The Turkey Century Investment Program is the most comprehensive foreign investor incentive package Turkey has announced in decades, enacted into law on 21 May 2026 and covering a 20-year income tax exemption for individuals relocating to Turkey, a 20-year corporate tax exemption for companies operating within the Istanbul Finance Centre, and a wealth amnesty window for investors transferring overseas assets into the Turkish financial system.

The question most foreign investors arrive with is not whether the program exists, but whether it actually applies to them. A program that looks broad on paper can still be narrow in practice. The omnibus law passed the Grand National Assembly in full on 21 May 2026; it covers a wide range of investor profiles, from individual digital entrepreneurs planning relocation to multinationals establishing regional headquarters in Istanbul, and from high-net-worth individuals repatriating overseas wealth to small service exporters seeking a zero-rate corporate tax environment. The architecture is wide, but the eligibility conditions are specific.

Wide coverage is not the same as automatic access. Each incentive carries its own eligibility threshold, application timing, and structural requirement. Secondary legislation is being issued in phases; implementation regulations are still settling. In this environment, moving fast produces an advantage, but moving unprepared produces the same speed in the wrong direction. The size of the opportunity depends entirely on whether the structure is built correctly.

A program that covers many investor types does not mean every investor benefits from the same mechanism in the same way. Understanding which advantage applies to which investor profile, what the eligibility conditions are, and when the application window opens requires structural clarity before the process begins. Foreign investors increasingly ask: “Which incentive applies to my situation, and where do I start?” That question is answered, profile by profile, in the sections below.

 

⚖️ Has the Turkey Century Investment Program been enacted? Where does the legislative process stand?

The Turkey Century Investment Program, officially titled the Strong Center for Investment Program, was enacted in full by the Grand National Assembly on 21 May 2026. The omnibus law covers all components announced under the program: the 20-year income tax exemption, the Istanbul Finance Centre corporate tax exemption, the regional headquarters incentive, and the wealth amnesty window. The program is now in force.

The legislative timeline unfolded as follows: on 24-25 April 2026, the main parameters of the program were announced publicly by the President and Finance Minister Simsek. On 5 May 2026, the legal text was submitted to parliament as an omnibus bill amending Income Tax Law No. 193 and related statutes. The income tax exemption article cleared the General Assembly on the night of 14-15 May 2026. On 21 May 2026, the full omnibus law, including all remaining articles, was adopted without exception.

Secondary legislation and implementing regulations continue to be issued in phases. This does not mean the incentives are unavailable; they are in force. It does mean that the procedural detail governing how each authority processes applications, what documentation is required, and what timelines apply is still crystallising in some areas. For investors who want to use these incentives fully and on time, legal accompaniment remains necessary.

⚖️ Who qualifies for the Turkey Century Investment Program? What are the conditions for individual investors?

The Turkey Century package addresses three distinct investor profiles through separate legal mechanisms. The first profile is the individual investor planning to relocate to Turkey. The core eligibility condition for this profile is straightforward: the person must not have been a Turkish tax resident or held a domicile in Turkey during the three full calendar years preceding relocation. Where this condition is met, foreign-sourced income is exempt from income tax for 20 years. The exemption applies only to foreign-sourced income; income earned within Turkey remains taxable.

The second profile is the corporate entity establishing or relocating a regional headquarters to Turkey, or setting up operations within the Istanbul Finance Centre. For this profile, the incentive extends to a 20-year corporate tax exemption: 100% of income derived from overseas operations within the IFC, and 95% of overseas operational income outside the IFC, may be deducted from the corporate tax base. The existing 50% deduction rate for transit trade and cross-border intermediation activities has been raised to 100%.

The third profile is the investor seeking to transfer overseas assets into the Turkish financial system. The 2026 wealth amnesty regulation covers this profile; the declaration window opened upon the law’s entry into force. Determining which profile matches which investor, and how overlapping incentives can be combined, is a structural decision that requires legal input at the earliest stage of planning.

⚖️ Three Incentive Pathways Compared: Which Route Should a Foreign Investor Take?

The Turkey Century Investment Program directly affects three main investment instruments. The table below compares the incentive structure, minimum eligibility conditions, and legal process requirements for each pathway.

Investment Pathway	Incentive Under the Program	Core Eligibility Condition	Duration
Individual Relocation	Income tax exemption on foreign-sourced income	No Turkish tax residency or domicile in the 3 years prior to relocation	20 years
Corporate / Regional HQ (IFC)	Corporate tax exemption on overseas operational income (100% inside IFC, 95% outside IFC)	Regional headquarters status or IFC participation certificate	20 years
Overseas Asset Transfer	Wealth amnesty: declaration and transfer of overseas assets into Turkey	Declaration window open; source-country tax status assessment required	Subject to declaration window

These three pathways can overlap. An investor planning individual relocation may simultaneously use the wealth amnesty and establish a separate corporate structure. Optimising the incentives in combination requires a different legal strategy than evaluating each one in isolation. It is no coincidence that sophisticated investors increasingly ask: “Which of these pathways gives me the most durable position five years from now?”

