Methods and conditions for acquiring Turkish citizenship

Turkish citizenship can be acquired in two ways: by birth or by subsequent acquisition (acquired).

A. TURKISH CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED BY BIRTH:
Turkish citizenship acquired by birth is automatically assigned on the basis of descent (birth).

B. CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED AFTER BIRTH:
Turkish citizenship can be acquired after birth through a decision of a competent authority, adoption or exercise of choice.

B1. BASED ON THE DECISION OF THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY:
A foreigner who has acquired Turkish citizenship based on a decision of the competent authority acquires citizenship from the date of this decision. A person who has acquired Turkish citizenship is, from that moment, obliged to comply with the rights and obligations applicable to Turkish citizens.

The acquisition of Turkish citizenship based on a decision of the competent authority is carried out in the following ways:

1. General procedure for acquiring Turkish citizenship (naturalization). This method includes citizenship based on continuous residence for more than 5 years on the basis of a residence permit under TAPU (real estate) or official work on the basis of a work permit.
2. Exclusive procedure for acquiring Turkish citizenship (based on investment).
3. Restoration of Turkish citizenship.
4. Acquiring Turkish citizenship through marriage to a Turkish citizen (You can apply for citizenship after 3 years of official marriage).

General procedure for acquiring Turkish citizenship (on a general basis):
Acquisition of citizenship in a general manner through a decision of the competent authority is possible only if the foreign citizen at the time of filing the application meets the conditions provided for in Article 11 of the Citizenship Law. However, fulfilling all these conditions does not guarantee automatic granting of citizenship, since the decision in this matter remains at the discretion of the competent authority.

One ​​of the key conditions for acquiring citizenship in the general manner provided for by the Law is the fact of continuous residence of the applicant in Turkey for 5 years. This five-year residence requirement must be met strictly in accordance with the law. The specified period of residence can be confirmed by the presence of a residence permit based on real estate ownership, a family residence permit or a work permit. Over a 5-year period, the applicant may be absent for no more than 365 days, while in a calendar year the maximum permissible absence is no more than 6 months continuously.

Required documents for application:

1. Form VAT-3/VAT-6 (depending on the basis for filing).
2. Passport or similar document confirming the citizenship of the person submitting the application.
3. Valid Residence permit/work permit.
4. Birth certificateof the applicant(s).
5. Documents confirmingmarital status, changes in personal data, etc.(depending on the applicant’s situation).
6. Certificate of good conduct.
7. Document confirming income, an extract from SGK or a statement from the guarantor, as well as documents confirming the income of the guarantor.
8. 4 biometric photos.
9. Receipt for payment of state duty.

Documents must be legalized according to the standard (apostille/consular legalization), and also translated through a sworn translator and notarized in Turkey . The list of documents may change depending on the marital status or other circumstances of the applicant, as well as due to changes in legal requirements.

For more detailed and up-to-date information on the conditions affecting the decision of the competent authority and other requirements stipulated by the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Nationality Law, please contact our immigration lawyers.