Exceptional Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

1. Overview and Purpose of Article 12

Turkish citizenship law recognises that some foreigners contribute to the Republic of Türkiye in such a significant way that they should not be bound by the standard naturalisation path with long residence periods and integration requirements. For those cases, Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 creates a special mechanism called “exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship”.

Under this mechanism, certain categories of foreigners can obtain Turkish citizenship directly by decision of the President, provided that they:

• Fall within one of the exceptional categories listed in the law and its implementing regulation, and
• Do not pose any threat to national security or public order.

In practice, Article 12 is the legal backbone of what is widely known as “Turkish citizenship by investment”, but it also covers many non-investor profiles such as high-level scientists, artists, athletes and Turquoise Card holders.

This article explains, in clear and practical legal language:

• The legal basis of exceptional citizenship
• Who can apply under Article 12
• The main investment and non-investment categories
• The procedure, documents and authorities involved
• Key risks, red flags and grounds for refusal or revocation
• How Article 12 differs from general naturalisation

All explanations are kept general and informative; individual cases always require tailored legal advice.

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2. Legal Basis of Exceptional Turkish Citizenship

2.1. Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 – Article 12

The main statutory source is Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship. Article 12 regulates exceptional naturalisation and gives the State the power to grant citizenship by individual decision in cases considered to be in the national interest.

Article 12 can be summarised as follows (in essence, not as a translation):

• Certain foreigners may be admitted to Turkish citizenship by a decision of the President, even if they do not fulfil all the usual conditions of general naturalisation.
• The applicant must not be in a situation that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security or public order.
• Categories are further detailed in the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, especially in the provisions relating to exceptional citizenship and investment.

The important point is that Article 12 does not create a subjective right to citizenship. Even if a foreigner fulfils the objective criteria, the State retains a wide margin of discretion.

2.2. Connection with Other Laws and Regulations

Article 12 must be read together with:

• The Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, which specifies thresholds and procedures for investment-based citizenship and other exceptional routes.
• The Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, particularly provisions on short-term residence permits for investors and on the Turquoise Card.
• Sectoral legislation (banking, capital markets, real estate, labour law) that becomes relevant depending on the chosen route.

These instruments together form the legal architecture of exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship.

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3. Categories Covered by Article 12

Article 12 does not apply to every foreigner; it is limited to specific profiles. In practice, they can be grouped as follows:

1. Persons considered to provide outstanding services or contributions to Turkey
2. Investors and Turquoise Card holders (and their families)
3. Persons whose naturalisation is deemed necessary for public interest or similar reasons
4. Persons recognised as immigrants, according to migration policy

All of these categories are subject to the same overarching condition: no national security or public order obstacle.

3.1. Persons Providing or Capable of Providing Outstanding Services

The first group consists of foreigners who, by their qualifications, skills or activities, bring substantial benefits to Turkey in areas such as:

• Science and technology
• Economy and industry
• Social and humanitarian work
• Sports
• Culture and arts

Typical examples include internationally recognised scientists, inventors, top-level executives, athletes competing for Turkish clubs or national teams, and artists who promote Türkiye globally.

In these cases, the relevant ministry or public institution (for example, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Culture, or Ministry of Youth and Sports) usually prepares a reasoned proposal and forwards it to the Ministry of Interior. The final discretion still lies with the President of the Republic.

3.2. Investors and Turquoise Card Holders

The second group is the most visible in practice: foreign investors and holders of the Turquoise Card.

This category covers:

• Foreigners who obtain a short-term residence permit based on investment (for example, a significant real estate purchase, capital investment, or bank deposit), and
• Foreigners who hold a Turquoise Card, together with their spouses and dependent children.

The details (investment amounts, forms of investment, duration of holding, documentation) are regulated primarily in the Implementing Regulation. This is the legal basis of Turkish citizenship by investment, discussed in detail below.

3.3. Persons Whose Naturalisation is Deemed Necessary

A third group consists of individuals whose acquisition of Turkish citizenship is considered necessary for reasons such as:

• Public benefit
• Project-based needs
• Strategic state interests
• Diplomatic or security considerations

These cases often arise from state-level decisions rather than from individual applications initiated by the foreigner. The legal basis is Article 12, but the justification is usually rooted in sensitive policy considerations.

3.4. Persons Recognised as Immigrants

Finally, certain foreigners who are accepted as “immigrants” under Turkish migration policy can be naturalised exceptionally. This may cover groups with special ties to Turkey, for example communities of Turkish origin or culturally close populations, depending on the policy of the time.

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4. Exceptional Citizenship Through Investment

Although Article 12 is broader than investment, the so-called “citizenship by investment” model is the most commonly known and used. It is essentially a sub-category of exceptional citizenship.

