Getting Turkish Citizenship
There are different ways to acquire Turkish Citizenship. In this article, we will try to briefly and summarize the acquisition of Turkish citizenship within the scope of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection.
Conditions for Getting Turkish Citizenship
Apart from the special conditions for the getting of Turkish Citizenship, persons must have the general conditions according to Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Requirements for application;
ARTICLE 11
(1) Foreigners who wish to getting Turkish citizenship
a) Being an adult and having the power of discernment according to his/her national law or Turkish law if he/she is stateless,
b) To reside in Turkey for an uninterrupted period of five years prior to the date of application,
c) confirming by their behavior that they have decided to settle in Turkey,
ç) Not having a disease that poses a danger to general health,
d) Having good morals,
e) To speak Turkish sufficiently,
f) Have an income or occupation in Turkey that will provide a livelihood for oneself and one’s dependents,
g) Not having any condition that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
Ways to Get Turkish Citizenship
1- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through Marriage
2- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through investment
3- Getting Turkish Citizenship general applications
4- Getting of Turkish Citizenship by Birth
5- Getting of Turkish Citizenship by Place of Birth
6- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through Adoption
7- Getting Turkish Citizenship by Residing in Turkey for a Long Time
1- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through Marriage
In order to getting Turkish citizenship through marriage, certain conditions must first be met. The condition for a foreigner married to a Turkish citizen to acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage is simple, but a foreigner married to a Turkish citizen cannot directly acquire Turkish citizenship. After the necessary conditions for citizenship applications are met, the necessary application is made, and if the Population Directorate rejects your application, it must be appealed through administrative litigation.
The legal basis for gaining Turkish citizenship through marriage is Article 16 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
*Must be married to a Turkish citizen for 3 years and this marriage must be in progress at the time of application.
*Married persons must be living in a family union.
*Marriage must not have been made for the purpose of getting citizenship.
*The person applying for citizenship must not put a danger to public order and security.
Note: The death of the Turkish Citizen spouse after the application date does not affect the application. The person’s right to acquire Turkish Citizenship continues in the same way.
2- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through investment
According to Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, persons who invest the amounts listed below, their minor children and spouse can acquire Turkish citizenship.
In the Presidential Decree No. 106 dated September 18, 2018, the following procedures and principles were determined.
*Making a fixed capital investment of USD 500.000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. The certificate of conformity for this investment must be obtained from the Ministry of Industry and Technology (Sanayi ve Teknoloji Bakanlığı).
*Purchasing real estate in the amount of USD 400.000 or equivalent foreign currency. To have an annotation not to be sold for at least three years in the title deed records. To obtain a certificate of conformity for this investment from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.(Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı)
*To create employment for 50 people. To obtain a certificate of conformity from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for this investment.(Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı)
*To deposit USD 500.000 or its equivalent in foreign currency in banks operating in Turkey, provided that the deposit is kept for at least three years. To be determined by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.(Bankacılık Düzenleme ve Denetleme Kurumu)
3- Getting Turkish Citizenship general applications
In order to getting Turkish Citizenship, it is necessary to have the general conditions according to Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Requirements for application
ARTICLE 11 –
(1) Foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship
a) Being an adult and having the power of discernment according to his/her national law or Turkish law if he/she is stateless,
b) To reside in Turkey for an uninterrupted period of five years prior to the date of application,
c) confirming by his/her behavior that he/she has decided to settle in Turkey,
ç) Not having a disease that poses a danger to general health,
d) Having good morals,
e) To speak Turkish sufficiently,
f) Have an income or occupation in Turkey that will provide a livelihood for oneself and one’s dependents,
g) Not having any condition that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
4- Getting of Turkish Citizenship by Birth
Two situations need to be examined in the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by birth: Acquisition of Turkish citizenship on the basis of paternity and acquisition of Turkish citizenship on the basis of place of birth. The details of the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by birth are regulated in Articles 6,7,8 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
1- Getting of Turkish Citizenship on the basis of paternity.
2- Getting of Turkish Citizenship on the basis of place of birth.
Citizenship by descent
Article 7 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 regulates this situation
ARTICLE 7 – (1) A child born in or outside of Turkey to a Turkish citizen mother or father within the union of marriage is a Turkish citizen.
