Mistakes and Frequently Asked Questions about Turkish Real Estate Investment Immigrants

Note 1: You may not be naturalized if the transaction price of the purchased property reaches the standard.

Due to the downturn in the housing market, some owners or developers are eager to obtain working capital, misleading investors to buy properties priced higher than the government's assessed value. In this case, the buyer does not meet the criteria for naturalization and cannot apply for naturalization. In determining the price of the property, the seller is required to provide a property value assessment report issued by a qualified assessment agency, which is one of the evidences of the naturalization application.

Note 2: Is there any error in the transfer of transaction funds?

In the decision issued by the Land Registry and the Cadastral General Administration after the introduction of the immigration policy amendment, it is clearly stipulated that the transfer of the full amount of real estate transactions and the transfer of real estate must be made on the same date, and the money must be transferred directly by the buyer to the seller. If the transaction property involves a mortgage purchase, the amount of the mortgage is not included in determining its value.

Note 3: Buying real estate from foreigners cannot be naturalized.

The immigration amendment and subsequent decisions clearly pointed out that if you need to apply for citizenship, the real estate you want to trade cannot be a real estate registered under the name of a foreign "natural person. However, because many foreign investors in Turkey are engaged in the purchase and resale of houses, many buyers have purchased properties from foreigners because they do not know the situation. Although the value of the properties meets the naturalization requirements, their applications are rejected.

Other frequently asked questions:

Q: Can my family acquire Turkish nationality?

A: Yes. Property buyers and their spouses and children (under 18 years of age) can apply at the same time. However, it must be noted that Turkey does not recognize same-sex or polygamy marriages, so only one heterosexual spouse can apply.

Q: If I buy a property worth less than $250,000, can I buy several properties to meet the $250,000 limit?

A: Yes. Buyers can purchase several properties with a total value of at least $250,000.

Q: I bought a real estate in Turkey before, can I apply for naturalization now?

A: Investors who purchase properties with a value of not less than US $250,000 that apply to the Land Registry and the Cadastral Administration after September 20, 2018 are eligible for naturalization. Prior to this date, the minimum investment amount was $1,000,000.

Q: Do I need an interview at all stages of naturalization application?

A: No need

Q: How long is the application process?

A: It ranges from 1 to 3 months.

Q: I don't have time to come to Turkey. How can I buy real estate and submit a naturalization application?

A: The purchaser can apply for notarization and double certification authorization in the host country, entrust a lawyer to handle the purchase of the house, and submit and follow up the naturalization application procedures.

Q: Does the applicant need to reside in Turkey before and during the application process?

A: No need. The naturalization application for real estate investment immigrants does not impose any restrictions on the applicant's residence in Turkey.

Q: Does Turkey recognize multiple nationalities?

A: Yes.