This article was written by Emma Marshall — Community Manager
We believe this article is accurate at the time of writing, but regulations evolve. We'd welcome you to contact us for a quick, up-to-date confirmation—we're always glad to help.
Turkey's Interior Ministry has revoked citizenship from 6,134 people who acquired it through the country's citizenship by investment programme — a development that will concern any investor holding, or considering, Turkish investor citizenship.
What this article covers:
- Why the revocations happened and who is affected
- The distinction between past-era risk and current applicants
- What holders of Turkish investor citizenship should do now
- How programme due diligence protects against scenarios like this
What Happened and Who Is Affected
The revocations divide into two categories. The larger group — 5,391 people, comprising 1,150 principal investors and their family members — had eligibility certificates cancelled due to fraudulent property valuations carried out under the old SPK-licensed valuer system active between 2018 and 2022. Inflated appraisals allowed investors to satisfy the then-$250,000 minimum on paper without meeting it in substance. The remaining 743 individuals were flagged on national security or public order grounds after naturalisation. Cancelled citizens revert to foreigner status and must dispose of their Turkish property within one year, or the Treasury will sell it on their behalf. Enforcement has accelerated since February 2026.
What This Means for Investors — and How We Advise
The critical distinction is between investors who participated during the period when fraudulent valuations were widespread, and those applying today. Since 2024, all property appraisals route through GEDAS, a state-supervised system that eliminates the manual handoff that enabled past abuses. Current applicants following a properly structured process are not exposed to the same risk. If you hold Turkish investor citizenship acquired before 2023, a status review is a prudent step. More broadly, this episode illustrates why programme selection, investment structure, and adviser quality are not interchangeable — the right choices at the outset determine whether a citizenship holds.
Marlow Bray advises clients on citizenship and residency planning across established, well-regulated programmes. If you would like a confidential review of your position, or guidance on the right programme for your circumstances, we would be glad to speak with you.
