We support you with your applications in accordance with all current legislation, including the latest regulations and enacted laws regarding the application requirements for Turkish citizenship. You may contact us for information and assistance regarding the conditions required to become a Turkish citizen, the application process, follow-up of the application, and finalization of the procedure.

With the amendment made to the Turkish Citizenship Law on September 19, 2018, the application requirements for Turkish citizenship were updated. Under the new regulation, persons who own real estate worth USD 250,000 may acquire Turkish citizenship, provided that they do not sell the property for three years.

As of June 12, 2022, the real estate value required for citizenship was updated to USD 400,000.

Ways to Acquire Turkish Citizenship

Turkish citizenship is acquired either by birth or subsequently through application. Citizenship by birth is based on lineage or place of birth and takes effect from birth. Subsequent acquisition of citizenship is evaluated under several subcategories.

Subsequent Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

Burgerschap door investering

The following persons may benefit from this right:

Those who purchase real estate worth at least USD 400,000,

Those who keep a deposit of at least USD 500,000 in Turkish banks for three years,

Those who make a fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000,

Those who create employment for at least 50 people.

Citizenship Under General Provisions

The following persons may apply, provided that they meet the additional criteria:

Those who have resided in Türkiye continuously for five years prior to the application date, excluding touristic residence permits, for example through a work permit or title deed,

Those who have been married to a Turkish citizen for three years,

Those who have a Turkish citizen mother, father, sibling, or child.

Exceptional Citizenship

Persons who have rendered, or are considered likely to render, services to Türkiye in scientific, technological, economic, social, sports, cultural, or artistic fields, and for whom a reasoned proposal has been made by the relevant ministries.

Persons who have obtained a residence permit under subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, dated April 4, 2013.

Foreigners holding a Turquoise Card, their foreign spouses, and their minor or dependent foreign children may benefit from this right.

Turkse nationaliteitswet Law No. 5901

Part One – Purpose, Scope, Definitions, and Execution of Citizenship Services

Doel

ARTICLE 1 –
The purpose of this Law is to determine the procedures and principles regarding the execution of transactions related to the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship.

Scope

ARTICLE 2 –
This Law covers the principles regarding the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship and the procedures related to the execution of citizenship services.

Definitions

ARTICLE 3 –
For the purposes of this Law:

a) Ministry means the Ministry of Interior,
b) Multiple citizenship means a Turkish citizen holding more than one citizenship at the same time,
c) General Directorate means the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs,
ç) Turkish citizen means a person who is bound to the Republic of Türkiye by the bond of citizenship,
d) Foreigner means a person who does not have a citizenship bond with the Republic of Türkiye.

Execution of Citizenship Services

ARTICLE 4 –
Services related to the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are carried out by the Ministry within Türkiye and by foreign representative offices abroad.

Part Two – Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

Cases of Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 5 –
Turkish citizenship is acquired either by birth or subsequently.

Citizenship Acquired by Birth

ARTICLE 6 –
Turkish citizenship acquired by birth is acquired automatically based on lineage or place of birth. Citizenship acquired by birth takes effect from the moment of birth.

Lineage

ARTICLE 7 –
A child born within a marriage union to a Turkish citizen mother or father, whether in Türkiye or abroad, is a Turkish citizen.

A child born outside a marriage union to a Turkish citizen mother and a foreign father is a Turkish citizen.

A child born outside a marriage union to a Turkish citizen father and a foreign mother acquires Turkish citizenship if the procedures and principles required to establish lineage are fulfilled.

Place of Birth

ARTICLE 8 –
A child born in Türkiye who cannot acquire the citizenship of any country by birth due to his or her foreign mother and father is a Turkish citizen from birth.

A child found in Türkiye is deemed to have been born in Türkiye unless proven otherwise.

Subsequently Acquired Citizenship

ARTICLE 9 –
Subsequently acquired Turkish citizenship is obtained by decision of the competent authority, adoption, or exercise of the right of choice.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

ARTICLE 10 –
A foreigner who wishes to acquire Turkish citizenship may acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority if he or she meets the conditions specified in this Law. However, meeting the required conditions does not grant an absolute right to acquire citizenship.

