Greece grants residency that can lead to citizenship over years. Turkey grants citizenship directly and far faster. Both routes are open.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The core difference is the outcome. Greece gives you residency first and citizenship only later through naturalisation. Turkey gives you citizenship and a passport at the end of the application itself.
Greece is a European Union member, so its eventual citizenship carries European Union free movement. Turkey is not a European Union member, so its passport does not. That single fact shapes who each route suits.
Greece sets its real estate threshold by location. Reported tiers are EUR 800,000 in the highest demand areas and EUR 400,000 in other regions, with a EUR 250,000 option for specific cases such as heritage restoration or commercial to residential conversion. Confirm the current figures and qualifying conditions with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Turkey grants citizenship for a reported minimum of USD 400,000 in real estate, held for at least three years through a restriction noted on the title deed. Other reported routes include a bank deposit or fixed capital investment from USD 500,000, government bonds, or creating employment. Property valuation runs through an official process under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. Confirm the current figures with the Turkish authorities.
Greece issues a five year residence permit, renewable while the investment is held, and reports no minimum stay. Citizenship is a separate and far longer naturalisation process, measured in years of residence with language and integration conditions.
Turkey is comparatively quick. Public reporting points to citizenship within roughly six to twelve months from a completed property purchase, with no language test and no minimum stay. Confirm current processing times with the Turkish authorities.
Greek citizenship, once obtained through naturalisation, carries European Union free movement and the wider visa free access that comes with an EU passport. The Turkish passport offers a different mobility profile, strong in some regions and more limited in others, and it does not include European Union free movement. Verify current visa free access with each destination government, since entry rules change.
Greece may suit an investor focused on Europe who wants residency now and is patient about citizenship. Turkey may suit someone who wants a second citizenship and passport quickly, accepts a holding period on the property, and does not need European Union access. Because the two deliver such different outcomes, the right choice depends on your goal rather than price alone. A vetted independent advisor can help you match the route to that goal.
| Item | Greece Golden Visa | Turkey Citizenship by Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Residency, citizenship later by naturalisation | Citizenship directly |
| Indicative minimum | EUR 800,000 or EUR 400,000 by area, EUR 250,000 special cases | From USD 400,000 real estate, held three years |
| Reported timeline | Five year residence permit, citizenship over years | Roughly six to twelve months to citizenship |
| EU free movement | Yes, after citizenship | No, Turkey is not an EU member |
| Official authority | Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Greece | Directorate General of Land Registry and Cadastre, Republic of Turkiye |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Greece publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Turkey is much faster to a passport. Public reporting points to citizenship within roughly six to twelve months. Greece grants residency first and citizenship only later through a multi year naturalisation process. Confirm current timelines with the relevant authority.
No. Turkey is not a European Union member, so the Turkish passport does not carry European Union free movement. Greek citizenship does, but only after naturalisation, which takes years.
Turkey reports a minimum of USD 400,000 in real estate held for at least three years, with alternative routes such as a bank deposit or fixed capital from USD 500,000. Confirm the current figures with the Turkish authorities.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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