Change in “Conditions for Granting Turkish Citizenship” to Foreigners Who Purchase Real Estate in Turkey

Previously, the purchase of any property worth $400,000 was deemed sufficient for acquiring Turkish citizenship. However, a recent amendment to the Turkish Citizenship Law clarifies the type of property that needs to be acquired.

According to the new decision,  the term “real estate” in the regulation allowing citizenship through real estate purchase for foreigners has been changed to “real estate with condominium ownership (or construction servitude) or real estate (immovable property) defined as plot (land designated for construction), with structure on it”.

An amendment has been made to Article 20 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, titled ‘Exceptional Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship,’ which was a subject of much debate. Previously, the purchase of any property worth $400,000 was considered sufficient for obtaining Turkish citizenship. With the recent change, clarification has been provided regarding the type of property that needs to be acquired. Under the new regulation, Turkish citizenship can be obtained by purchasing real estate with condominium ownership or construction on land designated for construction.

According to the amendment in the regulation, the scope of the property that needs to be purchased for exceptional citizenship acquisition, valued at $400,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency, has been redefined.

ARTICLE BEFORE AMENDMENT

Before the change, Article 20(b) of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law stated:

“The purchase of real estate worth at least 400,000 US Dollars or its equivalent in foreign currency, with the condition that it is not sold according to the title deed records within three years, or the purchase of real estate with condominium ownership or construction on land designated for construction, with the condition that at least 400,000 US Dollars or its equivalent in foreign currency is paid in advance and a commitment is made at the notary that the transfer and abandonment will not be executed for three years, as determined by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.”

AMENDMENT IN DEFINITION OF PROPERTY TO BUY FOR CITIZENSHIP

With the amendment, the definition of the property has been revised to “real estate with condominium ownership or construction on land designated for construction, valued at $400,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency.”

Industry sources, in statements to ECONOMY, pointed out that the previous version of the regulation had a very broad scope. They also noted that the amendment abolished the granting of citizenship through the sale of fields and plots.