The basic principles and procedures to be applied in the subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship under this Law are determined by the Ministry by obtaining the opinions of relevant public institutions and organizations.

Conditions Required for Application

ARTICLE 11 –
Foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship must meet the following conditions:

a) They must have reached the age of majority and have the power of discernment according to their own national law, or, if stateless, according to Turkish law,
b) They must have resided in Türkiye continuously for five years prior to the application date,
c) They must confirm through their conduct that they have decided to settle in Türkiye,
ç) They must not have any disease that poses a danger to public health,
d) They must be of good moral character,
e) They must be able to speak Turkish sufficiently,
f) They must have an income or profession sufficient to support themselves and the persons they are obliged to care for in Türkiye,
g) They must not have any condition that constitutes an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

Exceptional Cases in the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 12 –
Provided that there is no condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security and public order, the following foreigners may acquire Turkish citizenship upon the proposal of the Ministry and the decision of the Council of Ministers:

a) Persons who bring industrial facilities to Türkiye or who have rendered, or are considered likely to render, outstanding services in scientific, technological, economic, social, sports, cultural, or artistic fields, and for whom a reasoned proposal has been made by the relevant ministries.

b) Persons who have obtained a residence permit under subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, dated April 4, 2013, as well as Turquoise Card holders, their foreign spouses, and their minor or dependent foreign children.

c) Persons whose naturalization is deemed necessary.

d) Persons accepted as immigrants.

Requests of persons who have a condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security and public order are rejected by the Ministry.

Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship Without Residence Requirement

ARTICLE 13 –
Provided that there is no condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security, the following persons may reacquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, regardless of their period of residence in Türkiye:

a) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it,
b) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship depending on their mother or father and who did not exercise the right of choice within the period stipulated in Article 21.

Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship Subject to Residence Requirement

ARTICLE 14 –
Persons who lost Turkish citizenship pursuant to Article 29 may reacquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Council of Ministers, and persons who lost Turkish citizenship pursuant to Article 34 may reacquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, provided that they do not have any condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security and that they have resided in Türkiye for three years.

Calculation of Residence and Periods

ARTICLE 15 –
For a foreigner, residence means living in Türkiye in accordance with Turkish laws. A foreigner applying for Turkish citizenship may remain outside Türkiye for a total period not exceeding twelve months within the required residence period. Periods spent outside Türkiye are included in the residence periods stipulated in this Law.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Marriage

ARTICLE 16 –
Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not directly grant Turkish citizenship. However, foreigners who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply to acquire Turkish citizenship. Applicants must meet the following conditions:

a) Living within the family union,
b) Not engaging in any activity incompatible with the marriage union,
c) Not having any condition that constitutes an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

If the marriage ends due to the death of the Turkish citizen spouse after the application, the condition in subparagraph (a) of the first paragraph is not required.

Foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage retain Turkish citizenship if they acted in good faith in the marriage in the event that the marriage is declared null and void.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship Through Adoption

ARTICLE 17 –
A minor adopted by a Turkish citizen may acquire Turkish citizenship from the date of the decision, provided that there is no condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

Citizenship Application Review Commission

ARTICLE 18 –
The determination of whether foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship under Articles 11 and 16 meet the conditions required for application is carried out by the citizenship application review commission established in the provinces. The formation and working principles of the commission are determined by regulation.

Procedures and Principles for Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

ARTICLE 19 –
A citizenship file is prepared for foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority and who meet the application requirements, and the file is sent to the Ministry for a decision. As a result of the examination and investigation conducted by the Ministry, those whose situation is found appropriate may acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, while applications deemed inappropriate are rejected by the Ministry.

Citizenship acquisition procedures under Article 12 are carried out by the Ministry.

Validity and Consequences of Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

ARTICLE 20 –
Decisions regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship take effect from the date of the decision.

Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority does not affect the citizenship of the spouse. Children under the custody of the mother or father who acquired Turkish citizenship acquire Turkish citizenship if the other spouse gives consent. If consent is not given, action is taken according to the decision of the judge in the country where the mother or father has habitual residence. Children of parents who acquire Turkish citizenship together also acquire Turkish citizenship.

