. The rules are clear; the sales pitch often is not.
The qualifying routes in 2026
- Real estate: at least USD 400,000, with a 3-year no-sale restriction registered on the title deed. The threshold was raised from USD 250,000 in 2022.
- Bank deposit: at least USD 500,000 held in a Turkish bank for 3 years.
- Fixed capital investment: at least USD 500,000, verified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
- Government bonds or qualifying funds: at least USD 500,000, held for 3 years.
- Job creation: employing at least 50 Turkish citizens, verified by the Ministry of Labour.
After the investment is completed, the process usually takes 3 to 6 months.
What the property pitch often leaves out
Foreign demand for Turkish housing has cooled. In 2025, 21,534 homes were sold to foreigners, down 9.4% and the lowest level in nine years, only 1.3% of all housing sales. Industry voices cite rising prices and return periods stretching to 30 years in some areas.
That does not make property a bad choice, but it means you should judge the property as an investment first and a passport route second:
- Get an independent valuation. Overpriced sales to citizenship buyers are a known problem.
- Check rental demand and realistic yield in that exact district.
- Remember the 3-year holding period and your exit options afterwards.
The business route: capital that works
For investors who want both residency options and returns, a productive business investment can be a stronger use of capital than a single apartment, especially when it is structured properly and reviewed independently. The USD 500,000 capital route and the 50-jobs route are designed exactly for that.
Our position
We are not a citizenship agency and we do not sell property. We help investors find and review business opportunities in Türkiye. If citizenship is part of your plan, work with a qualified Turkish lawyer and make sure the underlying investment makes sense on its own.
This article is general information, not legal or investment advice. Rules can change; always confirm the current requirements with a licensed lawyer.
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Get my shortlist Check a deal you were offered →Sources: Legal 500 – Turkish citizenship by investment 2026 · Daily Sabah – house sales to foreigners 2025Updated September 2026 · This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Figures change; verify with official sources and independent advisors before making decisions. 7Grounds does not guarantee returns.
7Grounds Team
The 7Grounds team in Istanbul: strategists, designers, marketers and franchise and investor specialists working across Türkiye and the Gulf in Arabic, English and Turkish.
