Turkish Passport Types and Citizenship Advantages in 2025

Turkey remains one of the leading destinations for foreign investors, especially those investing in real estate. The country attracts with its climate, quality of life, and stable infrastructure, with Antalya, Istanbul, and Alanya being particularly in demand.

One of the main reasons for this interest is the opportunity to obtain Turkish citizenship through real estate investment. Turkey’s citizenship program stands out compared to similar programs in other countries: it is more affordable, takes less time to process, and does not require knowledge of the language or residence in the country.

For those considering Turkey as a place to live or invest, citizenship opens additional opportunities. Turkish passports vary by type and are intended for different categories of citizens, offering different privileges abroad. Below, we will examine the types of Turkish passports and the benefits of Turkish citizenship in 2025.

Types of Turkish International Passports

Standard (Burgundy) International Passport

The standard Turkish international passport is a burgundy-colored document intended for all ordinary citizens of the country. Any Turkish citizen who reaches adulthood and fulfills the necessary formalities may obtain it. The passport is issued for up to 10 years for adults and usually for 5 years for children. It serves as the primary identification document for international travel. Holders of a burgundy passport can travel without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival in approximately 126 countries, including countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Turkish citizens with this passport can travel freely to Japan, Singapore, Qatar, South Korea, and many other countries without applying for a visa in advance. However, entry into Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, or the United States requires obtaining the appropriate visa beforehand.

Green (Special) Passport

The green passport, also known as a special passport, is issued to a limited group of individuals for their service or high official status. This type of international passport is granted to senior government officials (grades I–III), certain categories of public servants (including specific regulatory agency employees and their retirees), and citizens who have achieved outstanding accomplishments. This includes, for example, former members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, mayors of major cities, prominent scientists, and internationally recognized athletes who have contributed to the country's prestige. The green passport offers broader travel opportunities, including visa-free access to many countries that are otherwise not available to standard passport holders. In particular, holders of the green passport are exempt from visa requirements for short-term trips to Schengen countries in the European Union. Furthermore, the special passport simplifies visa procedures for several other countries, making it one of the most privileged travel documents after the diplomatic passport.

Gray (Service) Passport

The gray passport, or service passport, is intended for Turkish citizens traveling abroad to fulfill official duties. This document is issued to public servants and employees of state institutions who are sent abroad for work or to participate in official events. Family members of these individuals (such as spouses and children up to a certain age) may also receive a service passport if they accompany the official during their assignment. Use of the gray passport is strictly limited to the purpose of the official trip—it is valid as an identification document only for the duration of performing official duties abroad. In terms of privileges, the service passport is similar to the special passport: during official trips, its holders are exempt from visa requirements in many countries, including EU states. After the end of the assignment, for personal travel, the holder must use their standard (burgundy) passport.

Black (Diplomatic) Passport

The black (diplomatic) passport is the most prestigious and rare type of Turkish international passport. It is issued to individuals holding the highest government positions and their immediate family members—it is a symbol of the highest trust granted by the Republic of Turkey to its representatives on the international stage. Holders of the diplomatic passport include the President and Vice President of the country, government ministers, current members of parliament, judges of the highest courts, generals and admirals of the armed forces, heads of key government agencies, ambassadors, and other senior diplomats (as well as their spouses and minor children).

Holders of the black passport enjoy the widest visa-free privileges: they can travel to almost any country in the world for short visits without needing a visa. Turkish diplomats, for instance, do not need a visa to enter Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, or Ireland. In addition, diplomatic channels often provide simplified or protocol-based border control for them. The issuance of a black passport is exempt from government fees.

Advantages of Turkish Citizenship in 2025

Turkish citizenship grants not only the right to hold one of the passports listed above but also the opportunity to live in a southern country. In 2025, a citizen of Turkey enjoys the following benefits:

• Visa-free and simplified travel: A Turkish passport allows travel to dozens of countries (over 126 as of 2025) without prior visa applications or with visa-on-arrival options. Turkish citizens can freely visit many countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other regions.

• Right to medical care: Citizens of the Republic of Turkey are entitled to free medical care in state hospitals and clinics. The national healthcare system in Turkey provides quality medical services, and citizenship guarantees access to the full range of care—from primary medical services to advanced surgeries—often without extra cost to the patient.

• Social programs and benefits: Turkey takes pride in its well-developed social support system. Citizens are eligible for various allowances and payments: unemployment benefits, support for families with children, retirement pensions, disability assistance, and other forms of social aid. Government social programs help support citizens during difficult periods.

• Business and property ownership: Citizens of Turkey face virtually no bureaucratic barriers in entrepreneurship or property ownership. Having a Turkish passport makes it significantly easier to start a business, register a company, and engage in economic activity within the country. Local banks and government programs supporting entrepreneurs are more accessible to citizens. Citizens may also freely buy real estate in any region of Turkey without restrictions, while foreigners may be subject to certain regulations or bans on land or property purchases in some zones.

• Access to education: Holders of Turkish citizenship have equal rights to education at the country’s top institutions. Children of citizens can attend public schools for free, and when applying to universities, they benefit from the same conditions as local applicants: they are eligible for tuition-free spots and reduced fees at public universities. Turkish diplomas are recognized in Europe and other countries, and Turkey’s participation in international student exchange programs (such as Erasmus) opens up further academic opportunities.

Luxury Estate Turkey, a licensed real estate agency in Turkey, offers only verified properties in the country’s major cities—such as Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya, and other high-demand regions. Our portfolio includes apartments, villas, and commercial properties that meet the criteria for obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment.

We will assist you at every stage of the purchase—from selecting the right property to obtaining the title deed (TAPU)—and handle all paperwork required to apply for citizenship, including the valuation report, currency exchange certificate, and notarized translations.