Children who were not processed together with their mother or father on the date when the mother or father acquired Turkish citizenship are subject to the provisions of Article 11 if they apply to acquire Turkish citizenship after reaching adulthood.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship Through the Right of Choice

ARTICLE 21 –
Children who lost Turkish citizenship depending on their mother or father pursuant to Article 27 may acquire Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of choice within three years from reaching adulthood.

Validity and Consequences of Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship Through the Right of Choice

ARTICLE 22 –
Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through the right of choice takes effect from the date of the decision determining the existence of the conditions for exercising this right.

The provisions of Article 20 apply to the spouses and children of persons who acquire Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of choice.

Part Three – Loss of Turkish Citizenship

Cases of Loss of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 23 –
Turkish citizenship is lost by decision of the competent authority or by exercising the right of choice.

Ways of Loss by Decision of the Competent Authority

ARTICLE 24 –
Loss of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority occurs through renunciation, deprivation, or cancellation of naturalization.

Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 25 –
Persons requesting permission to renounce Turkish citizenship may be granted permission to renounce or a renunciation certificate by the Ministry if they meet the following conditions:

a) Being of legal age and having the power of discernment,
b) Having acquired the citizenship of a foreign state or having convincing indications that they will acquire it,
c) Not being a person wanted for any crime or military service,
ç) Not being subject to any financial or criminal restriction.

Documents for Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 26 –
Persons requesting permission to renounce Turkish citizenship in order to acquire the citizenship of a foreign state, whose requests are deemed appropriate, are issued a Turkish citizenship renunciation permit by the Ministry. Persons who document that they acquired the citizenship of a foreign state as a result of the granted permission or beforehand are issued a Turkish citizenship renunciation certificate.

The renunciation permit is valid for two years from the date of the decision. Persons who receive the permit must submit information and documents proving that they have acquired the citizenship of a foreign state to the governorship of their place of residence within Türkiye or to foreign representative offices abroad within this period. If foreign citizenship is not acquired within the prescribed period, the renunciation permit becomes invalid.

Validity and Consequences of Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 27 –
Turkish citizenship is lost upon delivery of the renunciation certificate to the person concerned against signature. The records of persons who lose Turkish citizenship are closed in the family registers, and from the date of loss, they are treated as foreigners.

The loss of Turkish citizenship by one spouse through permission to renounce does not affect the citizenship of the other spouse. If the mother or father who loses Turkish citizenship requests it and the other spouse gives consent, their children also lose Turkish citizenship together with them. If consent is not given, action is taken according to a judge’s decision. Children of parents who lose Turkish citizenship together by obtaining permission to renounce also lose Turkish citizenship.

If the loss of citizenship would render the children stateless, the provisions of this article do not apply.

Rights Granted to Persons Who Lost Turkish Citizenship by Obtaining Permission to Renounce

ARTICLE 28 –
Persons who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it, and their descendants up to the third degree, continue to benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for the exceptions specified in this article. Provisions concerning national security and public order are reserved.

Persons covered by this article do not have the right to vote and be elected, the right to import exempt vehicles or household goods, or the obligation to perform military service. Their acquired rights regarding social security are reserved, and the use of these rights is subject to the provisions of the relevant laws.

Persons covered by this article may not hold permanent and essential public service positions based on a cadre and subject to the public law regime. However, they may be employed as workers, temporary staff, or contracted personnel in public institutions and organizations.

The Council of Ministers may determine, if deemed necessary, up to which degree descendants from the third degree onward may benefit from the rights granted under this article.

Descendants who will benefit from the provisions of this article must document their lineage with their ancestor.

Persons covered by this article are issued a Blue Card upon request, showing that they may benefit from the rights specified in this article. This card is subject to the Valuable Papers Law No. 210 dated February 21, 1963.

Presentation of the Blue Card is sufficient for the exercise of the rights granted by this article. If the card cannot be presented, transactions are carried out with a registry extract obtained from the Blue Card Holders Registry through the Identity Sharing System and a document showing identity information issued by the authorities of the state of nationality. In the event of changes in the identity information of these persons, a duly certified Turkish translation of the document showing the old and new identity information obtained from the authorities of the state of nationality must be submitted.

