Buying Property in Türkiye for Citizenship?
The real estate route has a minimum qualifying investment of USD 400,000, but purchase price alone does not establish eligibility. Before signing a binding agreement or transferring funds, the title deed, ownership history, valuation and banking documentation should be assessed against the citizenship requirements. The applicable three-year holding restriction and conformity procedures also matter. IGA Law Firm provides independent legal due diligence and coordinates the property and citizenship documentation within the agreed scope of representation. If you already own a property, its acquisition date and available records need an individual assessment before you rely on it or make an additional purchase. The competent authorities determine conformity and citizenship approval.
How Can a Turkish Citizenship by Investment Lawyer Help?
A Turkish citizenship by investment lawyer reviews the proposed transaction, identifies legal risks and coordinates the documents and administrative procedures needed for an application. IGA Law assists international investors with investment review, powers of attorney, civil-status records and the citizenship file. The work is tailored to the chosen route and family circumstances, with responsibilities agreed before representation begins.
Our Legal Service Process
01 — Eligibility & Investment Route Review
We discuss your goals and family circumstances, review the proposed investment route and identify legal questions to resolve before funds are committed.
We clarify who intends to apply, the proposed ownership and funding structure, and any family or document issues requiring individual assessment.
02 — Legal Due Diligence
For property matters, our work may include title, annotation and transaction checks. For other routes, we review the legal documentation and coordinate with the relevant bank, fund or professional advisers as needed.
The scope is agreed for the particular transaction; checks should precede a binding commitment wherever possible.
03 — Investment & Documentation
We coordinate identity and civil-status records, translations, notarisation, powers of attorney and the documents required for eligible family members.
We check consistency between the investment evidence and personal records, and coordinate apostille or consular legalisation where applicable.
04 — Residence & Citizenship Application
Once the relevant investment conditions and confirmations are satisfied, IGA coordinates the applicable residence and citizenship stages. We identify missing records and explain appointments or personal attendance required for the file.
05 — Authority Follow-Up
We follow the relevant conformity determination and coordinate residence permit and citizenship application steps, keeping the client informed as the file progresses.
We review requests for further evidence with the client and explain responses and outstanding items.
When Should You Involve a Turkish Citizenship Lawyer?
Involve a lawyer before signing binding investment documents, purchasing property or transferring funds. Early review allows the proposed route, transaction terms and documentary gaps to be considered together. Spouse and child applications, foreign civil-status records and powers of attorney should be planned at the outset. If the investment is already complete, a separate review can assess what the available evidence supports.
Legal Due Diligence Before Making the Investment
Meeting an investment threshold does not replace review of the underlying transaction. For property matters, IGA may examine the title deed, ownership, annotations, mortgages, other encumbrances and transfer restrictions, together with the contract and payment evidence. We consider how those records relate to the proposed citizenship application. The scope depends on the property and available official records; legal checks cannot remove every commercial or investment risk. A legally transferable property is not necessarily suitable for your investment objectives or eligible for citizenship. These are separate assessments. For citizenship, we also review the relevant valuation and foreign-exchange records, the three-year holding commitment and the evidence for a conformity certificate.
real estate due diligence for international investors ↗Legal Support Across Turkish Citizenship Investment Routes
Real estate, bank deposits, qualifying investment funds and the private pension system (BES) involve different documentation and conformity procedures. IGA reviews the relevant legal evidence and coordinates with the bank, provider or competent institution as required. Programme thresholds and route comparisons belong in our dedicated guide; this service page explains legal representation rather than investment product selection or financial advice.
Compare the programme requirements and investment routes in our citizenship by investment guide.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment requirements and investment routes ↗Applying With Your Spouse and Children
Family inclusion depends on the applicable law and each person’s circumstances. IGA coordinates marriage, birth and identity records, relevant consent or custody evidence, translations, notarisation and apostille or legalisation where needed. Differences in names, dates or family records should be addressed before filing. We assess the documentation for each proposed family member rather than assume that every relative is eligible.
Can the Process Be Handled Through a Power of Attorney?
A properly prepared power of attorney may allow IGA to handle specified transactions and coordinate documents where representation is permitted. Its wording, authentication and Turkish translation depend on the issuing country and intended use. It does not replace every personal step: identity checks, biometrics and other procedures may require attendance. We explain those requirements when planning the file and confirm them with the relevant offices.
Already Made an Investment?
IGA can review a completed transaction and the available records to identify potential compliance issues and possible next legal steps. Share the agreement, payment records, title or bank documents and any conformity or application correspondence for an initial scope discussion. Some defects may require further evidence or a different approach; not every non-compliant investment can be corrected. For an existing property, we assess the acquisition date, ownership and transfer history, valuation, applicable foreign-exchange records, prior citizenship applications and any commitments or restrictions. A further purchase needs its own assessment. Earlier ownership does not automatically establish eligibility, and missing mandatory transaction documents cannot be assumed to be obtainable retrospectively.
