Can Egyptian citizens get Turkish citizenship by investment?

Yes. Turkish citizenship by investment is open to Egyptian citizens on the same terms as other foreign nationals. Under Article 12/1-b of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and Article 20 of its Implementing Regulation, it is enough to complete one of the qualifying investments and obtain an investor residence permit; citizenship is then granted by Presidential decision. There is no prior-residence or Turkish-language requirement.

• Real estateAt least USD 400,000, with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed. The most common route.
• Bank deposit, government bonds, fund shares, private pensionAt least USD 500,000 each, held for three years.
• Fixed capital investmentAt least USD 500,000, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
• Job creationEmployment of at least 50 people, confirmed by the Ministry of Labour.

Under Article 35 of the Land Registry Law No. 2644, foreigners may buy property in Türkiye if their country is among those designated by the President, outside military and security zones and within area limits. Eligibility of the nationality and the specific property should be confirmed before any payment. We are not aware of any nationality-based restriction on property purchases by Egyptian citizens; eligibility is still confirmed at the land registry before payment.

Property types, payment rules, the Currency Purchase Certificate (DAB) and the certificate of conformity are explained in detail in our Turkish citizenship by investment guide; this page focuses on what is specific to Egyptian citizens.

Dual citizenship under Egyptian law

Egyptian law permits dual nationality, but only through a specific procedure:

• Article 10(1) of Law No. 26 of 1975: an Egyptian may not acquire a foreign nationality except after obtaining permission by decree of the Minister of Interior. Without permission, he continues to be regarded as Egyptian, but the Council of Ministers may strip his nationality under Article 16.
• Article 10(2): an Egyptian permitted to acquire a foreign nationality loses Egyptian nationality, unless the permission allows him (and his wife and minor children) to keep it and he declares that wish within one year of acquiring the foreign nationality (Article 10(3)).

Egyptian documents: legalisation

Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (it is an HCCH member, which is different). Egyptian documents follow the legalisation route: authentication by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then legalisation by the Embassy of Türkiye in Cairo or the Consulate General in Alexandria, followed by sworn Turkish translation and notarisation in Türkiye.

• Computerised birth and marriage certificates from the Civil Status Organization are the usual documents for family ties.
• Arabic names must be transliterated exactly as in the passport, including the father’s and grandfather’s names where they appear.

Visa, travel and power of attorney

Under the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules for Egyptian ordinary passport holders, a visa is required:

• Under 15 or over 45E-visa without additional conditions.
• Aged 15–4530-day single-entry e-visa only with a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit and when flying with certain airlines (Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus, EgyptAir, Air Cairo); otherwise a visa from a Turkish mission.

• Embassy of Türkiye in CairoConsular services including powers of attorney.
• Consulate General in AlexandriaAlexandria and the north-west.

Transferring funds from Egypt

• The Central Bank of Egypt removed the former annual cap on individuals’ transfers abroad in 2017, and the pound has floated since March 2024. Banks may still apply their own limits and documentation requirements, so confirm the transfer with your bank in advance.
• On the Turkish side: documented bank transfer in the investor’s name, sale of the foreign currency to a Turkish bank and a Currency Purchase Certificate (DAB). Egyptians working in the Gulf can pay from accounts held there.

Spouse and children

Under Article 12/1-b of Law No. 5901, the investor’s foreign spouse and the minor (under 18) or dependent children of the investor and spouse are included in the same file without additional investment. Parents and siblings are not covered and need their own investment.

• Where there is more than one spouse, only one spouse can be included, because of Turkish public order.
• For children from another marriage, the other parent’s consent or a custody document may be requested.
• For a child close to 18, the file should be prepared early, as the process can take time.

Under Article 10(3) of the Egyptian Nationality Law, the permission to keep Egyptian nationality can also cover the wife and minor children; include them in the request to the Ministry of Interior.