Persons covered by this article are assigned an identification number within the framework of principles determined by the Ministry. This identification number is used where a Republic of Türkiye identity number is required.

The procedures and principles regarding the issuance and distribution of the Blue Card and the electronic maintenance of the Blue Card Holders Registry are determined by the Ministry.

Public institutions and organizations take all necessary measures and make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of the provisions of this article.

Deprivation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 29 –
Persons who are officially determined by the competent authorities to have committed the following acts may be deprived of Turkish citizenship upon the proposal of the Ministry and the decision of the Council of Ministers:

a) Those who serve a foreign state in any capacity incompatible with the interests of Türkiye and who do not voluntarily leave such service within a suitable period of not less than three months, despite being notified abroad by foreign representative offices or domestically by local administrative authorities,

b) Those who voluntarily continue to serve in any capacity for a state at war with Türkiye without the permission of the Council of Ministers,

c) Those who voluntarily perform military service for a foreign state without permission.

Citizens against whom an investigation or prosecution is being conducted for crimes specified in Articles 302, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 dated September 26, 2004, and who cannot be reached because they are abroad, are notified to the Ministry within one month from the date this situation is learned by the public prosecutor during the investigation phase or by the court during the prosecution phase, for the purpose of deprivation of citizenship. If such persons do not return to the country within three months despite the Ministry’s announcement in the Official Gazette calling them to return, their Turkish citizenship may be revoked upon the proposal of the Ministry and the decision of the Council of Ministers.

Validity and Consequences of Deprivation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 30 –
Deprivation of Turkish citizenship takes effect from the date of publication of the Council of Ministers’ decision in the Official Gazette.

Deprivation decisions are personal and do not affect the spouse or children of the person concerned.

Cancellation of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 31 –
A decision to acquire Turkish citizenship is cancelled by the authority that issued the decision if it occurred as a result of the person’s false statement or concealment of important matters forming the basis for acquiring citizenship.

Validity and Consequences of Cancellation Decision

ARTICLE 32 –
The cancellation decision takes effect from the date of the decision. The cancellation decision also applies to the spouse and children who acquired Turkish citizenship depending on the person concerned.

Liquidation of Property

ARTICLE 33 –
Persons whose citizenship is cancelled are subject to the provisions of the Law on Residence and Travel of Foreigners in Türkiye No. 5683 dated July 15, 1950. If liquidation of their property is deemed necessary, this matter is stated in the cancellation decision. Such persons must liquidate their property in Türkiye within one year at the latest. Otherwise, their property is sold by the Treasury, and the proceeds are deposited in their name and account in a public bank included in the public treasury system.

If such persons apply to judicial remedies against the cancellation decision, liquidation of property is postponed until the conclusion of the case.

Loss of Turkish Citizenship Through the Right of Choice

ARTICLE 34 –
The following persons may renounce Turkish citizenship within three years from reaching adulthood:

a) Those who acquired Turkish citizenship by birth through lineage from their mother or father and who acquired the citizenship of a foreign mother or father by birth or subsequently,

b) Those who are Turkish citizens through lineage from their mother or father and who acquired the citizenship of a foreign state based on place of birth,

c) Those who acquired Turkish citizenship through adoption,

ç) Those who are Turkish citizens based on place of birth but subsequently acquired the citizenship of their foreign mother or father,

d) Those who acquired Turkish citizenship in any manner depending on a mother or father who acquired Turkish citizenship.

If loss of citizenship under the above provisions would render the person stateless, the right of choice cannot be exercised.

Validity and Consequences of Loss of Turkish Citizenship Through the Right of Choice

ARTICLE 35 –
Loss of Turkish citizenship through the right of choice takes effect from the date of the decision determining the existence of the conditions for exercising this right.

The provisions of Article 27 apply to the spouses and children of persons who renounce Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of choice.

Part Four – Common Provisions Proof of Turkish Citizenship

ARTICLE 36 –
Proof of Turkish citizenship is not subject to any specific form.

