Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship through Long-term Residence Permit

The acquisition of Turkish citizenship through long-term residence permit, also known as obtaining citizenship according to general provisions, is regulated under Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law.

Applications are made personally to the governor's office of the residence area or through a attorney with a special power of attorney. Applications sent by mail are not accepted. Applications related to citizenship for minors or persons lacking the capacity to act must be made by their guardians or legal representatives.

Since the foreign identification number will be the basis for applications and procedures, individuals without a foreign identification number cannot apply.

Foreigners wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship must submit documents obtained from foreign institutions, translated into Turkish and notarized.

The following conditions must be met by those wishing to obtain citizenship through this method:

1. Legal Age and Capacity

The applicant must be of legal age and possess the capacity to act according to their national law. If the legal age in the applicant's country is 16, it does not prevent them from being considered an adult under Turkish law, which sets the legal age at 18. However, if the person is stateless (i.e., not a citizen of any country), they must be over 18 and possess the capacity to act according to Turkish law.

2. Continuous Residence in Turkey for Five Years Before Application

The residence requirement is regulated by Article 15 of the Law. The first aspect evaluated in citizenship applications is whether the residence condition has been fulfilled. If this condition is not met, the citizenship application will be rejected.

Accordingly, a foreigner wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship must not have been outside Turkey for more than 12 months during the required 5-year residence period. Time spent outside Turkey can be up to 12 months and will be counted within the residence periods.

(Note: The duration was previously set at 6 months but was increased to 12 months with the amendment in 2017.)

3. Intention to Settle in Turkey

The applicant's intention to settle in Turkey can be demonstrated in various ways, such as:

• Acquiring real estate in Turkey

• Establishing a business, investing, or relocating a business center to Turkey

• Working for an employer requiring a work permit

• Marrying a Turkish citizen or applying as a family

• Having a parent, sibling, or child who previously acquired Turkish citizenship

• Completing education in Turkey

  
  

4. No Threat to Public Health

Applicants must not have a disease that poses a general health risk. Examples include communicable diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and HIV.

5. Moral Code

The foreign applicant is expected to behave in accordance with Turkish public order and to avoid behavior that is contrary to societal norms.

6. Proficiency in Turkish

Applicants must be able to speak Turkish to a degree that allows them to integrate into social life. This requirement will be evaluated by the Application Review Committee.

7. Sufficient Income or Profession

The applicant must have a source of income or a profession that allows them to sustain themselves and any dependents in Turkey. Those who do not meet this requirement may have their citizenship applications rejected.

8. No Threat to National Security or Public Order

The applicant should not have any behavior that poses a threat to national security or public order. Examples include membership in terrorist organizations, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking. Applications from individuals under investigation, convicted, or imprisoned for any crime will be rejected.

This article has been prepared to inform readers about acquiring Turkish citizenship through a long-term residence permit. Please contact us for legal advice and citizenship application.