Investing from Kazakhstan – 2026 Edition
Your Strategic Gateway to Turkish Citizenship and Business Expansion
For Kazakh investors, Türkiye represents far more than a neighbor across the Caspian — it is a strategic brotherhood cemented by deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. With bilateral trade surging toward $9 billion, Turkish investments in Kazakhstan exceeding $5.8 billion, and a comprehensive package of new investment incentives enacted in April 2026, the economic corridor between Astana and Ankara has entered a new era of strategic depth and mutual opportunity.
This guide provides Kazakh nationals and Kazakhstan-based businesses with everything you need to know about acquiring Turkish citizenship through real estate, accessing the newly enacted 2026 investment incentives, and establishing a profitable presence in a G20 economy that serves as a direct gateway to European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian markets.
1. Why Türkiye for Kazakhstan Investors?
📊 Surging Bilateral Trade
Kazakhstan is Türkiye’s leading trade partner in Central Asia, with bilateral trade totaling $8.95 billion between January and November 2025. In 2025, total trade increased by 9%, with Kazakhstan’s exports to Türkiye rising by more than 17.7% to nearly $4 billion. Kazakh exports to Türkiye reached $3.9 billion in 2025, driven primarily by oil, metals, and agricultural products. Turkish exports to Kazakhstan have also expanded significantly, reaching approximately $5.5 billion in 2025, fueled by machinery, chemicals, electronics, and food products.
More than 3,000 Turkish-owned companies currently operate across various sectors in Kazakhstan, while the portfolio of joint projects between the two countries includes over 170 initiatives worth approximately $9.5 billion. Both governments have now set an ambitious target to increase total trade to $15 billion in the near term.
🏦 Deepening Investment Presence
Turkish investments in Kazakhstan have exceeded $5.8 billion, concentrated primarily in manufacturing, construction, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, textiles, and renewable energy. More than 4,000 companies with Turkish participation operate in Kazakhstan. On the other side, Kazakh investments in Türkiye have surpassed $2.2 billion, with Kazakh capital flowing into real estate, finance, logistics, and hospitality sectors in Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara. Recent high‑level meetings in 2025 and 2026 have resulted in the signing of a Cooperation Plan between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2026‑2027, as well as multiple commercial agreements worth over $490 million spanning agro‑processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and logistics. The Total portfolio of joint projects between Kazakhstan and Türkiye is estimated at $9.5 billion, covering over 170 initiatives.
🤝 Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) in Force
Türkiye and Kazakhstan have a fully active Double Taxation Agreement that offers Kazakh investors clearly defined tax benefits on cross‑border income:
| Income Type | Standard Türkiye Rate | DTA Rate (Kazakhstan) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (≥25% shareholding) | 10% | 5% |
| Dividends (below 25% shareholding) | 10% | 10% |
| Interest | 0‑10% | 10% |
| Royalties | 20% | 10% |
Under the treaty, withholding tax on dividends is reduced to 5% where the Kazakh investor holds at least 25% of the Turkish company’s capital for a 365‑day period. The agreement also includes a foreign tax credit mechanism, allowing taxes paid in Türkiye to be credited against Kazakh tax liabilities — so you never pay twice on the same income.
✈️ Visa‑Free Entry and Short Travel Distance
Kazakh citizens holding a valid passport enjoy visa‑free entry to Türkiye for stays of up to 90 days within any 180‑day period for tourism, business, or any personal purpose. Direct flights from Almaty (ALA) to Istanbul (IST) take approximately 4.5 hours, and from Astana (NQZ) to Istanbul approximately 4 hours 15 minutes, with daily non‑stop connections operated by Turkish Airlines, Air Astana, and other carriers. Both countries share similar time zones, making travel seamless.
🏛️ Strengthening Strategic and Economic Ties
The Türkiye‑Kazakhstan relationship has been formalised at the highest levels through multiple institutional mechanisms, including the High‑Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the Joint Strategic Planning Group, the Joint Economic Commission, and political consultation mechanisms.
