Almost every person in the world has a homeland. No person can be left stateless. Citizenship laws of each state differ. In this week’s article, we will explain in detail how to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Turkey and what its conditions are.
Turkish Citizenship can be acquired in 2 ways. It is citizenship acquired by birth and acquired later.
Citizenship acquired by birth becomes valid from the moment of birth upon notification made at the time of birth. Turkish citizenship by birth is acquired on the basis of lineage and place of birth.
Citizenship acquired by descent refers to citizenship acquired from a mother or father who is a Turkish citizen. It is sufficient for one of the parents to be a Turkish citizen at the time of the child’s birth. If one of the parents is a Turkish citizen, the fact that the child was born somewhere outside Turkey does not prevent him from gaining citizenship.
If the child is born from an extramarital relationship, the process varies depending on whether the mother and father are Turkish citizens. If the mother is a Turkish citizen, the child can become a Turkish citizen from the moment of birth. However, if the father is a Turkish citizen, paternity must be recognized or determined by a court decision. After this, the child is given Turkish citizenship.
Citizenship can also be acquired based on place of birth. Children born in Turkey can obtain Turkish citizenship if their parents are unknown, if they are stateless, and if they have not acquired citizenship in accordance with national laws. These children could not acquire citizenship of another country. Children who have been in Turkey are considered to have been born in Turkey unless proven otherwise. Young children who cannot express themselves are registered by the authorities in the population register of their location.
There are various conditions for ways to acquire Turkish citizenship later. This right can be earned when conditions are met with different conditions. These conditions include the decision of the competent authority, adoption or exercise of the right to choose. The terms of these three headings are as follows:
Turkish citizenship acquired by the competent authorities is obtained in the following ways:
- Earned through general means
- Foreigners who want to acquire Turkish citizenship in this way may be entitled to citizenship by the decision of the competent authority, if they meet the necessary conditions.
These conditions are as follows:
- If he has a homeland, he must be of legal age and have the ability to distinguish himself, according to his own law, if he is stateless, according to Turkish law,
- Having lived in Turkey uninterruptedly for 5 years. These 5 years must be uninterrupted from the application date,
- Not having a disease that poses a threat to general health,
- Having good morals,
- Having a sufficient level of speaking Turkish,
- To have an income or a profession that can support oneself and one’s dependents in Turkey,
- Not being in a situation that would hinder national security and public order
Turkish Citizenship by Investment Programme
As amended in the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreigners have several investment options to qualify for Turkish Citizenship for themselves and their families. The applicant’s spouse and children under the age of 18 can also obtain Turkish citizenship by providing one of the investment options listed below, provided that the necessary conditions are met.
The criteria for eligibility for Turkish citizenship are as follows:
- Foreign persons who make a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 US dollars or equivalent currency or Turkish lira,
- Foreigners who purchase real estate worth at least 400,000 US dollars or equivalent currency or Turkish lira (It is mandatory to annotate in the relevant land registry that this real estate cannot be sold for 3 years.)
- Foreign individuals who create employment for at least 50 people,
- Foreign persons who deposit at least 500,000 US dollars or its equivalent currency or its equivalent Turkish lira to banks operating in Turkey and keep their deposits in the bank for 3 years,
- Foreign persons who purchase government bonds worth at least 500,000 US dollars or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira and keep a reserve for 3 years,
- Foreign persons who purchase real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares worth at least 500,000 US dollars or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira and keep a reserve fund for 3 years.
Foreign investors who meet one of the conditions mentioned above can exceptionally qualify for Turkish citizenship by the decision of the President.
Applications for acquiring Turkish citizenship are made to the governorship where the place of residence is located in the country, and to foreign representatives abroad by the person himself or by a special power of attorney for the exercise of this right. Having all the required conditions does not provide the person with an absolute right to acquire citizenship.
Real Estate Investment Programme Requirements
- Prospective applicants must acquire property valued at a minimum of $400,000 USD. This investment can encompass multiple units, subject to regulatory provisions.
- Participants are obliged to retain ownership of the purchased real estate for a minimum of three years, a commitment that must be legally documented in the Title Deed and/or Notarised Sales Contract.
- An Official Valuation Survey conducted by authorized entities designated by the Banking Supervision Board is mandatory. The valuation report must ascertain a value of no less than $400,000 USD.
- Payment to the seller must be executed via bank transfer, supported by corresponding bank receipts as evidence of the transaction.
- The officially declared value of the investment must amount to at least $400,000 USD at the time of the Notarised Sales Contract and/or ownership transfer recorded at the Land Registry Office.
- Properties falling within this criterion cannot be registered under the name of any foreign individual, including the applicant’s spouse or children. Real estate transferred by the applicant’s spouse or children after January 12, 2017, is excluded from this regulation.
- In cases where the applicant purchases a residence using a mortgage loan, the mortgage value will be deducted from the value specified in the Official Valuation Survey.
- Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, Directorate of Foreigners Department, facilitated through the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, Land Registry Office.
How to Obtain Turkish Citizenship through Property Investment:
- Step 1 – Obtain a Tax Registration Number
- Step 2 – Open a Turkish Bank Account
- Step 3 – Locate a Property for Sale
- Step 4 – Purchase Property in Turkey
- Step 5 – Acquire the Certificate of Conformity
- Step 6 – Apply for Turkish Residency
- Step 7 – Initiate the Turkish Citizenship Application
Steps for Turkish Citizenship Application via Real Estate Investment:
Step 1 – Obtain a Tax Registration Number
Visit any tax office in Turkey with your original passport and photos for registration.
Step 2 – Open a Turkish Bank Account
Present your original passport and tax registration number. Additionally, provide an official document (e.g., public utility bill) verifying your current address.
Step 3 – Find Suitable Property
The property’s total value must be $400,000 USD or equivalent in Turkish Lira, either as a single unit or multiple units. Properties must be completed or nearing completion with granted habitation licenses and ready construction servitude or title deeds. The property should be suitable for an official valuation survey.
Step 4 – Purchase the Property
Utilize bank transfer for the transaction and retain documentation via receipts. Ensure the Title Deed Registry and/or Notarised Sales Contract are annotated with “Not To Be Sold For 3 Years” as per the requirement.
Step 5 – Obtain the Certificate of Conformity
Submit the official valuation survey and bank transfer receipt. Apply to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation.
Step 6 – Apply for Turkish Residency
Gather necessary documents for your residence permit application and apply to the Directorate General of Migration Management. Residency is a crucial step towards citizenship and eventual passport issuance.
Step 7 – Apply for Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Compile required documents and apply to the Directorate General of Migration Management. Note that Property Turkey’s legal experts are available to guide you through the process.
Documents Required for Turkish Citizenship by Investment:
- Birth certificate: Each copy must be stamped and authenticated or apostilled.
- Certificate of residence: Must be stamped and authenticated or apostilled.
- Marital status documentation: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, spouse’s death certificate (if applicable), all stamped and authenticated or apostilled.
- Health insurance proof.
- Biometric photos: Taken against a white background, with specific requirements for size and quantity.
- Passport copy.
- Original and notarised Turkish translations of all documents.
- Power of attorney.
- Completed application forms.
Professional Support for Turkish Citizenship
With over 20 years of experience in the Turkish real estate market, Property Turkey offers a curated selection of investment and lifestyle properties pre-approved for their “Citizenship by Investment Program.” Their team of investment consultants and in-house lawyers ensures a smooth process and assistance with legal matters throughout the application. Property Turkey boasts a track record of assisting clients from various countries in investing in Turkish properties and can leverage their industry expertise to secure favorable terms and prices for clients.