Becoming a Turkish citizen is an achievable goal with the right knowledge and legal support. Whether through residency, marriage, descent, or investment, understanding the requirements and procedures is essential.
Since 1992, Akkas & Associates Law Firm, based in Istanbul, has been a trusted partner for clients navigating the complexities of Turkish citizenship law. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the main pathways to becoming a Turkish citizen in 2025, detailing eligibility, procedures, and legal considerations.
Table of Contents
- Why Turkish Citizenship? The Irresistible Advantages
- How to Become a Turkish Citizenship
- Important Legal Considerations and Documentation
- Why Choose Akkas & Associates Law Firm?
- Contact us to Become a Turkish Citizen
Why Turkish Citizenship? The Irresistible Advantages
Turkish citizenship comes with a host of benefits that make it an attractive prospect for individuals and families worldwide:
- Global Mobility: A Turkish passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 118 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and many in South America and the Balkans. While currently not offering visa-free entry to the Schengen Area, Turkey continues to pursue this goal, and special visa facilities are often available for Turkish citizens.
- Dual Citizenship: Turkey permits dual citizenship, meaning you generally do not need to renounce your current nationality when acquiring Turkish citizenship. This allows you to maintain ties and rights in your home country while enjoying the advantages of your new Turkish status.
- Economic Opportunities: Turkey boasts a robust and growing economy. Citizenship provides unrestricted rights to live, work, and conduct business in Turkey, offering access to a significant consumer market and investment opportunities across various sectors.
- Quality of Life: Turkey offers a high quality of life with a relatively low cost of living compared to many Western countries. Citizens benefit from access to a strong public healthcare system and a comprehensive education system, including state-supported universities.
- Strategic Location: Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey provides unparalleled access to diverse markets and cultures, making it an ideal hub for international business and travel.
- Hereditary Citizenship: Turkish citizenship is hereditary, meaning it can be passed down to your children, securing their future and providing a lasting legacy.
How to Become a Turkish Citizenship
The Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 outlines the various methods for acquiring Turkish citizenship. These can be broadly categorized into acquisition by birth and subsequent acquisition. For foreign nationals, subsequent acquisition is the relevant pathway, typically achieved through one of the following methods:
Understanding Turkish Citizenship: Key Pathways
Turkish citizenship can be acquired in several ways, primarily:
- By Birth or Descent: If at least one parent is a Turkish citizen, the child automatically acquires citizenship regardless of birthplace. Turkey does not grant citizenship solely based on birth in its territory (jus soli) but follows kinship (jus sanguinis) principles.
- By Marriage: Foreign nationals married to Turkish citizens for at least three years may apply for citizenship, provided the marriage is ongoing and genuine. If the spouse dies after the application, the unity of family condition is waived.
- By Naturalization (Residency): Foreigners residing legally in Turkey for five uninterrupted years can apply for citizenship. They must demonstrate good moral character, proficiency in Turkish, and not pose a health risk to the public
- By Investment: Turkey offers citizenship through investment programs, including real estate purchases and bank deposits, which provide a faster route to citizenship.
- By Exceptional Merit: Individuals with outstanding achievements in science, culture, business, or sports may be granted citizenship under special provisions.
1. Turkish Citizenship Through Residency: Step-by-Step Process
Foreign nationals who have resided in Turkey for a significant period may be eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship through naturalization. This pathway is designed for individuals who have genuinely integrated into Turkish society.
Key Requirements for Naturalization:
- Uninterrupted Residency: The applicant must have resided in Turkey for an uninterrupted period of five years prior to the date of application. During this period, the applicant may not have stayed outside Turkey for a total of more than twelve months.
- Intent to Settle: The applicant must confirm, through their behavior, their decision to settle in Turkey. This can be demonstrated by owning property, establishing a business, working, or having family ties in Turkey.
- Good Morals: The applicant must demonstrate good moral character.
- Sufficient Turkish Language Proficiency: A basic understanding and ability to speak Turkish are required. This is assessed during an interview.
- No Disease Posing Danger to Public Health: The applicant must not have any disease that poses a danger to general public health.
- Sufficient Financial Means: The applicant must have sufficient income or occupation to provide for themselves and their dependents in Turkey.
- No Threat to National Security or Public Order: As with other pathways, the applicant must not pose a threat to national security or public order.
The Naturalization Process:
- Application Submission: The application is submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
- Document Verification: All submitted documents are meticulously checked for validity and compliance.
- Security Screening: Comprehensive security checks are conducted by the General Directorate of Security.
- Personal Interview: An interview with a commission is scheduled to assess the applicant’s intent to settle, Turkish language proficiency, and general character.
- Ministry Review & Approval: The file is sent to the Ministry of Interior for final review and decision.
- Decision & Citizenship: Upon approval, the applicant is granted Turkish citizenship.
2. Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Fast-Track Options
The Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program (TCBI) is one of the most popular and efficient routes for foreign nationals seeking Turkish citizenship. It allows individuals to acquire citizenship relatively quickly, typically within 3 to 6 months, by making a qualifying investment in the Turkish economy.
Investment Options for 2025:
- Real Estate Purchase (Most Popular): Acquire one or more real estate properties with a total value of at least USD 400,000. A crucial condition is a commitment not to sell or transfer the property for at least three years from the purchase date. The property can be residential or commercial, and the full payment must be transferred through Turkish banks with proper documentation. Since December 2023, the investment must include land with established condominiums or buildings, or an issued building permit. Undeveloped land alone no longer qualifies.
