1. Introduction
“What are the requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship?” is one of the most frequent questions asked by foreigners who live, work, invest or marry in Türkiye. Turkish nationality law is mainly regulated by Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its implementing Regulation, supported by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 and various Presidential decisions.Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri+1
This article provides a detailed, practitioner-level overview of the legal conditions for obtaining Turkish citizenship, focusing on:
- Ordinary naturalization (general acquisition by decision of the competent authority)
- Citizenship by marriage to a Turkish citizen
- Citizenship by investment and other exceptional acquisition routes
- Citizenship by adoption
- Restoration of Turkish citizenship after loss
- Key procedural steps, documents, and practical pitfalls
The text is written in English but based on Turkish law, designed for SEO with core phrases such as “requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship”, “conditions for Turkish citizenship in Turkey”, and “how to get Turkish citizenship by investment / marriage / long-term residence”. It is informational and does not constitute individual legal advice.
2. Legal Framework and Basic Principles
The main legal instruments are:
- Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 – the primary statute defining acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship.Refworld
- Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law – details procedures, documents and investment thresholds for exceptional citizenship.Türkiye Yatırım Ofisi+1
- Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 – regulates residence permits, which are closely linked to naturalization and investment routes.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+1
Core principles of Turkish nationality law include:
- Primarily jus sanguinis (by descent) – A child of a Turkish mother or father is generally a Turkish citizen, regardless of place of birth.Vikipedi+1
- Limited jus soli (by birth on territory) – A child born in Türkiye who would otherwise be stateless may acquire Turkish citizenship.Vikipedi+1
- Possibility of dual/multiple citizenship – Turkish law does not generally prohibit dual citizenship; however, citizens are required to notify Turkish authorities when they voluntarily acquire another nationality.Vikipedi+1
- Public order and national security – Almost every route to citizenship includes a condition that the applicant must not pose a threat to public order or national security.Güneş Güneş+1
This article focuses on acquisition after birth (naturalization and similar routes), which is what “geçiş şartları” typically refers to in practice.
3. Main Routes for Acquiring Turkish Citizenship After Birth
Under Law No. 5901, the key routes for acquiring citizenship after birth are:Refworld
- General acquisition by decision of the competent authority (ordinary naturalization)
- Acquisition by marriage to a Turkish citizen
- Exceptional acquisition, including citizenship by investment
- Acquisition by adoption
- Restoration (re-acquisition) of Turkish citizenship
Each route has its own set of conditions, procedures and evidentiary requirements. Meeting the conditions does not guarantee a positive decision in all cases; the state retains discretionary power in most routes.
4. General Acquisition by Decision of the Competent Authority
(Ordinary Naturalization – Article 11 TCL)
4.1. Who uses this route?
The general naturalization route is typically used by foreigners who:
- Have lived in Türkiye for a sufficiently long and lawful period,
- Intend to settle and integrate in the country, and
- Do not qualify for exceptional (investment-based) or marriage-based citizenship.
4.2. Legal conditions
Article 11 of Law No. 5901 sets out the core conditions for a foreigner to apply for Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority. In summary and simplified form, these are:Güneş Güneş+1
- Being an adult and having legal capacity under the applicant’s own national law (or under Turkish law if stateless).
- Residing in Türkiye for at least five years without significant interruption, immediately before the application.
- Demonstrating the intention to settle in Türkiye.
- Showing good morals / good character.
- Not suffering from a disease that poses a danger to public health.
- Having sufficient command of the Turkish language.
- Having income or a profession ensuring the applicant can support themselves and their dependants in Türkiye.
- Not being a threat to national security or public order.
These are statutory conditions; the Ministry of Interior conducts a holistic assessment, including security checks and document verification.
4.3. Continuous residence requirement
The five-year residence requirement is not merely “being in Türkiye”; it is defined as lawful residence on the basis of appropriate residence permits, with limited permissible absences.BM İnsan Hakları Komiserliği+1
Key points:
- The applicant must hold valid residence permits (e.g. short-term, family, work, long-term).
- Long absences can break “continuous” residence. Short trips abroad are usually tolerated up to a cumulative ceiling (specific assessment depends on practice and interpretation).
- Time spent only on tourist residence permits or as an accompanying parent of a student may have limited or no value for citizenship purposes, depending on the circumstances.Real East+1
Because residence continuity is often the most problematic condition, applicants should keep all residence cards, entry-exit records, work permits and address registration documents carefully.