Comparing Turkey’s program with alternatives such as the UAE Golden Visa or Portugal’s tax residency frameworks reveals a structural difference: the Turkey Century Program is not primarily a residency-by-investment scheme. It is a tax architecture designed to attract operational capital, service exporters, and regional management functions, while also offering individual relocation benefits. The UAE and Portuguese routes prioritise residency status; Turkey prioritises income and corporate tax optimisation with residency as a secondary benefit. Which framework is more advantageous depends on whether the investor’s primary goal is tax efficiency on active income, asset holding, or physical relocation.

✅ The Hidden Risk: Secondary Legislation Has Not Fully Settled

The Turkey Century package is law. But enacted does not mean operationally complete. The major provisions, the income tax exemption, the corporate tax exemption, the wealth amnesty window, are all in force. What is still settling are the procedural details: which authority accepts which application, what documentation is required at each stage, and what timelines govern each process. This is not an absence of the incentive. The incentive exists. The gap in implementation detail is where unprepared applications get stuck.

This risk takes two forms. The first is structural misconfiguration. The exemption condition for individual relocation appears clear, but the question of when “no Turkish tax residency in the preceding three years” becomes contestable, particularly for dual nationals or investors with mixed income sources, requires a factual and legal assessment rather than a self-administered reading of the statute. The second is timing risk. Investors who complete their structural preparation before the declaration window opens are positioned to use it fully. Applications submitted after the window closes cannot be retroactively admitted.

The gap between the size of the opportunity and the preparation required to capture it is what removes legal accompaniment from the category of optional. Investors who treat it as a last step consistently report that the last step arrived too late. This is precisely why foreign investors increasingly ask: “When is the right moment to begin the legal process in order to benefit from this program fully?” The answer follows a consistent pattern: those who completed their legal structures before the declaration window opened.

✅ Can SMEs and Smaller-Scale Investors Benefit From This Program?

The Turkey Century program gives the impression of targeting large institutional capital and high-volume investment. That impression is partly misleading. Different components of the program carry different scale thresholds, and some are accessible to smaller investors without any minimum capital requirement.

The 20-year income tax exemption for individual relocation does not require a minimum investment amount. The condition is not capital size; it is the absence of Turkish tax residency in the three preceding years. This pathway is equally available to freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, and small business owners who plan to relocate to Turkey without large initial capital.

For small companies engaged in service exports, the picture is similarly flexible. A software firm, design studio, engineering consultancy, or accounting practice exporting services to clients outside Turkey benefits from the service export tax exemption regardless of company size. No revenue threshold or employee count is specified for this exemption.

The IFC corporate tax exemption and regional headquarters status, by contrast, are structurally oriented toward larger corporate entities. The Presidential Investment and Finance Office application, the qualified activity certificate, and the physical presence requirements involved in these pathways create thresholds that may be difficult to meet at SME scale.

The program is not uniform. Determining which component matches which scale, and which pathway is worth pursuing given a specific investor profile, is the structural assessment that prevents smaller investors from allocating time and resources to pathways that were never designed for them.

✅ The Role of Legal Accompaniment in the Investment Process

The Turkey Century program is primarily a tax law package. But for a foreign investor, tax is not the only dimension. An individual planning relocation must simultaneously manage the residence permit process, integrate any Turkish citizenship objective into the same timeline, and assess the legal consequences of an asset transfer in the source country. Each of these operates under a different legal framework, and their interaction cannot be assessed within a single discipline.

For corporate structures and regional headquarters, the picture is similarly multi-layered. Obtaining IFC status requires an application to the Presidential Investment and Finance Office. The implementing criteria for regional headquarters status are still being defined through secondary regulations. Whether a company’s structure in Turkey will actually capture the full corporate tax advantage depends on structural decisions made during the incorporation phase, not after.

Oznur & Partners manages the legal structuring process for foreign investors operating under the Turkey Century Investment Program, from eligibility assessment through residence, citizenship, and corporate formation, handled as an integrated process rather than a sequence of separate engagements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

✅ When did the Turkey Century Investment Program enter into force?

The omnibus law covering all components of the Turkey Century Investment Program was adopted by the Grand National Assembly on 21 May 2026. The income tax exemption, wealth amnesty, and corporate tax exemption articles are all enacted and currently in force. Secondary implementing regulations continue to be issued in phases, but the core incentives are legally operative as of that date.

✅ Who qualifies for the 20-year income tax exemption?

