INFORMATION
With the amendment made to the Regulations Regarding the Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law.
Foreigners now may acquire Turkish citizenship through the exceptional means of purchasing real estate worth at least USD 250.000 or equivalent thereof in foreign currency or in Turkish Lira starting from the date 18.09.2018, provided that the land registry entries are annotated to the effect that the real estate will not be sold for 3 years.
For the real estate(s) purchased between the dates 12.01.2017 and 18.09.2018, the real estate must be worth at least USD 1.000.000 and above.
Starting from 07.12.2018, it is also possible to acquire Turkish citizenship if the agreement, which is issued before the notary public in a manner to include promise of sale for a real estate with condominium or construction servitude created thereon worth at least USD 250.000 or equivalent thereof in foreign currency or in Turkish Lira deposited in cash along with the undertaking of no transfer and cancellation for 3 years, is annotated into land registry.
It is not possible to apply for citizenship with real estate(s) purchased before the date 12.01.2017 and the real estate(s) covered by an agreement for the promise of sale before the date 07.12.2018.
In case of purchase of real estate(s) worth USD 250.000 and an undertaking of not selling the same for 3 years, or in case of agreement, which is issued before the notary public in a manner to include promise of sale for a real estate along with the undertaking of no transfer and cancellation for 3 years, then a “Certificate of Eligibility” will be issued by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre as a document to be relied upon for citizenship request.
Upon receiving the certificate of eligibility, foreigners first file an application for residence permit before the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and then an application for citizenship before the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs.