Trump Puts the Gold Card on the Table, Turks Are in the Game
Trump’s “Golden Visa” move reshapes the $400 billion global real estate investment market, while Turkish investors have also become one of the market’s standout players. Teuta Narazan, Co-Founder of Vesta Global, said that there would also be interest from Türkiye in the “golden card.”
The market formed by those who invest in real estate outside their home country exceeds $400 billion worldwide. Türkiye, having gained rapid momentum, accounted for $2.2 billion of this market in 2024. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the “Golden Visa” program aimed at wealthy immigrants in February, and earlier this month, before heading to Miami, he introduced the special “Golden Card” featuring his own photo to journalists aboard Air Force One, signaling a new era. Trump stated that he expected at least 1 million applications in the first phase for this $5 million card.
Teuta Narazan, Co-Founder of Vesta Global, which provides consultancy services to those in Türkiye looking to invest in real estate abroad, evaluated for EKONOMİ how this new step by Trump could impact the market and said, “There are various reasons why people in Türkiye want to invest in real estate. Some wish to overcome visa issues and gain visa-free travel rights. Others purchase property abroad to earn rental income in foreign currency, for their children’s education, or due to concerns such as earthquakes. Moreover, we are now receiving demand not just from the three major cities but from many provinces across Türkiye.”
Narazan pointed out that on a global scale, 87% of those who invest in real estate outside their home country do so for residency purposes, while 13% aim for citizenship. “Trump’s election victory will stimulate this market in two ways,” Narazan continued. “First, it has elevated the U.S. to a higher tier in this race and increased competition. Second, the growing trade wars and political tensions around the world are driving people toward safer countries. That is further boosting interest in Golden Visa and citizenship programs.”