Request a Legal Review ↗Why International Investors Work With IGA Law
IGA Law Firm is based in Istanbul and works with international investors on citizenship files and property transactions. Our existing team includes legal and communication support for English- and Chinese-speaking clients. We coordinate the investment evidence and family documents within one agreed legal scope, explain responsibilities and keep clients informed. The competent authorities retain their independent assessment and decision-making role.
Attorney Expertise: Irmak Gürer Aksöz
Irmak Gürer Aksöz is a partner and founding attorney of IGA Law Firm. Her practice includes Turkish citizenship by investment and real estate transactions. Clients can discuss the intended scope of representation with the legal team before instructing the firm.
Meet Irmak Gürer Aksöz ↗Planning your application timeline
We review the stages separately: investment checks, document preparation, conformity, residence and citizenship filing. Missing records, document legalisation and authority enquiries can affect timing. A timetable should be based on your file rather than a promised approval date.
After citizenship approval
We can discuss the next administrative steps for identity records and Turkish ID card or passport applications, alongside questions about the investment holding commitment. The scope of any follow-up work should be agreed at the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I involve a citizenship lawyer?
A legal review is most useful before signing a purchase agreement or transferring investment funds, when transaction structure and document gaps can still be addressed. An early discussion also helps establish the proposed legal scope, the documents to obtain abroad and any attendance that may be required. IGA can then identify matters needing further evidence or specialist advice before the client makes a binding commitment.
Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing multiple properties?
Multiple qualifying properties may be considered, but their combined purchase price alone does not establish eligibility. We review each acquisition date, ownership history, valuation and payment evidence, together with applicable foreign-exchange records and holding commitments, before advising on additional purchases. A purchase and a promise-to-sell arrangement have different documentation conditions, so the proposed combination needs individual review. The competent authorities determine investment conformity and decide the citizenship application.
Can IGA assist if I have already invested?
We can review an existing transaction and the available records to identify the next legal steps and any issues requiring correction. The review can cover contracts, payment evidence, title or bank records and correspondence with the authorities. It does not mean every defect can be remedied or that an existing transaction will qualify; the next steps depend on what the file establishes.
Does a lawyer guarantee citizenship approval?
No. Our role is to provide legal advice and coordinate the file; the competent authorities make the required determinations and the final decision. Meeting an investment condition is only part of the process. Document accuracy, applicable checks and administrative assessment remain relevant. IGA explains the legal work and follows the file, but cannot promise a positive outcome or substitute its judgement for that of the authorities.
Can I apply together with my spouse and children?
Eligible family members may be included under the applicable rules, but the answer depends on each person’s age, relationship and circumstances. IGA reviews the marriage, birth and identity records and identifies additional documentation, such as consent or custody evidence, where relevant. A family relationship alone should not be treated as a guarantee that a particular application will be accepted.
Can the process be handled through a power of attorney?
A power of attorney can cover specified steps where legal representation is permitted. IGA checks the intended authority, wording, authentication and translation before use. It does not necessarily remove the need for the investor or family members to attend identity, biometric or other appointments. We plan remote coordination alongside any personal procedures required by the relevant institutions.
How can an independent lawyer check whether an apartment qualifies for citizenship?
Before purchase, an independent lawyer can review the title deed, ownership and transfer history, annotations, mortgages, restrictions, purchase terms and payment trail. For citizenship eligibility, the review also addresses the applicable valuation and foreign-exchange documentation, the three-year holding commitment and conformity requirements. We assess these records together before you make a binding commitment. A price of USD 400,000 alone does not establish eligibility. The competent authorities make the required determinations, and legal due diligence cannot guarantee investment performance or citizenship approval.
Can IGA assist with bank deposit or BES investment routes?
IGA can review the legal documentation and coordinate the applicable conformity, residence and citizenship stages for bank deposit or qualifying BES applications. The evidence and institutions differ from a property transaction. Product suitability, returns, currency exposure and tax consequences may also require independent financial or tax advice. The scope of legal work should be agreed for the particular investment.
How long does the Turkish citizenship process take?
Timing depends on the individual file and the competent authorities’ workload and enquiries. Investment checks, document issuance and legalisation, conformity review, residence procedures and citizenship assessment are separate stages. IGA can explain the sequence and identify outstanding items, but cannot promise a decision date. Any planning estimate should be revisited if documents or administrative requirements change.
Do I need to live in Türkiye during the process?
Residence requirements and attendance requirements should be assessed separately for your circumstances. A power of attorney does not establish that every stage can be completed from abroad. IGA reviews the applicable residence procedures and checks which identity, biometric or other appointments require personal attendance. Travel plans should be confirmed against the requirements for the actual file rather than a general promise of a remote process.
