July 15, 2026
Alanya is an attractive hub for foreigners who invest in real estate and wish to settle in Türkiye. Turkish citizenship for foreigners is a manageable process when the right route is chosen and the file is fully prepared. At Rufina Taştan Law Office we serve clients in Turkish and Russian in Alanya and prepare your citizenship application diligently in line with the applicable legislation.
Routes to Citizenship
Turkish citizenship can be acquired through several routes. The main ones are exceptional citizenship by investment, ordinary naturalization, and marriage. Each has its own conditions and documents.
Citizenship by investment
Under the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, an application for exceptional citizenship may be made through one of the following investment options:
- Real estate investment: Purchase of property worth at least USD 400,000 with a commitment to hold it for 3 years. A 3-year transfer restriction is annotated on the title deed and removed at the end of the period.
- Bank deposit: A deposit of at least USD 500,000 held for 3 years.
- Fixed-capital investment: A fixed-capital investment of at least USD 500,000.
- Government bonds: Government debt instruments worth at least USD 500,000 held for 3 years.
- Employment: Creating employment for at least 50 people.
All amounts are documented in USD with valuation reports and supporting documents. Citizenship by investment also covers the applicant's spouse and children under 18.
Ordinary naturalization
As a general rule, ordinary citizenship requires 5 years of continuous legal residence. Additional conditions apply: confirming the intent to settle in Türkiye through one's conduct, being of good character, posing no threat to public order and health, having sufficient income, and speaking Turkish to an adequate level.
Citizenship by marriage
An application for citizenship by marriage may be made when a person has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and the marital union is genuinely subsisting (living within family unity). Applications are carefully examined for sham marriage.
Application Process
For citizenship through real estate investment, the general process involves the following steps:
- Identify a suitable property and obtain a valuation report (from a licensed appraiser).
- Complete the sale and annotate the 3-year no-sale commitment on the title deed.
- Obtain the certificate of conformity from the relevant authority.
- Apply for a residence permit based on the investment.
- Prepare and submit the citizenship file to the relevant authorities and follow the process.
Required Documents
While requirements vary by route, the documents generally requested are:
- Valid passport and a copy.
- Biometric photographs.
- Birth certificate and civil status document (apostilled/consulate-approved and translated into Turkish).
- For the marriage route: marriage certificate; for children, birth certificates.
- For the real estate route: title deed, valuation report and certificate of conformity.
- For the deposit/investment routes: relevant bank and institution documents.
Timeline and Points to Note
The completion of a citizenship application through real estate investment is commonly cited as approximately 10-12 months; however, this figure is approximate and may vary depending on the state of the file and the workload of the institutions. Because investment thresholds, valuation rules and procedures may be updated over time, it is important to verify the current legislation before applying. We prepare your file carefully and follow it diligently throughout the process.
Contact us for a free first consultation. Rufina Taştan Law Office provides service in Turkish and Russian in Alanya. Phone and WhatsApp: +90 538 838 63 66. Let us assess your citizenship process with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a Turkish citizen if I buy a house in Alanya?
For citizenship through real estate investment, under the current rule you must buy property worth at least USD 400,000 and hold it for 3 years. A 3-year transfer restriction is annotated on the title deed and removed at the end of the period. The value is documented in USD through a licensed valuation report.
How long does citizenship through real estate take?
The process is commonly cited as approximately 10-12 months. This figure is approximate and may vary depending on the completeness of the file, the valuation process and the workload of the relevant institutions. A complete and correctly prepared file helps speed up the process.
How many years are required for citizenship by marriage?
You must have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and the marital union must be genuinely subsisting. Applications are examined for whether the marriage is a sham; demonstrating that you live within family unity is important.
Does citizenship by investment cover the family?
Yes. Citizenship by investment also covers the applicant's spouse and children under 18. For family members, apostilled and Turkish-translated documents such as birth and marriage certificates must be prepared.
How much residence is required for ordinary naturalization?
The general rule is 5 years of continuous legal residence. In addition, the intent to settle in Türkiye, good character, posing no threat to public order and health, sufficient income and an adequate level of Turkish are required.