In July 2025, during the fifth meeting of the Türkiye‑Kazakhstan High‑Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara, co‑chaired by President Erdoğan and President Tokayev, the council’s decisions and a joint statement were signed by both leaders. 20 separate agreements were signed covering energy, transport, media, banking, free zones, artificial intelligence, innovation, space activities, and science and technology. A railway transport agreement aims to boost freight capacity along the Middle Corridor, and an artificial intelligence and space cooperation MoU was also finalized.
In February 2026, the eighth meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group took place in Ankara, co‑chaired by Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan and Yermek Kosherbayev, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and coordination within the Turkic world. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Cooperation Plan for 2026‑2027 between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Kazakhstan also plans to host an informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States this year, while Türkiye will host the organization’s 13th summit.
2. 🚀 Critical Update for 2026: Türkiye’s New Investment Incentives (Effective 24 April 2026)
Legally enacted and published in the Official Gazette No. 33233 on 24 April 2026. These are not proposals — they are binding law.
A landmark economic reform package has been officially enacted to transform Türkiye into a global hub for investment, production, and finance. These new incentives offer unprecedented advantages for Kazakh investors and businesses.
🔹 For Manufacturing Exporters
The corporate tax rate for manufacturing exporters has been significantly reduced from the standard 25% to just 9%. This creates a world‑class competitive environment for Kazakh manufacturers in metallurgy, food processing, machinery, and petrochemicals looking to use Türkiye as a production base for exports to Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
🔹 For All Exporters
Companies that do not qualify for manufacturing incentives will see their corporate tax rate reduced to 14%, providing a substantial boost to all export‑oriented activities — including logistics, trading, and service exports.
🔹 Istanbul Financial Center (IFC) Benefits
The tax advantages for companies operating within the IFC have been dramatically expanded:
- Transit Trade: Profits from transit trade are now subject to a 100% corporate tax exemption.
- Financial Services: Companies within the IFC can benefit from a total exemption on corporate income tax for earnings from qualified financial services exports until 22 June 2032.
- Regional Headquarters: Global companies setting up their regional management centers in Türkiye can enjoy up to 20 years of significant tax advantages, including reduced withholding rates on dividends, interest, and royalties.
🔹 Personal Tax Advantages for Relocating Individuals
High‑net‑worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and professionals who have not been tax residents in Türkiye for the past three years will pay no tax on their foreign‑sourced income for 20 years. This makes Türkiye an attractive destination for Kazakh investors and business owners seeking to diversify their personal tax exposure while retaining full Kazakh citizenship.
🔹 “One‑Stop Office” for Simplified Procedures
A new “One‑Stop Office” will centralize and streamline all bureaucratic and administrative processes for international investors — from company formation and work permits to residence permits and tax registration. This dramatically reduces the time and complexity of establishing a presence in Türkiye.
Advisor Nexa is here to guide you through every step of leveraging these powerful new incentives.
3. Most Popular Services for Kazakh Investors
🔹 Turkish Citizenship by Investment
This is the most popular route for Kazakh nationals seeking a second passport without renouncing their Kazakh citizenship. By making a qualifying real estate purchase of at least $400,000 (approximately 190‑200 million Kazakh Tenge), you can obtain full Turkish citizenship for yourself, your spouse, and your dependent children under 18. There is no physical residency requirement, and the typical timeline from first consultation to passport in hand is 6‑9 months.
Requirements:
- SPK‑licensed valuation report confirming the market value of the property (cost $300‑500)
- Clean title deed (Tapu) registered at the Land Registry Office
- Mandatory 3‑year no‑sale annotation placed directly in the title deed records
- Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB) documenting that the purchase price was transferred through the Turkish banking system
Additional costs to budget for beyond the property price include: TAPU transfer tax (4% of declared value), SPK appraisal fee ($300‑500), sworn translator fees ($100‑200), legal counsel fees ($3,000‑10,000), residence and citizenship application fees ($500‑1,000), and passport fees ($200‑300).
Alternative qualifying routes (with longer processing) include a bank deposit of $500,000 held for three years, a fixed capital investment of $500,000, a government bond purchase of $500,000, or job creation for at least 50 Turkish citizens.
