What is the minimum bank deposit required for Turkish citizenship?

Under Art. 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its implementing regulation, foreign nationals must deposit a minimum of USD 500,000 or equivalent in Turkish Lira or other foreign currencies in a Turkish bank account and maintain it for at least three years.

What type of bank account qualifies for citizenship by deposit?

The deposit must be placed in a participation account or deposit account at a bank licensed under the Banking Law No. 5411 and regulated by the BDDK (Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency). Both state-owned and private commercial banks qualify.

Is the bank deposit insured during the three-year holding period?

Bank deposits in Turkey are insured by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) up to the legally prescribed limit under Art. 63 of the Banking Law No. 5411. Amounts exceeding the insurance limit are not covered, so investors should consider this when structuring deposits.

What documents does the bank provide for the citizenship application?

The depositing bank issues a conformity certificate (uygunluk belgesi) confirming the deposit amount and the three-year non-withdrawal commitment. This certificate, along with the application form, passport, biometric photos, and other supporting documents, is submitted to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Can family members also obtain citizenship through the bank deposit method?

Yes, under the implementing regulation of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, the spouse and minor children (under 18) of the principal applicant can also obtain Turkish citizenship simultaneously. Adult children are not included and must apply independently.

Citizenship By Bank Deposit

Turkish citizenship by bank deposit requires a minimum $500,000 deposit in a Turkish bank, maintained for at least 3 years with a no-withdrawal restriction. The deposit must be made in a bank licensed by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) and can be held in USD, EUR, or Turkish Lira equivalent. A conformity certificate from the bank confirming the 3-year holding commitment is required for the citizenship application. The DAB (foreign exchange purchase certificate) must document the currency conversion through the Turkish banking system. Interest earned on the deposit belongs to the investor. After the 3-year period, the funds can be withdrawn freely. Family members (spouse and children under 18) are included in the application at no additional deposit. Processing time is 3-6 months from complete submission to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
Bank deposit is one of several qualifying routes — explore them all in our Turkish citizenship by investment guide.

Practical overview

Citizenship By Bank Deposit should be assessed as a practical legal problem, not only as a search query. The facts, parties, documents, timing and enforceability all affect the legal route in Turkey.

A useful first review separates what is already documented from what still needs to be proven. This makes the next step clearer for foreign clients, companies and individuals dealing with Turkish authorities, courts or counterparties.

Key facts to clarify

The first questions are usually who is involved, where the relevant act or asset is located, which documents exist, which deadlines may apply and whether negotiation, mediation, administrative filing or litigation is the right route.

If the matter has a cross-border element, powers of attorney, translations, apostille or consular legalization, tax records, corporate documents and communication history should be reviewed before a filing is made.

Documents and evidence

Typical evidence includes contracts, title records, payment proof, correspondence, official notices, expert reports, identity documents, company records, court files, administrative decisions and insurance documents where relevant.

Weak files often fail because the legal argument is not connected to documents. A strong file links each requested outcome to a fact, each fact to evidence and each procedural step to a deadline.

Process and risk control

The process may include a legal opinion, document correction, negotiations, mediation, administrative application, lawsuit, interim measure, appeal or enforcement. The correct order depends on the case type.

Risk control means checking limitation periods, jurisdiction, costs, likely objections, translation quality, service of notices and whether a judgment or settlement can actually be enforced.

How Serka Law Firm helps

Serka Law Firm structures the file, identifies the responsible authority or counterparty, prepares the evidence map, drafts the required submissions and coordinates Turkish-law steps with the client’s foreign counsel or advisors when needed.

The aim is to turn a broad problem into a documented action plan: what can be claimed, what must be proven, what should be done first and what outcome is realistically achievable.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign clients handle this remotely? In many matters, yes. A properly issued power of attorney, clear document list and remote communication plan can reduce the need for travel.

When should legal review start? Early review is usually safer because deadlines, missing documents or defective filings are easier to fix before the dispute has escalated.

How to Apply for Turkish Citizenship By Bank Deposit

Foreign investors who deposit a minimum of 500.000 USD or equivalent in exchange in Turkish banks, will be able to acquire Turkish citizenship with the condition of not to withdrawn for three years. Foreign investors who fulfill these conditions will apply for Turkish citizenship by investment. However, Turkey has made changes to the conditions for foreigners to acquire Turkish citizenship as we explained below :

According to the new regulation, which was published in the Official Gazette on 06 January 2022, the amount of foreign currency must be sold to the Central Bank through a bank operating in Turkey and must converted into Turkish Liras (TL). After the foreign currency is sold, the ‘’Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate’’ which is issued by the bank, must be submitted to competent authorities. The Turkish lira amount obtained as a result of the sale will be kept in Turkish lira deposits or government debt instruments for at least three years.
However, with a positive amendment made in the ‘’Regulation about Deposit and Participation System for Residents Abroad (YUVAM) ’’ on 22 March 2022, you can also make a profit while your money is kept in the bank for 3 years.

With this amendment, the opportunities previously provided to Turkish citizens living abroad with ‘’YUVAM’’ were expanded to include foreign natural and legal persons who meet the conditions for opening an account in banks.

