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How to Get Turkish Citizenship?
There are two ways to obtain Turkish citizenship: either at birth or through after acquisition. Türkiye recognizes the right to obtain citizenship via birthplace, as well as for those born in Türkiye whose parents are not known, or are stateless, or cannot acquire citizenship in accordance with national laws. A person can be naturally a Turkish citizen if one of his or her parents is a Turkish citizen.
You can obtain Turkish citizenship after meeting the standards outlined in the Turkish Citizenship Law, subject to the relevant authority's judgment. Working with an expert and a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law and the requirements is crucial. Your application will be denied if there are any inaccuracies or inconsistencies in your documentation.
What are the benefits of Turkish citizenship?
There are many Turkey Citizenship benefits. After all, as a citizen, you are free to live, work, or study anywhere in Türkiye, with no time restrictions or additional requirements. There are no restrictions for Turkish citizens purchasing or selling real estate in Türkiye.
You have access to the healthcare system, which includes state-sponsored healthcare services. According to Türkiye’s social security laws, you can be qualified for pension payments.
Moreover, Turkish citizens have access to public education and are eligible to apply for scholarships. Traveling abroad is made easier with a Turkish passport as well, which grants entry to many countries without the need for a visa or one upon arrival.
Dual citizenship is also permitted in Türkiye, allowing you to benefit from the laws of both countries. You may submit your application at the same time as your spouse and any children under the age of 18.
What are the types of Turkish citizenship?
Turkish citizenship types are divided into 4 categories; by birth, by marriage, by naturalization, and Turkey citizenship by investment.
A person can be naturally a Turkish citizen if one of his or her parents is a Turkish citizen. By marrying a Turkish citizen, foreigners can obtain Turkish citizenship. There are conditions, though, such as needing to live together, not acting in a way that threatens the union, and not having a secret intention to marry.
Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by naturalization requires meeting a number of requirements such as living in Türkiye for five years straight, having a clean criminal record, proving your intention of establishing a life in the country, and knowing sufficient Turkish.
Buying property in Turkey and citizenship acquisition is the most profitable and preferred way. It gives citizenship to foreigners who make considerable investments in the country. An investor can apply for Turkey property citizenship more quickly than through other methods if they meet all of these requirements and keep the investment for at least three years.
The citizenship of Turkey by investment will be focused on in this article, as this is the most preferred one. You can visit the Turkish Property Buying Guide: How to Buy Property in Türkiye page for detailed information about the purchasing process.
What are the investment options for Turkish citizenship?
Property investing for Turkey citizenship offers many options:
- Buy a real estate property with a minimum value of $400,000 held for at least 3 years
- Buy government bonds with a minimum value of $500,000 held for at least 3 years
- Establishment of a business that creates jobs for at least 50 employees
- Capital investment of at least $500,000
- Deposition of at least $500,000 in banks operating in Türkiye to be kept for a minimum of 3 years
- Minimum investment of $500,000 in a real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share kept for at least 3 years
What are the requirements for Turkish citizenship?
You must meet the minimum investment amount of your chosen option mentioned above and collect all necessary documents. The required documents are as follows:
- Application Form
- Valid passport
- 4 passport-size photos of each member of your family
- Birth certificate
- Residence permit or valid tourist visa on your passport
- If applicable, documents proving your relationships with your spouse and children (marriage license, birth certificate for children)
- If applicable, the Turkish ID copy and address of the applicant's relatives in Türkiye
- Application tax payment receipt
- Appraisal report
- Bank receipt showing payment of the minimum amount
- Title deed or Notarized property purchase commitment
Document preparation for citizenship calls for specialized training and expertise. We advise obtaining legal counsel from TEKCE lawyers because every individual has unique citizenship Turkey requirements and legal standing.
How does the Turkish citizenship process work?
First, you invest in a property worth at least $400,000 - in case of buying a residential property. Next, you apply to the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Tapu Office) to request Turkish citizenship by investment. The appraisal report and the bank transfer paperwork are examined after the application.
It takes the Land Registry Office three to seven days to approve it. After the approval, you apply for a temporary residence permit at the Immigration Office on the same day, without having to wait for an appointment.
The entire procedure is carried out at the Citizenship Information Office in Istanbul and Ankara following the title deed application. It takes two to six months to finish the citizenship process.
What are the tax benefits of Turkish citizenship?
According to Turkish tax laws, a person is considered a tax resident if they stay in Turkey for more than six months of the year or have a residence there, except for specific circumstances.
Türkiye has double taxation agreements with the majority of the countries. If a taxpayer has already paid a tax in a country that has a tax agreement with Türkiye, they will not be required to pay it again here.
Türkiye has signed numerous treaties to avoid double taxation and draw in foreign investment from more than 60 countries. Some are Canada, France, Iran, Jordan, Pakistan, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Moreover, capital gains resulting from property sales held for more than 5 years are tax-free.
What is the easiest way of acquiring Turkish citizenship?
If you know the process, it is already very easy. TEKCE has a professional team for the Turkey citizenship program. They follow the process for you and handle all the necessary procedures together with you.
If you give power of attorney, you do not even need to travel. TEKCE lawyers handle all transactions on your behalf. You can always reach TEKCE citizenship experts for more information.