Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
Obtaining a residence permit by purchasing property in Turkey is one of the easiest options for foreigners who want to obtain a residence permit. Foreigners who purchase a residential property in Turkey with a minimum value of $200,000 can apply for a short-term residence permit, provided that they meet certain requirements.
Following the regulation introduced on 16 October 2023, the minimum property value required to obtain a residence permit through real estate investment was increased to $200,000 for all cities in Turkey, without any distinction between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
For properties purchased before 16 October 2023, the rules that were in force at the time of purchase continue to apply. Accordingly, for properties acquired before this date, the minimum value requirement remains $75,000 for metropolitan cities and $50,000 for other provinces. In such applications, a real estate valuation (appraisal) report will continue to be required.
Yes, foreigners who purchase a residential property in Turkey can apply for a short-term residence permit. However, the purchased property must meet certain requirements. The most important condition is that the value of the property must be at least 200,000 USD. Foreigners who meet this requirement can obtain a legal residence permit in Turkey based on the property they have purchased.
Although short-term residence permits can legally be issued for up to two years, in practice they are usually granted for one year at a time for property owners, and they can be renewed as long as the property is not sold. The residence permit application process that begins after the property purchase is usually completed within 2–3 weeks, excluding the purchasing stage. However, factors such as application volume, missing documents, or additional document requests by the authorities may affect the process. In such exceptional cases, the approval of the residence permit may take up to 90 days.
To obtain a residence permit by purchasing real estate in Turkey, the following conditions must be met:
Only the legal owner of the property can apply for a residence permit based on real estate ownership. However, the title holder’s legally married spouse and children under the age of 18 may apply for a family residence permit. For more details, you can read my article about the family residence permit.
Family Residence Permit in Turkey – 2026 Comprehensive Guide
Foreigners who wish to apply for a short-term residence permit by purchasing real estate must prepare the following documents:
If incomplete or incorrect documents are submitted, the residence permit application may be rejected.
The validity of the appraisal certificate is 3 months from the date of issuance. After this period, the appraisal will be considered invalid, so you will need to obtain a new, up-to-date appraisal report.
Therefore, before purchasing the property, if you plan to apply for a residence permit, it is recommended to obtain the appraisal report while taking the timing of your application into account.
The application process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to be completed.
However, in some cases—due to missing documents, high application volume, or additional review—the process may take up to 90 days.
No. The buyer does not need to be physically present during the title deed transfer. The purchase can be completed through a notarized power of attorney (PoA) with the assistance of a lawyer.
Yes. The applicant must attend the immigration appointment in person and provide their biometric data. While a lawyer can follow up on the application, the applicant is required to be present at the appointment.
Title Deed Transfer: 3–7 days
Residence Permit Appointment: 1–3 weeks (depending on the city’s workload)
No. Purchasing a $200,000 property allows for a short-term residence permit application. To qualify for Turkish citizenship, a minimum property purchase of $400,000 is required.
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