Turkish citizenship in 2025: all the ways and nuances of obtaining

A Turkish passport opens up wide opportunities for foreigners: visa-free travel to dozens of countries, business prospects, and most importantly, stability and confidence in the future. But what do you need to obtain Turkish citizenship? What are the ways to legalize your residence, and which option is right for you?

In this article, we will examine in detail all available options for obtaining Turkish citizenship in 2025, consider key legal aspects and important details that need to be taken into account.

Contents of the article:

1. How to get Turkish citizenship
2. Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Conditions, Opportunities and Benefits
3. Turkish Passport by Naturalization
4. Turkish Citizenship through Marriage
5. Turkish passport by birthright
6. Citizenship through employment
7. Turkish Passport for Special Merit
8. How to obtain Turkish citizenship: main stages
9. Denial of Turkish citizenship: reasons
10. Recommendations for obtaining Turkish citizenship

How to get Turkish citizenship

Turkey offers several ways to obtain citizenship, suitable for both investors and those who want to connect their lives with this country. Thanks to flexible programs, clear requirements and transparent procedures, obtaining a Turkish passport is easier than in many other countries. However, each situation is individual, and in order to avoid mistakes, it is important to study all the nuances in advance and choose the best method of registration.

Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Conditions, Opportunities and Benefits

The Turkish citizenship by investment program provides foreigners with the opportunity to quickly and easily become Turkish citizens by investing in the country's economy. The process is regulated by law and offers several investment options to suit the various financial capabilities and goals of investors.
Main investment options:

1). Purchase of real estate.

Purchasing real estate is one of the most popular and convenient ways to obtain Turkish citizenship. This option allows investors not only to become citizens of the country, but also to profitably invest in a liquid asset.

• Minimum investment amount: from June 2022, to participate in the program, you must purchase a property with a cadastral and assessed value of at least USD 400,000.
• Type of real estate: you can purchase residential or commercial real estate, as well as land plots with a building permit.
• Restrictions on sale: the property cannot be sold within 3 years from the date of purchase, otherwise the status of a Turkish citizen will be cancelled. Citizenship is also cancelled after three years if the property was sold to the former owner or his relatives.

Additional bonuses:

• Not only the investor, but also his/her spouse and children under 18 years of age receive citizenship.
• There is no requirement to reside in Turkey after receiving citizenship.
• Real estate can be rented out to generate passive income.

Thus, this method is optimal for those who consider Turkey not only as a place to live, but also as a promising market for real estate investments.

2). Bank deposit.

For those who prefer reliable financial instruments, there is the possibility of obtaining citizenship by placing funds in a Turkish bank.

• Investment amount: from 500,000 USD.
• Conditions: funds must be placed in the bank for a period of at least 3 years without the possibility of early withdrawal.

3). Investments in the company's fixed capital.

• Investment amount: from 500,000 USD.
• Conditions: invested funds must remain in the company for at least 3 years.

4) Purchase of government bonds.

• Investment amount: from 500,000 USD.
• Conditions: bonds must remain in the investor's portfolio for at least 3 years without the right to sell.

5) Purchase of shares in investment funds.

• Investment amount: from 500,000 USD.
• Terms: The investor purchases shares in real estate funds or venture funds and undertakes to maintain the investment for 3 years.

6) Creation of jobs.

Conditions: establishment of an enterprise that provides employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens.

The choice of a suitable investment instrument depends on the personal goals and strategy of the investor.

Turkish Passport by Naturalization

Naturalization in Turkey is a carefully regulated process aimed at integrating foreigners into Turkish society and ensuring their legal protection within the framework of national legislation.

A candidate for citizenship by naturalization must fulfill a number of conditions, namely:

1. Continuously reside in Turkey for at least 5 years with a valid residence permit. During this period, absence from the country is allowed, but the total duration of such visits should not exceed 6 months per year or 1 year for the entire five-year period.
2. Be of legal age and have full legal capacity.
3. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Turkish language to enable him to communicate in everyday life. This can be confirmed through an interview or by providing a relevant certificate.
4. Demonstrate a stable and legal source of income that provides for his own needs and the needs of dependent persons (if any).
5. Provide a certificate of no criminal record and prove your good behavior during the entire period of residence in Turkey.

