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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Turkey · Citizenship

How a Family Obtained Turkish Residence Permit fora British School with Full Property Valuation

Saltanat wanted to relocate her children to an international British school in Ankara, requiring a long-term residence permit tied to a stable residential address. However, the Ankara real estate market is unique: property values in the deed (Tapu) are often understated by sellers to avoid taxes, which undermines the investor's case. Below is how we compelled the seller to declare 100% of the actual property value in the Tapu.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time8 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 a Family Obtained Turkish Residence Permit for a British School with Full Property Valuation
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Saltanat, 39 years old, restaurant business owner (2 children).
Goal
Residence Permit for children's education in Ankara.
Challenge
Undervalued property deeds by sellers undermine the investor's case.
Solution
Property in the Çankaya diplomatic district, 100% valuation in Tapu ($215,000).
Result
Residence Permit obtained within 2 months, children enrolled.
Result
Residence Permit obtained within 2 months, children enrolled.
Result
Residence Permit obtained within 2 months, children enrolled.

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

Saltanat is thirty-nine years old and owns a restaurant business. Her goal is to relocate her children for studies at an international British school in Ankara. School enrollment required an official long-term residence permit tied to a stable residential address. Housing budget: $210,000.

Why the standard route did not work

The Ankara real estate market is distinctive: property values stated in the deed (Tapu) are frequently understated by sellers to evade taxes, which undermines the investor's residence permit case.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The Ankara real estate market is distinctive: property values stated in the deed (Tapu) are frequently understated by sellers to evade taxes, which undermines the investor's residence permit case.

Why a standard answer would not do

The Ankara real estate market is distinctive: property values stated in the deed (Tapu) are frequently understated by sellers to evade taxes, which undermines the investor's residence permit case.

Why This Was Challenging

Why This Was Challenging

Undervalued property deeds. Understatement by sellers for tax purposes.

  1. 01Compliance with budget limits. The amount in Tapu must be genuine.
  2. 02Market specifics. Ankara.
  3. 03Hidden risk. Undervalued cadastre = rejection.

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.

BasisStage 1

Selected an apartment. In the diplomatic district of Çankaya.

  • 01
    Stage 2

    Required full property value disclosure. $215,000 in Tapu.

  • 02
    Stage 3

    Mitigated tax risks. Completely.

  • 03
    Stage 4

    Obtained residence permit in 2 months. Children enrolled.

  • 04
    Stage 5

    Obtained residence permit in 2 months. Children enrolled.

Takeaway. Takeaway: for a Turkish residence permit based on property, what counts is not the price agreed on the market but the official cadastral value. Plan the purchase around that figure, not around the asking price.

How we verified the cadastre.

How we verified the cadastre.

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

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    Selected an apartment. In the diplomatic district of Çankaya.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    Required full property value disclosure. $215,000 in Tapu.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    Mitigated tax risks. Completely.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    Obtained residence permit in 2 months. Children enrolled.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    Obtained residence permit in 2 months. Children enrolled.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    Obtained residence permit in 2 months. Children enrolled.

Expert comment

Undervaluation of cadastral value is widespread practice in Turkey. For an ordinary buyer this is acceptable, but for an investor obtaining residence permit, this guarantees rejection. Guaranteed rejection. We strictly control to ensure the amount in Tapu and bank receipt match cent for cent. Match cent for cent. .

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

Client
Saltanat, 39 years old, restaurant business owner (2 children).
Goal
Residence Permit for children's education in Ankara.
Challenge
Undervalued property deeds by sellers undermine the investor's case.
Solution
Property in the Çankaya diplomatic district, 100% valuation in Tapu ($215,000).
Result
Residence Permit obtained within 2 months, children enrolled.
Result
Residence Permit obtained within 2 months, children enrolled.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Takeaway: for a Turkish residence permit based on property, what counts is not the price agreed on the market but the official cadastral value. Plan the purchase around that figure, not around the asking price.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Who is eligible for repatriation to Hungary?

Descendants of Hungarian citizens who can provide documentary evidence of Hungarian descent - typically through ancestors from territories of historic Hungary (Transcarpathia, Transylvania, southern Slovakia, Vojvodina) or those who lost Hungarian citizenship in the 20th century.

02What is the cost of repatriation to Hungary?

The state fee is 120 euros. Additional expenses include document translations, apostille certification, archival certificates, and legal representation if required.

03Must one reside in Hungary to obtain citizenship by descent?

No. Repatriation does not require prior residence in the country, nor does it require proof of income or accommodation.

04Is Hungarian citizenship transferable to children?

Yes. After you are recognized as a citizen through repatriation, minor children may obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure.

05What is Hungary's national card?

Nemzeti Kartya - a residence permit for employment or business purposes. Available to Russian citizens as of July 2024. It grants permanent residency status after 3 years of residence.

06Can one obtain Hungarian citizenship through marriage?

Yes, through a simplified procedure, but it requires several years of married residence in the country, an absence of criminal convictions, and basic language proficiency. Sham marriages are subject to verification.

07Why is citizenship rejected in Hungary?

Most commonly due to incomplete or incorrectly prepared evidence of Hungarian descent, errors in translations and apostille certification, or insufficient language proficiency.

08Can one apply for repatriation while residing in Russia?

Yes, an application for simplified naturalization may be submitted through the Hungarian consulate. Personal presence is required for the interview and oath-taking ceremony.

09Is biometric data collected during processing?

Yes, as with any EU passport issuance, fingerprints are taken and a biometric photograph is captured.

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.