Rules for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship for Foreign Nationals

Rules for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship for Foreign Nationals

Turkish citizenship attracts foreign nationals for various reasons. Some have lived in Türkiye under a residence permit and wish to settle permanently. Others purchase real estate and view citizenship as part of their investment strategy. Some are married to Turkish citizens, work, run businesses, or relocate with their families.

Turkish citizenship is not granted automatically. A residence permit, property ownership, or marriage to a Turkish citizen does not by itself lead to citizenship. Each legal basis has its own requirements, documentation, and review procedures. The final decision always remains with the Turkish authorities.

For most adult foreigners, the four main pathways are:

• Naturalization

• Marriage to a Turkish citizen

• Investment

• Exceptional citizenship

There are also other routes, such as citizenship by descent or birth, but these are less common in ordinary immigration situations.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Naturalization is intended for foreigners who already live in Türkiye and can demonstrate a genuine connection to the country. Typically, this applies to individuals with legal residence status, a registered address, and a stable source of income.

The minimum requirement is five years of continuous residence in Türkiye before the application date. However, authorities do not simply count residence permit cards. They examine where the applicant actually lived, under what legal status, and whether the applicant’s ties to Türkiye can be supported with documentation.

Applicants may leave Türkiye during this period, but there is a limit. Under official regulations, the total time spent outside Türkiye during the five years preceding the application cannot exceed 12 months. These periods still count toward the residency requirement. If the applicant remains abroad for more than one year in total, the residence period is interrupted and the previous time may no longer be considered for naturalization.

The requirements extend beyond simply living in Türkiye for five years. Applicants must:

• Be adults with legal capacity

• Demonstrate an intention to live in Türkiye

• Have no disease that poses a threat to public health

• Speak Turkish at a level sufficient for daily life

• Have sufficient income or a profession to support themselves and their family

• Present no risk to national security or public order

The intention to settle in Türkiye must be demonstrated through actions. Examples include purchasing property, opening a business, obtaining a work permit, relocating family members, or completing education in Türkiye.

The basis of residence also matters. Certain residence permits, such as tourist permits, medical treatment permits, student-related companion permits, educational residence permits, asylum-seeker status, and some other temporary categories, may not be considered sufficient evidence of an intention to settle permanently. In some cases, previous residence periods may be counted if the applicant later obtains a qualifying status. This exception generally does not apply to tourist residence permits.

Required Documents

Applicants generally submit:

• VAT-3 application form

• Two biometric photographs (50×60 mm)

• Passport or equivalent identification document

• Birth certificate or equivalent civil status document

• Marriage and family documents, if applicable

• Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate of spouse where applicable)

A medical report confirming the absence of diseases dangerous to public health is also required.

Proof of income may include:

• Work permit

• Tax registration documents

• Professional certificates

• Maintenance commitments

• Other acceptable evidence of income

Applicants must also provide:

• Entry and exit records for the previous five years

• A valid residence permit covering the expected duration of the process

• Proof of payment of government fees

Foreign documents must be translated into Turkish and notarized. Where required, apostille certification or consular legalization must be completed before notarized translation.

Applications are submitted through the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (İl Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık Müdürlüğü) in the province of residence. Applications from abroad are submitted through Turkish consulates.

The application fee for naturalization in 2026 is 957.26 TL per applicant, excluding translation, notarization, apostille, medical reports, and other related expenses.

Citizenship Through Real Estate Investment

The most widely known investment route is the purchase of real estate worth at least USD 400,000.

The investor must undertake not to sell the property for three years, obtain a Certificate of Conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi), secure an investment-based residence permit, and then apply for citizenship.

Although the process appears straightforward, success depends heavily on proper documentation, including:

• Title deed (Tapu)

• Property status

• Valuation report

• Bank transfer records

• Seller compliance

The investment amount must be documented according to official procedures. Property payments must be made through the banking system. Cash payments are not accepted as proof of investment.

The title deed must include a restriction preventing the sale of the property for three years. Without this annotation, the purchase remains a standard real estate transaction and does not qualify for citizenship.

