Turkey citizenship by bank deposit requirements 2026
- Özgür Kurucuk
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
If you want a secure, predictable, and stress-free path to a Turkish passport, the $500,000 bank deposit and fixed capital investment routes remain the most reliable options in 2026. This guide walks you through everything—how much you need, which banks accept the deposit, how long you must keep it, what counts as fixed capital, and how the 2026 updates impact your strategy.
Think of this as your friendly expert walk-through of the entire Turkey citizenship by investment system, especially the bank deposit route, which thousands of international investors—from the Middle East, India, China, the UK, and the U.S.—prefer for its simplicity and safety.
Let’s get started.
Turkey citizenship $500,000 fixed capital investment
Understanding the 2026 fixed capital investment rule
The Turkish Government continues to recognize $500,000 fixed capital investment as a qualifying path to citizenship. This route is ideal for investors who genuinely want to contribute to Türkiye’s economy through an active or semi-active business structure.
What counts as capital investment for Turkish citizenship
Here’s what the government typically accepts:
fresh cash injected into a Turkish company
purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology
commercial property used for business operations
investments in R&D, manufacturing, or production
capital contribution to a Joint Stock Company
Minimum amount for fixed capital investment Turkey 2026
The minimum remains $500,000, but 2026 rules emphasize:
authentic source-of-funds
professionally prepared audit reports
accurate valuation documents
capital usage verification
Turkey citizenship investment risks and benefits (fixed capital route)
Benefits:
fast-track citizenship
strong business presence in Türkiye
potential long-term profits
Risks:
business overheads
market-related fluctuations
Which investors choose fixed capital investment?
Usually chosen by:
entrepreneurs who want a Turkish footprint
investors from China, Middle East, UK
business owners wanting to open manufacturing or tech units
Turkey citizenship by capital investment requirements 2026
Updated eligibility criteria
To apply for Turkish citizenship through a capital investment, you must:
Invest minimum $500,000
Keep the investment for 3 years
Provide audit reports and financial verification
Hold a clean criminal record
Prove the origin of transferred funds
Required documents checklist 2026
A friendly reminder of what you’ll typically need:
passport + photos
bank receipts showing transfer
audit and valuation certifications
company or investment documents
tax registration
marital and birth certificates
Capital investment vs share purchase restrictions
Not every share purchase qualifies. Only new capital contributed to a company counts. Buying someone else’s shares does not.
How to apply for citizenship via fixed capital investment Turkey
A simple, friendly breakdown:
Choose your investment structure
Transfer the funds
Obtain the Ministry’s conformity certificate
Apply for a residence permit
Submit your citizenship application
What qualifies as fixed capital investment in Turkey
Qualifying assets for fixed capital investment Turkey
Approved categories often include:
industrial machinery
commercial equipment
tech and IT infrastructure
operational commercial property
manufacturing systems
Technology investment qualifies as fixed capital Turkey
Türkiye welcomes investments in tech hardware, cybersecurity, AI systems, or digital infrastructure—all of which can count toward your $500k requirement.
Commercial property as fixed capital investment for citizenship
Commercial property qualifies only if it supports business activities. Rental apartments don’t qualify for this category.
Audit report requirements for Turkey citizenship investment
Your audit report must explain:
how the capital was used
proof of the transaction
valuation documents
CPA verification
Fixed capital investment vs share purchase Turkey citizenship
A gentle reminder:
Capital injection = eligible
Buying existing shares = not eligible
Open a company in Turkey for citizenship investment
Establishing a Turkish company for citizenship investment
You can open:
or a Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.)
Both are commonly used for citizenship investments.
Minimum capital for Turkish company citizenship path
The legal minimum is lower, but you must still make the $500,000 capital investment for citizenship eligibility.
Investing $500,000 in Turkish business for citizenship
You can invest this amount by:
injecting it as capital into the company
buying essential equipment
expanding business operations
building new facilities
Company formation steps
Choose a company name
Draft Articles of Association
Register with MERSIS
Deposit capital
Obtain a tax number
Open a corporate bank account
Joint stock company Turkey citizenship investment
A Joint Stock Company is often the preferred choice because it offers:
strong structure
easier share transfer
more transparent auditing
Turkey citizenship $500,000 bank deposit option
Overview of the bank deposit pathway 2026
The most popular choice for global investors.
Why?
It’s safe, simple, refundable, and requires zero business activity.
Just deposit $500,000 in a Turkish bank, keep it for 3 years, and you qualify for Turkey citizenship.
Eligible currencies for citizenship deposit
You can deposit:
USD
EUR
GBP
TRY
and certain FX-protected options
Is the $500,000 deposit refundable after citizenship?
Yes. After the 3-year period ends, you can withdraw 100% of your deposit.
Can I withdraw interest from citizenship deposit Turkey?
Yes! The government only restricts the principal. Your interest is yours to collect—monthly or yearly.
Bank deposit for Turkish citizenship which banks
Which Turkish banks accept citizenship investment deposits
Many reputable banks participate, including:
Ziraat Bank
VakıfBank
Halkbank
İş Bankası
Garanti BBVA
Akbank
QNB Finansbank
DenizBank
Government banks provide smoother approval
Government-owned banks usually process deposits and conformity certificates faster.
Turkey citizenship bank deposit interest rates 2026
Rates depend on:
currency
term
bank's internal policy
whether you choose TRY or foreign currency
TRY typically has the highest interest options.
Transferring $500,000 to Turkish bank for citizenship
Funds must be:
in your personal name
traceable
transferred from a legitimate source
Interest earned on citizenship bank deposit Turkey
How interest is paid
Depending on your term deposit, banks may pay interest:
monthly
quarterly
annually
or reinvest automatically
Tax on interest earnings
Interest may be taxed depending on currency type, but foreign investors often benefit from reduced rates.
Can interest be withdrawn freely?
Absolutely. Only your principal stays locked.
How long must bank deposit be held for Turkish citizenship
Mandatory holding period for 2026
The required holding term remains 3 years from the date the deposit is placed.
Conditions during the 3-year lock
During these three years:
You cannot withdraw the $500,000
You can freely use interest earnings
You must maintain the deposit in the same bank
What happens if deposit is withdrawn early
Early withdrawal automatically breaks eligibility, and the government may cancel your citizenship file.
$500,000 capital investment vs $400,000 property Turkey
Which is better in 2026?
Bank Deposit / Capital Investment ($500,000)
zero risk
refundable
predictable interest
simplest path
Property Purchase ($400,000)
can appreciate in value
rental income potential
more management and checks required
Who prefers the bank route?
Investors who:
want no market risk
want a clean, paperwork-friendly route
value guaranteed refunds
are from the Middle East, U.S., U.K., India, China
Turkey citizenship $500k deposit vs $400k property: program comparisons
Feature | Bank Deposit $500k | Property $400k |
Risk | Very Low | Medium |
Holding Period | 3 years | 3 years |
Maintenance | None | Required |
Profit | Interest | Rent & Appreciation |
Processing | Fastest | Moderate |
Secure Your Turkish Citizenship with Confidence — Work With Experts Who Understand the Process
At Kurucuk & Associates, we guide investors through every step of the $500,000 bank deposit, fixed capital investment, or company formation pathway. From choosing the right bank to preparing documents and submitting your citizenship file, our team ensures a smooth, compliant, and stress-free experience.
📌 Speak to a Turkish citizenship investment lawyer today.
📞 Contact Kurucuk & Associates — Istanbul’s trusted legal partner for high-value investors.
