Acquiring Turkish Citizenship

Acquiring Turkish Citizenship and Its Advantages

Turkey is visited by millions of foreigners each year for its natural beauty, cultural values, historical structures, and geographical advantages. The Turkish passport ranks at 39th position with its visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel options to 111 countries. Turkey has witnessed a growth in infrastructure projects attracting foreign investments that provide support for the real estate market in Turkey and has gained a unique position regionally and internationally.

Acquiring a Turkish passport compared to other nationalities for a better life today and in the future has become popular because of its benefits. The development of Turkey’s infrastructure attracts many real estate investors, and the support provided by the growing industry affects trade and agriculture. Turkey has plans to make public and private sector institutions easily accessible through flexible policies and to promote technological transformation.

The government plans to create resources to make the economy stronger. The country is developing day by day to ensure stability and sustainable development. Turkey has had strategic importance for decades, combining different cultures and religions through the Bosphorus strait. It is an important trade route between East and West. Its seas and climate conditions are some of the many advantages of living in Turkey.

Istanbul is the most developed city with a dense population and is the star of Turkey, being one of the most famous Islamic locations around the world. Istanbul has been the world’s leading trade industry; its nature is scenic and unique, with flowing water, beaches, and meadows.

Turkey is a well-known country for production, and it welcomes people of all nationalities to work and become Turkish citizens. Turkish citizenship has been a dream of many. The Republic of Turkey is a part of this great history, future, and culture. With the latest regulations, it is easier to get Turkish citizenship through real estate investment.

The foreigners can have a high-quality lifestyle, take advantage of advanced and free education opportunities, benefit from health facilities, a safe environment, and get confidentiality of assets being a Turkish citizen.

Now let’s look into the advantages of being a Turkish citizen and the ways of acquiring Turkish Citizenship in detail.

Acquiring Turkish Citizenship: Application Process

The Turkish legislation has made it possible for foreigners to apply and get a Turkish passport. Once the applicant’s application is completed, the applicant’s family members, including spouses and children under 18, become eligible for nationality.

Turkish Citizenship can be acquired in various ways. Still, the most popular method for foreigners is to make a real estate investment of USD 400,000 under the condition of not selling the property for at least three years.

Things to Know About the Turkish Citizenship Application Process

The following steps are required to obtain Turkish Citizenship through investment.

1. 1. First, you need to enter Turkey with a valid visa.
   2. Upon arrival in Turkey, the applicant must sign a power of attorney appointing a representative to manage the Turkish citizenship application process. Obtaining a tax number, opening a bank account, and purchasing the property are all required.
   3. The applicants then must open a Turkish bank account from which they should invest.
   4. Foreigners then must look for properties they would like to purchase; it is essential not to sell real estate for at least three years to get it through real estate investment.
   5. After the purchase, it is required to have the title deed.
   6. An official survey must be provided with a receipt of the bank transfer to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
   7. Following the making of the investment, a Turkish residency and citizenship application, along with supporting documentation, can be submitted. The Turkish residence permit is issued with 2-3 weeks by the Directorate General of Migration. After receiving the residence permit application, citizenship can be made.

After all the checks are completed, the application is sent to the presidential office for a final decision. After that, the application for a Turkish ID and passport is sent to the Civil Registry.

Advantages of Being a Turkish Citizen

Turkey is where the modern lifestyle meets the Islamic lifestyle, as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk declared it a secular state concerning different religions and cultures in 1923. The world is globalized, travel has become a norm, and with visa-free access to countries, more people are encouraged to travel for business, leisure, career, and lifestyle opportunities. Turkey is a country that foreigners admire for its lucrative investment offers in return for citizenship.

The advantages of being a Turkish citizen are that you get to have dual-citizenship, visa-free access to 100 countries, there is no need to be present in Turkey to get Citizenship or apply for it. Turkish passport is in the top 30. Turkish passport holders get the right to pension programs after “receiving Turkish Citizenship, free education and university reimbursement plans, and voting rights for all kinds of elections.

