How to Get Turkish Citizenship?

Does Turkey give citizenship to foreigners?Yes. Foreign nationals who meet the legal requirements can apply for Turkish citizenship. They must also prove they pose no risk to Turkey's national security or public order.

What are the ways to become a Turkish citizen?There are several ways to become a Turkish citizen. You can obtain citizenship by birth, through marriage, by investment, or by living in Turkey continuously for five years.

Can you get Turkish citizenship through grandparents?Yes. If you can officially prove that one of your ancestors was a Turkish citizen, you may be eligible to obtain citizenship in Turkey. However, it is very important to prepare the required documents carefully and ensure that all information is accurate during the application process.

Does a child born after a parent becomes a Turkish citizen get citizenship automatically?Yes. If at least one parent is a Turkish citizen at the time of the child's birth, the child automatically acquires Turkish citizenship by birth under the laws of Turkey. No separate citizenship application is required.

Does a foreign baby born in Turkey become a Turkish citizen?No. A child born in Turkey becomes a citizen only if at least one parent is a Turkish citizen. Turkish citizenship is based on the principle of descent (jus sanguinis), not place of birth. Therefore, being born in Turkey alone is not enough to obtain citizenship.

Is Turkish citizenship permanent?Yes. Once Turkish citizenship is granted, it is valid for life. In addition, citizenship rights can be passed on to future generations in accordance with legal regulations. In this context, your children and grandchildren may also benefit from Turkish citizenship rights.

Does Turkey allow dual nationality?Yes, Turkey allows dual citizenship under its laws. People who obtain Turkish citizenship are not required to give up their previous nationality. This practice is fully legal in Turkey. However, whether dual citizenship is valid in practice depends on the laws of your first country of citizenship. Some countries allow dual citizenship, while others may restrict or prohibit it.

Can a Turkish passport travel without a visa?Yes. A Turkish passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 105 countries worldwide, providing strong travel freedom. You can find the full list of visa-free countries and detailed travel benefits in our Turkish Passport Advantages page.

Do I need to know Turkish to apply for Turkish citizenship?No, there is no language requirement to apply for Turkish citizenship.

Do you have to live in Turkey to apply for Turkish citizenship?No, there is no requirement to live or reside in Turkey when applying for Turkish citizenship.

Can I live in Turkey without citizenship?You can live in Turkey without becoming a citizen. Foreigners can apply for a residence permit to own property, work, study, or family reunification. This permit allows you to stay legally in the country for a short or long period.

Short-term permits are usually issued for 1-2 years and can be extended depending on property ownership and financial status. Long-term residence is granted if you meet continuous and legal stay requirements over a certain period. This way, you can establish a permanent life in Turkey without citizenship.

Can I work or start a business after obtaining Turkish citizenship?Yes. After obtaining Turkish citizenship, you have the right to work and start a company, just like any other Turkish citizen.

Do people who obtain Turkish citizenship later have to complete military service?Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship later are exempt from military service if they are 22 years old or older at the time they acquire citizenship in Turkey. In this case, they are not required to perform compulsory military service after becoming Turkish citizens.

In addition, if the person has already completed military service in their home country before obtaining Turkish citizenship and can prove this with official documents, they are not required to serve again in Turkey.

What is the minimum investment for Turkish citizenship?The minimum investment for Turkish citizenship is $400,000.

Can I get citizenship if I buy a house in Turkey?Yes. Foreign investors who purchase property in Turkey worth at least 400,000 USD are eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship.

Does a 400,000 USD real estate investment for Turkish citizenship cover the whole family?Yes, when you buy a property worth 400,000 USD in Türkiye, the investment does not only apply to the property owner. It also gives the right to apply for citizenship to the spouse and children under 18 years old. In other words, with one investment, the core family members who meet the legal requirements can apply together for citizenship of the Republic of Türkiye.

Can I apply for Turkish citizenship after buying multiple properties?Yes, you can buy more than one property to reach the 400,000 USD requirement for Turkish citizenship. The properties must have been purchased after 13 June 2022, when the citizenship program was updated. If you buy more than one property, their total value must be at least 400,000 USD. Each property must meet the required conditions, such as having an official valuation report, being paid by bank transfer and not being sold for three years.

I bought a property worth 250,000 USD after the Turkish Citizenship Program started. The current requirement is 400,000 USD. Can I still apply for Turkish citizenship?Yes, you can still apply for Turkish citizenship if you bought your property before 13 June 2022. The official valuation report must be prepared based on the Central Bank exchange rate at that time. The valuation report must show a value of at least 250,000 USD. The important point is not the title deed price, but the amount written in the valuation report. If the valuation amount is lower than 400,000 USD, you can buy another property to complete the difference and then apply for Turkish citizenship.

