Turkey Revokes 6,134 Citizenships: What Happened and How to Stay Safe

On 4 August 2026, Turkey's Ministry of Interior announced that 6,134 citizenships granted through the investment programme had been cancelled or withdrawn. The news worried many investors and families. In this article we explain what happened, who is affected, and how to make sure your own purchase is safe.

What happened: the official figures

• 6,134 people in total: 1,413 main investors, the rest are their spouses and children.
• 1,150 investors (5,391 people with their families) lost citizenship because their investments involved collusive or irregular transactions.
• 263 investors (743 people) lost citizenship on public order or national security grounds. These cases are not related to property fraud.
• Since 11 February 2026, the investment eligibility certificates of 443 investors (1,358 people) were also cancelled.

The criminal investigation in Istanbul

At the same time, Istanbul prosecutors launched an investigation: detention warrants were issued for 90 suspects, 72 people were detained in 16 provinces, and more than 1,000 properties were seized. According to the Minister of Justice, around 2.5 billion Turkish lira that should have entered Turkey as qualifying investment never actually arrived. Proceedings were opened regarding the citizenship of 687 people linked to this case.

How the scheme worked

According to the reported cases, the problem was not the citizenship programme itself but fake transactions designed to look like a USD 400,000 investment:

• A property worth much less was registered on the title deed and valuation at USD 400,000 or more.
• The buyer paid a much lower "package price" than the registered amount, so the real money never entered Turkey.
• Side agreements promised to return the property or the money to the seller after the passport was issued.

What happens to the people affected?

Under the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, citizenship can be cancelled when it was obtained with false information, hidden facts or an invalid investment. The decision can extend to the spouse and children included in the same application. Affected people return to foreigner status and may be required to dispose of their assets in Turkey within a set period.

If you bought in good faith

Lawyers explain that the decision can be challenged before the Council of State, usually within 60 days of notification, so it is important to act immediately. The strongest evidence is a clean paper trail: bank transfers that match the price on the title deed, an official valuation, and continued ownership of the property. Contact a licensed lawyer as soon as you receive a notification.

How to make sure your investment is safe

• Pay the full price by bank transfer, matching the price registered on the title deed.
• Never accept a "package price" lower than the registered value, and never sign a side agreement to return the property or the money.
• Make sure the official valuation matches the real market value and the contract price.
• Have the property checked by an independent lawyer before signing.
• Be careful with any offer that advertises the "title deed value" instead of the real price.

The programme is still open

Turkish citizenship by investment is still available under the same rules: a minimum property investment of USD 400,000 and a three-year holding period. What changed is the level of scrutiny: real, transparent investments are safe; fake ones are being found and cancelled.

At Majesty Turkey, every purchase is paid by bank transfer at the real price, with an official valuation and no side agreements. If you want to buy safely or check a deal you were offered, message us on WhatsApp for a free consultation, or browse our citizenship-eligible properties in Istanbul.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Figures are from official statements published in August 2026.