Can Iraqi citizens get Turkish citizenship by investment?

Yes. Turkish citizenship by investment is open to Iraqi 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. Iraqi citizens buy property in Türkiye regularly; according to press reports of TÜİK data, Iraq ranked 5th among foreign home buyers in 2025 with 1,292 homes, and 2nd in September 2026.

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 Iraqi citizens.

Dual citizenship under Iraqi law

Iraq is one of the countries in the region that allows its citizens to hold another nationality:

• Article 18(4) of the 2005 Constitution: an Iraqi may have multiple citizenships; anyone holding a senior, security or sovereign position must abandon any other acquired citizenship.
• Article 10(I) of Nationality Law No. 26 of 2006: an Iraqi who acquires a foreign nationality retains Iraqi nationality unless he renounces it in writing.
• Article 9(IV): an Iraqi with another acquired nationality may not hold a top-level sovereign or security post unless he renounces that nationality.

Iraqi documents: legalisation and the 1989 agreement

Iraq is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Two routes are relevant:

• Standard legalisation: the document is certified by the competent Iraqi authorities and the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by a Turkish mission in Iraq, and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarised.
• Türkiye–Iraq Agreement of 1989: Article 21 of the Legal and Judicial Cooperation Agreement exempts official documents bearing an official seal from authentication in the other country. Whether a particular Turkish authority (land registry, migration or civil registry office) accepts a document on this basis should be confirmed in advance; the standard route avoids delays.
• For a power of attorney used at the land registry, the signature and seal of the issuing authority must be certified by the Turkish consulate.
• Documents issued in the Kurdistan Region may follow regional certification; confirm the route with the Consulate General in Erbil.

Visa, travel and power of attorney

Under the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rules for Iraqi ordinary passport holders:

• Under 15 or over 50No visa needed for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Aged 15–50Visa required. Holders of a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit can get a one-month conditional e-visa; others apply for a visa at a Turkish mission.

Turkish missions in Iraq:

• Embassy in BaghdadCentral and southern Iraq.
• Consulate General in ErbilKurdistan Region.
• Consulate General in MosulNineveh.
• Consulate General in BasraSouthern provinces.

A power of attorney signed at one of these missions lets the purchase and paperwork proceed while the investor is in Iraq.

Transferring funds from Iraq

Transfers from Iraq need planning:

• The Central Bank of Iraq ended its electronic platform for external transfers at the end of 2024; transfers now go through direct relationships between Iraqi banks and foreign correspondent banks, with prior compliance checks.
• Only some Iraqi banks can make direct international transfers, and several banks have been barred from US-dollar transactions. Check that your bank has a working correspondent relationship before signing a contract in Türkiye.
• On the Turkish side, the price must be a documented bank transfer in the investor’s name, the foreign currency is sold to a Turkish bank and a Currency Purchase Certificate (DAB) is issued. Cash payments are not accepted for citizenship.

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.