Where to Get a Golden Visa for Turkish People? | Astons

The most popular Golden Visa programs for Turkish citizens in 2026 are offered by Greece, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, and the UAE. These residency by investment programs allow investors to obtain legal residence abroad — often with minimal stay requirements and, in most cases, a pathway to citizenship.

Most programs require investment in real estate, government-approved funds, or businesses, with a threshold starting from around €250,000 in Greece.

Below is a comparison of the key Golden Visa options available to Turkish investors, including investment requirements, residency conditions, and citizenship timelines.

Quick Comparison of Popular Golden Visas for Turkish Citizens

Country	Investment Type & Minimum Amount	Residency Stay	Path to Citizenship	Visa-Free Access
Greece	Real estate ≥ €250,000	None required	Eligibility after 7 years	Schengen Zone
Portugal	Funds or R&D ≥ €500,000	7 days/year	Citizenship eligible after 5 years	Schengen + full EU rights
Italy	Startups (€250,000), Corporates (€500,000), Donation (€1,000,000) or Bonds (€2,000,000)	None required	Citizenship after 10 years	Schengen Zone
Hungary	Property fund (€250,000) or academic donation (€1,000,000)	None required	Citizenship after 8 years	Schengen Zone
UAE	Real estate ≥ AED 2,000,000 (~ $545,000)	None required	Naturalisation is granted only in exceptional cases by government nomination	GCC + regional benefits

What is a Golden Visa?

A Golden Visa is a residency permit granted in return for an investment — often in real estate, funds, or business — in participating countries.

These programs offer:

Legal residence rights for investors and family
Paths to citizenship

Why Apply for a Golden Visa?

Golden Visas are attractive for Turkish citizens because they offer:

Freedom to travel – visa-free access to Schengen or GCC regions
Education & healthcare access in developed nations
Safety net – alternative residency in case of economic or political changes
Family inclusion – spouse, children (under 18 or dependents), and sometimes parents and even grandparents
Tax optimisation – many Golden visa countries offer low or zero tax on foreign income, attractive tax regimes for new residents, or no wealth/inheritance taxes

Which Golden Visa Options Are Best for Turkish Nationals?

Greece Golden Visa

Investment: ≥ €250,000 in real estate
Stay requirement: None required
Family coverage: Spouse, children under 21, parents
Advantages: Low cost, no residency requirement, Schengen access

Portugal Golden Visa

Investment: ≥ €500,000+ in funds or R&D
Stay requirement: 7 days/year
Highlights: 5-year EU citizenship pathway; strong financial and academic systems
Family coverage: Spouse, children under 21, dependent children under 26 and parents

Portugal is currently considering legislative changes that may extend the naturalisation timeline up to 7–10 years.

Hungary Residency by Investment

Investment: €250,000+ in funds or €1,000,000+ academic donation
Stay requirement: Minimal
Highlights: Fast-track residency; relaunch programme for investors
Family coverage: Spouse, children under 18 and dependent children above 18

UAE Golden Visa

Investment: AED 2,000,000 (~USD 545,000) in property
Stay requirement: None
Benefits: 10-year residency, zero income tax, business hub
Family coverage: spouse, children and parents

How to Apply for a Golden Visa?

Select the country and investment route
Assemble documentation: passport, proof of investment funds, health insurance, etc.
Make the qualifying investment
File the residency application and attend biometric appointment
Receive residency card — timeline varies from 3–12 months
Pursue citizenship where applicable (after required residency and integration)

What Investment Types Qualify?

Real Estate – Greece, Malta, UAE
Funds – Portugal, Hungary

Final Considerations for Turkish Citizens

Choosing the right Golden Visa depends on investment priorities, mobility goals, and long-term plans for residency or citizenship.

For the lowest entry threshold in the EU: Greece remains one of the most accessible options, with investment from €250,000 in real estate, no minimum stay requirement, and Schengen travel benefits.
For minimal residency obligations: Portugal requires around 7 days of physical presence per year, allowing investors to maintain residency.
For flexible investment routes: Italy offers several options, including investments in startups, companies, government bonds, or donations, giving investors multiple ways to qualify.
For a newly relaunched investor program: Hungary offers residency through approved property funds or academic donations, attracting investors looking for an alternative EU route.
For tax efficiency and business opportunities: The UAE Golden Visa provides long-term residency in a zero personal income tax environment and access to one of the world’s leading business hubs.

Tips before applying:

Consult a qualified advisor for tax and legal implications
Research local real estate markets and fund performance
Plan around family needs — education, healthcare, work options

Whether you’re looking to invest in Europe or the UAE, Astons provides full assistance with securing a Golden visa — with legal support and residency application. With over 30 years of experience and a global presence — including offices in Athens, Istanbul, Dubai, London, and beyond — we ensure a smooth and fully compliant process.

Astons has been recognised as a leading real estate and immigration advisory firm, helping thousands of investors and families achieve global mobility, asset protection, and second residency or citizenship.

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FAQ

What is the Golden Visa program for Turkish citizens?

A group of residency-by-investment programs offered by EU and Middle Eastern countries. Popular programs include Greece, Portugal, Italy, Hungary and the UAE.