Turkish Passport by Property: 2026 Requirements & Steps

9 September 2025

How to get a Turkish passport by buying a USD 400,000 property: 3-year holding period, Turkish seller, valuation report, documents, steps and costs.

Getting a Turkish passport is one of the most attractive reasons for foreigners to buy property in Turkey. The Turkish government has designed a special program for foreign investors that allows them to obtain Turkish citizenship and a Turkish passport through a property purchase, with no prior residency requirement, language exam or educational qualification. In this article we explain the requirements, steps, costs and legal points of this route in plain language.

Minimum Investment Amount

Under current rules, foreign buyers must purchase property worth at least USD 400,000 to qualify for a passport. This amount can be invested in one property or in several separate properties, provided their combined value reaches USD 400,000 and all of them are purchased within a set period.

The key point is that three figures must match: the amount in the sales contract, the value registered on the title deed (Tapu) and the value set in the valuation report. If the valuation report sets the property's value below USD 400,000, the property will not be accepted for citizenship, even if you paid more.

Main Requirements for a Turkish Passport

• Buying a property (or several properties) worth at least USD 400,000.
• Holding the property for at least 3 years; this commitment is recorded on the title deed as a "no-sale annotation" and the property cannot be sold before the period ends.
• Official registration of the title deed (Tapu) in the buyer's name.
• Full payment through the Turkish banking system, with bank receipts to prove it.
• The seller must be a Turkish citizen or a Turkish company; a property bought from a foreigner is not accepted for citizenship.
• The property must not have been used previously in another person's citizenship application.

Required Documents

• A valid passport for the buyer and family members, with official translation.
• Birth certificates, marriage certificate and children's birth certificates, with official translation and certification.
• The property purchase contract and the official title deed (Tapu).
• An official property valuation report (Değerleme Raporu) from a licensed appraiser.
• Bank transfer receipts and documents relating to currency exchange.
• A certificate of conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi), which the land registry issues after confirming the conditions are met.
• Biometric photos and the citizenship application forms.

Steps to Get a Turkish Passport by Buying Property

1. Choose an eligible property from a Turkish seller and check the title deed, any mortgage and the permits legally.
2. Obtain a valuation report and make sure the property's value is set at no less than USD 400,000.
3. Pay through the bank and transfer the title at the land registry office, together with the registration of the 3-year no-sale commitment.
4. Receive the certificate of conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi) from the land registry, confirming that the investment meets the citizenship conditions.
5. Obtain the special investor residence permit for yourself and your family.
6. File the citizenship application with the civil registry office and go through the security checks.
7. Citizenship decision is issued, followed by your Turkish ID card (Kimlik) and then your passport.

In practice, the whole process from purchase to passport usually takes 6 to 12 months. Complete documents and accurate translations are the most important factors in shortening this time.

Additional Costs of Citizenship by Property

• Title deed transfer tax: 4% of the property value (usually paid by the buyer).
• Valuation report, official translations and notary fees.
• Residence permit and citizenship application fees, which depend on the number of family members.
• Lawyer or consultant fees for following up the application (optional but recommended).

Benefits of a Turkish Passport

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to more than 110 countries.
• The right to live, work, study and receive healthcare in Turkey like Turkish citizens.
• The option to apply for a US E-2 investor visa.
• Citizenship granted at the same time to the buyer's spouse and children under 18.
• You can keep your previous nationality; Turkey accepts dual citizenship.

Mistakes That Ruin a Citizenship Application

• Buying from a foreign seller, or buying a property that has already been used for citizenship.
• Unrealistic pricing: the valuation report comes in below USD 400,000.
• Paying in cash or outside the banking system, which cannot be proven.
• Buying off-plan without making sure the 3-year commitment can be registered on the title deed.

To learn about other common errors, read our article 7 Dangerous Mistakes When Buying Property in Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Turkish passport by buying a property in installments?

Only if at least USD 400,000 has been paid and this payment can be proven on the title deed and in the bank receipts. Installments paid after that amount do not cause a problem.

Do the buyer's parents also get a passport?

No. Citizenship covers only the spouse and children under 18. Parents and adult children must file separate applications.

Can I sell the property after 3 years?

Yes. Once the 3-year period ends, the no-sale commitment is removed from the title deed and you can sell the property without affecting your citizenship.

What is the difference between a property residence permit and a passport?

For a property-based residence permit, a property worth at least USD 200,000 is enough, but citizenship requires USD 400,000 and a 3-year holding period. See the details in Turkey Residence Permit by Buying Property in Istanbul. We also cover the full administrative steps in the Turkish Citizenship and Passport Guide 2026.

✅ Conclusion

Besides being a profitable investment, buying property in Turkey is a legal and relatively fast way to obtain a Turkish passport. The keys to success are choosing the right property from a Turkish seller, a valid valuation report and transparent bank payment. ALO TURKEY's experts present citizenship-eligible properties and follow your file through to the passport. Browse citizenship-eligible properties or contact us for a free consultation.

Note: Turkish citizenship rules may change. Check the latest conditions with a legal adviser before buying.