The Turkey Citizenship by Investment visa is in continual high demand, with foreign nationals keen to settle down in the warm, balmy Turkish climate, live in the middle of vibrant, cultural cities, or enjoy retirement in a villa with coastal views and beautiful beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.
For most, purchasing qualifying real estate for $400,000 or more is the simplest way to qualify for citizenship, given that most applicants would naturally plan to buy a home in Turkey or have a holiday apartment or rental property they can add to their portfolios or relocate to in the future.
Property Turkey is a long-established expert in the Turkish real estate market. Due to sustained interest in properties that would meet the citizenship visa threshold, the team has collated this guide to illustrate the kinds of properties you could own alongside your Turkish passport.
Understanding the Rules Around Securing Turkish Citizenship Through Property Acquisition
The visa invites foreign nationals to buy one property or several plots that reach the threshold minimum investment. A proportion of applicants are looking to relocate to take advantage of Turkey’s strategic commercial position linking east to west, while others decide to follow their dreams of living in some of the country's premium cities, resorts, and rural areas.
Choosing a property may depend on your goals since the areas and property styles we recommend may differ for a client buying a residential permanent home and for someone looking for a high-value property as an investment that is all but guaranteed to appreciate in value.
Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, Bursa, and Fethiye are currently the most popular locations. Specific areas like the Besiktas district within Istanbul are also particularly desirable to foreign investors, leading to a 20% rise in average real estate prices over the last year.
Other destinations, including Antalya, are also attracting surges in interest. Roughly 10,000 properties are sold to international investors annually, making this the second most in-demand location for foreign real estate acquisition, behind only Istanbul.
Advice on Selecting a Property to Qualify for a Turkish Citizenship Visa
While the investment threshold is $400,000 in USD, the first step to making an informed decision is to consider your budget.
Affluent investors are not restricted by the minimum value and can purchase premium real estate, luxury villas, and penthouse apartments with sweeping city or sea views—but establishing your budget is always the best place to start.
Location is equally important because the major cities naturally have higher property prices per square meter owing to their well-developed infrastructure, easy transport links, commercial business opportunities, local schools, and tourist resorts and amenities.
However, central Istanbul may not meet your goals if you’re relocating to Turkey in retirement. You might wish to look at real estate a little outside of the larger tourist resorts, where the pace of life is a little more tranquil.
Before proceeding with a property purchase, we’d advise you to consult the Property Turkey team. We'll conduct all the necessary checks and assessments to confirm that the legal documents related to the real estate are current, accurate, and clear, verify that the title deeds don’t present any issues, and confirm that there are no mortgages or debts linked to the property you wish to buy.
Our real estate professionals have years of expertise in the localised property markets and can provide input at any stage, from picking areas that suit your investment expectations and lifestyle to pointing out properties with a high rental yield and strong resale potential.
Examples of Turkish Real Estate Qualifying for Citizenship by Investment
To demonstrate the breadth of options currently on the market, we have picked just three examples of present-day listings managed by the Property Turkey team. All are offered for sale at or around the $400,000 investment requirement.
While we’d note that each of these attractive homes is likely to sell very fast, we hope this provides a better idea about the quality accommodation you can purchase in Turkey for a fairly modest budget and what the living space might look like in some of the highest-demand areas.
Buying a Contemporary Apartment in Pendik, Istanbul
Pendik is a fantastic option for investors looking for family-friendly homes close to the centre of Istanbul. It offers pristine sea views, excellent facilities, transport connections and conveniences nearby.
Considered an up-and-coming yet affordable part of this dynamic city, Pendik is adjacent to the coastline that follows the Sea of Marmara. It has ample green spaces and quick connections to the city while being within a short distance of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
A stunning three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in this region is for sale at around $400,000 with various layouts and décor options to choose from, located on the Anatolian side of the famous capital city with views towards the skyline and the sea.
Purchasing a Luxurious Villa With Dual Pools in Calis, Fethiye
Our next example is a spectacular villa in Fethiye's Ciftlik neighbourhood, just five minutes from the beach. It represents an aspirational lifestyle with three bedrooms and bathrooms, 300 square metres of private outdoor space, and 210 square metres of living space inside the villa.
Featuring a luxurious design with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool for your exclusive use, the landscaped gardens and quality features add to the appeal of this competitively priced villa, which is perfect for year-round living.
The Calis Beach district is a great place to live. It has easy access to the main Fethiye area, a relaxed atmosphere, a long promenade featuring shops, restaurants, and bars, and a lower living cost than in many other regions. Residents are also minutes from the sandy beach with its crystal clear waters.
Qualifying for Turkish Citizenship With a Newly Developed Konyaalti Apartment
Finally, we couldn't omit a complex of brand-new luxury apartment residences in Konyaalti, Antalya. This premium area is within a short walk of the closest beach and offers numerous social spaces and facilities within the communal areas for residents' enjoyment
Each apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, access to a well-maintained shared pool, is just two minutes from Konyaalti beach, and offers a chance to buy a gorgeous modern apartment for just $400,000.
Konyaalti is a popular Antalya beach resort with an upbeat ambience, proximity to the city centre, and a coastal lifestyle. It offers residents everything from shops, nightlife, and transport links to the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and Taurus Mountain ranges.
Read more about Property Turkey – All You Need to Know About Buying Property in Turkey as an Expat
About Property Turkey: With 20+ years experience in the Turkish real estate market, team Property Turkey are your experienced, friendly and independent overseas real estate consultants. Our head office is located in London, UK with regional operational offices in: Bodrum, Fethiye & Kalkan, Antalya and Istanbul.