Documents for Turkish citizenship through a residence permit are submitted to the local Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri at the applicant's place of residence. The competent authorities check the package of documents, as well as interview the applicant to assess his/her integration and compliance with the requirements. It is important to note that fulfilling all the listed conditions does not guarantee automatic citizenship. The decision is made at the discretion of the competent authorities of Turkey, taking into account the circumstances.

Turkish Citizenship through Marriage

Marriage to a Turkish citizen gives a foreigner the opportunity to obtain citizenship, but this process is not automatic. The country's legislation provides for a number of requirements aimed at confirming the authenticity and stability of the marriage union. The purpose of these measures is to exclude fictitious marriages concluded solely for the purpose of obtaining a Turkish passport.

To obtain Turkish citizenship through marriage, you will need to fulfill a number of conditions:

1. Minimum marriage period - the foreign spouse must be in an officially registered marriage with a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years at the time of application.
2. Cohabitation - the spouses must actually run a joint household, which confirms the reality and stability of their marriage.
3. No threat to national security - the applicant must not have connections to extremist organizations, a criminal past, or other circumstances that could serve as grounds for refusal.

After the application is submitted, an interview is conducted with both spouses. The goal is to exclude the possibility of a fictitious union. During the interview, questions may be asked about their life together, habits, and plans for the future. You will also need to provide identification documents, a marriage certificate, and proof of cohabitation.

Important clarifications:

1. Although there are no official requirements for proficiency in Turkish, the interview and adaptation in the country assume that the foreigner will be able to communicate at least minimally in Turkish.
2. Turkish authorities carefully check the authenticity of marriages. Identification of a fictitious marriage will result in refusal to issue a passport and other legal consequences.

Turkish passport by birthright

Turkish citizenship by birth is based on the principle of "jus sanguinis" and not on place of birth. This means that a child born to Turkish parents has the right to become a Turkish citizen, regardless of the country of birth.

Key points:

1. If a child has both parents who are Turkish citizens, he/she automatically receives Turkish citizenship, regardless of the country in which he/she was born.
2. Even if only one of the parents has Turkish citizenship, the child also becomes a Turkish citizen by right of blood, regardless of where he or she was born.
3. Children born in Turkey to foreign parents do not automatically receive citizenship. The only exception is if the child remains stateless because neither parent can grant citizenship.

After the birth of a child, the parents register him/her with the local Department of Population and Citizenship Affairs. At the age of 15, he/she is issued a kimlik.

Citizenship through employment

One of the possible ways for foreigners to obtain Turkish citizenship is naturalization through official employment. This path is suitable for those who plan to settle in the country on a long-term basis. Key criteria:

• Over 18 years of age, and the applicant must have full legal capacity.
• Permanent residence in Turkey for 5 years with a valid work visa.
• A foreign specialist is required to work under an official employment contract with a Turkish employer.
• One of the mandatory conditions is the ability to communicate freely in Turkish both in everyday life and in a professional environment.
• It is necessary to demonstrate the presence of a stable and legal source of finance that provides for the applicant and his dependents (if any).
• The list of required documents includes a certificate confirming the absence of a criminal record.
• When submitting an application, the level of social adaptation of the foreigner is also taken into account.

Turkish Passport for Special Merit

Turkish citizenship for special merit is granted to talented foreigners whose activities significantly contribute to the enrichment of Turkish society through their achievements.

Who can apply for citizenship for special merits:

1. Foreign experts who have made significant contributions to science and technology and whose research is internationally recognized.
2. Artists, musicians, writers and other creative individuals whose works contribute to the promotion of Turkish culture and art in the world.
3. Athletes who have achieved high results in international competitions and are ready to represent Turkey in the sports arena.
4. Individuals who have made significant financial investments in the Turkish economy or created enterprises that provide employment to the local population.

The candidate must provide a detailed summary of his/her achievements with supporting documents and recommendations from reputable organizations or individuals.

For highly qualified professionals and large investors who do not have Turkish citizenship, there is a “Turquoise Card” system. This status gives the right to permanent residence and work in Turkey. Over time, its holders can apply for full citizenship.

How to obtain Turkish citizenship: main stages

We suggest you analyze the procedure for obtaining a Turkish passport through the purchase of real estate, since this is one of the fastest and most convenient ways of naturalization for foreigners. Sequential steps of registration:

1). Preparatory stage: consultations with experts.
Before starting the process, it is recommended to contact licensed real estate agents who have experience in implementing investment citizenship programs. This will allow you to receive up-to-date information and avoid possible mistakes.