🔹 Real Estate Consulting
Kazakh citizens are legally permitted to purchase real estate in Türkiye without special restrictions. Under Turkish law, Kazakh nationals enjoy the same property‑purchasing rights as most other foreign nationals. Key ownership rules for Kazakh citizens:
- No residency permit required to buy property (residential, commercial, or land)
- No minimum purchase price for general ownership (the $400,000 threshold applies only for citizenship)
- Nationwide 30‑hectare land cap per foreign individual across all cities
- 10% district‑level cap: foreign ownership in any single district may not exceed 10% of total private property area
- Military zones and strategic security areas: property purchase is prohibited
Whether you are looking for a luxury apartment in Istanbul’s Levent or Beşiktaş districts, a beachfront villa in Antalya, or a commercial property in one of Türkiye’s free zones, our real estate consulting service covers title deed due diligence, SPK‑licensed valuation reports, and full title deed transfer support. The title deed fee is 4% of the declared value (ideally split 2% paid by the buyer and 2% by the seller). Since January 2026, the mandatory Electronic Ad Verification System (EİDS) has sharply reduced property listing fraud by verifying owners before advertisements go live.
🔹 Legal & Tax Consulting
Cross‑border tax planning is a critical element of successful Kazakh investment in Türkiye. Our legal and tax consulting service helps Kazakh investors:
- Correctly apply the DTA’s 5‑10% reduced withholding rates on dividends, interest, and royalties
- Complete the foreign tax credit application to avoid double taxation of the same income
- Structure holding companies efficiently using 100% foreign ownership rights (no local partner required in most sectors)
- Comply with Turkish transfer pricing rules for intra‑group transactions
- Access Türkiye’s investment incentive schemes — including corporate tax reductions of up to 90% for qualifying manufacturing and R&D projects, VAT and customs duty exemptions, and land allocation for strategic investments. Manufacturing within free zones also enjoys 100% corporate tax exemption on export revenues.
4. Legal & Tax Considerations
Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) Details
The Türkiye‑Kazakhstan DTA is fully in force and offers Kazakh investors:
- Dividends: 5% where the Kazakh investor holds ≥25% of the Turkish company’s capital for a 365‑day period; otherwise 10%
- Interest: Capped at 10%
- Royalties: Capped at 10% (Turkish domestic royalty rate is 20%)
- Business profits: Taxable only where a “Permanent Establishment” (PE) exists in Türkiye — Kazakh exporters or consultants operating without a fixed place of business are generally not subject to Turkish corporate tax
- Foreign tax credit: Taxes paid in Türkiye can be credited against Kazakh tax liabilities, eliminating double taxation entirely
Currency Considerations
Real estate investments in Türkiye are typically transacted in US dollars or Turkish lira. The citizenship threshold is fixed in USD ($400,000), so the qualifying amount does not fluctuate with the KZT/TRY exchange rate — a crucial stability feature. We can help you open multi‑currency bank accounts in Turkish banks to hold KZT, USD, and TRY, and advise on forward contracts or other hedging strategies.
Company Formation Requirements
Kazakh investors enjoy 100% foreign ownership rights when setting up a company in Türkiye in almost all commercial sectors, with no local partner requirement under Türkiye’s Foreign Direct Investment Law. The minimum capital for a Limited Liability Company (Ltd. Şti.) is 50,000 Turkish Lira (approximately 245,000‑295,000 KZT). The entire registration process — including MERSIS company registration, notary appointments, sworn translation of documents, and Trade Registry filing — can be completed in 5‑7 business days and can be handled remotely by granting a power of attorney to a Turkish legal representative.
In addition, Kazakhstan has its own incentive framework for Turkish investors: Kazakhstan’s Investment Policy Concept until 2030 provides investors with access to tax and customs benefits, stability guarantees, subsidies and grants, and a special visa regime. Turkish investors in Kazakhstan are treated equally with Kazakh investors, and Kazakhstan has signed over 170 joint projects worth $9.5 billion with Türkiye.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question 1: Do Kazakh citizens need a visa to visit Türkiye for business or investment?