Ways to Get Turkish Citizenship

Many foreigners aspire to become Turkish citizens; Turkey offers many ways for these people who like to benefit from the advantages Turkish citizenship provides.

Authorities have identified ways through which citizenship can be acquired:

1. 1. The first way is to stay in Turkey for five consecutive years with a work permit.
   2. The second is exceptional. It is granted in special cases that often involve holders of university degrees.
   3. The third is to invest at least 400,000 USD and keep that for at least three years.
   4. The fourth way is to apply after three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen, provided with the following rules: The proof of the integrity of the intention. The purpose of starting a family must not threaten public safety and order.

Citizenship Gained by Birth

Turkish descendants are eligible for Turkish Citizenship regardless of the country they are born in under the following conditions:

1. 1. The child born to a Turkish father and a Turkish mother in wedlock
   2. The child born to a Turkish father and a foreign mother in wedlock
   3. The child born to a Turkish mother and a foreign father in wedlock
   4. The child born to a Turkish mother and a foreign father out of wedlock
   5. The child born to a Turkish father and a foreign mother out of wedlock

Thus, any person born to a Turkish parent has the chance of being a Turkish citizen if they wish to.

Citizenship Gained by a Competent Authority

Turkish laws allow the acquisition of a passport by the decision of the competent authority. There are five types of purchases:

1. 1. General Acquisition
   2. Exceptional Acquisition
   3. Re-acquisition
   4. Acquisition by marriage
   5. Gaining Citizenship By Marriage

Gaining Turkish Citizenship Through Exceptional Circumstances

The state allows foreigners to acquire Turkish Citizenship through exceptional circumstances such as extraordinary achievements in sports, arts, science, technology, and education.

Gaining Turkish Citizenship By Marriage

Foreigners marrying a Turkish citizen can apply for Turkish Citizenship after three years of marriage following these conditions:

1. 1. They have been living together as a family.
   2. They refrain from any activity incompatible with being a family.
   3. They do not threaten public health, security, or order.

Regaining Turkish Citizenship

Turkish law gives the right to people who have lost their citizenship to reacquire it if they are not a threat to public safety and order.

Gaining Turkish Citizenship Through Exceptional Circumstances

The state allows foreigners to acquire Turkish Citizenship through exceptional circumstances such as extraordinary achievements in sports, arts, science, technology, and education.

Gaining Turkish Citizenship Through an Investment

Foreigners can acquire Turkish Citizenship by investing 400,000 USD in real estate in Turkey if they do not resell it for at least three years. This option enables entrepreneurs investing in Turkey the convenience of also being Turkish citizens to enjoy its advantages without additional effort.

Frequently Asked Questions about Turkish Citizenship

Can I get Turkish citizenship by buying a house?

You can acquire Turkish citizenship through special procedures if you purchase real estate worth USD 400,000 or more. Foreigners should buy real estate worth at least USD 400,000 for this purpose.

Can a student get Turkish citizenship?

If you have lived in Turkey for five years on a working or student visa, you are eligible to become a naturalized citizen.

What happens if I marry a Turkish citizen?

Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not automatically grant the foreigner citizenship. For at least three years, the foreigner must have been married to a Turkish citizen. Continuing marriage is also one of the requirements. Citizenship can only be obtained in this manner.

How long does it take to get a residence permit in Turkey?

The government migration office is available for foreigners in 81 provinces all across Turkey. However, appointment queues, process times, and ID card delivery vary between two and three months.

What are the benefits of having Turkish citizenship?

1. 1. Full medical assistance
   2. There are pension plans available.
   3. Plans for free education and university reimbursement.
   4. The Turkish Passport enables visa-free travel to 111 countries.

Is it safe to buy property in Turkey?

Purchasing property in Turkey is very safe and simple if you do things correctly and work with a professional real estate company that knows what they’re doing.