Practice Areas
Foreign Investment and Relocation Law
Legal support for foreign investors relocating to Türkiye: company formation, citizenship by investment, investor residence and family reunification.
Foreign investment and relocation law covers the legal procedures through which foreign individuals and companies invest in Türkiye, set up businesses, obtain residence or Turkish citizenship through investment, and settle in the country with their families.
Investing in Türkiye or relocating there with family involves several areas of Turkish law at once: company law, immigration law, citizenship rules and tax. This page focuses on investment and relocation. Status matters such as residence, work permits and deportation are covered on our Immigration Law in Türkiye page.
Legal framework for foreign investment
Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 is based on equal treatment of foreign and domestic investors. Foreign investors may incorporate a joint stock company or a limited liability company under Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, acquire shares in an existing company or open a branch.
Company formation and structuring
The choice of company type should reflect the capital structure, the relationship between shareholders, the management model and the purpose of the investment. Articles of association, shareholders' agreements and clearly defined management powers help prevent future shareholder disputes.
Turkish citizenship by investment
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its implementing regulation allow citizenship to be acquired on exceptional grounds through qualifying investments such as real estate acquisition, fixed capital investment, bank deposits or job creation. Minimum amounts and conditions are set by regulation and are amended from time to time, so the current rules and required certificates should be verified before any investment is made.
Real estate investments
Where property is purchased for citizenship, the legal status of the property, its valuation, proof of payment and the annotations recorded in the land registry all affect the outcome. For details on acquiring property, see our Real Estate Law page.
Investor residence and family reunification
Law No. 6458 allows foreign nationals investing in Türkiye to obtain short-term residence permits. Family residence permits may be requested for the investor's spouse and children.
Relocating to Türkiye
Apostille or consular legalisation of foreign documents, sworn translations, school and diploma equivalence and the recognition of foreign court judgments complete the relocation process. Recognition of foreign divorce and custody judgments is handled under Family and Inheritance Law.
Scope of services
- Company formation and shareholding structure
- Articles of association and shareholders' agreements
- Turkish citizenship by investment applications
- Legal due diligence on investment property
- Investor and family residence permits
- Recognition of foreign documents and equivalence
- Review and negotiation of investment agreements
Frequently asked questions
- Can foreigners set up a company in Türkiye?
- Yes. Under Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, foreign investors receive the same treatment as domestic investors and may incorporate a joint stock or limited liability company under the Turkish Commercial Code.
- What is the minimum investment for Turkish citizenship?
- Minimum amounts and conditions are set by the regulation implementing the Turkish Citizenship Law and change from time to time. The amount in force should be verified from official sources before investing.
- Can the investor's family obtain citizenship too?
- Under the conditions set out in the legislation, the investor's spouse and minor children may be included in the application. Each application is assessed individually by the authorities.
- Does investing in Türkiye give me the right to work?
- Investment alone does not confer the right to work. Working in Türkiye generally requires a separate work permit, which should also be assessed for investor-shareholders.
Related practice areas
Immigration Law in Türkiye
Legal advice and representation for foreign nationals on Turkish residence and work permits, deportation, administrative detention and citizenship.
Real Estate Law in Türkiye
Legal advice on buying property in Türkiye, title deed disputes, leases and eviction, condominium matters and property acquisition by foreign nationals.
Family and Inheritance Law
Divorce, custody, maintenance, division of marital property, certificates of inheritance and international family and inheritance matters in Türkiye.