For many Chinese investors considering Turkish citizenship by investment, selecting a suitable property is only one part of the process.
One of the most common practical questions we receive is:
“How can I legally transfer money to Turkey to purchase property and apply for Turkish citizenship?”
Some Chinese investors hold funds in mainland China, while others maintain bank accounts in Hong Kong, Singapore or other international financial centres. Questions also frequently arise about whether a spouse, family member, friend or company can make the property payment.
Turkish property transactions may accommodate different lawful payment structures, including certain third-party payments. However, the transfer must comply with applicable banking requirements, foreign-exchange procedures and the documentation requirements relevant to the property transaction and citizenship application.
Investors considering the programme should review the overall Turkish Citizenship by Investment requirements and investment routes before committing funds. Where citizenship is the objective, obtaining legal advice before signing a purchase agreement or transferring investment funds can also help identify transaction and documentation risks at an earlier stage.
This guide explains the principal payment options and practical considerations Chinese investors should understand before transferring funds to Turkey.
1. Can Chinese Citizens Transfer Money to Turkey to Buy Property?
Yes. Chinese citizens who are legally eligible to acquire property in Turkey may transfer funds through authorised banking channels, subject to the laws and regulations applicable in the country from which the money is transferred.
For the Turkish citizenship by investment real estate route, an eligible foreign investor may apply after purchasing qualifying real estate worth at least USD 400,000, subject to the applicable valuation, payment documentation, title deed and three-year holding requirements.
However, two separate issues should be distinguished:
- Whether the funds can lawfully be transferred from the originating jurisdiction.
- Whether the payment and transaction documentation satisfy the requirements of the Turkish property purchase and citizenship process.
A transaction that can be processed through the Turkish banking system does not automatically mean that the transfer complies with mainland China's foreign-exchange regulations.
Chinese investors should therefore confirm that their funds are lawfully available for the intended overseas transaction before arranging a transfer.
For mainland funds, SAFE's individual foreign-exchange guidance says ordinary personal FX purchases must not be used for overseas property purchases or split across other people's quotas. A personal FX convenience quota is not permission for an overseas property investment. Confirm a lawful route with the originating bank and qualified local advisers; using Hong Kong or Singapore does not by itself remove these rules.
For a broader overview of the programme, see our Turkish Citizenship by Investment legal guide.
2. Can Chinese Investors Use Bank Accounts in Hong Kong or Singapore?
Potentially, yes.
Investors who lawfully maintain funds in Hong Kong, Singapore or another jurisdiction may generally arrange international transfers to Turkey, subject to the compliance requirements of the banks involved.
In our work with international investors, we regularly encounter Chinese clients who maintain legitimate overseas banking relationships.
For example, an investor may have:
- A personal bank account in Hong Kong.
- An existing Singapore bank account.
- Funds lawfully held through an overseas business.
- Savings held in another jurisdiction.
These circumstances may provide different options for structuring the payment for a Turkish property acquisition.
The location of the sending bank account does not, by itself, determine whether an investor is eligible for Turkish citizenship.
What matters from the Turkish citizenship perspective is whether the investment, payment records, required foreign-exchange documentation and underlying property transaction comply with the applicable requirements.
Investors should not assume, however, that transferring funds through Hong Kong or Singapore removes obligations that may apply under mainland Chinese law.
3. Can a Family Member, Friend or Company Transfer the Property Payment?
Certain third-party payment arrangements may be possible, but they require careful review.
The payment trail must be sufficiently clear and the relationship between the payment, purchaser and underlying transaction must be appropriately documented.
Payments from Family Members
Depending on the circumstances, a spouse, parent, adult child or another family member may make a payment connected to the investor's property purchase.
The relationship between the parties and the purpose of the transfer should be appropriately documented.
Payments from Friends or Other Individuals
A payment from another individual may also be considered depending on the circumstances.
However, the Turkish bank or relevant authorities may request additional information concerning the sender, the relationship with the purchaser, the source of funds and the purpose of the payment.
Payments from Company Accounts
Where an investor owns or is legitimately connected to a company, a payment involving a corporate account may be possible depending on the transaction structure.
The company's involvement should be supported by appropriate corporate, financial and transaction records.
A company-funded payment does not automatically mean that the property should be registered in the company's name. Where citizenship is being pursued through an individual's real estate investment, the applicable personal ownership and citizenship requirements must still be satisfied.
Why Advance Legal Review Matters
Third-party payment acceptance should never be assumed.
The TKGM citizenship guide calls for a reasonable-connection assessment between the payer, purchaser and recipient. This is not blanket approval for every family, friend or company payment: the records must support the specific transaction.
Turkish banks are subject to anti-money-laundering and customer due-diligence requirements, while the documentation used for the property and citizenship process must establish a sufficiently clear payment trail.
