First steps after acquiring Turkish citizenship: what you need to know
Obtaining Turkish citizenship is an important step, followed by a number of mandatory administrative actions. Many new Turkish citizens are faced with the question: what steps should they take first to update their data correctly and avoid problems in the future? Below are detailed instructions.
1. Obtain an ID card (Kimlik Kartı) and a passport, register an address (Adres Kayıt)
After obtaining citizenship, you must first submit an application to Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (Population and Citizenship Affairs Office) for a Turkish identity card - Kimlik Kartı. It is this document that confirms your status as a Turkish citizen and is used when applying to government agencies, banks, medical institutions and other organizations. Read more about kimlik and the procedure for obtaining it in the article Kimlik and ikamet in Turkey.
Simultaneously with the registration of the kimlik, the residential address (Adres Kayıt) is registered and an application for a foreign passport is submitted.
2. Create an account in e-Devlet
After receiving Kimlik, one of the most important steps is to connect to the e-Devlet system - the electronic government of Turkey. This portal greatly simplifies your interaction with the government: through it you can check tax information, data on real estate, insurance, place of registration, and also receive official certificates without visiting government agencies.
The password for access is issued at the PTT branch upon presentation of your ID. For a more detailed description of how the system works and what capabilities it provides, read the article e-Devlet - electronic government of Turkey.
3. Update tax number (Vergi Numarası)
- After obtaining citizenship, the old Vergi Numarası is automatically replaced with a new one, which may match the number of the Turkish citizen. You can check this in e-Devlet.
4. If you have a Turkish license registered as a foreign citizen, then within 45 days you must replace your driver's license at Nüfus Müdürlüğü.
You must provide:
- Valid driver's license
- Medical certificate
- Photo
- Receipt for payment of state duty
5. Renew subscriptions for utilities(electricity, water, gas, internet)
- If you have already been issued subscriptions as a foreigner, the electric grid company (CK Akdeniz Enerji, BEDAŞ, AYEDAŞ, etc.), the water supply organization (ASAT. İSKİ, ASKİ, etc.) and the gas company must update the information by providing Kimlik and the foreign passport of the foreign citizen.
6. Do I need to change ownership (Tapu)?
- If you already have a property, changing ownership in Tapu Müdürlüğü is not required. But you can update the information in Tapu ve Kadastro Müdürlüğü so that the property is registered on T.C. Kimlik Numarası instead of the old foreign number, and was also displayed in the e-devlet account.
- If you buy real estate after obtaining citizenship, the process is standard - registration with Tapu Müdürlüğü.
7. Register with SGK (social insurance and medicine)
- It is necessary to register with Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK) and obtain compulsory state health insurance GENEL SAĞLIK SİGORTASI (GSS), if there is an official job and the insurance is paid by the company, then the company accountant must update the data in SGK.
8. Update data in banks
- If you have accounts in Turkish banks, you must update your information to indicate Kimlik instead of your old foreigner status by presenting a foreign passport.
9. Notify the consulate of your country(if required)
- If your country does not allow dual citizenship, you may have to renounce your previous citizenship.
It is also important that if, when acquiring Turkish citizenship, you changed your first and/or last name to Turkish, some government agencies will require you to present a certificate confirming this fact. This certificate (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği) can be requested from the Nüfus Müdürlüğü of your city.
The process may seem complicated, especially due to the language barrier, but our experienced attorneys will ensure that your new Turkish citizen update process is fast, stress-free, and stress-free.