- Fixed Capital Investment: Invest a minimum of USD 500,000 in fixed capital, as approved by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This typically involves investing in manufacturing, technology, or other industrial sectors that contribute to Turkey’s economic growth. The investment must be registered with the Ministry and held for at least three years.
- Bank Deposit: Deposit at least USD 500,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira) into a Turkish bank account and commit to keeping the deposit for a minimum of three years. The investment is monitored by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA).
- Government Bonds: Purchase government bonds or other debt instruments worth at least USD 500,000 and commit to holding them for at least three years. The Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMBT) must approve the transaction.
- Investment Fund Shares: Acquire real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares worth a minimum of USD 500,000, with a commitment to hold them for at least three years.
- Job Creation: Create full-time employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens, as attested by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. The business must be registered and operational in Turkey, and the jobs must be sustained for at least three years.
Key Requirements for TCBI Applicants:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a clean criminal record.
- Possess a valid passport (translated and notarized).
- Provide a birth certificate.
- Submit a marital status certificate (marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable).
- Provide biometric photographs.
- Obtain a Turkish Tax ID number.
- For real estate, a property valuation report accepted by the Capital Market Board and the land registry certificate are required.
Turkey’s investment citizenship program offers a faster alternative, ideal for investors and entrepreneurs:
| Investment Type | Minimum Amount | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Purchase | $400,000 | Property must be held for at least 3 years |
| Bank Deposit | $500,000 | Deposit held for minimum 3 years |
| Capital Investment | $500,000 | Investment in Turkish companies or government bonds |
This path allows applicants and their families to obtain citizenship within approximately 3-6 months. Akkas & Associates Law Firm specializes in guiding clients through investment transactions, ensuring compliance with Turkish laws and smooth acquisition of citizenship.
3. Citizenship Through Marriage: Requirements and Process
Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not automatically grant citizenship. However, it provides a pathway for a foreign spouse to apply for Turkish citizenship after meeting specific conditions outlined in Article 16 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Key Requirements for Citizenship by Marriage:
- Minimum Marriage Duration: The foreign national must have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, and the marriage must still be ongoing at the time of application.
- Family Unity: The couple must be living together in genuine family unity. Authorities will assess the authenticity of the marriage and ensure it is not a marriage of convenience.
- No Activities Incompatible with Marital Union: The applicant must not be engaged in any activities deemed incompatible with the marital union.
- No Threat to National Security or Public Order: The applicant must not pose any threat to Turkey’s national security or public order, and must have a clean criminal record.
The Application Process for Citizenship by Marriage:
- Decision: The application is reviewed by the Ministry of Interior, and a decision is made. The process can take several months to over a year.
- Application Submission: The foreign spouse submits an application to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in their city of residence in Turkey, or to a Turkish Embassy/Consulate abroad.
- Required Documents: A comprehensive set of documents will be required, including the application form, biometric photographs, passport and notarized Turkish translation, birth certificate, marriage certificate, population registration record of the Turkish spouse, a clean criminal record certificate, and a residence permit (if residing in Turkey).
- Interview: Applicants typically undergo an interview with a commission to assess the authenticity of the marriage and their integration into Turkish life.
- Background Checks: Thorough security and background checks are conducted by relevant authorities.
4. Turkish Citizenship by Descent: Inherited Right
Turkish citizenship can also be acquired by birth based on lineage or place of birth. The fundamental principle in Turkish law is that a child born to a Turkish citizen mother and/or Turkish citizen father automatically acquires Turkish citizenship at birth, regardless of the child’s place of birth.
- Children of Turkish Parents: If one or both parents are Turkish citizens at the time of the child’s birth, the child acquires Turkish citizenship automatically.
Important Legal Considerations and Documentation
Applicants must prepare various documents, including but not limited to:
- Valid passport and residence permit
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificates
- Health insurance
Akkas & Associates Law Firm offers comprehensive legal services, including document preparation, application submission, and liaison with Turkish authorities, ensuring a hassle-free experience for clients.
Why Choose Akkas & Associates Law Firm?
With over three decades of experience, Akkas & Associates is a premier full-service law firm in Istanbul. Our dedicated citizenship lawyers provide:
- Personalized Consultations: Tailored strategies aligned with your goals
- Expert Legal Guidance: Navigating complex Turkish citizenship laws
- Transaction Support: Handling real estate and investment procedures
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to all legal requirements
Contact our expert team to start your journey toward Turkish citizenship with confidence.
Contact us to Become a Turkish Citizen
Making the decision to pursue Turkish citizenship is a pivotal moment, and navigating the intricate legal landscape requires specialized expertise. At Akkas & Associates Law Firm, our dedicated team of Turkish immigration lawyers possesses extensive experience in successfully guiding countless individuals and families through the various pathways to Turkish citizenship, including the highly sought-after Citizenship by Investment program.
We pride ourselves on offering tailored solutions, transparent communication, and unwavering support from your initial inquiry to the issuance of your Turkish passport. Don’t leave your future to chance; contact Akkas & Associates Law Firm today to schedule a comprehensive consultation and embark on your journey to becoming a Turkish citizen with confidence and peace of mind.
Please fill out and submit the form below to make an appointment.
