How to Get Turkish Citizenship

One of the most asked questions is how to get Turkish citizenship. Obtaining Turkish citizenship gives many benefits, more than your image. In this blog post, we give information about acquiring Turkish citizenship. As Zaren Invest, we have guided many for investing in Turkey for 10 years. So far, many our client get both profitable investment and many social right and advantages, such as becoming Turkish citizenship.

Getting citizenship is diffucult. However, anyone who wants to obtain Turkish citizenship can apply for Turkish citizenship provided that they fulfill the necessary conditions. Also, investing in real estate can give getting Turkish citizenship chance to foreign. Let’s look at requireitments Turkish citizenship together.

Conditions for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

Turkish citizenship is obtained generally two ways. The first of these are the cases where Turkish citizenship is acquired on the basis of ancestry and place of birth and the cases where Turkish citizenship is acquired subsequently.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship on the Basis of Ancestry and Place of Birth

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship on the Basis of Ancestry

The first condition for getting Turkish citizenship is the basis of ancestry. On the other hand, this right to Turkish citizenship called the basis of ancestry is obtained at birth. Also, even though anyone is over 18 years old, he/she can apply for Turkish citizenship with this right.

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship on the Basis of Place of Birth

A child who was born in Turkey but cannot acquire citizenship of any country due to reasons such as not knowing the identity of his/her parents or being stateless, or who cannot acquire citizenship according to national laws, meets the condition of becoming a Turkish citizen from the date of birth.

A child born in Turkey shall be deemed to have been born in Turkey unless it is established that he/she was born outside Turkey. Children found who are unable to express themselves due to their young age shall be registered in the population register of the place where they are found on the basis of the report of law enforcement officers or relevant institutions stating this situation or the declaration of the person concerned.

Acquiring Turkish Citizenship Afterwards

Foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship should fulfill the requirements of Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law;

• Adult and competent to discriminate according to their national law or, in the case of stateless persons, according to Turkish Civil Code No. 4721
• Having resided in Turkey for an uninterrupted period of five years prior to the date of application
• The decision to settle in Turkey is confirmed by acquiring immovable property in Turkey, establishing a business, making an investment, transferring the trade and business center to Turkey, working in a workplace with a work permit and similar procedures or marrying a Turkish citizen, applying as a family, having parents, siblings or children who have previously acquired Turkish citizenship or completing their education in Turkey.
• Not having a disease that poses a risk to general health.
• Acting with the sense of responsibility required by living together in society, showing that they have good morals, reassuring their surroundings with their behavior, not having bad habits that are not adopted by the society and contrary to social values
• To be able to speak Turkish to a certain extent in order to adapt to social life.
• Have an income or a profession that will enable him/her and his/her family to make a living in Turkey.
• Have no obstacles in terms of national security and public order.

Seeking above requiretments.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship through Adoption

Any person who is not an adult and who is adopted by a Turkish citizen can acquire Turkish citizenship. Of course, beyond meeting these conditions, there is no obstacle in terms of national security and public order. They can apply for Turkish citizenship for themselves and their dependent adopted children from the relevant institutions.

Conditions for Turkish Citizens to Become Turkish Citizens

• A person who has acquired Turkish citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by birth and who wishes to acquire Turkish citizenship shall acquire Turkish citizenship by the decision of the Ministry if he/she declares in writing that he/she wishes to become a Turkish citizen.
• Acquisition of Turkish citizenship as a citizen of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus does not affect the spouse and the provisions of Article 20 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 shall apply to their children.
• The provisions of Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 shall apply to foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus later.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship through the Right to Vote

Children of parents who have lost their Turkish citizenship with a renunciation permit can apply to become a Turkish citizen 3 years after reaching the age of adulthood.

This procedure is called the right to choose. The validity of the use of the right to choose is implemented with the decision of the Ministry. The right to choose is also included in the conditions for becoming a Turkish citizen.