4.4. Intention to settle in Türkiye
Law and practice look for objective indicators that the person genuinely intends to live permanently in Türkiye, such as:Güneş Güneş+1
- Stable and long-term residence
- Owning or renting a residential property
- Having a long-term employment contract or running a business
- Having close family members legally residing in Türkiye
- Children attending schools in Türkiye
There is no automatic formula, but weak economic or social ties may undermine the application.
4.5. Good morals and public order
Authorities consider whether the applicant:
- Has criminal convictions (particularly serious offences),
- Has been involved in terrorism, organized crime or similar activities,
- Has complied with migration laws (no overstays, no fake documents),
- Has generally respected Turkish laws and social norms.Güneş Güneş+1
A criminal record does not automatically bar citizenship in every case, but serious convictions or ongoing investigations can lead to rejection.
4.6. Turkish language requirement
Applicants must show sufficient Turkish language ability – typically at a level enabling daily communication.Güneş Güneş+1
In practice this may be assessed by:
- An informal interview at the governor’s office or citizenship commission,
- Evidence of Turkish language courses or a certificate,
- The applicant’s ability to answer basic questions about personal background, work, and life in Türkiye.
4.7. Income and profession
The applicant must demonstrate secure and lawful income, for example:
- Employment contract and salary statements,
- Tax returns and company documents for business owners,
- Rental income, bank statements or other documented funds.BM İnsan Hakları Komiserliği
The standard is not defined numerically in the law; the key is whether the person and their dependants are unlikely to become a burden on the social assistance system.
5. Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Marriage
5.1. Marriage does not automatically grant citizenship
Contrary to a common misconception, marriage to a Turkish citizen does not grant citizenship automatically. It only opens the way to apply under Article 16 of Law No. 5901.Viridis Legal Partners+1
5.2. Legal conditions
A foreign spouse may apply for Turkish citizenship if:Viridis Legal Partners+1
- They have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years,
- The marriage still continues at the time of the decision,
- The couple lives (or has lived) in genuine family unity,
- The foreign spouse has not engaged in activities incompatible with marriage,
- The applicant does not pose a threat to national security or public order.
If the Turkish spouse dies after the application is submitted, the law allows the foreign spouse to continue the process, provided the marriage was genuine.Viridis Legal Partners
5.3. Indicators of “family unity”
Authorities will typically examine:
- Cohabitation (same registered address),
- Presence of children,
- Shared financial responsibilities,
- Absence of sham-marriage indicators (e.g. no common language, no shared life).
Fraudulent or sham marriages may not only lead to rejection of citizenship, but can also cause criminal or administrative consequences.
6. Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Adoption
Article 17 of Law No. 5901 provides a simplified path for minors adopted by Turkish citizens.Istanbul University Press+1
Conditions include:
- The adoptee must be under 18 at the time of the citizenship decision,
- The adoption must be legally valid under the relevant laws,
- There must be no threat to national security or public order.
Citizenship acquired through adoption does not retroactively change the child’s birth citizenship; instead, the child becomes a dual or multiple citizen if the other state also allows it.
7. Exceptional Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship
Exceptional routes are regulated mainly by Article 12 of Law No. 5901 and Article 20 of the Implementing Regulation.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+2pslhukuk.com+2
7.1. General exceptional categories
The law allows the President (formerly the Council of Ministers) to grant citizenship, upon proposal of the Ministry of Interior and relevant ministries, to foreigners who:Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+2Real East+2
- Have made or are expected to make significant contributions to Türkiye in scientific, technological, economic, social, cultural or sports fields,
- Are considered necessary to be granted citizenship due to certain reasons,
- Are recognized as refugees under specific conditions,
- Hold a Turquoise Card (a special status for highly qualified foreigners) together with their spouse and minor dependants.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı
In all cases, the person must not be a threat to national security or public order.
7.2. Citizenship by investment (jus doni)
The most publicly known exceptional route is citizenship by investment, often referred to as “golden passport” or “citizenship by investment in Turkey”. This is grounded in Article 12 TCL and Article 20 of the Regulation.Vikipedi+3Türkiye Yatırım Ofisi+3Konyada Yatırım+3
At the time of writing, a foreigner may become eligible for exceptional Turkish citizenship if they fulfil at least one of the following investment conditions and maintain them for the required period (usually a minimum of three years):
- Real estate investment
- Purchasing one or more properties in Türkiye with a total value of at least USD 400,000 (or equivalent foreign currency/TL).
- Annotating the title deed (or notarized promise of sale) with a restriction not to sell the property for at least three years.
