Turkey Citizenship by Investment for Russian Citizens: Ultimate 2025 Guide

Russian citizens can obtain a second passport quickly through Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment program. By investing in real estate, financial assets, or creating jobs, Russian applicants can secure Turkish citizenship for themselves and their families.  

Whether you are looking to get into the Turkish real estate market, visa-free travel, business ventures, or affordable investment options, this guide will help you navigate the Turkey Citizenship by Investment for Russian citizens process step by step. 

In this guide you will learn about: 

• What the Turkey CBI program is 
• Benefits of the program  
• Eligibility requirements 
• Document requirements 
• Step by step process 
• Processing time 

The Turkey Citizenship by Investment program, also known as the Turkey Golden Visa, was established to attract foreign direct investment into the country. The program allows Russians to secure Turkish citizenship through making a qualifying investment into Turkey. The options include: 

Notes on investment criteria

• Real estate purchase: The property must be held for at least three years. You can obtain multiple properties to qualify as long as they meet the minimum investment of $400,000. 
• Government bonds: Purchase the bonds ($500,000) and hold them for three years.  
• Bank deposit: deposit the money into a Turkish bank account and pledge not to withdraw it for three years.  
• Investment fund share: Invest the $500,000 into a venture capital or real estate investment fund.  
• Job creation: The 50 full-time jobs need to be verified by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services.  

Working with a Turkey citizenship lawyer is highly recommended to ensure you select the best investment option for your circumstances.  

1. Quick path to a second passport: The Turkey CBI program offers Russian citizens the opportunity to obtain a second passport quickly. Additionally, the program is one of the quickest pathways to citizenship, granted in about three to ten months.  
2. Visa free travel: Once your Turkish passport is obtained you have visa free access to 128 countries, enhancing global mobility. The GCS Global Passport Index 2025 ranks the Turkish passport 94th. 
3. Minimal physical presence requirements: Russians are not required to live in Turkey before or after getting Turkish citizenship.   
4. Family inclusion: Russian citizens can include their spouse and dependent children under 18, ensuring security for future generations.  
5. Access to the US E2 Visa: The Turkey E2 Visa is a fantastic advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to live in the US.  
6. Double tax treaty: Russian citizens can benefit from the double tax treaty between Turkey and Russia.  
7. Affordable investment options: The Turkey CBI program offers significantly more affordable investment options compared to other European countries.  

The eligibility criteria for the Turkey Citizenship by Investment program for Russians include: 

• Being over 18 
• Maintaining the investment for three years 
• Having no criminal record 

Working with an immigration service is highly recommended to ensure you are kept up to date with any Turkey Citizenship by Investment changes.  

Here are the general document requirements for Russian citizens applying for Turkish Citizenship by Investment: 

• A valid passport 
• Criminal record clearance 
• Marriage certificate, if applicable 
• Divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate, if relevant 
• Turkish Tax Identification Number 
• Proof of residence, such as a recent utility bill 
• Valid health insurance in Turkey 
• Biometric, colored passport-sized photos 
• Birth certificate 

For Turkish real estate investment applications, additional paperwork is needed, including: 

• A valid private purchase contract from the developer 
• A valuation report approved by the Capital Market Board 
• A Land Registry Certificate confirming full ownership of the property (or properties) 

Working with trusted Turkey immigration services will ensure all your documents meet the Turkey Citizenship by Investment requirements for Russian citizens. Luckily, Global Citizen Solutions offers consultations in both Russian and English.  

Here is a step by step to how Russians can get Turkish Citizenship by Investment:  

1. Select your investment route: Decide whether you’ll invest in real estate, make a capital contribution, or choose another qualifying option. 
2. Complete the investment: Finalize the transaction, gather the required proof, and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the relevant Turkish authority. 
3. Apply for an investor residence permit: This short-term residence permit is mandatory before filing for citizenship and is usually issued quickly.  
4. Prepare and submit your citizenship application: File the application with the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality, including all supporting documents, legal translations, and payment receipts. 
5. Undergo the necessary checks: Your application will go through background screening and security clearance. 
6. Receive your approval: Once approved, you will be issued Turkish citizenship along with your national ID and Turkish passport. 

Russian citizens can begin the process at the Turkish Embassy in Moscow for passport and fingerprint collection, but the main citizenship application requires physically traveling to Turkey to make a qualifying investment and submit the application. After obtaining a residence permit, a lawyer can file for citizenship on your behalf, with the passport collected later. 

Russian citizens can obtain Turkish Citizenship by Investment in about four to eight months. It depends on whether the application is complete, and the due diligence required. Working with trusted Turkey immigration services will ensure your application meets all the requirements and is fully compliant, helping avoid any Turkey Citizenship by Investment delays.   

Russians acquiring Turkish citizenship should be aware that Turkey taxes residents on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Turkish-sourced income. Also, for non-residents of Turkey, capital gains tax only applies to assets within Turkey.  

Residency is generally established by living in Turkey for more than 183 days in a calendar year.  

Additionally, Turkey and Russia have a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) in place, which helps prevent the same income from being taxed twice and provides relief on areas such as dividends, interest, and business profits.