Required Documents

Applicants generally submit:

• VAT-4 application form

• Passport with notarized Turkish translation

• Two biometric photographs

• Proof of marital status

• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

• Divorce or death certificates (where applicable)

Family members included in the application require supporting family relationship documents, birth certificates, and additional consent or custody documents where necessary.

A criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of citizenship and, if applicable, country of residence is also required.

The official citizenship application fee under the investment route in 2026 is 135.45 TL per applicant.

Other Investment Options

Real estate is not the only investment pathway.

Turkish citizenship may also be obtained through:

• Fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000

• Bank deposits of at least USD 500,000

• Government bonds worth at least USD 500,000

• Real estate investment fund shares

• Venture capital investment fund shares

• Contributions to private pension systems

• Creating at least 50 jobs in Türkiye

In most cases, the investment must be maintained for at least three years.

Citizenship Through Marriage

A foreign national may apply for Turkish citizenship after three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen, provided that the marriage continues at the time of application.

Applicants must:

• Live together as a family

• Not engage in behavior incompatible with marriage

• Pose no threat to national security or public order

Authorities carefully examine marriages to prevent fraudulent applications. Interviews may include questions about the couple’s address, daily life, finances, and relationship history.

Required documents generally include:

• Marriage certificate

• Foreign spouse’s passport and translation

• Photographs

• Family status documents

• Information regarding the Turkish spouse

Additional documentation may be requested where children from previous marriages are involved.

If the Turkish spouse dies after the application has been submitted, the case may continue under certain circumstances.

Exceptional Citizenship

Exceptional citizenship is granted in special circumstances rather than through a standard application route.

It is generally reserved for individuals who provide significant value to Türkiye in areas such as:

• Economy

• Science

• Culture

• Sports

• Technology

• Other strategic fields

The government evaluates each case individually and determines whether citizenship should be granted.

Supporting documentation varies according to the basis of the application and may include professional qualifications, awards, business achievements, scientific contributions, or recommendation letters.

Processing Times

There is no universal processing period.

The timeline depends on factors such as:

• The legal basis of the application

• Document quality and completeness

• Province of application

• Family composition

• Security investigations

Investment-based applications are often processed more quickly because the requirements are more objective and easier to verify.

Naturalization applications are generally less predictable because authorities review the applicant’s entire history in Türkiye, including residence, income, language ability, and social integration.

Marriage-based applications depend heavily on verification of the marital relationship.

Costs

Official government fees are relatively modest.

In 2026:

• Naturalization, marriage, and adoption applications: 957.26 TL per applicant

• Reacquisition and citizenship option procedures: 505.72 TL

• Exceptional citizenship applications: 135.45 TL

Additional costs may include:

• Translations

• Notarization

• Apostille certification

• Medical reports

• Legal representation

• Banking fees

For investment citizenship, the largest expense is the qualifying investment itself.

Is a Lawyer Required?

Turkish law does not require applicants to hire a lawyer.

Straightforward cases can often be handled independently by applicants who understand Turkish procedures and documentation requirements.

However, professional legal assistance is frequently recommended for:

• Real estate purchases

• Investment citizenship applications

• Complex family structures

• Documents from multiple countries

• Previous refusals

• Criminal record issues

• Divorces

• Personal data discrepancies

A lawyer cannot guarantee citizenship. The final decision belongs to the Turkish authorities. Legal professionals primarily help reduce risks, prepare documentation, and prevent costly mistakes.

What Changes After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship?

Once citizenship is approved, applicants may obtain Turkish identity documents.

In 2026:

• Turkish ID card (Kimlik): 220 TL

• Replacement ID card: 440 TL

• 10-year Turkish passport: 14,761.40 TL

Turkish citizens no longer require residence permits to live in Türkiye. They may work without a separate work permit, obtain a Turkish passport, and enjoy the rights granted to citizens.

Citizenship also brings responsibilities, including obligations related to taxation, military registration, business activities, inheritance matters, and the legal status of children.

Türkiye permits dual citizenship, but applicants should verify whether their original country of citizenship imposes any restrictions or notification requirements.