Conditions for Exceptionally Acquiring Turkish Citizenship

In the cases listed in Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, a foreigner may acquire Turkish citizenship upon the proposal of the Ministry and the decision of the Council of Ministers, regardless of the other general conditions for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, provided that he/she does not have an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

According to Turkish Nationality Law no:11;

• Provided that there is no 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
• Those who bring industrial facilities to Turkey or who have rendered or are expected to render special services in scientific, technical, economic, social, sportive, cultural or artistic fields, with the approval of the relevant ministry.
• Foreigners who have obtained a residence permit pursuant to subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 dated 4/4/2013, foreigners and turquoise card holders and their foreign national spouses, their and their spouses’ minor or dependent foreign national children.
• Persons considered to be in need of naturalization.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship as an Immigrant

Provincial Directorates of Migration prepare the citizenship files of the persons whose procedures are completed and accepted as migrants according to the Resettlement Law No. 5543 and send them to the Ministry.

The file of the foreigner sent to the Ministry for acquisition of Turkish citizenship is examined and a recommendation is made to the Council of Ministers for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship. With the decision of the Council of Ministers, the person may fulfill one of the conditions for acquiring Turkish citizenship.

Turkish citizenship is acquired in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901

Provided that there is no 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 (Those accepted as immigrants.)

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Regardless of Residence Requireitments

In a way that does not pose an obstacle to the national security of the Republic of Turkey;

• One who miss Turkish citizenship by leaving permit
• For children who are entitled to citizenship depending on their parents, from adulthood until 3 years later
• Lost Turkish citizenship in accordance with paragraphs (a), (ç), (d) and (e) of Article 25 of the repealed Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403,

Persons can fulfill the condition of Turkish citizenship regardless of their residence status.

According to Article 43 of the Turkish citizenship law;

• Those who have lost their Turkish citizenship according to subparagraphs (a), (ç), (d) and (e) of Article 25 of the repealed Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 may regain Turkish citizenship upon their application, by a decision of the Council of Ministers, without the requirement of residence in Turkey, provided that they do not have any situation that would constitute an obstacle to national security.

Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship Subject to Residence Condition

One of the conditions for becoming a Turkish citizen is the right to acquire citizenship based on the condition of residence. Pursuant to Law No. 5901, those who have lost Turkish citizenship and those who have lost Turkish citizenship as a result of exercising their right to vote may regain Turkish citizenship provided that they do not have any situation that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and that they reside in Turkey for three years.

Those who have lost Turkish citizenship may regain Turkish citizenship in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901

Those who have lost Turkish citizenship according to Article 29 may regain Turkish citizenship by a decision of the Council of Ministers, and those who have lost Turkish citizenship according to Article 34 may regain Turkish citizenship by a decision of the Ministry, provided that they do not have any situation that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and reside in Turkey for three years.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship through Marriage

Among the conditions for becoming a Turkish citizen, perhaps the most curious one is the acquisition of citizenship through marriage. Marriage with a Turkish citizen does not directly confer Turkish citizenship. However, a foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues can apply for Turkish citizenship.

• If the marriage is terminated by the death of the Turkish citizen spouse after the date of application, the condition of living in family unity is not required.
• Foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage shall retain their Turkish citizenship in case the marriage is declared null and void, if they acted in good faith in the marriage.
• In the event that the marriage of a foreigner who acquired Turkish citizenship through marriage is declared invalid, the Ministry shall be asked through the Governorate General whether the foreigner retains Turkish citizenship.

According to Article 16 of the Turkish Nationality Law;

Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not directly confer Turkish citizenship. However, a foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage is ongoing may apply for Turkish citizenship. The applicant must

• Living in a family unit
• Not to engage in any activity incompatible with the marriage union
• There must be no impediments to national security and public order.

In case the marriage is terminated by the death of the Turkish citizen spouse after the application, the conditions in subparagraph (a) of the first paragraph shall not be sought. Foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage shall retain their Turkish citizenship in case the marriage is declared null and void if they acted in good faith in the marriage.