1915 Canakkale Bridge: Turkey’s Pride and the World’s Longest Suspension Bridge Linking Asia and Europe
March 12, 2024 · Türkiye · 9-minute read
The bridge is a symbol of Türkiye’s stature. Besides saving a great deal of travel time between two continents, it brings major economic advantages to many countries, Türkiye above all.
In 2022, Türkiye opened the world’s longest suspension bridge, the 1915 Canakkale Bridge, cutting the crossing between its European and Asian shores to just 6 minutes. The bridge is a symbol of the country’s stature: besides saving a great deal of travel time between two continents, it brings major economic advantages to many countries, Türkiye above all.
Türkiye, officially the Republic of Türkiye, spans both Asia and Europe: most of its territory lies in southwestern Asia and a smaller part in southeastern Europe. Türkiye is a member of the G20 group of major economies, and its GDP is roughly double that of Portugal and Greece combined.
One of Europe’s most expensive suspension bridges and a source of national pride for Türkiye
Construction of the 1915 Canakkale Bridge began in March 2017, and the bridge officially opened on March 18, 2022. It is the fourth bridge in the country linking the European and Asian shores; the other three are in Istanbul. The bridge connects the town of Gelibolu in Canakkale Province (northwestern Türkiye, on the European side) with the town of Lapseki on the Asian side. Its main span of 2,023 meters is longer than that of any other suspension bridge in the world today. The towers stand 318 meters tall, a reference to March 18, the day Türkiye commemorates the soldiers who died in the naval and land battles of Gallipoli. With the 1915 Canakkale Bridge, travelers can cross the Dardanelles in just 6 minutes, compared with about 1.5 hours by ferry previously — a crossing that could take up to 5 hours including waiting time.
The 1915 Canakkale Bridge cost €2.5 billion to build, but Türkiye is expected to save €415 million a year through reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The toll per crossing was set at 200 Turkish lira, equivalent to about €10.30 at the time.
Key benefits of the 1915 Canakkale Bridge
Improved infrastructure: The bridge is a key link in Türkiye’s transport network and speeds up the movement of goods and people between regions. This has a ripple effect on infrastructure development across the region, attracting projects such as road upgrades, utilities, and commercial real estate.
Tourism growth: The bridge opens up tourism opportunities for the Canakkale region and for Türkiye as a whole. Historic sites such as the ancient city of Troy and the Gallipoli Peninsula benefit greatly from investment from around the world. Together with the appeal of unspoiled beaches and attractive coastal developments, the area is now easier to reach for both domestic and international visitors.
Economic growth: Stronger connectivity and better transport routes will drive economic growth by attracting businesses to invest or set up offices in the region. More commercial districts, manufacturing facilities, and shopping centers are being built, creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.
Real estate growth: The bridge’s impact on tourism further strengthens the appeal of real estate investment, both residential and commercial, offering investors and developers the prospect of long-term returns.
Turkish real estate investment: a route to second citizenship with significant benefits
The real estate investment route to Turkish citizenship is one of the most sought-after citizenship by investment options available today. The program has drawn even more attention since Türkiye and the EU resumed talks on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens. If an agreement is reached, it could significantly enhance the value of the Turkish passport.
By investing at least US$400,000 in real estate, investors and their families (spouse and children under 18) can obtain Turkish citizenship and enjoy the full rights of Turkish citizens. A Turkish passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 116 destinations and can make it easier to apply for EU and Schengen visas (France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and others). Turkish citizens may also be eligible to apply for certain U.S. visa categories to live and work in the United States, subject to each visa’s own requirements.
Processing typically takes around 12 months. The program draws strong interest from investors worldwide thanks to its straightforward requirements:
- A property holding period of just 3 years, among the shortest of any citizenship by investment program.
- No medical examination required.
- No asset declaration required.
- No blanket nationality restriction; open to applicants of most nationalities.
- No upper age limit, and no education, work experience, or language requirements.
- No requirement to reside in Türkiye.
Under program rules, property purchased for Turkish citizenship by investment must be appraised by an independent third-party valuer — a safeguard for foreign investors. After 3 years, investors may resell the property. Türkiye’s real estate market has growth potential, supported by its growing economy and tourism sector.
If you are interested in Turkish citizenship by investment, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your eligibility and the strength of your application. We are committed to keeping your personal data confidential and will use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s application.
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