Turkey's growing trend of overseas property investment has seen a significant rise, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Greece emerging as the top destinations for Turkish buyers. This surge is primarily driven by favourable visa policies and attractive investment opportunities offered through "golden visa" programs, which grant residency or travel benefits in exchange for real estate investment.
According to recent data from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), Turkish buyers spent $144 million on foreign properties in January 2025 alone. With its golden visa program requiring a minimum real estate investment of €250,000, Greece remains a popular choice, offering investors access to all EU nations. The UAE, particularly Dubai, also draws significant interest due to its tax-free investment environment and high rental yields, making it an appealing destination for Turkish investors.
Experts highlight the rapid growth of this market, noting that just five to ten years ago, Turkey's annual foreign real estate investments were around $130 million. Today, that figure has significantly increased, reflecting a shift in Turkish investment preferences.
While Greece and the UAE remain the primary destinations, other countries have adjusted their policies to attract investors. Spain and Portugal, once sought-after golden visa locations, have closed their programs, while Hungary has introduced a similar scheme at a comparable price point. Despite the shifting landscape, Turkish investors seek more stability and higher profitability in foreign markets, particularly regarding rental income. This desire for greater security is partly due to increasing landlord-tenant disputes in Turkey, prompting many to look abroad for more stable investment opportunities.
According to data, there has been a 21.1% year-on-year decline in home sales to foreign buyers in Turkey, reflecting a cooling domestic market. This shift is further evidenced by the growing presence of Turkish investors in Dubai, where they have become the seventh-largest group of foreign property buyers, following India, the UK, Russia, China, Pakistan, and the U.S. Projections indicate that Turkish buyers will generate over $150 million in rental income from Dubai properties by 2025.
Beyond individual property investments, Turkish construction firms are also playing a major role in Dubai's infrastructure projects, including metro expansions and residential developments. This growing presence has led experts to predict that Turkey could rank among the top five foreign buyer countries in Dubai's real estate market by 2025.
Industry leaders urge Turkish authorities to implement structural reforms to address capital outflow. These include simplifying residence permit procedures and creating investor-friendly visa programs to keep investment within Turkey. As the demand for overseas properties continues to rise, the Turkish government's response to maintaining its competitive edge in the global real estate market remains to be seen.
