Turkish Citizenship by Investment: What Happened and How Not to Lose Your Passport
Turkish Citizenship by Investment: What Happened and How Not to Lose Your Passport
On 4 August 2026, Turkish authorities launched a major investigation into citizenship fraud. 687 people face revocation, 72 arrested, 1,045 properties seized. The official $400,000 threshold remains unchanged — but the rules of the game have become stricter.
What happened on 4 August 2026
On 4 August 2026, Turkish Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek officially announced the completion of a large‑scale operation carried out by the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office in coordination with the Police Department.
The operation was conducted simultaneously in 16 provinces. During the raids:
- 72 people were detained on suspicion of organising the scheme
- 7 companies were seized, administrators appointed
- 1,045 properties were seized
- 1 hotel in Bodrum, 15 vehicles, 1 yacht, and 10 bank accounts were confiscated
How the scheme worked
According to the investigation, the criminal scheme operated as follows:
- Properties with a real value below the required $400,000 were selected.
- Fake appraisal reports (SPK expertise) were commissioned to inflate the price to the required threshold.
- Fictitious money transfers were arranged to create the illusion that the investment had been made.
- Based on forged documents, foreign nationals applied for citizenship and received passports.
The total damage to the state is estimated at 2.5 billion Turkish lira (approximately $52 million) — the amount that should have entered the country but was replaced by fake transactions.
Who is at risk
687 people
have been identified as having received citizenship through this scheme. The revocation procedure has been initiated against each of them.
This is not a suspicion — it is a legally initiated process. If the facts are confirmed, these people will lose their Turkish passports.
The official threshold has not changed
Key point: the investigation does not change the programme conditions. The official investment threshold remains $400,000, and the sale restriction period remains 3 years.
However, the investigation itself is a signal. The state is tightening controls. It is no longer enough to simply see the phrase "property qualifies for citizenship". The decisive factors are:
- Real market value confirmed by an independent appraisal
- Legal purity of the transaction and the seller's right to sell
- Transparent payment structure through the banking system
- DAB (Döviz Alım Belgesi) — confirmation of currency conversion via the Central Bank of Turkey
What this means for investors
This investigation is not a reason to give up the idea of obtaining citizenship. It is a reason to approach the process consciously and responsibly.
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How RestProperty ensures safety
RestProperty has been operating in the Turkish market since 2003. For us, client safety and company reputation matter more than selling a questionable property.
- We do not use artificially inflated appraisals, fictitious payments, or offers where the real price is below the required threshold.
- We verify: the property and the seller, documents and encumbrances, payment structure, and preliminary compliance with programme requirements.
- Important: If at least one mandatory criterion is not confirmed, the property is not presented to the client as a ready‑made citizenship solution.
The final decision on citizenship is made by the Turkish state authorities. No agency or developer can guarantee its issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turkish authorities conducted a major operation against an organised group that helped foreigners obtain citizenship using fake appraisal reports and fictitious payments. 687 people have been identified, and revocation procedures have been initiated against them.
No. The official threshold remains $400,000, and the sale restriction period is 3 years.
No. The revocation procedure concerns only those who participated in the scheme with forged documents and under‑valued properties.
You must check: the real value (independent SPK appraisal), legal purity of the TAPU, payment structure, availability of DAB and TTB, and the history of the property and the seller.
Yes. The programme continues to operate. The key is to meet all requirements and avoid questionable schemes.
📚 Useful materials from RestProperty
Requirements, process, and costs for obtaining citizenship through real estate.
Everything about the Turkish title deed — types, transfer process, and costs.
Complete guide to DASK and konut sigortası for property owners.
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At the time of preparation, the official threshold is $400,000, sale restriction period — 3 years. Parliamentary initiatives are not in effect. This material is for informational purposes; conditions are verified at the time of official submission. The final decision on citizenship rests with Turkish state authorities.
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