Citizenship by Investment - Private Pension (Vatandaşlık - Bireysel Emeklilik)

Turkey•Asia

Open

Citizenship by Investment - Private Pension (Vatandaşlık - Bireysel Emeklilik)

Investment PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

4-9 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Permanent (Citizenship)

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Overview

Turkish citizenship via a USD 500,000 contribution to an approved private pension fund (BES) held for at least three years.

Turkey's pension route to Citizenship by Investment was added to Article 20(2)(f) of the Citizenship Regulation on 13 May 2022, joining the real-estate, bank-deposit and government-bond routes as a regulated financial-instrument path.

The applicant contributes at least USD 500,000 to Bireysel Emeklilik Sistemi (BES) funds whose scope is set by SEDDK, the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency, and must stay in the system for three years. SEDDK issues an qualification certificate; the investor then takes a short-term residence permit under Article 31(j) of Law 6458 and files for citizenship.

This visa is ideal for investors who prefer a passive, regulator-supervised commitment over property management and accept a three-year lock-up for a Turkish passport that extends to spouse and minor children.

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Contribute at least USD 500,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency) to the Private Pension System (BES).

The investment must be maintained for at least 3 years.

Funds must be invested in approved pension funds.

The applicant must have a clean criminal record.

Funds must be transferred through a Turkish bank and documented via a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate.

KEY CRITERIA

Investment

500,000 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

BES participation certificate.

Proof of investment (bank receipts/transfer records).

Qualification certificate from SEDDK.

Criminal record certificate.

Application forms and biometric photos.

Proof of health insurance.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Regulated route supervised by SEDDK with state-backed transparency via Takasbank.
Single capital threshold of USD 500,000 with no language or education requirement.
Spouse and children under 18 are included in the citizenship grant.
Turkey permits dual citizenship; prior nationality is retained.
No physical residency or minimum-stay requirement during the 3-year hold.
Funds are professionally managed; no property to maintain or rent out.

Worth Knowing

Capital is locked in approved BES funds for three years; early exit forfeits qualification.
Pension-fund returns fluctuate with market performance.
Foreign-currency-indexed funds outside SEDDK scope are excluded.
Qualification, residence permit and citizenship file move through three separate agencies.
Less than USD 500,000 of qualifying BES contribution.
Inability to keep funds in the system for the full three-year period.
Criminal record or national-security concerns under Law 5901 Article 12(b).

Application Process

Obtain a Turkish Tax Identification Number.

Open a Turkish bank account.

Enter into a BES contract with an approved pension company.

Transfer the required funds and obtain the Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate.

Obtain the qualification/conformity letter from the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK).

Apply for a residence permit.

Submit the citizenship application to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Verified Claims (2)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026

Max Stay Estimate

type: indefinite, notes: Citizenship is permanent once granted under Law 5901 Article 12(b).

mevzuat.gov.tr

Spouse Can Work

yes