Turkey Citizenship: A Complete Guide for 2026

Turkey has leveraged its favorable geographic position at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa by maintaining good relations with the EU, the USA, and the BRICS countries. The country maintains a strong, independent course in international politics, making it an appealing second citizenship option for expats looking to hedge against rising global instability. 

In this article, we’ll examine the routes for obtaining Turkish citizenship. We will review the legal framework governing the different paths to citizenship and focus on the most relevant ones for non-Turkish nationals. 

Legal Grounds for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

Turkish citizenship is defined and governed by the Turkish Citizenship Law (Law 5901). The Law outlines the following grounds for obtaining Turkish citizenship:

Grounds for Acquisition	Conditions
By birth	Being born on Turkish soil without acquiring another citizenship through descent, or being born to at least one Turkish parent, either in Turkey or abroad
By decision of the competent authority	Residence in Turkey for at least five years
Exceptional acquisition	Provision of past or future services to Turkey in science, economy, social, culture, athletics, or other fields, including investments
By marriage	At least three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen
By adoption	Adoption of a minor by a Turkish citizen
By the right to choice	Loss of citizenship due to parents’ renunciation of it; the application has to be made within three years of reaching legal maturity

For expats who don’t have Turkish descent or haven’t been born in Turkey, the three most relevant paths for obtaining Turkish citizenship are:

1. By decision of the competent authority, or the residence path
2. Through the exceptional acquisition path, which includes citizenship by investment
3. By marriage

Bonus read: Curious about how citizenship works in different parts of the world? Explore our guides on citizenship programs in the EU, UAE, Cyprus, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Portugal, and more.

How To Acquire Turkish Citizenship as a Resident

You can apply for Turkish citizenship after at least five years of legal residence, provided you spend no more than 180 days outside of the country during that period. 

For a successful application, you will have to meet the following Turkish citizenship by residence requirements:

• Being of legal age 
• Demonstrating commitment to living in Turkey by purchasing property, establishing a business, working, or demonstrating familial ties with the country
• Not having a health issue that poses a danger to public health
• Demonstrating good moral character
• Being able to support yourself
• Demonstrating that you’re not a threat to national security or public order

The process of acquiring citizenship by residing in Turkey has two steps: 

1. Obtaining legal residence in Turkey
2. Applying for citizenship

Obtaining Legal Residence in Turkey

To obtain legal residence in Turkey, you must apply for a short-term residence permit and keep renewing it until you meet the citizenship requirements. The permit is issued for specific purposes, including those relevant to fulfilling the citizenship requirements:

• Ownership of residential real estate
• Establishment of a business or commercial connections
• Investment in the country 

To apply for short-term residence, you will need to provide the following documents to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management:

• Application form 
• Copy of your passport
• Two ICAO-compliant photos of yourself
• Evidence of fee payment
• Valid health insurance
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
• Documents showing where you’ll reside

You will also be required to provide a document that supports your stated reason or basis for applying for residence, which can include:

Reason/Basis	Supporting Document
Real estate ownership	Title deed demonstrating real estate value of at least USD 200,000
Business establishment	A company activity certificate, a tax registration certificate, and the trade registry gazette
Investment	Certificate of eligibility and criminal record certificate

You can also establish legal residence by obtaining a work permit, which may serve as a residence permit. Your employer will submit the application on your behalf, but they will require some documents from you:

• Signed employment contract
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your diploma or temporary graduation certificate

Applying for Citizenship as a Resident

After spending five years in Turkey as a resident or a worker, you can submit your citizenship application to the Provincial Directorate of Census and Citizenship with the following documents: 

• Application form 
• Passport or another document showing your nationality
• Birth certificate and a civil status certificate (marriage, divorce, or death certificate for a deceased spouse)
• Health certificate showing you have no disease that poses a public health threat
• Document proving income, such as a work permit or tax certificate
• Document showing entry and exit dates into and from the country
• Residence permit
• Certified copy of any court decisions against you for any crime
• Proof of payment for application fees

Your application will first be screened for any issues that might disqualify it immediately, such as not meeting the age requirement or a lack of commitment to live in Turkey. You will also undergo a security check and a character check. 

Additionally, you must undergo an interview with the citizenship application review commission. During the interview, your knowledge of the Turkish language will be assessed. If you pass the language assessment and it is determined that you meet the other requirements, your application will be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior for a final ruling.

How To Acquire Citizenship Through Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment Program

Turkey’s citizenship by investment program removes some requirements of the residency route, such as the five-year residency requirement and the language proficiency requirement. Instead, you can apply after making an eligible investment:

Value of Investment	Type of Investment
USD 400,000	Real estate
USD 500,000	Fixed capital, government bonds, bank deposits, and financial investments
Unspecified	An investment that results in the opening of at least 50 jobs in Turkey

After making the appropriate investment, Turkey’s citizenship by investment process includes the following steps:

1. Choosing your investment property
2. Obtaining a Turkish ID and opening a bank account
3. Completing the property purchase
4. Applying for residency
5. Applying for citizenship as an investor
6. Receiving citizenship and applying for a passport

Except for mandatory meetings or interviews, you can manage most of the process from outside of Turkey through representatives.

Choose Your Investment Property

Work with real estate advisors to select a property that meets the minimum investment threshold of USD 400,000. 

Note that the property must also qualify under the citizenship by investment program, which typically requires an official valuation and compliance with government regulations.

