UAE vs Turkey: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is AED 2,000,000 in United Arab Emirates and US$400,000 in Turkey. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
Open
Turkey
US$400,000minimum
Citizenship by Investment (exceptional naturalisation)
Read the Turkey guide →At a glance
| UAE | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Golden Visa (long-term residence) | Citizenship by Investment (exceptional naturalisation) |
| Status | Open, and broadened to new categories repeatedly since 2019 | Property threshold raised to US$400,000 in June 2022; compliance checks tightened since 2024 |
| Lowest qualifying amount | AED 2,000,000 | US$400,000 |
| Time you must spend there | None; exempt from the 180-day absence rule | None |
| Route to citizenship | No direct path | Immediate citizenship |
| Typical processing | Typically weeks once documents are complete | Commonly 3-6 months, subject to due diligence |
| Main routes |
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Which is cheaper, UAE or Turkey?
The lowest qualifying amount is AED 2,000,000 in United Arab Emirates and US$400,000 in Turkey. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
United Arab Emirates: None; exempt from the 180-day absence rule. Turkey: None. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
United Arab Emirates: No direct path. Turkey: Immediate citizenship. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
UAE: Rules on mortgaged and off-plan property are administrative practice rather than statute, and can be tightened without notice.
Turkey: The likeliest way to lose money is to pay a threshold-driven price for property the local market never valued that highly, then discover it when the three-year restriction lifts.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.