2). Selection and acquisition of property.
It is important that the property has not been previously used by another investor to obtain a passport. The seller must be a Turkish citizen or a Turkish company.
After the conclusion of the purchase and sale agreement and full payment of the property price, the transaction is registered with the Cadastral Office and the investor receives TAPU.

3). Obtaining a certificate of conformity.
To confirm that the purchased property meets the requirements of the investment citizenship program, it is necessary to contact the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Turkey and obtain a special certificate.

4). Obtaining a residence permit.
Before applying for citizenship, the investor must obtain a short-term residence permit. To do this, an application must be submitted to the Migration Department.

5) Submitting an application for citizenship.
With the residence permit and certificate of conformity obtained, the investor submits an application for citizenship to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey. The following must be attached to two copies of the citizenship application:

Personal documents:

• Birth certificates of the applicant and all family members included in the application.
• Notarized translation of the international passport.
• A document confirming the composition of the family.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Certificates of no criminal record for the investor and all adult family members.

Financial documents:

• An extract confirming the applicant's income level.
• Official confirmation of fulfillment of investment obligations and TAPU.
• Receipt of payment of state duty.
• Apartment purchase and sale agreement.
• Ikamet map.
• If the object of acquisition is a land plot, then a development project and a building permit are attached to the package.

The above list is not final. At the request of the Migration Department, it may be changed or supplemented.

6) Review of the application, verification of reliability and decision making.
The competent authorities check the submitted documents and data. The application is usually reviewed within 6-12 months. After a positive decision is made, the applicant and his immediate family members receive Turkish passports.

The cost of Turkish citizenship in 2025 depends on the basis for registration. Approximately, associated costs, taking into account the services of a notary, translator, payment of state fees, can reach about 5,000 USD.

Good to know: Turkey and Russia have not concluded agreements on dual citizenship. However, Turkish law does not contain restrictions on maintaining previous citizenship, and in Russia there are also no obstacles to obtaining a second passport of another country through investments in real estate or other sectors of the economy.

Denial of Turkish citizenship: reasons

When issuing citizenship, it is crucial to comply with all legal requirements. Failure to comply will result in a refusal. The main reasons for rejecting an application include:

1. Incomplete or incorrect package of documents: the absence of necessary papers or errors in them lead to rejection of the application.
2. Submission of false documents: Use of false information will result in immediate refusal and possible legal consequences.
3. Failure to meet residence requirements: Naturalization requires residence in Turkey for at least 5 years. Long trips without valid reasons violate this requirement.
4. Insufficient financial solvency: the candidate must prove that he/she has a stable and legal income.
5. Threat to public order or security: Persons with a criminal record or involved in activities against Turkey cannot apply for citizenship.
6. Sham marriages: Marriage for the sake of citizenship is grounds for refusal or cancellation of a previously obtained passport.
7. Violation of visa regulations: illegal presence in the country, deportations will inevitably affect the outcome.

Recommendations for obtaining Turkish citizenship

To avoid mistakes and be guaranteed to receive a Turkish passport for purchasing real estate, consider these basic recommendations from the experts of the Altop Real Estate agency:

1. Choose a property with the correct appraisal value.
   To participate in the program, you must purchase an object priced at USD 400,000 or more. However, it is important to note that this is not only about the market price, but also about the cadastral value recorded in official documents. If it is below the threshold, the application will be rejected.
2. Check the seller's status.
   According to the requirements of the program, the property must be purchased from a Turkish citizen or a Turkish company.
3. Take into account exchange rate fluctuations.
   Since the property price is fixed in Turkish lira and the minimum threshold for citizenship is set in dollars, it is important to take into account possible currency fluctuations. To avoid a shortage of funds due to a sharp change in the exchange rate, it is recommended to set aside a small reserve and discuss with a specialist in advance the mechanisms for protecting against such risks.
4. Make the transaction via bank transfer.
   To confirm the legality of the investment, the entire amount must be transferred by bank transfer through a Turkish bank.
5. Work with proven specialists.
   The legal and financial nuances of Turkish legislation can become a serious obstacle for foreign investors. To avoid risks, it is better to enlist the support of specialists from a licensed real estate agency.

The Altop Real Estate team is ready to help you at all stages - from choosing a property suitable for the investment program to full support of the citizenship process. Contact us, and we will find the best solution for you based on your goals and capabilities.