Obtain a Turkish ID and Open a Bank Account

Before completing your investment, you’ll need to obtain a Turkish tax identification number (tax ID) and open a local bank account. These are required to transfer funds and complete the property purchase in accordance with Turkish financial regulations.

Complete the Property Purchase

Once you’ve selected your property, you’ll transfer the funds and finalize the purchase by registering the title deed with the Land Registry. The investment must meet the USD 400,000 requirement and include a commitment not to sell the property for at least three years.

After the purchase is completed, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which proves that the investment you made is eligible for a citizenship application. To obtain the Certificate of Eligibility, you’ll need to apply through a relevant government agency or ministry with jurisdiction over the type of investment you’re making:

• Real estate: General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadaster
• Fixed capital: General Directorate of Incentive Application and Foreign Capital
• Government bonds: Ministry of Treasury and Finance
• Bank deposit: Department of Financial Consumer Relations
• Financial investment: Department of Brokerage Activities
• Job creation: General Directorate of International Labor

You’ll typically need to submit documents such as the title deed and an independent property valuation. Once approved, the certificate is issued and shared with the Ministry of Interior.

Apply for Residency

While you don’t have to meet the five-year residence requirement for the citizenship by investment program, you still must have legal residence when applying for Turkish citizenship, which does not mean you need to live in the country. 

You can apply for a short-term residence permit using the same process as for citizenship by residence. Your Certificate of Eligibility will serve as proof that you intend to settle in Turkey, and the permit you receive will be valid for five years instead of the standard two.

You can start the application process for citizenship immediately after being granted short-term residence. The process involves submitting the necessary documentation and attending a short biometrics appointment.

Apply for Citizenship as an Investor

Once your residence permit is in place, you can submit your citizenship application to the relevant authorities. This involves submitting the following documentation to the Provincial Directorate of Census and Citizenship:

• Request form for citizenship
• Passport or other document attesting to your original citizenship
• Your birth certificate
• Certificate of civil status (marriage, divorce, or passing of a spouse)
• Proof of payment of application processing fees
• Documents showing familial relationships with Turkish citizens (if applicable)

The Certificate of Eligibility does not need to be resubmitted, as it has already been registered with the authorities.

After your application is submitted, it will undergo review and due diligence to determine whether you pose a security risk. If you’re cleared, the application will be sent to the Office of the President, since that’s the relevant body for approving citizenship by investment requests.

Receive Citizenship and Apply for a Passport

Once your application is approved, the decision will be finalized by the Office of the President. You will then receive your citizenship certificate, after which you can apply for a Turkish passport and enjoy full citizenship rights.

How To Acquire Turkish Citizenship by Marriage

You can apply for Turkish citizenship after three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen. Keep in mind that you must meet the following requirements:

• The marriage should be valid (not ended by divorce or death) at the time of application
• You must live with your spouse within the unity of marriage and refrain from acts incompatible with it
• You must have a clean criminal record and not be on trial for a crime

The documents you’ll have to provide when applying to the Provincial Directorate of Census and Citizenship include:

• Application form
• Document showing your nationality 
• Birth certificate 
• Residence permit, if you have one
• Proof of payment of application fees

Once submitted, the application will be reviewed, and you’ll undergo a due diligence process so it can be determined whether you and your spouse live as an actual family or engage in behaviors that are deemed incompatible with marriage. 

You and your spouse will be required to attend two interviews, one together and one separately. If your application is complete and your interview went well, your file will be sent to the Ministry of Interior for the final decision.

Benefits of Acquiring Turkish Citizenship

Overall, Turkey can be a good place to hedge against the growing political instability in Western countries. Becoming a citizen of Turkey can also be a beneficial step if your plans include increased global mobility, especially in Asia, South America, and Central America. 

The country doesn’t currently offer visa-free access to the Schengen area. However, that may change in the future, depending on the developments in Turkey’s accession to the European Union. Turkish citizens can still travel visa-free to some European countries, specifically in South-East Europe. 

Turkey also allows dual citizenship and typically does not require you to renounce your existing citizenship when becoming a Turkish citizen. The Law, however, leaves that as an option, as determined by the Minister of the Interior. 

Turkey’s citizenship by investment program stands out as one of the fastest and most straightforward ways to acquire foreign citizenship, with the process typically completed within nine months. However, avoiding unnecessary delays generally requires professional assistance from experts with direct knowledge of the process and experience working with local authorities. To get professional help, contact Nomad Capitalist.

Become a Turkish Citizen With the Help of Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is a consulting agency that assists high-net-worth individuals looking for global mobility and wealth preservation solutions. Our services have helped more than 1,500 clients achieve their financial and lifestyle goals through legal tax optimization, second citizenship acquisition, and introduction to investment opportunities abroad.

The core service we offer to our clients is the Action Plan, a document that contains all the steps required to achieve their goals with maximum efficiency. Every Plan is developed specifically for the client’s objectives and circumstances, and it’s implemented meticulously by our team of experienced agents. 

When working with Nomad Capitalist, you can expect us to:

1. Send you a form to fill out, to help us determine whether we’re a good fit
2. Schedule a 45-minute onboarding meeting to learn more about you and your situation
3. Create an Action Plan and present it to you for approval 
4. Implement the Plan with complete administrative management over 12 months
5. Support you even after the Plan was implemented

If becoming a Turkish citizen is the best course of action to meet your objectives, we will advise you on the most effective way to do so. We will manage the application process, ensuring the requirements are met at all stages. Get your tailor-made Action Plan today!