At IGA Law Firm, we recommend reviewing the proposed sender, receiving account, payment purpose and supporting documentation before significant funds are transferred.
This can reduce the risk of avoidable complications later in the property acquisition or citizenship application.
Investors planning a property-based application can learn more about the role of legal review in our guide to choosing property for Turkish Citizenship by Investment.
4. Does the Money Have to Arrive in the Investor's Personal Turkish Bank Account?
Not necessarily.
Depending on the transaction structure and the requirements of the banks involved, the funds do not always have to originate from or pass through the investor's own personal Turkish bank account.
However, the payment must remain traceable and properly connected to the underlying property transaction.
For citizenship applications, the banking records and required foreign-exchange documentation form an important part of the investment evidence.
Investors should therefore avoid informal transfers, undocumented cash arrangements or payments to unrelated accounts without first confirming whether the proposed structure is appropriate.
The payment route should be reviewed from both a legal and banking perspective before significant funds are sent.
5. What Is the Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB)?
One of the important documents associated with Turkish real estate acquisitions by foreign investors is the Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate, commonly known in Turkey as the Döviz Alım Belgesi (DAB).
Under the applicable Turkish foreign-exchange framework, foreign currency used in relevant real estate acquisitions is processed through the authorised Turkish banking system in accordance with the applicable rules.
The bank issues the relevant foreign-exchange documentation.
For example, where an investor intends to purchase a property for USD 450,000, the foreign currency and payment process should be coordinated with the bank, seller and title deed transaction.
A particularly important point for citizenship cases is that the DAB, bank payment records and underlying property transaction should be consistent with each other.
The account used to send the funds, the person conducting the relevant transaction, the payment recipient and the sequencing of the transaction should therefore be reviewed in advance.
Incorrect sequencing or incomplete documentation can create difficulties later in the property and citizenship process.
6. Can Chinese Investors Open a Turkish Bank Account Remotely?
In some circumstances, yes.
Certain Turkish banks may provide remote customer-identification or account-opening procedures for eligible foreign clients.
However, remote account opening is not an unconditional right and depends on the bank's internal policies, identification procedures, compliance assessment and the applicant's circumstances.
Remote digital identification and representative-assisted branch procedures are different arrangements. Confirm in advance, preferably in writing, whether the intended bank accepts your foreign passport, residence status and proposed representation before relying on remote account opening.
Banks may request documents or information such as:
- A valid passport.
- A Turkish tax identification number.
- Proof of residential address.
- Information concerning occupation and financial profile.
- Source-of-funds or additional compliance documentation where required.
Some institutions may also use video-identification procedures.
Can a Lawyer Open the Account Using a Power of Attorney?
A properly drafted Power of Attorney (POA) may authorise a Turkish lawyer to perform specified banking-related procedures for the investor where the relevant institution permits representation.
Whether an account can actually be opened or operated through a POA depends on the bank's rules and applicable identification requirements.
Certain procedures may therefore still require direct participation by the investor.
IGA Law Firm assists international clients with Turkish tax identification, banking documentation, powers of attorney and coordination of the legal documentation connected with their investment.
The scope of a POA can also be defined so that the investor retains appropriate control over the authority granted.
7. What Is the Safest Legal Process for Transferring Property Investment Funds?
For a Chinese investor purchasing Turkish real estate with citizenship as the intended objective, the transaction should ideally be planned before money is transferred.
Step 1 — Review the Property Before Payment
Verify the title deed, registered ownership, annotations or encumbrances, transaction documentation, valuation requirements and the property's potential suitability for the intended citizenship route.
A qualifying purchase price alone does not replace proper legal review of the property.
Read our lawyer's guide to choosing the right property for Turkish citizenship for more detail.
Step 2 — Confirm the Proposed Payment Structure
Identify:
- Who will send the money.
- The originating bank account.
- The receiving account.
- The relationship between the sender and purchaser, if different.
- The source and purpose of the funds.
- The supporting banking documentation.
This should be done before initiating a significant international transfer.
Step 3 — Prepare the Turkish Banking and Legal Documentation
Obtain the relevant Turkish tax identification and complete the necessary banking, representation or Power of Attorney procedures depending on the transaction.
Step 4 — Coordinate the Foreign-Exchange Procedure
Arrange the required foreign-exchange documentation through the authorised Turkish banking system in accordance with the applicable procedure.
Step 5 — Complete the Property Payment and Title Deed Transfer
Ensure that the payment evidence, declared transaction value and title deed documentation are consistent with the transaction.
Step 6 — Apply for the Relevant Conformity Determination
Once the qualifying investment has been completed, the competent authority reviews whether the investment satisfies the relevant requirements.