How long does it take to get Turkish citizenship by real estate investment?The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship by investment generally takes between 5 and 10 months. The initial property purchase process, including title deed transfer and required documentation, takes 15-20 business days.

After acquiring the title deed, obtaining the eligibility certificate, one of the most important documents for the application, can take up to 3 months in large cities like Istanbul and Ankara and up to 1 month in places like Bursa, Antalya and Izmir. Therefore, we can say that the total process will take between 1.5 and 4.5 months. Following your application, your request for Turkish citizenship will be processed within 3 to 6 months.

How long does the decision stage take for a Turkish citizenship application?Turkish citizenship through investment is typically approved in about three to six months. Processing times can differ based on the chosen investment route and the authorities' evaluation steps. You do not need to travel to Turkey, since the entire application can be handled for you under a power of attorney. Once the investment is made and the necessary paperwork is collected, the procedure can move forward efficiently from abroad.

Do you have to be physically in Turkey to apply for citizenship?You don't have to be in Türkiye in person while the investment is made and the paperwork is prepared. Your attorney can handle the full procedure on your behalf using a power of attorney you provide. However, when the documents are submitted online, every adult applicant must travel to Türkiye for one or two days to give biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph. After your citizenship application is approved, you must also be present in Türkiye to apply for your identity card.

Do I need to be physically present for passport collection after applying for Turkish citizenship?After the citizenship application is approved, individuals who are accepted as Turkish citizens can apply for a Turkish ID card and passport either at population offices in Turkey or at Turkish consulates abroad. They can also receive their ID and passport fr om the same place where they apply. It is not mandatory to get them from Turkey.

What happens if a resident permit expires while my Turkish citizenship application is in process?If your residence permit expires while your Turkish citizenship application is still under review, your citizenship application will not be canceled. The citizenship process continues independently fr om your residence permit. However, if your residence permit expires, your legal right to stay in Turkey also ends. If you wish to remain in Turkey, you must renew your residence permit. If you leave Turkey, your citizenship application will not be affected and the evaluation process will continue.

Do you have to do an interview for the Turkish citizenship application process?No. There is no interview or formal meeting during the citizenship process in Turkey.

I have lived in Türkiye for 5 years; can I still apply for Turkish citizenship if I had short absences?To be considered a continuous residence for five years, your total time spent outside Turkey must not exceed 180 days in total during the 5-year period. If this limit is exceeded, the five-year period is usually recalculated from the beginning. Short absences may sometimes be tolerated, but it is safest to comply with the 180-day rule when applying for Turkish citizenship.

What documents prove financial eligibility for Turkish citizenship?To prove financial eligibility for Turkish citizenship, applicants must submit recent bank statements, proof of regular income (salary, pension, or rental income), or a sponsor's financial support letter. These documents show sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses.

The required documents and minimum income requirements for a Turkish citizenship application may vary by city, application type, and personal circumstances. The main requirement is to clearly prove financial sufficiency with official documents.

What happens after you get approved for Turkish citizenship?After your Turkish citizenship application is approved, an official approval document is issued by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ) in Turkey. You can then apply for your Turkish ID card at the nearest population office.

Once your ID card is issued, you officially become a Turkish citizen and gain the right to apply for a Turkish passport, vote, and benefit from all other citizenship rights.

Can I apply for Turkish citizenship from abroad?Yes, you can apply for Turkish citizenship from abroad. Applications can be submitted through the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Turkey in the country where you live. The process starts by preparing the required documents and submitting them to the relevant diplomatic mission.

Can you sell a property after obtaining Turkish Citizenship by real estate investment?Yes, you can sell your property in Turkey after the mandatory three-year holding period ends. This three-year period starts when the official commitment is registered at the title deed office stating that the property will be used for a citizenship application. After three years, the restriction is removed and you can start the sales process.

What are the tax implications of obtaining Turkish citizenship?After obtaining Turkish citizenship, you may become a tax resident depending on your residence status. If you live in Turkey, you are generally taxed on your worldwide income.

Real estate owned in Turkey is subject to property tax and title deed transactions are subject to transfer tax. Assets acquired through inheritance or donation may also be taxable in Turkey.

Thanks to double taxation agreements signed between Turkey and many countries, the same income is not taxed twice. Tax obligations may vary depending on your residency status and source of income.