4.1. Structure of the Investment Route

The investment route can be broken down into three layers:

1. Investment: The foreigner makes an investment of a type and amount defined in secondary legislation.
2. Residence permit: On the basis of that investment, the foreigner obtains a short-term residence permit specifically tailored to investors.
3. Citizenship: After the investment is certified and residence is obtained, the foreigner applies for exceptional citizenship under Article 12.

Citizenship is granted by Presidential decision, not automatically.

4.2. Main Investment Types (General Overview)

While exact amounts and technical details may change over time by Presidential decision or regulatory amendment, the core investment types generally include:

• Real estate investment: Purchasing one or more properties of at least a minimum official value and committing not to sell them for a defined period (commonly three years).
• Fixed capital investment: Investing an amount above a certain threshold in fixed assets of a Turkish company (for example, industrial facilities, production lines, machinery).
• Job creation: Establishing or expanding a business that employs a specific minimum number of Turkish citizens on a continuous basis.
• Bank deposit: Depositing a defined amount in a Turkish bank and undertaking not to withdraw below that level for a certain period.
• Government debt instruments: Purchasing government bonds or similar instruments and committing to hold them for an agreed time.
• Investment funds: Acquiring units of real estate investment funds or venture capital funds in a minimum amount and holding them over a set period.

Each category is monitored by a different competent authority (for example, Ministry of Environment, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, Capital Markets Board) which issues a certificate of conformity confirming that the investor meets the legal criteria.

The applicant then uses this certificate as a key document in the citizenship file.

4.3. Family Members Covered by the Investment

One of the main advantages of citizenship by investment under Article 12 is that it can cover the nuclear family of the main investor:

• The spouse of the investor
• Children under the age of 18
• In certain situations, adult children who are legally dependent due to disability

Adult children who are economically independent, or parents of the main applicant, generally cannot be included in the same citizenship file and may require separate residence or citizenship strategies.

4.4. Typical Steps in the Investment-Based Citizenship Process

Although individual cases differ, the process often follows this pattern:

1. Legal and financial planning
   • Choosing the investment route (real estate, bank deposit, capital investment, etc.)
   • Analysing tax consequences, inheritance issues and exit strategies
   • Identifying whether there are any national security or compliance concerns
2. Implementation of the investment
   • For real estate: title deed checks, valuation reports, zoning status, mortgage and encumbrance search, signing of purchase or preliminary sales contracts, registration of restrictions (such as no-sale annotations).
   • For financial investments: opening bank or brokerage accounts, transferring funds from the applicant’s own account, purchasing the relevant instruments, and signing blocking undertakings.
3. Certificate of conformity
   • Applying to the competent authority with all evidence of the investment, including valuation reports, bank receipts, trade registry documents, employment lists or fund participation statements.
   • Obtaining the official certificate confirming that the investment meets the thresholds and conditions for the citizenship programme.
4. Short-term residence permit for investors
   • Filing a residence application for the investor and, where possible, family members, based on the investment certificate.
   • Collecting biometric data and submitting required documents (passport, photos, insurance, address information, etc.).
5. Citizenship application under Article 12
   • Submitting the citizenship file to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship.
   • Enclosing the certificate of conformity, residence permit, and all supporting documentation.
   • The file is then transferred to the Ministry of Interior and finally to the Presidency.
6. Security and background checks
   • Relevant institutions examine whether the applicant poses any threat to national security or public order.
   • International watch lists, criminal record databases and other security sources may be consulted.
7. Presidential decision and registration
   • If no obstacle is found and the conditions are accepted as fulfilled, the President signs the decision to grant citizenship.
   • The decision is registered and the new citizen becomes entitled to obtain Turkish ID cards and passports.

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5. Non-Investment Exceptional Citizenship

Article 12 also applies in several non-investment contexts.

5.1. Outstanding Achievements and Contributions

Foreigners with exceptional abilities or achievements may be considered for citizenship even without an investment:

• A scientist who leads a strategic research project in Türkiye
• An artist whose work significantly promotes Turkish culture
• An athlete who competes at international level under Turkish flag
• A high-level manager or expert whose skills are vital to a major national project

In such cases, the process usually starts with a proposal from the relevant ministry or public institution, explaining why this person’s naturalisation is in the national interest.

The application still needs to pass security checks, and the final decision is again at the discretion of the President.

5.2. Turquoise Card Holders

The Turquoise Card system is designed for foreigners with high qualifications or whose presence in Türkiye is deemed valuable for economic development, technological progress or employment.

Turquoise Card holders may, under certain conditions, apply for Turkish citizenship under Article 12, together with:

• Their foreign spouses
• Their minor or dependent children

The idea is that after a period of successful integration and contribution, they should have a facilitated route to full citizenship, rather than needing to meet all the rigid criteria of general naturalisation.