Step 7 — Proceed With the Applicable Residence and Citizenship Stages
After the investment stage, the investor and eligible family members can proceed with the relevant application procedures.
Chinese families should also prepare their civil-status documentation carefully. Hukou records, birth documentation, marriage and divorce records, apostille formalities and documentation for children can require particular attention.
For those issues, see our dedicated guide: Turkish Citizenship for Chinese Citizens in 2026: Documents, Hukou, Apostille & Family Guide.
8. Common Mistakes Chinese Investors Should Avoid
Sending Money Before Checking the Property
A property may have title, valuation, transaction or citizenship-related issues that are not apparent from sales materials.
Legal review should ideally take place before significant funds are committed.
Using a Third-Party Account Without Preparing the Documentation
Even where a third-party payment structure may be possible, the connection between the sender, purchaser and transaction should be clear and appropriately documented.
Assuming Any International Transfer Will Be Accepted
Banks may request additional compliance information or decline a proposed transaction depending on the circumstances.
Incorrect DAB Arrangements
The applicable foreign-exchange procedure should be coordinated with the property payment and title deed transaction.
Relying Exclusively on the Property Seller or Sales Agency
A developer or real estate agency represents a different commercial role from an independent lawyer.
Independent legal due diligence can help an investor assess title records, contractual obligations and transaction risks before making a binding commitment.
Ignoring Rules in the Country From Which the Money Is Sent
The fact that a payment may be acceptable for the Turkish transaction does not remove legal or regulatory obligations applicable in the jurisdiction from which the funds originate.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Can my friend in Hong Kong transfer money for my Turkish property purchase?
Potentially. Whether the proposed structure is suitable depends on the circumstances, including the relationship between the parties, the payment purpose, banking requirements and the documentation available. It should be reviewed before the transfer is made.
Can my Chinese company pay for a property registered in my personal name?
A corporate-funded payment structure may be possible in appropriate circumstances, but the relationship with the company, basis for the payment, supporting documentation and applicable compliance requirements need to be reviewed. It should not be assumed to be automatically acceptable.
Do I need to visit Turkey to open a bank account?
Not necessarily in every case. Some institutions may offer remote identification or other arrangements for eligible foreign clients, but the requirements vary between banks and applicants.
Can I purchase property through a Power of Attorney?
A properly drafted and accepted POA can authorise a representative to carry out specified property-related procedures where representation is legally permitted.
However, a Power of Attorney does not necessarily eliminate every personal-attendance requirement connected with the broader residence and citizenship process.
Is USD 400,000 Enough to Obtain Turkish Citizenship?
USD 400,000 is the current minimum qualifying threshold for the real estate investment route, but reaching the financial threshold alone does not guarantee citizenship.
The property, transaction, payment evidence, holding requirement, applicant and application must satisfy the applicable requirements, and the competent authorities make the relevant determinations.
For the complete programme structure and alternative investment routes, see our Turkish Citizenship by Investment requirements and options.
10. How IGA Law Firm Assists Chinese Investors
IGA Law Firm is an Istanbul-based law firm advising international investors on Turkish citizenship by investment and real estate transactions.
Since 2018, our team has supported more than 600 families, with Chinese investors representing an important part of our citizenship-by-investment practice.
Our work may include:
- Independent real estate due diligence.
- Citizenship eligibility and transaction review.
- Review of proposed international payment arrangements.
- Turkish banking documentation and POA assistance.
- Coordination of foreign-exchange documentation.
- Property purchase agreements and title deed transactions.
- Conformity procedures.
- Residence and citizenship application coordination.
- Documentation for eligible spouses and children.
- Chinese-language communication support.
We also work with international immigration and investment-migration professionals seeking Turkish legal support for their clients.
Our approach focuses on legal review, transparent documentation and identifying potential issues before significant investment commitments are made.
Planning to Transfer Funds to Turkey for a Property Investment?
Whether your funds are held in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore or another jurisdiction, the payment structure should ideally be reviewed before the transfer takes place.
IGA Law Firm can review the proposed property transaction, payment structure and citizenship requirements and identify the documentation that should be prepared before funds are committed.
Speak with IGA Law Firm about your Turkish Citizenship by Investment application.
Legally reviewed by Irmak Gürer Aksöz, Attorney at Law
Last reviewed: October 2026
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice for an individual transaction. Banking, foreign-exchange, property and citizenship requirements may vary depending on the investor, transaction, financial institutions involved and the assessment of the competent authorities.
Official Sources and Source Check
Source links checked on 31 October 2026. These sources explain general requirements; bank acceptance and individual eligibility still require case-specific review.
SAFE — personal foreign-exchange guidance
TKGM — citizenship/payment guide, 1 February 2023 (TDUB copy)
Invest in Türkiye — property and citizenship requirements
BDDK — banking identification and electronic banking legislation
