Turkish Citizenship

In this article, we will explain everything about Turkish Citizenship, general conditions, methods and documents required to apply for Turkish Passport and Citizenship. Let's get started then...

Turkish citizenship can be granted to a person within the conditions determined by law and can be canceled if these conditions are inadequate. According to the new regulation of the Council of Ministers dated 12-06-2022, the conditions for foreign nationals who can directly obtain Turkish citizenship have changed.

If you receive short-term residence in Turkey, you will only live as a foreigner and have limited rights and benefits compared to other citizens of that country, and your residence is temporary and if the laws of that country change, your residence may be affected. For example, Türkiye passed a law in 2020 about the inability to extend tourist stays by renting property. However, if you obtain Turkish citizenship, you will now become a Turkish citizen and enjoy all the rights and advantages like other people in that country, for example, the right to free education, free health insurance, opening accounts in different banks, work permit, permanent residence, etc.

General Conditions, Methods and Documents Required to Obtain Turkish Citizenship and Passport 2022

Turkish citizenship is subject to blood law. This means that there is no special privilege for your child to be born in Turkey, at least one parent must be a Turkish citizen in order for the child to be granted citizenship. The Turkish passport is one of the top 30 passports in the world. Turkish citizens can travel to 72 countries visa-free, and Turkish passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport in 42 countries.

General conditions for obtaining Turkish citizenship

1. Being an adult according to the law (principal applicant).
2. Not having a dangerous disease that threatens public health.
3. Not to pose a threat to national security and public order.
4. Having adequate financial conditions.

Methods of obtaining a Turkish passport

1. The Directorate of Immigration Management has determined the minimum amount for an immovable residence permit as 200,000 $ as of October 2024. In the new regulation, this limit is valid for all provinces without distinction between metropolitan and other provinces.
2. Obtaining a short-term residence permit and staying in Turkey for 5 years without interruption.
3. Buying a property worth 400,000 $ (or more expensive).
4. Deposit at least 500,000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira in a Turkish bank.
5. Obtaining a work permit and working in Turkey for 5 years without a break.
6. Establishing a company and employing 50 Turkish citizens.
7. Marrying a Turkish citizen and living together for at least 3 years.

1. Buy a house (for at least 75,000 $ in big cities and at least 50,000 $ in small cities), get a short-term residence permit and stay in Turkey for 5 uninterrupted years.

You can obtain a Turkish passport by purchasing a house in Turkey for any amount (even less than 400,000 $), getting your first short-term residence and extending your short-term residence every year for 5 consecutive years with your title deed document (residence type “Immovable”) – Total You can apply for Turkish citizenship after 5 years, provided that you do not stay outside Turkey for more than 360 days within 5 years.

2. Buy a property worth 400,000 $ or more.

One of the most common and fastest ways to get a Turkish passport is to buy a property for at least $400,000 (previously $250,000, changed in June 2022). The buyer can get their passport within 3 to 4 months of purchasing the property, and this right also extends to their spouse and children under the age of 18. You can also earn monthly income by renting the property in dollars or euros. However, you cannot get Turkish citizenship by just buying any property; for example, with a shared property title deed, you will only get short-term residence. Also, if you buy vacant land, you must undertake to develop and complete the project within 2 years.

If you want to obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property, you must meet the following conditions:

1. The value of the property or total purchased properties must be at least $400,000, and the real value of the property must be confirmed by government experts and recorded in the land registry.
2. The total amount of the purchased property must be transferred to the seller's account through the banking system.
3. The last three previous owners of the house should not be foreigners.
4. You do not have the right to sell the purchased property for 3 years.
5. There is no obligation to purchase a house. You can also buy commercial, agricultural and other properties.

3. Deposit at least 500,000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira in a Turkish bank.

According to Turkey's new law, if you invest $500,000 or equivalent in banks of this country for 3 years, you will be issued a Turkish passport. This amount can be in Dollars, Lira, Euro and other major currencies, but if you deposit the above amount only in lira, your bank interest will also accrue in Turkish lira for these 3 years.

4. Get a 5-year uninterrupted work permit and work in Turkey.

You can apply for a Turkish passport and Turkish citizenship by getting a work permit in Turkey and having 5 years of continuous employment. This is one of the most difficult ways to get Turkish citizenship, because the employer has to legally process your work and pay your insurance every month. And it is usually not easy to find such an employer. Of course, you can register your company in Turkey and get a work permit (“Work Permit”) by following the rules (hiring at least 5 Turkish employees and paying insurance premiums) and after 5 years you can become a Turkish citizen.

5. Establishing a company and employing 50 Turkish citizens.

If you have a private business or want to start a new business, you can get Turkish citizenship this way. Of course, with a very important condition; you need to employ 50 Turkish workers and pay insurance premiums.

6. Marrying a Turkish citizen and living together for at least 3 years.

Marrying a Turkish citizen can also get you a Turkish passport. Of course, at least 3 years must have passed since the marriage and most importantly, this marriage must be real. Otherwise, it can even lead to imprisonment for both parties. After the marriage and registration, the Turkish Population and Citizenship Department conducts an investigation on this matter. Another condition is that the Turkish citizen has a clean record in the Turkish security organization.

Documents required to obtain Turkish citizenship (investor, spouse and children under 18 years of age)

1. The original and translation of the passports of all family members, approved by the Turkish Notary or Consulate, are required.
2. Translation of members' identity cards with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the Turkish Consulate.
3. Original marriage certificates of the investor and his/her spouse with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the Turkish Consulate.
4. Family registration documents and their translation showing all family members and relatives with the approval of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Consulate.
5. The original and photocopy of the person's short-term residence permit card (if there is an "ID" card).
6. Four biometric photographs for each person.
7. Documents showing the investor's income status.
8. A contract with a lawyer to complete the process of obtaining Turkish citizenship.
9. Receipt for payment of all necessary expenses.
10. New name and surname (people can choose a new name and surname if they wish).

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