No. Kazakh passport holders can enter Türkiye without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180‑day period for any purpose — business, tourism, property inspections, or legal consultations. No advance e‑visa application is required; simply travel with a passport valid for at least 150 days from the date of entry.
Question 2: Can a Kazakh citizen keep their Kazakh nationality after obtaining Turkish citizenship?
Yes. Both Türkiye and Kazakhstan permit dual citizenship. You and your family can legally hold both passports without renouncing either nationality.
Question 3: Are there any Kazakhstan‑specific restrictions on buying property in Türkiye?
No. Kazakh nationals have the same property‑purchasing rights as citizens of most other foreign nations. You can buy residential, commercial, or land in any Turkish city, subject only to the nationwide 30‑hectare land cap, the 10% district foreign ownership rule, and the prohibition on military zones.
Question 4: How does the new 2026 investment incentive package benefit Kazakh investors?
The package reduces corporate tax for manufacturing exporters to 9% (from 25%), for other exporters to 14%, and offers 100% tax exemptions on transit trade profits within the IFC. Qualifying individuals relocating to Türkiye enjoy 20 years of tax‑free foreign‑source income. These benefits are legally enacted and available immediately.
Question 5: How long does the Turkish citizenship by investment process take from start to finish?
With professional assistance and all documents properly prepared, the typical timeline is 6‑9 months from first consultation to passport in hand. This includes SPK‑licensed property valuation (2‑3 weeks), title deed transfer with mandatory 3‑year annotation (1‑2 weeks), application processing by the Ministry of Interior and the Directorate of Land Registry, and final approval.
Question 6: Are there investment incentives specifically for Kazakh metallurgy, food processing, or logistics projects in Türkiye?
Yes. Kazakh investors in metallurgy, food processing, machinery, petrochemicals, logistics, and renewable energy have equal access to Türkiye’s regional, strategic, and project‑based incentive schemes. Corporate tax reductions up to 90% are available for qualifying R&D‑intensive projects, alongside VAT exemptions, customs duty exemptions, and land allocation for strategic investments. The Middle Corridor railway agreement signed in 2025 and the $490 million in new commercial deals spanning agro‑processing, pharmaceuticals, and logistics underscore the deep potential for Kazakh‑Turkish joint ventures. The portfolio of joint projects between Kazakhstan and Türkiye is estimated at $9.5 billion, covering over 170 initiatives.
6. Start Your Investment Journey from Kazakhstan
At Advisor Nexa, we understand the unique needs of Kazakh investors — from the treaty‑protected 5% dividend withholding rate to ensuring your property purchase is fully compliant with citizenship rules, and from the new 2026 investment incentives to handling the entire remote application process.
With bilateral trade surging toward $9 billion, Turkish investments in Kazakhstan exceeding $5.8 billion, over 3,000 Turkish‑owned companies already operating in Kazakhstan, and a new 9% corporate tax rate for manufacturing exporters in Türkiye, there has never been a more favourable time for Kazakh nationals and businesses to establish a presence in Türkiye.
📞 Start Your Investment Journey from Kazakhstan →
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Let Advisor Nexa help you navigate your investment in Turkey – from property selection to citizenship approval, fully supported by the latest 2026 incentives.
📌 Tags: Kazakhstan investment in Turkey, Turkish citizenship for Kazakh citizens, DTA Turkey Kazakhstan, citizenship by investment Turkey 2026, investing from Kazakhstan
Disclaimer – Not Investment Advice: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Laws, regulations, tax rates, and investment incentives in the Republic of Türkiye are subject to change without prior notice. While we strive to keep the information up to date and accurate, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained on this page. This content does not constitute a recommendation, offer, or solicitation to buy or sell any asset, security, or financial instrument, nor does it constitute investment advice tailored to any individual’s specific circumstances. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Before making any investment, company formation, or citizenship application decision, you should consult with a qualified professional advisor who can assess your specific circumstances. Advisor Nexa shall not be held liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from the use of this information.