Yes, family members can get Turkish citizenship alongside the main applicant under the Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. When a primary investor qualifies through an approved investment pathway such as real estate acquisition or a bank deposit, their legal spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age are automatically eligible to receive full citizenship under the exact same single investment.
Quick Answer: Can Family Members Get Turkish Citizenship?
To include family members under a single Turkish citizenship investment application, the following eligibility criteria apply:
- Primary Applicant: Must meet a qualifying investment threshold (e.g., $400,000 USD in real estate or $500,000 USD in a bank deposit).
- Included Family Members: Legal spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18.
- Excluded Family Members: Dependent children aged 18 or older (unless documented with severe physical or mental disabilities) and parents or siblings of the main applicant.
- Residency Requirement: Zero physical stay or residency requirement for any family member before or after receiving citizenship.
- Status Granted: Full lifetime citizenship and passports with dual nationality recognition.
How the Turkish Citizenship Pathways Work for Families
The Turkish Citizenship by Investment program provides dynamic avenues for main applicants and their immediate family members. A single investment amount satisfies the legal threshold for the entire family unit without requiring separate financial contributions per person.
1. Real Estate Acquisition Pathway ($400,000 USD Minimum)
- Investment Threshold: Acquire one or multiple residential or commercial properties with a total value of at least $400,000 USD.
- Holding Term: A mandatory 3-year resale restriction clause (şerh) is placed on the title deed (Tapu).
- Family Benefit: The entire family receives citizenship while retaining a physical asset that can earn 5% to 8% rental yields or benefit from long-term capital appreciation.
2. Bank Deposit Pathway ($500,000 USD Minimum)
- Investment Threshold: Deposit $500,000 USD (or equivalent foreign currency) into a bank operating in Türkiye, verified by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK).
- Holding Term: Funds must remain locked in a continuous 3-year time deposit.
- Family Benefit: Offers a completely passive, hands-off setup for busy families with zero ongoing property maintenance, tenant administration, or appraisal fees.
Comparison of Investment Pathways for Family Inclusions
| Feature | Real Estate Acquisition Route | Bank Deposit Route |
| Minimum Capital Required | $400,000 USD | $500,000 USD |
| Mandatory Lock-in Period | 3 years (Title deed restriction) | 3 years (Bank account lock) |
| Ancillary Fees & Taxes | 3%–7% (Title Deed tax, appraisal, conveyancing) | 1%–2% (Legal fees, translation, notary) |
| Family Inclusion Rules | Legal spouse & unmarried children < 18 | Legal spouse & unmarried children < 18 |
| Asset Management Effort | Active (Property upkeep, leasing) | Fully Passive (Bank-managed deposit) |
| Yield & Capital Return | Rental yield & property appreciation | Interest income (subject to local tax) |
Step-by-Step Application Process for Families
Navigating the application process to secure passports for your entire family requires structured execution:
- Investment Selection & Asset Purchase: Select your route ($400,000 USD real estate or $500,000 USD bank deposit) and secure government-approved appraisal reports or BDDK certification.
- Document Collection & Civil Verification: Gather foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates, and passport copies for all family members. Ensure all civil records are legalised, apostilled, and officially translated into Turkish.
- Investor Residence Permit Lodgment: Obtain investor residence cards for the family, allowing lawful stay while citizenship applications are processed.
- Citizenship Application Submission: File the complete application for final background checks and presidential decree approval.
- Passport Collection: Receive Turkish citizenship certificates and passports within 6 to 8 months, without any obligation to relocate or fulfill physical stay quotas.
Key Benefits of Turkish Citizenship
- Full Capital Preservation: After the mandatory 3-year lock-in period, you can sell your property assets or withdraw your bank deposit while your entire family retains permanent lifetime citizenship.
- Dual Citizenship Support: Turkiye fully permits dual and multiple nationalities, allowing your family to retain their existing passports.
- US E-2 Investor Visa Access: Turkish citizenship grants access to the US E-2 Investor Visa treaty, allowing family members to live, work, and attend school in the United States by operating a qualifying business.
- Healthcare & Education Access: Dependent family members gain full access to Turkiye’s public healthcare system and educational institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can family members get Turkish citizenship under a single investment?
Yes. A single qualifying investment (such as $400,000 USD in real estate or $500,000 USD in a bank deposit) covers the primary applicant, their legal spouse, and all unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age.
Can children over 18 years old be included in the application?
Children aged 18 or older cannot be included under the primary investor’s application, regardless of their student status, unless they have documented severe physical or mental disabilities. Adult children must make an independent qualifying investment to obtain citizenship.
Do family members have to live in Tuürkiye to keep their citizenship?
No. There are zero minimum physical stay or residency requirements for any family member before, during, or after acquiring Turkish citizenship.
Can I sell the investment after 3 years and still keep family citizenship?
Yes. Once the mandatory 3-year holding term is complete, you are free to sell the real estate or withdraw the bank funds, and your entire family will retain their Turkish citizenship for life.
How eduaid Can Guide Your Family’s Global Journey
Navigating international investment frameworks, civil documentation, and long-term settlement requires tailored planning and expert execution. At eduaid, our experienced consultants support clients across every step of their global journey, including comprehensive advisory on dual citizenship pathways, family eligibility checks, asset verification, and end-to-end application management.
Contact eduaid today to evaluate your family’s global eligibility and start your path toward global citizenship!