The investigation of the laser-induced crystalline phase transition of niobium doped TiO2 single crystal is discussed in this paper. The TiO2 single crystal was studied by using Raman spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction before and after irradiation by 266 nm ns laser at the threshold intensity of 56 MW/cm2. Experimental results show an evidence of anatase phase formation from rutile single crystal. Moreover, the analysis of the experimentally obtained and calculated crystallographic texture indicates that the converted TiO2 layer has a polycrystalline structure with the preferred orientations. According to the Raman spectroscopy the amount of anatase phase increases with the number of laser pulses indicating the dose-dependent conversion process. Display omitted •Laser-induced rutile to anatase crystalline phase transition of TiO2 crystal.•Raman spectroscopy confirms the crystalline phase transition.•Electron beam backscattering confirms the laser induced phase transition.•The anatase phase is stabilized by niobium doping.