- The value must be certified by a licensed valuation report and confirmed by the Land Registry.Türkiye Yatırım Ofisi+2betalawoffice.com+2
- Fixed capital investment
- Making a minimum fixed capital investment of USD 500,000 (or equivalent) confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.Vikipedi+1
- Job creation
- Creating employment for at least 50 employees, certified by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+1
- Bank deposit
- Depositing at least USD 500,000 (or equivalent) in a bank operating in Türkiye, with a condition not to withdraw for at least three years, confirmed by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK).Vikipedi+1
- Government bonds
- Purchasing government debt instruments worth at least USD 500,000 (or equivalent) with a three-year non-sale condition, confirmed by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.Konyada Yatırım+1
- Real estate or venture capital investment funds
- Buying at least USD 500,000 worth of real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares, with a three-year non-sale commitment, confirmed by the Capital Markets Board.Konyada Yatırım+2betalawoffice.com+2
Important points about citizenship by investment:
- The applicant must first obtain a special short-term residence permit under Article 31/1-j of Law No. 6458 or hold a Turquoise Card.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+1
- The applicant’s spouse and minor or dependent children may also acquire citizenship as dependants, provided there is no security/public order obstacle.Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı+1
- In practice, the process involves coordination between banks, valuation experts, land registry offices, and multiple ministries, plus a security investigation by the Ministry of Interior.
Because investment amounts and technical details can change by Presidential decisions, potential investors should always check the latest thresholds and sector-specific rules before making any financial commitment.
8. Restoration (Re-Acquisition) of Turkish Citizenship
Law No. 5901 allows certain former Turkish citizens to re-acquire citizenship, either with or without a residence requirement, depending on the reason for loss.Real East+1
8.1. Restoration without residence requirement
Those who lost citizenship by permission to renounce (for example, to acquire another nationality) may re-acquire Turkish citizenship without any residence requirement, if they are not considered harmful to national security or public order.Real East+1
Similarly, some categories of children of such persons may be eligible.
8.2. Restoration with residence requirement
Persons whose citizenship was revoked under certain sanctions (such as evasion of military service or activities against state security) may, in limited circumstances, be able to re-acquire citizenship if they reside continuously in Türkiye for a specified period and if competent authorities approve.Real East+1
9. Procedure for Applying for Turkish Citizenship
9.1. Competent authorities
Applications for Turkish citizenship are generally submitted to:BM İnsan Hakları Komiserliği+1
- Provincial governorates (population and citizenship directorates) in Türkiye, or
- Turkish consulates abroad if the applicant resides outside Türkiye.
The file is then forwarded through the Ministry of Interior to the Presidency, where the final decision is made (for ordinary and exceptional naturalization).
9.2. Typical documents
While documents vary by route, common requirements include:BM İnsan Hakları Komiserliği+1
- Application form and request petition
- Passport and identity documents
- Birth certificate and civil status records
- Residence permits and proof of address registration
- Criminal record certificates from Türkiye and the country of nationality
- Health report (for public-health-risk assessment)
- Proof of income, employment or business ownership
- Marriage certificate and spouse’s Turkish ID (for marriage-based applications)
- Investment confirmation letters and valuation reports (for investment-based applications)
All foreign documents usually need apostille or consular legalization and sworn translations into Turkish.
9.3. Security investigation and commissions
For most routes, a security and background investigation is conducted. A local citizenship commission may interview the applicant, especially for general naturalization and marriage-based applications, to verify:
- Residence continuity,
- Language skills,
- Family life (for marriage route),
- Economic situation and integration.Güneş Güneş+1
9.4. Duration of the process
The law does not guarantee a fixed timeframe. In practice, processing times can vary significantly depending on:
- Route (general naturalization vs investment vs marriage),
- Completeness and quality of documentation,
- Complexity of security checks,
- Workload of authorities.
Applicants should be prepared for a multi-month process, and sometimes longer, especially where additional documents or clarifications are requested.
10. Rights, Obligations and Dual Citizenship Considerations
10.1. Rights and obligations after acquisition
A person who acquires Turkish citizenship enjoys, in principle, the same rights and obligations as other Turkish citizens, including:Vikipedi+1
- The right to reside and work freely in Türkiye,
- The right to vote and be elected (subject to specific conditions),
- Access to public services, social security, education and health systems,
- Military service obligations for male citizens (subject to age and other factors),
- Tax obligations under Turkish law.
