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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Turkey · Citizenship

How Our Client Obtained Turkish Citizenship Through a $500,000 Deposit Instead of Real Estate

Turkish citizenship is typically associated with purchasing real estate for $400,000. However, this is not the only pathway, and it is not convenient for everyone. Our client did not wish to engage in property selection, registration, and subsequent sale—he preferred a straightforward financial instrument. For such cases, the program offers an alternative route through a bank deposit of $500,000. We explain how we secured a passport through this pathway.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How Our Client Obtained Turkish Citizenship Through a $500,000 Deposit Instead of Real Estate
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Aigerim, about 35, an investor from Astana
Objective
Turkish citizenship through a transparent financial instrument
Program
Turkey, Citizenship by Investment (Turkish Citizenship by Investment)
Route
Bank deposit of $500,000 in a Turkish bank
Holding Period
3 years
Alternative
Real estate from $400,000 (not suitable for the client)
Outcome
Turkish citizenship obtained through deposit

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client wanted a Turkish passport but made clear from the outset: he was not willing to deal with real estate. Property selection, due diligence, registration, and subsequent sale years later—none of this appealed to him. He needed a transparent financial instrument, not property management in a foreign country.

Why the standard route did not work

The Turkish program offers a separate route for this purpose. In addition to the conventional real estate option from $400,000, citizenship can be obtained through a bank deposit: place $500,000 in a Turkish bank and maintain this amount for three years. Yes, the threshold is higher than real estate, but the nature of the investment is fundamentally different—these are funds on deposit, not a property that must be selected, maintained, and subsequently sold.

What BRIDGES had to solve

For the client, this was more convenient for several reasons: no need to understand the real estate market and object-specific risks, no hassles with management and subsequent sale, and upon expiration of the holding period, the funds remain part of his capital. The key was to correctly structure the deposit in accordance with program requirements, verify the origin of funds, and ensure the holding period is maintained.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, we guided the client through the deposit route: we arranged the placement of $500,000 in a Turkish bank in accordance with program conditions, verified the origin of funds, and completed the citizenship application—without purchasing real estate, which the client did not wish to pursue.

Property is not for me at all: choosing, maintaining, then selling. Karim suggested a three-year deposit in a Turkish bank, chose the bank and gathered all the confirmations. I have the passport, and the money sits in the bank.

Aigerim · investorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

There was no disaster—it was a matter of choosing a convenient instrument. The client could, out of habit, have gone the real estate route, which did not suit his temperament, and incurred complications with the property. There was also a risk of improper deposit structuring: placing it outside program requirements—and the investment would not be credited. The key was to choose the deposit route and execute it correctly.

That Turkish citizenship is not only obtained through real estate ($400,000) but also through a deposit ($500,000);

  1. 01That the deposit must be maintained for the prescribed period—3 years;
  2. 02That the deposit is placed in a Turkish bank in accordance with program requirements;
  3. 03That the origin of funds must be documented;
  4. 04That upon expiration of the holding period, the funds remain the client's capital.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    Confirmed instrument selection. First, we established that real estate was not suitable for the client and offered the deposit route as a clear financial instrument aligned with his preferences.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Clarified deposit conditions. We explained the key points: $500,000 is placed in a Turkish bank and held for three years; upon expiration of the period, the funds remain the client's capital.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Confirmed source of funds. We prepared documentary confirmation of the lawful source of the money—a mandatory program requirement.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Placed the deposit according to regulations. We organized the placement of funds in a Turkish bank in compliance with program requirements—to ensure the investment qualifies as grounds for citizenship.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    Ensured compliance with holding period. We structured the matter so the deposit would be held for the required period without any breach of conditions.

Takeaway. Conclusion: Turkish citizenship is available not only through real estate from $400,000, but also through a bank deposit of $500,000 with a 3-year holding period; the threshold is higher, but it is a convenient financial instrument, and upon expiration of the period, the funds remain the investor's capital.

How we solved the matter

How we solved the matter

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Confirmed instrument selection

    First, we established that real estate was not suitable for the client and offered the deposit route as a clear financial instrument aligned with his preferences.

  2. 02

    Clarified deposit conditions

    We explained the key points: $500,000 is placed in a Turkish bank and held for three years; upon expiration of the period, the funds remain the client's capital.

  3. 03

    Confirmed source of funds

    We prepared documentary confirmation of the lawful source of the money—a mandatory program requirement.

  4. 04

    Placed the deposit according to regulations

    We organized the placement of funds in a Turkish bank in compliance with program requirements—to ensure the investment qualifies as grounds for citizenship.

  5. 05

    Ensured compliance with holding period

    We structured the matter so the deposit would be held for the required period without any breach of conditions.

