Turkish residence permit and citizenship by investment

Buying property in Turkey opens two routes to living here legally: a residence permit (ikamet) based on ownership and Turkish citizenship by investment. Below we explain the conditions, value thresholds, documents and timelines — and how we support you through the process.

Residence permit through property: who qualifies

A short-term residence permit on the grounds of property ownership is granted to foreigners who own an apartment, villa or house in Turkey. It lets you live in the country all year round, open bank accounts, take out insurance and travel in and out without visa-free day limits. The permit is issued for up to two years and can be renewed for as long as you own the property.

Value threshold

For a first application, the property’s appraised value must be at least $200,000 in provinces with metropolitan status — Antalya, and therefore Alanya, is one of them. In other provinces the threshold is $75,000. Several properties owned by the same person can be combined. Renewals of previously issued permits are generally not subject to the threshold.

Neighbourhood restrictions

In some neighbourhoods where the share of foreign residents has exceeded the set limit, first-time residence permits for foreigners are temporarily suspended. The list changes, so before you buy we check whether the specific neighbourhood is open for applications.

Documents for the residence permit

• passport and a notarised translation of its pages;
• title deed in the applicant’s name and the valuation report;
• biometric photos;
• health insurance valid in Turkey;
• address registration;
• receipts for the permit fee and card fee.

The application form is completed online through the e-Ikamet system, followed by an appointment at the Migration Office. The permit card usually arrives by post within one to two months. For a detailed walkthrough with practical tips, read “Turkish residence permit through property purchase”.

Turkish citizenship by investment

A foreigner who buys property worth at least $400,000 can obtain Turkish citizenship through an exceptional procedure. The spouse and children under 18 receive citizenship at the same time. The key conditions:

• the value is confirmed by a valuation report and paid through a bank in foreign currency;
• a three-year no-sale commitment is annotated on the title deed;
• the property must meet the programme requirements — some properties previously used in citizenship transactions are not accepted;
• the applicant passes a security check.

The process involves a certificate of conformity, an investment-based residence permit and the citizenship application itself. In practice the whole journey takes from several months to a year. Turkey allows dual citizenship, but check the laws of your own country. Learn more in “Turkish citizenship by property investment”.

Residence permit or citizenship?

A residence permit suits people who want to live in Alanya without changing passports: the threshold is lower and the process is simpler. Citizenship is chosen for visa-free travel on a Turkish passport, the permanent right to live in the country and doing business without restrictions. Properties eligible for the citizenship programme are marked with a dedicated badge in the catalogue.

How we help

Süvari Property selects properties with the thresholds and neighbourhood restrictions in mind, arranges the valuation, translations and insurance, fills in the e-Ikamet form and accompanies clients to the Migration Office appointment. Once the card is issued, we remind you about renewal dates. The full purchase process is described in our step-by-step guide, and common questions are answered in the FAQ.

This page is for general information only. Residence and citizenship rules in Turkey change from time to time — we always confirm the current requirements before a transaction.