10.2. Dual citizenship
Turkey allows multiple citizenship, but citizens who voluntarily acquire another nationality are expected to:Vikipedi+1
- Notify the nearest Turkish consulate or population directorate,
- Provide a copy of the new nationality certificate and identity documents.
Whether the other state allows dual citizenship is a separate question governed by that country’s law. Applicants should always check both jurisdictions’ rules before changing citizenship.
10.3. Loss of Turkish citizenship
Law No. 5901 regulates loss, renunciation and deprivation of citizenship in detail, usually requiring a presidential decision and based on specific grounds, such as:Refworld+1
- Permission to renounce citizenship (often to obtain another nationality),
- Activities seriously harmful to national security (subject to legal safeguards),
- Failure to fulfil military obligations in some historical contexts (now subject to updated practice).
These issues are complex and often require individual legal advice.
11. Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls
When considering the requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship, applicants should pay close attention to the following practical points:
- Plan residence strategy early
- If you intend to apply for general naturalization, choose residence permit types that are aligned with settlement (work, family, long-term residence) rather than purely touristic stays.Real East+1
- Avoid long, unexplained absences
- Long stays abroad may break continuous residence. Keep records and justifications (e.g. medical treatment, mandatory work dispatch).
- Keep your address and civil records updated
- Register your address properly; inform authorities of changes. Inconsistent address records can create doubts about your intention to settle.BM İnsan Hakları Komiserliği
- Maintain clean migration and criminal records
- Avoid overstays, illegal work, or unregistered employment.
- Disclose criminal records honestly; authorities will obtain their own intelligence in any case.Güneş Güneş+1
- For marriage-based applications: keep evidence of real family life
- Joint bank accounts, rental contracts, photos, travel and daily life evidence can be relevant. Sham marriages can lead to serious consequences.Viridis Legal Partners+1
- For investment-based routes: do not rely solely on real estate agents
- Ensure that:
- Valuation reports are compliant,
- The title deed annotation (3-year no-sale) is correctly placed,
- Funds come through properly documented banking channels,
- You use reliable legal and financial advisers familiar with the citizenship regulations.Türkiye Yatırım Ofisi+2Konyada Yatırım+2
- Ensure that:
- Understand that eligibility ≠ automatic right
- Even when all statutory conditions are fulfilled, Turkish authorities maintain a degree of discretion—especially regarding security and public-order assessments.Güneş Güneş+1
12. SEO-Friendly FAQ on Turkish Citizenship Requirements
Q1. How many years do I need to live in Turkey to get citizenship?
Generally, you must have resided legally in Türkiye for at least five years without significant interruption immediately before applying under the general naturalization route, and meet the other conditions (language, income, good morals, etc.).Güneş Güneş+1
Q2. Can I get Turkish citizenship by buying a house?
Yes, through citizenship by investment, you may qualify if you purchase real estate in Türkiye worth at least USD 400,000 (or equivalent), with an annotation that the property will not be sold for at least three years, plus other formalities.Türkiye Yatırım Ofisi+2Vikipedi+2
Q3. Does marrying a Turkish citizen automatically make me Turkish?
No. Marriage does not automatically grant citizenship. You may apply after at least three years of marriage and must show a genuine family union and compliance with public-order conditions.Viridis Legal Partners+1
Q4. Is dual citizenship allowed in Turkey?
Turkey generally allows dual or multiple citizenship, although certain procedural notifications are required. Whether you can keep your original nationality depends on that country’s law.Vikipedi+1
Q5. Can a child adopted by a Turkish citizen get Turkish citizenship?
Yes, a foreign child under 18 adopted by a Turkish citizen can acquire Turkish citizenship, provided there is no obstacle related to national security or public order.Istanbul University Press+1
Q6. I used to be a Turkish citizen but gave it up. Can I get it back?
In many cases, yes. If you renounced Turkish citizenship by permission, you may re-acquire it without a residence requirement, subject to national-security review. Other categories may need to reside in Türkiye for a certain time.Real East+1
13. Conclusion
The requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship differ significantly depending on whether you apply through general naturalization, marriage, investment, adoption or restoration. Law No. 5901 and its Regulation provide a relatively detailed framework, but much depends on administrative practice, documentation quality, and individual circumstances.
For foreigners planning to build their future in Türkiye, early strategic planning—regarding residence permits, investments, family status and compliance with local law—is crucial. Because each case can raise complex questions (security checks, tax implications, dual citizenship, military obligations, etc.), obtaining tailored legal advice from a Turkish lawyer experienced in citizenship and foreigners law is strongly recommended before making major decisions or investments.
Yanıt yok