Turkey Introduces Fast-Track Biometrics for Citizenship-by-Investment Applicants

Overall time to obtain a passport reduced to three months

Turkey has introduced a priority biometrics procedure for investors applying for citizenship by investment (CBI). Since 9 February 2026, qualified applicants can complete all required formalities in Istanbul within a single day. The need for a prolonged stay in the country has been significantly reduced, although experts note that high inflation and stricter financial conditions may limit potential investment returns.

One day for biometrics instead of a week

Previously, investors first had to visit the Population Directorate in the Cevizlibağ district to submit biometrics for a residence permit. They then had to wait five to ten working days for approval before returning to file their citizenship application.

The new priority process allows applicants to submit documents in advance by email and receive an expedited appointment within one or two days. Applicants bypass public queues, provide fingerprints in a dedicated fast-track section, and—if their documentation is complete—can receive residence permit approval on the same day. The citizenship application can then be submitted later that day or the following morning.

The service costs TRY 44,000 (around $1,000 plus VAT) for the main applicant and TRY 22,000 ($498) for each family member. Investment thresholds and other eligibility criteria remain unchanged; the reform is an administrative acceleration rather than a regulatory change.

Turkish passport through real estate investment

The most popular pathway remains the purchase of real estate worth at least $400,000.

“An investor can fly into Istanbul in the morning, complete biometrics, visit a property we have arranged around lunchtime, and still be home for dinner,” representatives of CIP Turkey, one of the longest-established firms in the country’s investment migration market, said. “This changes the game for clients who value their time.”

The company confirms that under the new procedure the entire process—from submitting documents to receiving a passport—consistently takes less than three months.

A Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 110 destinations, eligibility for U.S. investor visa programs (E-1 and E-2), and no language or residency requirements. Turkey allows dual citizenship and does not require applicants to notify their home country about obtaining a new nationality.

Rising taxes and inflation in Turkey

Since 2018, when Ankara lowered the financial thresholds for the program, more than 13,000 investors and their families have obtained Turkish citizenship. In recent years, however, the country has again increased investment thresholds for real estate. Regulations for foreign buyers have also tightened, and the overall policy environment in the property market is changing rapidly.

In 2026, for example, the official assessed value of many properties—used to calculate property taxes and related fees—was raised severalfold. This has led to a sharp increase in tax payments even as real housing prices stagnate.

In some districts of Istanbul, annual property tax bills have risen to nearly 10,000 Turkish lira. Additional pressure has come from new regulations in the rental market, including licensing requirements for short-term rentals through online platforms and restrictions on property transactions involving foreigners in certain areas.

Investor sentiment has also been affected by Turkey’s inflation, which exceeded 80% year-on-year during certain periods. Over recent years the Turkish lira has experienced one of the most significant depreciations among major currencies.

Domestic prices, including housing, have risen rapidly. Most real estate transactions in Turkey are denominated in lira, meaning nominal prices increase as the currency weakens. In foreign currency terms, however, the trend looks different: price growth has been far more modest, and many properties have effectively become cheaper.

Geopolitical risks add pressure to the economy

Turkey, a member of NATO and located close to the conflict zone in the Middle East, remains particularly sensitive to regional instability. The country’s economy also depends heavily on imported energy, increasing its exposure to fluctuations in global commodity prices.

Since the start of the current conflict in the Middle East, global oil prices have risen by about 16%. This adds inflationary pressure and could widen Turkey’s trade deficit.

Against this backdrop, some investors warn that Turkish financial markets remain vulnerable to external shocks. Bill Campbell, portfolio manager at the investment company DoubleLine, noted that if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply, liquidity in Turkish assets could become limited.

Declining foreign investment in Turkish real estate

Demand from foreign buyers has also weakened. In 2025, international investors purchased 21,534 residential properties in Turkey—9.4% fewer than in 2024, according to the national statistics institute. The figure marks the lowest level in nine years.

For comparison, the peak was recorded in 2022, when foreign buyers acquired 67,490 properties.

Experts at International Investment note that while faster administrative procedures make the citizenship program more convenient, macroeconomic conditions remain the decisive factor. The combination of high inflation, currency depreciation, and rising property taxes reduces potential returns for investors. Additional pressure comes from regulatory changes in the property market.

In the coming years, the key question for the sector will be whether Turkey’s economy can provide stable and predictable conditions for long-term investment.