5.3. Cases Deemed Necessary for Public Interest

Sometimes, geopolitical or economic considerations make it strategically desirable for the Republic of Türkiye to naturalise a particular individual or group quickly. Examples might include:

• Key figures involved in a national infrastructure project
• Individuals whose naturalisation supports diplomatic relations or security cooperation
• Persons in a vulnerable situation where Turkish citizenship offers essential protection and aligns with Turkey’s international commitments

These cases are typically exceptional in the strictest sense and remain largely within the internal discretion of the State.

5.4. Immigrants within the Meaning of Migration Policy

Certain categories of foreigners who are recognised as immigrants in the framework of Turkish migration policy may also be granted citizenship under Article 12, especially where there are historical, cultural or ethnic ties. The legal basis comes partly from Article 12 and partly from specific migration regulations and policy documents.

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6. Conditions and Grounds for Refusal

6.1. National Security and Public Order

The central substantive condition in Article 12 is that the applicant must not be considered a threat to national security or public order. This covers a wide range of possible issues, including:

• Links to terrorism or organised crime
• Involvement in activities against the constitutional order
• Serious financial crimes, money laundering or sanctions violations
• Persistent behaviour incompatible with public morality or public safety

Even a large investment cannot “cure” a security objection. The State always retains the right to refuse citizenship on this ground.

6.2. Use of False or Misleading Information

If an applicant:

• Submits forged or altered documents
• Hides relevant information (such as criminal history or sanctions)
• Provides misleading data about the source of funds or the nature of the investment

the application may be rejected, and citizenship granted on that basis can later be revoked. In some cases, criminal liability may also arise.

6.3. Non-Compliance with Investment Rules

For investment-based applications, non-compliance with the detailed financial rules is also a ground for refusal, for example:

• Payment of the purchase price in cash without bank trace where banking is required
• Artificial inflation of a property’s value in the valuation report
• Use of circular transactions where money appears to move but in reality returns to the same person
• Early withdrawal of blocked deposits or sale of properties before expiry of the mandatory holding period

Authorities have gradually tightened controls on these aspects and require clear, auditable documentation for each step.

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7. Documentation and Practical Requirements

Although the exact list of documents varies by category and competent authority, several items recur in almost every Article 12 file.

7.1. Personal Documentation

Typical personal documents include:

• Valid passport or travel document of the applicant
• Birth certificate and, where applicable, marriage certificate
• Documents proving civil status (single, married, divorced, widowed)
• Criminal record certificates from the country of nationality and, if different, the country of residence
• Biometric photographs complying with Turkish standards
• Address documentation and proof of residence in Türkiye where relevant

Foreign documents almost always require apostille (or consular legalisation) and sworn translation into Turkish.

7.2. Investment Documentation

For investment cases, additional sets of documents are needed:

• For real estate:
  • Title deed or notarial preliminary sales contract
  • Official valuation report prepared by a licensed valuation company
  • Bank receipts showing transfer of the purchase price from the applicant to the seller
  • Documents confirming no-sale annotation for the required period
• For capital investment or company participation:
  • Trade registry records of the company
  • Share transfer agreements or capital increase documents
  • Bank receipts showing capital injection
  • Confirmation from the relevant ministry regarding the amount and nature of the investment
• For bank deposits or financial instruments:
  • Bank statements and deposit contracts
  • Blocking or pledge undertakings signed with the bank
  • Confirmation letters from the bank or regulatory authority indicating compliance with the threshold and blocking period.

All of these documents ultimately support the issuance of the certificate of conformity, which is a cornerstone of the file.

7.3. Forms and Declarations

Authorities also require several forms and declarations, for example:

• Citizenship application forms containing personal data and family information
• Declarations that the applicant accepts the accuracy of all information and documents
• Consent forms allowing background and security checks
• Specimen signatures and similar administrative forms

Completing these correctly and consistently is important for avoiding delays.

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8. Duration and Progress of Proceedings

There is no statutory deadline by which an Article 12 application must be concluded. The duration of the process depends on many variables:

• Type of investment and complexity of the documentation
• How quickly the applicant collects and legalises foreign documents
• The workload of the institutions involved
• Security and background check results

In practice, once the investment is completed and documentation is in order, many applications are concluded within a period that can be described as months rather than years. However, there is no legal guarantee, and applicants should be prepared for possible extensions, especially if additional documents are requested or if security checks take longer.

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9. Comparison with General Naturalisation (Article 11)

To understand the importance of Article 12, it helps to compare it briefly with general naturalisation under Article 11.

