How to Acquire Turkish Citizenship for Foreigners in Turkey

As Bilici Attorneys At Law, we provide our foreign clients with consulting service in the legal process of applying and gaining Turkish citizenship. According to Turkish Citizenship Law (Act No: 5901) ) Turkish citizenship shall be acquired after birth with a decision of competent authority, by adoption or by choice (art. 9). An alien who wishes to acquire Turkish citizenship can acquire Turkish citizenship with the decision of the competent authority, provided that he/she fulfils the conditions stipulated by this Law. However, fulfilling the conditions required, do not grant an absolute right to the person to acquire Turkish citizenship (art. 10). The conditions which are supposed to be fulfilled by aliens are stated in 11^th article of the said act. These are:

1. To be of the age of consent possessing the distinguishing power according to his/her own national legal system, or according to the Turkish law if s/he is stateless.
2. To have been resident in Turkey for five years, without interruption, prior to her/his date of application; 
3. To have the intention of settling in Turkey and prove this intention with action
4. Not to have any disease that constitutes a danger to public health
5. To be a person of good morals
6. To speak an adequate level of Turkish
7. To have an income or profession to provide for his own livelihood and those of his/her dependants in Turkey
8. Not to pose a threat to national security and public order.

There are also certain EXCEPTIONS in acquiring Turkish citizenship according to 12^th article of the said act. Provided that there is no obstacle as regards national security and public order, some aliens may be received into Turkish citizenship upon decision of President. These aliens are:

• Those persons who bring into Turkey industrial facilities or have rendered or believed to render an outstanding service in the social or economic arena or in the fields of science, technology, sports, culture or arts and regarding whom a reasoned offer is made by the relevant ministries.
• Those who have a residence permit pursuant to subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection dated 04.04.2013 and numbered 6458, foreigners who have a Turquoise Card and their foreign spouse, and the minor or dependent foreign child of himself and his spouse.
• Those whose being received into citizenship is deemed to be necessary.
• Those persons who recognized as migrants.

According to 20^th article of Regulation on The Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law, a foreigner who fulfills any of the following conditions can acquire Turkish citizenship by the President’s decision within the scope of subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of Article 12 of the Law. These are:

• Foreigners who are determined by the Ministry of Industry and Technology to have made a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or equivalent Turkish Lira.
• Foreigners who are determined by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, who purchased the immovable at least 400,000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira, provided that it is not sold for three years OR who annotated to the land registry with the promise that the sale of the real estate, which has a floor ownership or construction servitude, has been deposited at least USD 400,000 or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira in advance, is promised by the notary public for three years.
• Foreigners who are determined by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services that they have created employment for at least 50 people.
• Foreigners who are determined by Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency that they invested banks operating in Turkey deposits of at least 500,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira provided that it is hold for 3 years.
• Foreigners who are determined by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance that they purchased State debt instruments of at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish Lira on condition that they keep them for three years.
• Foreigners who are determined by the Capital Markets Board that they purchased real estate investment fund participation share or venture capital investment fund participation share at least USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency or equivalent Turkish Lira, provided that they hold at least three years.

If you would like to apply for Turkish citizenship by exceptional ways, we guide you through finding the best options and making investments. As a team, we confidently assure you that we give you the best legal service in terms of filling in the application forms and following up the whole process, including dispute resolution in the most proper way.