The 20-year exemption on foreign-sourced income applies to individuals who did not hold a Turkish domicile or tax residency during the three full calendar years preceding their relocation to Turkey. This covers Turkish nationals living abroad who plan to return, foreign nationals relocating to Turkey for the first time, and entrepreneurs whose income is predominantly derived from sources outside Turkey. The exemption applies only to foreign-sourced income; income generated within Turkey remains subject to standard income tax.

✅ How does the Istanbul Finance Centre corporate tax exemption work?

Entities operating within the Istanbul Finance Centre may deduct 100% of income derived from overseas operations from their corporate tax base. For regional headquarters established outside the IFC, the deduction rate is 95%. For transit trade and cross-border intermediation activities, the existing 50% deduction has been raised to 100%. The exemption period is 20 years from the date of qualification.

✅ What is the relationship between the 2026 wealth amnesty and the Turkey Century Program?

The 2026 wealth amnesty is a direct component of the Turkey Century package. It was announced as part of the same initiative and enacted through the same omnibus law. The declaration window for investors transferring overseas assets into Turkey opened upon the law’s entry into force. This process can be structured in parallel with individual relocation or corporate formation, and combining the two pathways is legally possible.

✅ Is Turkish citizenship required to benefit from the Turkey Century Investment Program?

No. The program is available to foreign nationals. The 20-year income tax exemption, the IFC corporate tax exemption, and the wealth amnesty regulation do not require Turkish citizenship. Some investors choose to pursue citizenship in parallel with these incentives, which is structurally feasible and can be planned as part of the same legal process.

✅ At what stage should an investor engage legal counsel?

Legal assessment should begin at the earliest stage, ideally during the eligibility analysis phase rather than at the point of application. For individual relocation, the source-country tax status assessment, bank coordination, and structural preparation can all be completed before the declaration window opens, which preserves the full timing advantage. Beginning at the point when the residence permit application is submitted or the window opens is technically possible, but the timing advantage is largely gone by that stage.

✅ How do service export companies benefit from this program?

Companies exporting services in fields such as software development, engineering, architecture, design, medical reporting, accounting, and call centre operations benefit from a zero effective corporate tax rate on income derived from services delivered to clients outside Turkey. This applies regardless of company size. There is no minimum revenue threshold or employee count requirement for the service export exemption.

✅ Can a foreign national obtain a residence permit by establishing a company in Turkey?

Yes. A foreign national who establishes an active company in Turkey and holds a managerial or shareholder position in that company may apply for a residence permit on that basis. The company must be operationally active and the applicant’s role within it must be documented. The Turkey Century Program reinforces this pathway by making company formation in Turkey significantly more tax-advantageous for foreign investors. Structuring company formation and residence permit applications together produces a more efficient process for both.

✅ Can an investor obtain Turkish citizenship through the Turkey Century Investment Program?

The Turkey Century Investment Program does not directly confer citizenship rights, but the investment instruments it incentivises overlap with the pathways that lead to Turkish citizenship. Turkish citizenship by investment is available through real estate acquisition of at least USD 400,000, fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000, or a bank deposit of at least USD 500,000 maintained for three years. An investor who establishes a company or transfers assets under the Turkey Century Program may simultaneously satisfy citizenship eligibility thresholds. Planning both processes in parallel allows each to reinforce the other.

✅ Is there adequate legal protection for foreign investors in Turkey?

Turkey is a signatory to the ICSID Convention, which protects foreign investments against state interference through international arbitration. Turkey has also signed bilateral investment treaties with more than 90 countries. The Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 guarantees equal treatment for foreign investors relative to domestic investors. The existence of this framework is meaningful; so is the gap between legislative protection and practical enforcement. Structuring contracts under Turkish law, incorporating dispute resolution mechanisms into investment documents from the outset, and monitoring regulatory changes are the steps through which legal protection becomes operative rather than nominal.

✅ Is real estate investment or corporate investment more advantageous under this program?

The answer depends on the investor’s primary objective. Real estate provides a more predictable store of value and, at the USD 400,000 threshold, directly qualifies for a Turkish citizenship application. The Turkey Century Program’s tax advantages, however, are structurally oriented toward corporate entities and individual relocation rather than asset holding through property. Service export exemptions, IFC status, and regional headquarters benefits operate only through corporate structures. If the goal is asset preservation, real estate is the more direct instrument. If the goal is income generation, tax optimisation, or operational expansion, a corporate structure is more appropriate. Combining both instruments is also possible and, for some investor profiles, produces the most efficient overall outcome.

✅ Can a foreign investor bring family members to Turkey?

