Turkish Citizenship for a Freelance Family

Friends, we often share our clients' cases with you not only to showcase the diverse range of stories in our practice but also to help you avoid mistakes. Meet our new case of obtaining citizenship in Turkey, where the timely intervention of our specialists helped a couple get their long-awaited passports.

Client story: Turkish citizenship for a freelance family

It's worth noting that the freelance couple, Olga and Vladimir, did not immediately turn to our agency but contacted us just in time. A year ago, Olga's grandmother passed away, leaving her a large four-room apartment in a good area of the city. After discussing it, the couple decided not to rent the property but to sell it and invest the proceeds, along with their savings, in foreign real estate. This decision aimed to protect their savings from the unstable economic situation, acquire a home abroad, and benefit from the increasing value of the property.

After researching the market themselves, the couple was attracted to Turkey. They had visited the country many times for vacations and dreamed of living there, even temporarily. Since both had been working remotely for a long time, they could work from anywhere in the world. Turkey’s real estate prices increase by 15-20% annually, so it's not surprising that the couple became interested in the local market.

While researching property purchases, the couple learned about the Turkish citizenship program for investors and decided to obtain second passports. This plan allowed them to address several issues at once—creating a "backup plan," obtaining second citizenship with associated privileges, and making a profitable investment. An important benefit was the ability to open foreign bank accounts and travel without visas with Turkish passports, enabling them to secure lucrative new contracts and enjoy travel. After three years, they could sell the property while retaining their citizenship and privileges.

What challenges did the client face?

To obtain Turkish citizenship, they needed to purchase property worth at least $400,000. The couple was ready to invest $450,000 to $470,000 in housing. They had already found several properties on their own that seemed attractive. The chosen apartments were priced between $410,000 and $430,000. Vladimir was ready to send a deposit for one of the apartments in Alanya, believing it was a great deal. However, Olga convinced him to wait and consult with a lawyer. One of their friends recommended our agency, and the couple came to us to check the legal status of the property.

The client provided copies of the property documents. Upon inspection, we found that the apartment's photos were two years old and didn’t reflect its current condition. The apartment was being sold for $430,000, but its appraised value was only $375,000. This value would be included in the appraiser’s report, which, together with the purchase agreement and application, would be submitted for review and approval of the citizenship request. The appraised amount is critical for confirming that the applicant meets the financial requirements, but in this case, the requirement would not have been met.

Vladimir provided other housing options, and we chose one that seemed most promising—a 3-room penthouse of 106 m² in a gated residential complex in Alanya. The building was completed in early 2023 and was already fully occupied. The price was €370,000 (approximately $413,000). We verified the legal status of the property and its appraised value, and this property perfectly fits the requirements for the citizenship-by-investment program.

After reviewing our real estate report and the work we did, the couple decided to entrust us with handling their citizenship application at all stages.

Key stages of obtaining Turkish citizenship

Before starting work with a client and drafting an agreement, we always conduct a preliminary check of the client through international databases. Many clients don’t understand the need for this step and refuse, claiming that everything is fine. However, this procedure is actually in the client’s best interest. The comprehensive check takes only one day and requires only the client’s passport. During the check, we can identify even the smallest risks that could affect the decision to grant citizenship. Have you ever been denied a visa? Did you spend more than 90 days in the Schengen area out of the allowed 180 days? Have you ever missed a tax payment? These details may seem minor, but they are recorded in databases.

The preliminary check allows us to identify any risks of rejection and develop a new strategy for the client. We save the client’s time and money. Without the check, you risk buying property and being denied citizenship due to unnoticed risks.

In our case, the clients were excellent candidates: clean credit history, no visa restrictions, timely tax filings, and fully declared income. Our clients were practically ideal candidates for citizenship. After the check, we signed a cooperation agreement.

Property purchase

As you remember, we had already selected a property for the program. The property cost more than $400,000 and had not previously been involved in the citizenship program. The purchase of the property is the first step toward obtaining citizenship, as it is based on the property acquisition that the applicant can submit documents for the new status. We drafted an offer and sent it to the penthouse owner. After receiving approval, we signed a preliminary purchase agreement. Since the payment had to be made from a Turkish bank account, we proceeded to the next step.

Obtaining a tax ID and opening a bank account in Turkey

To complete the payment, our clients needed to obtain a Turkish tax ID and open a bank account. They decided to travel to Turkey to see the chosen apartment and handle all necessary matters. Our lawyer accompanied the clients to all the institutions.

First, we obtained tax IDs for both spouses. With these documents, we went to the bank to open an account for the head of the family. The required funds for the property purchase were deposited into the account. We had already prepared the purchase agreement and sent it to the seller for review. After the agreement and signing, the payment for the property was sent. After completing the transaction, we submitted the documents to the land registry for the issuance of the TAPU (certificate of ownership).

The final step before obtaining citizenship is an independent appraisal to confirm that the property is suitable for the investment program. This is done by qualified specialists who issue an official document with the property’s appraised value.

After receiving all the documents, we submitted the residency application.

Obtaining a Turkish residence permit

Unlike other immigration programs, where the applicant immediately receives a passport (such as in the Caribbean or Vanuatu), in Turkey, obtaining a residence permit is a prerequisite for citizenship. After the real estate transaction and obtaining the necessary documents, we applied for a residence permit, which included:

• Residency application
• Copies of both spouses' passports
• Bank account statement confirming sufficient funds
• Proof of residence permit card payment
• Health insurance with full coverage
• Purchase agreement
• TAPU certificate

Our lawyers personally checked, processed, translated, apostilled, and prepared all the documents for submission to the Turkish citizenship program department. The residence cards were ready and issued within 14 days. We then proceeded to the final step.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship

Since many of the documents for the residence permit were already prepared, we needed to finalize a few papers and submit the citizenship application, which included:

• Application forms
• Investor questionnaires
• Copies of both spouses' passports
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Health insurance
• Copies of the residence cards
• Police clearance certificates
• Proof of investment
• Compliance certificate from the Land Registry and Cadastre General Directorate
• Power of attorney for the lawyer from GARANT.in
• Proof of payment of fees and duties

The complete application package was submitted to the Provincial Civil Registration and Citizenship Administration at the property’s location. Four months later, our clients officially became Turkish citizens and received their passports at the embassy.

The couple had already moved to Turkey upon receiving their residence permits. While waiting for their citizenship, they legally stayed in the country. The passports were issued to them in Turkey. The investment must be maintained for three years, after which the couple can sell the property but retain their citizenship and privileges.

Client Testimonial:

"We express our gratitude to the lawyers at GARANT.in for helping us obtain Turkish citizenship. We are very pleased we turned to them; it saved us from a terrible mistake and a hasty purchase. The citizenship process was easy and fast. The lawyers are true professionals, contacting us only when necessary. Thank you for allowing us to move to this beautiful new country. In just a few months, we’ve traveled to so many places and seen breathtaking landscapes thanks to you. Success and prosperity to you! Olga and Vladimir K."

Friends, as you can see, it’s not always easy to make the right choice on your own. Trust the experts, and you’ll avoid mistakes, hasty decisions, lost money, and wasted time. We will gladly help you obtain your desired status in your chosen country and make your migration dream come true. Book a consultation with our specialists and take the first step toward your dream today.