Nationality of Türkiye: all obtaining pathways
Turkey requires five years of legal residence for ordinary naturalization; marriage to a Turkish citizen opens it after three years of union with no mandatory continuous residence. A citizenship-by-investment program also exists, and birth citizenship combines ius sanguinis and ius soli.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Full age with discernment capacity under national law (or Turkish law if stateless)
- 5 years of continuous residence in Türkiye before applying (art. 11(1)(b))
- Decision to settle in Türkiye corroborated by facts (investment, property, business, family residence)
- No illness constituting a public health danger
- Good conduct (good faith)
- Sufficient Turkish to get by
- Sufficient means of subsistence (own or family)
Documentation
- Application to the General Directorate of Migration Management
- 5-year residence certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Medical certificate
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Turkish language command certificate
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Photos
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Marriage to a Turkish citizen of ≥3 years and still in force (art. 16)
- Living in family unity
- No activity incompatible with the marital union
- No circumstance threatening national security
- The decision rests with the Council of Ministers (discretionary)
- Marriage alone does NOT directly confer citizenship
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Identity document of the Turkish spouse
- Residence certificate in Turkey
- Criminal record certificate
- Valid passport
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and ius soli)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and ius soli)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Turkish citizen (ius sanguinis)
- Being born in Turkey to foreign parents does not automatically grant citizenship (limited ius soli: only if the child would otherwise be stateless)
- Citizenship is transmitted with no generational limit
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' passports
- Proof of the parents' Turkish citizenship
4Citizenship by investment
Citizenship by investment
Requirements
- Real-estate investment of at least 400,000 USD (with a commitment not to sell for 3 years)
- Alternative: bank deposit of 500,000 USD (with a 3-year commitment)
- Alternative: investment in private-equity funds of 500,000 USD
- Alternative: investment in government bonds of 500,000 USD (with a 3-year commitment)
- Alternative: job creation for at least 50 people
- Turkey allows dual citizenship
Documentation
- Application to the General Directorate of Migration Management
- Property deed appraised at 400,000 USD minimum
- Or proof of bank deposit of 500,000 USD
- Or proof of investment in bonds or funds
- Criminal record certificate
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Türkiye
How many years of residence does Türkiye require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Türkiye (Naturalization by residence), the term is 5 years of continuous residence in Türkiye before applying. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Türkiye be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (≥3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen and the marriage still in force (no separate residence period)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Türkiye require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application to the General Directorate of Migration Management; 5-year residence certificate; Criminal record certificate; Medical certificate; Proof of means of subsistence; among 4 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Türkiye?
Türkiye provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by investment.
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