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Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Fixed Capital, Employment, Deposits, Government Bonds and Fund Investment Conditions Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, article 12; Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law article 20; Law no. 6458 art.31/1-j was prepared based on the legislation in force as of 2026 and official sources dated October 2026.
Investment types other than real estate are one of the ways to gain citizenship by the decision of the President in accordance with Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law. According to Article 20 of the Regulation, this includes fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD, deposits in banks, government debt instruments, real estate or venture capital investment fund shares, private pension system contributions or employment of at least 50 people. A separate institution determines each type of investment, and most of the investment is obliged to hold it for three years. This guide explains types of investments other than real estate and common mistakes when applying.
What Types of Investment Does Citizenship by Investment Include?
The second paragraph of Article 20 of the Regulation lists the investment types for which citizenship can be acquired within the scope of subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law. This guide covers types other than real estate purchasing. Since real estate investment is explained in a separate guide, it is shown here only in the table.
Real estate or venture capital investment fund share $500,000, 3 years Capital Markets Board
Private pension system contribution fee $500,000, 3 years Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency
The amount and conditions required for real estate purchase are the subject of the citizenship through real estate guide.
How to Identify Fixed Capital and Employment Investment?
In fixed capital investment, the regulation requires the determination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology that a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD has been made. In terms of employment, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security must determine that at least 50 people are employed. In these two types, the relevant ministry evaluates whether the investment is real and sustainable. It is important in this process that the accounting, tax and insurance records of the investor company are regular.
What is the Three Year Rule in Deposits, Government Debt Instruments and Fund Share Investments?
The minimum investment amount for deposits, government debt instruments, investment fund shares and private pension contributions is at least 500,000 USD. This amount must be kept for three years. There is a condition that the foreign currency related to these investments must be sold to the bank before the transaction and the bank must sell it to the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (Article 20/10). Amounts held in Turkish Lira are also kept for three years.
The Capital Markets Board explained its process regarding real estate and venture capital investment funds on its website. Accordingly, fund shares are blocked in a separate sub-account opened for citizenship purposes, and the compliance of the investment with the conditions is confirmed by the Board with a "certificate of conformity". The Board issues the document within a few business days after the complete application. The dollar equivalent of the investment amount is determined according to the Central Bank exchange rate on the date of determination (Art.20/6). The Board also explains that exchange rate fluctuations do not subsequently affect the right to citizenship.
Can I Switch from One Investment Type to Another?
The eighth paragraph of Article 20 of the Regulation allows transitivity between investment types. In other words, the investor can convert his investment to another type of investment under certain conditions. Since the procedure of conversion and the practice of the relevant institutions vary depending on the file, this issue must be examined before taking the action.
Do Spouses and Children Also Benefit from Citizenship?
Subparagraph (b) of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law allows the foreign spouse and minor or dependent foreign children of the persons within the scope to benefit from this method. In every application, family members' birth certificates and marriage certificates must be complete. Incomplete or conflicting documents in the application will cause the file to be longer.
What is the Difference Between Investor Residence Permit and Citizenship?
Subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of Law No. 6458 regulates the issuance of short-term residence permits to those who invest in the scope and amount to be determined by the President, provided that they do not work in Türkiye. This permit provides the right of residence, not citizenship. Subparagraph (b) of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law includes those who benefit from this permit within the scope of the exceptional citizenship path. Since the criteria for residence permit and citizenship application are different, the two processes should not be confused.
How to Apply, What Happens If Rejected?
In addition to the investment determination document, the regulation requires the application petition, passport, identity and marital status documents and service fee receipt in the application file (Art. 20/3). Citizenship is acquired by the decision of the President. Requests of persons who are hindered in terms of national security or public order are rejected by the Ministry (TVK article 12/2). A lawsuit can be filed against the rejection in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification (İYUK art. 7).
Minimum investment amount 500,000 USD for fixed capital, deposits, government debt instruments, funds and BES
Holding time 3 years for deposits, government debt instruments, fund share and BES contribution
foreign exchange transaction It is sold to the bank, banks sell it to the Central Bank (Art.20/10)
Rejection A lawsuit can be filed in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification.
Case Summary Form: Fictional example: A business person wants to keep deposits in banks for citizenship purposes in Türkiye. A bank branch opens the account without stating that the transaction is for citizenship purposes, and the foreign currency is held for a while before being sold to the Central Bank. Process: The authority to determine deposit investment lies with the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency. Since the foreign currency must be sold to the bank before the transaction, failure to comply with this procedure may render the investment's compliance with the conditions questionable. Conclusion: Planning the transaction order from the beginning according to the investment type and determination institution reduces the risk of document deficiency and procedural errors. When the process is legally structured before the investment, the application file is prepared more accurately.
How many dollars are required for citizenship by investment?
Most investment types other than real estate require a minimum of $500,000. In terms of employment, it is not the amount, but the employment rate of at least 50 people. Can I withdraw the investment after three years? There is a three-year retention obligation for deposits, government debt instruments, fund shares and BES investments. The date from which the period begins and subsequent procedures depend on the regulations of the relevant institution.
Can the investment type be changed?
The regulation regulates pass-through between investment types. Which stage and how the transition will be made should be examined specifically for the file.
Can spouses and children also be granted citizenship?
Exceptional citizenship may also include a foreign spouse and minor or dependent children.
What to do if the citizenship application is rejected?
An annulment lawsuit may be filed in the administrative court within 60 days from the notification.
Are citizenship by investment and investor residence permit the same thing?
No. Investor residence permit gives the right to reside on the condition of not working; Citizenship is a separate status gained by the decision of the President.
Starting the process without determining the institution that will determine the investment.
Transaction of foreign currency without selling it to the bank in accordance with the regulation.
Breaking the three-year retention obligation.
Incomplete preparation of identity and marriage documents of family members.
Conducting transitions between investment types without researching the institutional practice.
Investment types other than real estate are subject to determination by different institutions and different procedures. Establishing the amount correctly, processing the foreign currency in accordance with the regulations and maintaining the three-year period form the basis of the application. Küheylan Law Firm provides legal support to foreign investors, from choosing the investment type to preparing the application file and in case of rejection, to the litigation process in the administrative court.
Important Legal Notice: The legal explanations contained in this guide have been prepared by Küheylan Law Firm for general information purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The unique conditions of each file may change the outcome. In order not to miss the application, objection and lawsuit deadlines, it is recommended to get legal support from a lawyer before the process begins. © 2026 Küheylan Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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