Inflated valuations and Turkish citizenship risk

A high price alone does not prove wrongdoing

Overpaying for an apartment, an unreliable valuation report and a payment that exists only on paper call for different legal assessments. A gap between the purchase price and estimated market value does not automatically mean fraud has been committed or that citizenship will be revoked. The documents, the actual movement of money and the basis of the decision on the specific application all need to be checked.

What has been reported about investigations

Anadolu Ajansı on 4 August 2026 reported a statement by the Minister of Justice about an investigation into transactions in which, according to the ministry, property values were artificially raised using unreliable valuation reports. This is a report of an investigation, not confirmation of a final conviction.

An AA report of 21 September 2026 cited prosecutors' statements about alleged payment schemes using funds from sellers or intermediaries. It also reported that administrative proceedings to revoke citizenship had begun. This information does not justify treating every buyer as a participant or applying its conclusions to a different transaction.

Three separate questions

Market price. Even a property with proper legal documents can be a poor purchase. Compare its actual features, condition, location and handover terms with independent market data. An advertised price and a promised return are no substitute for this check.

Valuation for citizenship. Find out whether the report relates to the property you are actually buying, who prepared it, which documents were used and whether it meets the requirements that apply to the transaction. Reaching the required figure on paper does not cure errors in the underlying information.

Actual payment. Bank records should be compared with the contract, the source of funds and the recipient. A partial refund of the price, a payment financed by the seller or a transfer through an intermediary requires separate analysis. A third party's involvement does not in itself prove a crime, but their role should be clear and documented.

What the risk of revocation means

Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Articles 31 and 32, allows a decision to be revoked where it was made because of a false statement by the person concerned or the concealment of material facts. The consequences can extend to a spouse and children who acquired citizenship through that person.

What matters, therefore, is the specific ground, the content of the application and the evidence. A criminal investigation does not replace an individual assessment of the administrative decision. If you receive a notice, keep it together with the details of how it was served and pass it to your lawyer: the steps and deadlines are determined from the documents.

What to ask for before committing to pay

• The draft contract, details of the owner and an up-to-date title record showing ownership and encumbrances.
• The valuation report and the documents proving the investment amount for citizenship.
• A full payment plan: payer, recipient, accounts, source of funds and the stated purpose of each transfer.
• Written terms for any discounts, refunds, buy-back arrangements and intermediary fees.
• A list of the documents that will be filed in your name, and whether you can obtain copies.

Ask your lawyer whether they represent you, what scope of review has been agreed and what information is still missing. If you need both a check of the property registration and a check of the citizenship conditions, both should be expressly included in the engagement.

See also: what to check before paying and buying property for citizenship.

LP Legal first provides a short information note, followed by an introductory meeting. In your first enquiry, give the stage of the transaction and mention any notices received; please do not send a passport or bank documents through the initial form.

Discuss a review of the transaction and citizenship documents.