The following official records and documents constitute a presumption that the person concerned is a Turkish citizen unless proven otherwise:

a) Population registers,
b) Identity cards,
c) Passports or passport-substitute documents.

If there is any doubt as to whether a person is a Turkish citizen, the matter is referred to the Ministry.

Application Authority and Procedure in Citizenship Transactions

ARTICLE 37 –
Applications regarding the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are made personally to the governorship of the place of residence within Türkiye and to foreign representative offices abroad, or through a power of attorney regarding the exercise of this right.

Requesting Information and Documents

ARTICLE 38 –
Information and documents related to examinations and investigations concerning citizenship transactions are provided by public institutions and organizations without any delay.

Correction and Completion of Material Errors

ARTICLE 39 –
If it is later understood that there is a material error or deficiency in decisions taken under this Law, a correction or completion decision is issued by the General Directorate in accordance with its basis.

Revocation of Citizenship Decisions

ARTICLE 40 –
Decisions regarding the acquisition or loss of Turkish citizenship are revoked if it is later understood that they were issued without the legal conditions being fulfilled or were issued repeatedly.

Notification

ARTICLE 41 –
Decisions regarding the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are notified to the person concerned and to the application authorities. Deprivation decisions issued under Article 29 are published in the Official Gazette and are deemed to have been notified on the date of publication.

Part Five – Miscellaneous Provisions

Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

ARTICLE 42 –
Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who apply to acquire Turkish citizenship acquire Turkish citizenship if they declare in writing that they wish to become Turkish citizens.

Persons Who Lost Turkish Citizenship or Were Denaturalized

ARTICLE 43 –
Persons who lost Turkish citizenship pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (ç), (d), and (e) of Article 25 of the repealed Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 may be readmitted to Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry upon application, without being required to reside in Türkiye, provided that they do not have any condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security.

Persons who were denaturalized under the repealed Turkish Citizenship Law No. 1312 dated May 28, 1928 may be readmitted to Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry upon application, without being required to reside in Türkiye, provided that they do not have any condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security.

Requests of persons who have a condition constituting an obstacle in terms of national security are rejected by the Ministry.

Multiple Citizenship

ARTICLE 44 –
If persons who acquire the citizenship of a foreign state for any reason submit documents regarding this status, and if it is determined after examination that they are the same persons in the records, an annotation is made in their family registers stating that they hold multiple citizenship.

Citizenship Transaction Service Fee

ARTICLE 45 –
The service fee for the subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship is jointly determined by the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance. The collected service fee amounts are recorded as revenue in the budget.

No service fee determined under the first paragraph is collected from persons who have no income under Income Tax Law No. 193 and from their minor children processed together with them.

Regulation

ARTICLE 46 –
The procedures and principles regarding the implementation of this Law are regulated by a regulation issued by the Council of Ministers.

Repealed Legislation and References

ARTICLE 47 –
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 dated February 11, 1964, and the phrase “province and district” in the second paragraph of Article 22 of the Population Services Law No. 5490 dated April 24, 2006, have been repealed.

References made in other legislation to Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 dated February 11, 1964, are deemed to have been made to this Law.

Hidden Population

ADDITIONAL ARTICLE 1 –
Persons who have not been registered in family registers for any reason until reaching the age of eighteen and who do not have a citizenship bond with a foreign state acquire Turkish citizenship if they submit a medical report showing their kinship with their mother or father, or if they are deceased, with their siblings, if any.

Foreigners of Turkish Descent

PROVISIONAL ARTICLE 1 –
The residence period stipulated in subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of Article 11 is applied as two years for foreigners of Turkish descent until December 31, 2010.

Application of the Existing Regulation

PROVISIONAL ARTICLE 2 –
The regulation stipulated in Article 46 shall be prepared and put into force within six months. Until this regulation enters into force, the provisions of existing regulations that are not contrary to this Law shall continue to apply.

Entry into Force

ARTICLE 48 –
This Law enters into force on the date of its publication.

Execution

ARTICLE 49 –
The provisions of this Law are executed by the Council of Ministers.

Source: http://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.5901.pdf