The meaning of this article is that if a person is born in Turkey, it is not possible to acquire Turkish citizenship directly. One of the person’s parents must be of Turkish descent. The fact that one of the person’s parents is a foreigner does not prevent the acquisition of Turkish citizenship.
5- Getting of Turkish Citizenship by Place of Birth
As we have said before, birth in Turkey alone is not sufficient for the acquisition of Turkish Citizenship. According to Article 7 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, getting of citizenship is only possible if one of the parents is of Turkish descent.
However, if the child was born in Turkey and could not acquire any citizenship due to his/her parents, then the child born in Turkey will acquire Turkish Citizenship.
6- Getting of Turkish Citizenship through Adoption
A minor child adopted by a Turkish Citizen may acquire Turkish Citizenship if there is no social inconvenience.
Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship – Getting of Turkish citizenship through adoption
ARTICLE 17 – (1) A minor adopted by a Turkish citizen may acquire Turkish citizenship as of the date of the decision, provided that he/she does not have an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
7- Getting Turkish Citizenship by Residing in Turkey for a Long Time
The acquisition of Turkish Citizenship based on the condition of residence is understood as having resided in Turkey for 5 years without interruption. Persons residing in Turkey for 5 years without interruption can apply for citizenship. Having resided in Turkey for 5 years without interruption is not sufficient for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship.
What does it mean to have resided in Turkey for 5 years without interruption?
Article 15 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 addresses this issue.
Calculation of residence and periods
ARTICLE 15 – (1) “Residence for a foreigner is to reside in Turkey in accordance with Turkish law. A foreigner applying for acquisition of Turkish citizenship may reside outside Turkey for a total period not exceeding twelve months within the period of residence required for the application. The periods spent outside Turkey shall be considered within the residence periods stipulated in this Law.“
For the subsequent acquisition of Turkish Citizenship, it is necessary to have the general conditions according to Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Requirements for application.
ARTICLE 11 –
(1) Foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship
a) Being an adult and having the power of discernment according to his/her national law or Turkish law if he/she is stateless,
b) To reside in Turkey for an uninterrupted period of five years prior to the date of application,
c) confirming by his/her behavior that he/she has decided to settle in Turkey,
ç) Not having a disease that poses a danger to general health,
d) Having good morals,
e) To speak Turkish sufficiently,
f) Have an income or occupation in Turkey that will provide a livelihood for oneself and one’s dependents,
g) Not having any condition that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.
Turkish Citizenship Application Required documents
Documents required for application;
1- Application form
There are VAT1,2,3 application forms depending on the type of application. These forms must be filled in before the application.
2- Biometric photograph (2 pieces)
3- Passport showing which state you are a citizen of and a notarized sworn translation of the passport.
The notarized translation is made by our office and placed among the necessary documents. We prepare all documents for you in a complete and fast way in case you get in touch with BAltaşGlobal consultants.
4- A copy of the population registration certificate obtained from the relevant state authority.
This document is issued by the consulates of some countries and some countries are required to obtain it directly from their own countries. This document must be apostilled. After the document is obtained, it must be apostilled and then translated and notarized. The content of the document must contain information showing the date of birth, identity information, parents’ names and marital status.
5- Residence card and if the place of residence is in Turkey, a settlement certificate via e-government.
If living in Turkey, the duration of the residence card must be at least 6 months from the date of application.
6- Criminal record.
It must be apostilled and notarized.
7- Sample birth certificate taken from his/her country.
It must be apostilled and have a notarized translation.
8- Payment of the citizenship application fee.
Why Should I Apply for citizenship application with a Lawyer?
Applying for citizenship is a complex and lengthy process. Your citizenship application must be complete and supported by some documents that will justify your wishes. In citizenship applications, only preparing the necessary documents and submitting them to the administration does not ensure the acquisition of citizenship.
BaltaşGlobal lawyers follow the process of citizenship applications from the beginning to the end and provide you with information and minimize the possibility of fraud, loss of time and rejection of the citizenship application.
In your citizenship application, it will be appropriate to explain to the administration why you want to become a Turkish citizen based on documents. You need to make reasoned explanations to the administration about why you want to live in Turkey. Even if all the conditions are met, your citizenship application may be rejected in some cases, in these cases, when you make your application with a lawyer, you have the chance to continue your application by filing a cancellation lawsuit after the application.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us from the contact section. Your questions are answered confidentially and quickly.