  6. 06

    Obtained citizenship

    Based on the deposit, the client received Turkish citizenship—without complications related to real estate, and his $500,000 remains his capital upon expiration of the period.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01Confirmed instrument selection
  2. 02Clarified deposit conditions
  3. 03Confirmed source of funds
  4. 04Placed the deposit according to regulations
  5. 05Ensured compliance with holding period
  6. 06Obtained citizenship

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

Real estate is not suitable for everyone, and that is normal. The Turkish program takes this into account: in addition to purchasing property from $400,000, there is a deposit route—$500,000 in a Turkish bank held for three years. The amount is higher, yes, but the nature of the investment is entirely different. Real estate requires selecting a property, conducting due diligence, registration, maintenance, and selling it several years later. A deposit is money in a bank: no complications with asset management, and upon expiration of the period, the funds remain yours. This client found that much more comfortable. Our work is to properly place the deposit in accordance with program requirements and confirm the source of funds; otherwise, the investment will not be credited. We did that—and he received a passport through a clear financial instrument rather than through managing an apartment in a foreign country.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
No real estate complications
Deposit route · Money in a bank, not property
Correct placement
Deposit according to program regulations · Investment credited
Clean source
Confirmation of funds · Condition met
Obtain passport
3-year holding period + submission · Turkish citizenship
Obtain passport
3-year holding period + submission · Turkish citizenship

What was the situation: the client wanted Turkish citizenship but did not want to engage in real estate—selection, maintenance, and sale of property. What we did: confirmed the deposit route selection; clarified deposit conditions; confirmed source of funds; placed $500,000 in a Turkish bank according to regulations; ensured the 3-year holding period; obtained citizenship. What the client received: Turkish passport through deposit, without real estate complications.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: Turkish citizenship is available not only through real estate from $400,000, but also through a bank deposit of $500,000 with a 3-year holding period; the threshold is higher, but it is a convenient financial instrument, and upon expiration of the period, the funds remain the investor's capital.
  • The client received a passport through a method comfortable for him—because we conducted the deposit route instead of real estate, which he did not want to manage.
  • A $500,000 deposit held for 3 years is a clear financial route to a passport without property deals. We will look at this option.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can Turkish citizenship be obtained without real estate?

Yes. In addition to purchasing real estate from $400,000, the program allows a bank deposit of $500,000 placed in a Turkish bank and held for three years. This is convenient for those who prefer a financial instrument to property management.

02How long must the deposit be held?

The required holding period is three years. Upon its expiration, the funds remain the investor's capital; the holding period conditions cannot be breached prematurely.

03Why is a deposit more expensive than real estate?

The deposit threshold ($500,000) is higher than the real estate threshold ($400,000), but the nature of the investment differs—these are funds held in a deposit account rather than a property with all the complications of selection, maintenance, and sale. Many choose the deposit route precisely for its convenience.

04Do the funds remain with the investor?

Yes. A deposit is the client's capital: upon expiration of the holding period, the funds remain with him. This distinguishes the deposit route from non-refundable contributions in other programs.

05What is required for deposit-based processing?

Place $500,000 in a Turkish bank in accordance with program requirements, confirm the lawful origin of the funds, and maintain the deposit for the required period. Exact parameters are clarified with the competent authority.

06Which documents were key in this case?

Confirmed instrument selection. First, we established that real estate was not suitable for the client and offered the deposit route as a clear financial instrument aligned with his preferences. Clarified deposit conditions. We explained the key points: $500,000 is placed in a Turkish bank and held for three years; upon expiration of the period, the funds remain the client's capital.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The Turkish program offers a separate route for this purpose. In addition to the conventional real estate option from $400,000, citizenship can be obtained through a bank deposit: place $500,000 in a Turkish bank and maintain this amount for three years. Yes, the threshold is higher than real estate, but the nature of the investment is fundamentally different—these are funds on deposit, not a property that must be selected, maintained, and subsequently sold.

08What risk had to be closed before filing?

There was no disaster—it was a matter of choosing a convenient instrument. The client could, out of habit, have gone the real estate route, which did not suit his temperament, and incurred complications with the property. There was also a risk of improper deposit structuring: placing it outside program requirements—and the investment would not be credited. The key was to choose the deposit route and execute it correctly. That Turkish citizenship is not only obtained through real estate ($400,000) but also through a deposit ($500,000);

09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?

Ensured compliance with holding period. We structured the matter so the deposit would be held for the required period without any breach of conditions. Obtained citizenship. Based on the deposit, the client received Turkish citizenship—without complications related to real estate, and his $500,000 remains his capital upon expiration of the period.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.