9.1. General Naturalisation: Residence and Integration

Under Article 11, a foreigner is normally required to:

• Reside in Türkiye for a legally defined period on a valid residence permit
• Demonstrate an intention to settle in Türkiye
• Show adequate command of Turkish
• Prove sufficient income or profession to support themselves and dependants
• Display good morals and integration into Turkish society

This is a classic residence-based model, focusing on long-term presence and integration into the country.

9.2. Exceptional Naturalisation: Contribution and Discretion

By contrast, Article 12 looks primarily at:

• The contribution or potential benefit of the applicant to the country (economic, scientific, cultural, etc.), or
• The strategic or humanitarian reasons for naturalising that person, and
• Their compliance with national security and public order.

The State has wider discretion and can bypass certain formal conditions such as minimum residence or language proficiency, especially in investment and high-skill cases.

As a result:

• For suitable profiles, Article 12 can be faster and more flexible than Article 11.
• On the other hand, because it is discretionary, there is no acquired right to citizenship merely by meeting the objective criteria.

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10. Rights and Obligations After Naturalisation

Once exceptional citizenship is granted and registered, the person becomes a Turkish citizen for all purposes, enjoying the same rights and obligations as any other Turkish national.

10.1. Main Rights

Among others, the new citizen acquires:

• The right to permanently live in Türkiye without any residence permits
• Freedom to work and establish businesses in sectors open to Turkish citizens
• The right to own real estate and other property without foreign ownership restrictions (except for general legal limits such as zoning or special security areas)
• Access to public health and education services under the same conditions as other citizens
• The right to obtain a Turkish identity card and Turkish passport, and to benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival regimes where applicable
• Political rights after meeting the necessary age and other legal requirements (for example, voting in elections)

Türkiye also generally tolerates dual or multiple citizenships, so the person may often keep their original nationality, subject to the laws of their home country.

10.2. Main Obligations

With these rights come obligations, including:

• Compliance with Turkish criminal and civil laws
• Tax obligations, depending on residence and the nature of income and assets
• Military service obligations for certain male citizens of specific age groups, unless exempted or subject to special arrangements
• Duties flowing from general principles of public order and national security

Citizenship obtained under Article 12 is not “lighter” or “partial”; it is full Turkish citizenship in every legal sense.

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11. Revocation and Loss of Citizenship

Even after citizenship is granted, certain serious circumstances may lead to loss or revocation.

11.1. Revocation Due to Fraud or Concealment

If it is later discovered that the applicant obtained citizenship by:

• Using forged documents
• Hiding material facts such as criminal convictions or sanctions
• Falsely representing the source of funds or the nature of their activities

the authorities may initiate revocation proceedings. In such a case, the person may lose Turkish citizenship, and in some situations, additional legal consequences (including criminal proceedings) may follow.

11.2. Revocation for Serious Offences Against the State

Under the general rules of the Citizenship Law, individuals who, after acquisition of citizenship, engage in certain grave acts against the State, such as terrorism or activities aimed at undermining the constitutional order, may also face loss of citizenship with a decision taken in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions.

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12. Practical Tips and Strategic Considerations

For foreigners considering exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship, the following practical points are particularly important:

1. Legal planning at the outset
   • Before any investment, obtain legal advice on property law, company law, tax, family law and inheritance.
   • Where dual nationality is involved, consider the consequences in both legal systems.
2. Transparent and documented financial flows
   • Always use traceable bank transfers from accounts clearly belonging to the applicant.
   • Avoid complex structures that may be perceived as attempts to hide the true source of funds.
3. Reliance on qualified professionals
   • Work with licensed lawyers, sworn translators, certified public accountants and valuation experts.
   • Be cautious with unregulated brokers or intermediaries who cannot assume legal responsibility.
4. Compliance with holding periods
   • Do not sell or withdraw the underlying investment (property, deposit, bonds, etc.) before the minimum holding period expires.
   • Keep evidence of continued ownership or blocking for possible inspections.
5. Up-to-date information
   • Thresholds for investments and technical requirements (such as minimum amounts, currencies, and valuation standards) may change over time.
   • Before making any definitive move, confirm the current legal framework and avoid relying solely on old materials.

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13. Conclusion

Exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship under Article 12 is a powerful legal instrument that allows the Republic of Türkiye to welcome selected foreigners as citizens on the basis of:

• Their investment,
• Their exceptional skills or achievements,
• Their strategic relevance, or
• Their status within migration policy.

For the right profile, it offers considerable benefits:

• A flexible and accelerated path to Turkish citizenship
• The possibility to include spouse and children in the same file
• Full access to the rights and opportunities associated with Turkish nationality

At the same time, it is a strictly controlled and discretionary route. Compliance with investment rules, transparency of funds, and absence of any security risk are vital. Errors, shortcuts, or attempts to manipulate the system can lead not only to rejection but also to serious legal consequences.