A YUVAM account is a Turkish lira account that encourages foreigners, non-resident citizens and their companies abroad to bring their savings to Turkey by offering a Central Bank guarantee of protection against exchange rate volatility and provides an additional return. With YUVAM account, foreigners and citizens residing abroad can also benefit from the foreign currency protected lira deposit system, which Turkish citizens residing in Turkey already benefit from.
If you have any intention of opening a YUVAM account to get opportunities while depositing your money , we offer you the best interest rates and the most reliable banks we have contracted with.

Bank deposits require DAB foreign exchange certificate compliance.

Advantages of YUVAM Account

It protects the value of your savings against the exchange rate risk.
Principal and additional returns are guaranteed at maturity. Additional return is the additional Turkish lira-denominated amount to be paid by the Central Bank over the foreign exchange (FX) principal, depending on the maturity. (Rates of additional return are showed the chart below.)
If the exchange rate is lower at maturity, the account holder gains high returns in FX terms.
It offers you an FX principal guarantee as well as additional return at maturity.
You do not have to pay a transfer fee in Turkey for your FX transfers from abroad.
The exchange rate difference and your additional return are under the guarantee of the Central Bank.
Therefore, the account holder wins in any case.

Bank list in turkey for turkish citizenship by bank deposit investment

For citizenship application, foreign investors must submit the necessary documents to the competent authorities which we will list below :

Required Documents for Turkish Citizenship by Investment

Application form containing the relevant application path,
Identity card (which nationality the foreigner has)
If the foreign investor is married, his/her spouse’s identity card. (If foreigner has children under the age of 18, also their identity card is required),
Documents proving family ties with family members (marriage certificate, etc.),
Passport photos of other family members,
Birth certificate,
If the foreign investor is divorced, the official document stating that he/she is divorced,
If the foreign investor is a widow, a document showing that he/she is a widow (death certificate, etc.),
Residence permit or tourist visa issued to the foreign investor,
‘’Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate’’, which issued by the bank after the foreign currency is sold
’’Certificate of Conformity, which shows that the minimum investment requirement is met.
If the spouse or other relatives of the foreign investor applying are Turkish citizens, their ID photocopies and residence information,
Document, receipt, etc. regarding the payment made before the application.

The foreign investor who fulfills all the conditions stated above, together with his spouse, if any, and all his children under the age of 18 will acquire Turkish citizenship and remain as Turkish citizens for life. Also, their future children will be born as Turkish citizens. If there are applicants with missing, incorrect or misleading documents, their citizenship applications will be suspended and their applications will not be considered even if they have fulfilled all the criteria. Therefore, it is important to get professional advice during the application and evaluation process.

Practical overview

Key facts to clarify

Documents and evidence

Process and risk control

How Serka Law Firm helps

Frequently asked questions

Quick Answer

Citizenship by bank deposit requires a clean link between eligibility, banking documents, source of funds, holding conditions and family records. The deposit route should be planned before funds are moved, not reconstructed after the fact.

Citable Points

Bank records prove the investment path.
Holding conditions support the legal basis.
Family files define the application scope.

Process Steps

Confirm the legal goal, current status and deadline exposure.
Collect the documents that control the next legal step.
Choose the application, negotiation, litigation, enforcement or correction path.

Why This Matters

Citizenship by Bank Deposit should be evaluated as a practical legal file, not only as a search query. The useful legal answer depends on parties, documents, timing, evidence and enforceability.

For Citizenship By Bank Deposit, cross-border handling turns on the records that prove identity, authority, payment flow and the Turkish step being requested. On “Citizenship By Bank Deposit”, a useful intake identifies the missing evidence, the translation issue that can slow the next step, and the safer procedural route.

Documents and Evidence

passport and family records
bank account and deposit documents
source-of-funds evidence
undertaking or holding-period records
application, translation and certification files

Risk Control

In Citizenship By Bank Deposit, the first control point is whether the available records support the exact result the client wants. The second is whether the next step fits the deadline, competent forum and enforcement plan.

moving funds before legal review
unclear source-of-funds explanation
bank documents not matching application needs
family records prepared after the banking step

Practical Judgment

If moving funds before legal review or unclear source-of-funds explanation appears in the file, the matter should not move forward on a generic template. The safer first step is to check passport and family records, bank account and deposit documents and source-of-funds evidence before filing, signing, paying, sending notice or litigating.

Serka Law Firm turns the client’s goal into a file checklist, risk map and next-step sequence. The purpose is to make the legal advice usable, evidence-led and ready for local execution in Turkey.

FAQ

Can an initial review start with partial documents? Yes. For Citizenship By Bank Deposit, a preliminary review can identify gaps, but a formal filing should wait until the controlling contracts, notices or official records are checked.

Why avoid generic templates? Generic templates are risky for Citizenship By Bank Deposit because they miss cross-border facts, authority issues, deadlines and Turkish enforcement consequences.

What is the next practical step? For Citizenship By Bank Deposit, build the document list first, then choose whether the file needs correction, negotiation, application, litigation, arbitration or enforcement.

Reviewed by Av. Serkan Kara

Review scope: “Citizenship By Bank Deposit”. Managing Partner, Serka Law Firm • Istanbul Bar Association No. 53770 • LL.B. Uludağ University • CUSL University of Cologne