Yes. A foreign investor who holds a Turkish residence permit may bring a spouse and children under 18 to Turkey under family reunification provisions. Investors who pursue the citizenship route may include a spouse and dependent children in the citizenship application upon naturalisation. The legal status of family members in Turkey depends on which pathway the investor follows; coordinating family planning with the investment structure from the outset avoids procedural gaps.

✅ What is the One-Stop Shop and how does it affect the investor process?

The One-Stop Shop is the administrative component of the Turkey Century Program. Operating under the coordination of the Presidential Investment and Finance Office, it is designed to centralise processes that previously required separate applications to separate authorities: company formation, work permits, tax and social security registration, residence permits, land allocation, and incentive certificates. Whether this consolidation accelerates timelines in practice will become clearer as implementing regulations settle. Confirming current procedures with legal counsel before initiating any application is recommended.

✅ What does Turkey offer companies relocating their regional headquarters?

Companies that obtain regional headquarters status are entitled to a 20-year corporate tax exemption on income from their overseas operations. For regional headquarters established outside the Istanbul Finance Centre, the exemption rate is 95%; for those established within the IFC, it is 100%. Qualified personnel employed at these headquarters are also entitled to a wage exemption under certain conditions. Obtaining the status requires an application to the Presidential Investment and Finance Office and documentation of the regional headquarters function. The implementing criteria are still being defined through secondary regulations.

✅ Is a physical office required to benefit from the IFC tax exemption?

This question has not yet been fully resolved at the implementing regulation level. The general framework requires that an entity operate within the Istanbul Finance Centre to access the 100% corporate tax exemption. Whether “operating within the IFC” requires a dedicated physical office, or whether a virtual office or shared space arrangement is sufficient, is a critical point that the implementing regulation will clarify. Regional headquarters established outside the IFC access the 95% deduction rate, which offers more flexibility in terms of physical location requirements. This distinction should be assessed with legal counsel before the corporate structure is finalised.

✅ Is it necessary to travel to Turkey to incorporate a company?

Not for all steps. Company formation in Turkey cannot be completed entirely remotely, but a power of attorney executed before a notary in the investor’s country of residence, apostilled under the Apostille Convention and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator, allows a Turkish attorney to complete the trade registry and tax office procedures on the investor’s behalf. Bank account opening still typically requires an in-person meeting at most institutions, though some banks offer remote processes for foreign investors. The Turkey Century Program’s emphasis on digital-first engagement is intended to reduce in-person requirements over time; which steps can currently be completed remotely depends on the institution and the applicable regulations at the time of formation.

⚖️ Related Legal Resources

🔹 Foreign Investor Incentives

• Turkey 20-Year Tax Exemption 2026: Eligibility conditions, application process, and individual income calculation guide for the exemption introduced under Article 20/D of Income Tax Law No. 193.
• VAT Exemption for Foreign Investors in Turkey: Scope, qualifying transactions, and documentation requirements for VAT exemption available to foreign investors purchasing real estate or other qualifying assets in Turkey.
• Foreign Investment Advisory: Legal advisory services for foreign individuals and entities investing in Turkey, covering structuring, compliance, and ongoing legal support.

🔹 Corporate and Tax Structuring

• Istanbul Finance Centre Law Firm: Legal structuring, IFC participation certificate applications, and corporate tax exemption qualification for entities operating within the Istanbul Finance Centre.
• Qualified Service Centre Turkey: Conditions, application procedures, and tax benefits for qualified service centres established under Turkish incentive legislation.
• Turkish Law for Foreign Investors and Businesses: Overview of the Turkish legal framework governing foreign investment, corporate formation, and cross-border commercial activity.
• MASAK Compliance Turkey: Anti-money laundering compliance obligations, MASAK registration requirements, and compliance programme structuring for entities operating in Turkey.

🔹 Citizenship and Residence

• Turkish Citizenship by Investment 2026: Current thresholds, eligible investment routes, and procedural updates for citizenship by investment applications under 2026 regulations.
• Turkish Citizenship Lawyer: Legal representation and application management for Turkish citizenship by investment, including real estate, bank deposit, and fixed capital routes.
• Residence Permit for Investors in Turkey: Investor-specific residence permit types, application steps, required documentation, and timelines for foreign nationals establishing presence in Turkey.
• Turkey Citizenship by Investment Comparison: Comparative analysis of Turkish citizenship pathways against UAE, Portuguese, and other jurisdictions by investment threshold, processing time, and post-citizenship benefits.

The Turkey Century Investment Program is one of the most structurally ambitious foreign investor packages Turkey has introduced. Like every broad legislative framework, it produces two distinct outcomes: a concrete 20-year tax advantage for investors who understand the structure and act on time, and a program that looks large but keeps its distance from those who approach it unprepared. The question raised at the beginning of this page closes here: is this program for you? That question cannot be answered reliably without a legal assessment of your eligibility conditions and structural readiness.