HOW TO GET TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY BUYING A REAL ESTATE?

In the last two decade, obtaining Turkish citizenship has attracted attention from around the globe. Especially the growing economy and strong organic relations with western countries helped build the prestige of the Turkish passport.

There are variety of ways to obtain Turkish citizenship. The most used and easiest way is buying a real estate in Turkey and hold it for 3 years. In this article, we will explain the conditions and the process of obtaining Turkish Citizenship by buying a real estate.

CONDITIONS

There are two conditions that need to be fulfilled to apply to the Administrative Office of Citizenship.

First, the client has to buy a real estate in Turkey which is worth at least 250.000 USD. The type of real estate will not affect the right to obtain citizenship. A piece of land, a house or any other type of real estate is accepted. Also, the client doesn’t have to buy a single real estate, he or she can buy multiple real estates. The combined price of these real estates has to exceed 250.000 USD. As an example, you can buy a house which is worth 150.000 USD, and a shop which is worth 100.000 USD and you will be able to apply for Turkish citizenship.

Second condition is that the client has to agree to not to sell the real estate for at least 3 years. Usage of the real estate is left to the client. The client can rent the real estate or use it themselves. The law does not constraint us in any way. But the client has to be shown as the owner of the real estate for 3 years in the land registry documents.

THE PROCESS

There are 5 phases of obtaining Turkish citizenship by buying a real estate:

First, the client will send 250.000 USD to the seller party in Turkey. This money has to be transferred via bank accounts. The additional explanation in the bank receipt has to include the seller party, the real estate and what the money is being transferred for. This document will prove that the client has indeed bought the real estate for 250.000 USD.

Secondly, the sale process has to be completed in the land registry office that is in the vicinity of the bought real estate. Here the seller party will agree that the client (The buyer party) has paid the money as 250.000 USD. Then the client will state that they agree to buy the real estate. Then the authorized officer will prepare the necessary documents for the sale. After the sale, the client will be given the title of deed which will show him/her as the owner of the real estate. This document will prove that the client has bought the real estate.

Thirdly, the expert report has to be obtained from the SPK licensing companies. The reason for this procedure is that in the past some people would manipulate the system by showing the value of the real estate as 250.000 USD on paper while it wasn’t that much in reality. To prevent this, new articles were added to the relevant legislation. In the new system, the licensing company will prepare and submit an expert report regarding the true value of the bought real estate. In this report the value must exceed 250.000 USD. The bank receipt will not be accepted by the administration if it contradicts the expert report.

The next step is to obtain the document of conformity from the relevant land registry office. With the document that you sign here, you will agree to not to sell your real estate for 3 years. After signing the document, the officer will give the client the document of conformity. This will prove your acceptance of 3-year rule.

With all these documents, the official application to the Administrative Office of Citizenship can be submitted. The petition for acquiring citizenship has to be prepared and submitted to the administration. The entire process here will take 3-5 months. With the documents obtained, you will be able to prove that you fulfill the obligations.

OUR SERVICES

As Alfa Law, we provide legal consultancy services for our clients regarding obtaining citizenship. With the Power of Attorney document, we will be able to apply to the land registry offices for the document of conformity, apply to the SPK licensing companies, carry through the entire paperwork, apply to the administration and following up our application. We inform our clients at every step of the process.

There are some individuals who claim that they will obtain citizenship for you in 1 month or 2 months. Regarding the speed of governmental procedures for citizenship, this can not be achieved. We strongly recommend everyone against fraudulence and follow their procedures with a lawyer.