Citizenship in Turkey

Citizenship in Turkey can be obtained by marriage, at birth (based on kinship), or by acquisition. We recommend that those interested in citizenship by marriage in 2026 discuss all legal aspects with one of our Turkish lawyers with experience in this matter. In the following lines, you can read some essential information about Turkish citizenship requirements to get an idea of what this entails and what you need to prepare. Our team can help you immigrate to Turkey in a fast and simple manner.

What is the acquisition of citizenship by birth?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, Turkey still does not allow obtaining citizenship at birth. Thus, children who are born in this country to foreign parents do not receive Turkish citizenship because it must be based on kinship. In other words, Turkish citizenship by birth is granted to those who have at least one parent of Turkish origin. It is important to understand the legislation of this country, namely the Nationality Act, and to ask for specialized help from our immigration lawyers who can help you move to Turkey.

Here is an infographic with details about Turkish citizenship:

Turkish citizenship by marriage in 2026

People married for at least 3 years to Turkish citizens can be excellent candidates for citizenship in Turkey. We present the following Turkish citizenship requirements:

• You must prove that you lived together, as a family, in Turkey.
• The authorities will ensure that candidates for Turkish citizenship by marriage do not represent a threat to the country.
• The authorities are also the ones who can make checks regarding multiple partners, as such a thing is not allowed when applying for Turkish citizenship by marriage.
• You must complete the standard form VAT-6.
• The passport must be translated and notarized.
• Birth certificate, identity registry copy, and marital status certificate will be requested.
• In this process, you need to present your residence permit in Turkey.

So, these are some of the Turkish citizenship requirements, and we specify on this occasion that if the authorities consider that you have other plans than a proper marriage or family union, they may reject your application for obtaining citizenship in Turkey.

We advise you to contact our immigration lawyers in Turkey to learn more about Turkish citizenship by marriage.

Turkish citizenship is instantly granted to children born to at least one Turkish citizen. There are also special cases of children with Turkish parents who weren’t registered with the local municipality until 18 years of age. In such a situation, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs can conduct some examinations and decide whether applicants can enjoy nationality in Turkey or not. You may also ask our team for information about dual citizenship in Turkey.

Acquiring citizenship in Turkey by purchasing a property

You have the opportunity to obtain citizenship in Turkey by purchasing property in this country. Thus, with the purchase of property worth at least USD 400,000, you can access the Turkish citizenship program. The procedures are simple, as long as the steps for the purchase of real estate property are followed, and then the formalities for obtaining citizenship in Turkey must be taken into account. And in this case, you are invited to contact our lawyers for specialized legal advice, who can help you relocate to Turkey.

Below is a video presentation about the ways you can obtain Turkish citizenship:

Turkish citizenship by descent criteria

Getting citizenship in Turkey can involve different paths. But if you have Turkish ancestry, things can be simplified. Thus, if you have distant relatives or roots in Turkey, you can apply for Turkish citizenship by descent. 

Many clients want to purchase this type of citizenship and need a detailed check and specialized legal services. To be able to apply for Turkish citizenship by descent, you must prove the bloodline first. Here are the required birth and/or death certificates, marriage certificates, and other documents that certify family relationships with Turkish citizens. Our immigration lawyers in Turkey can help you in this way and explain the process of getting Turkish citizenship by birth:

• verification of the documents presented to the relevant authorities;
• the request for information is according to the documents presented;
• clear evidence is needed to prove that you have or have had Turkish relatives;
• representation before the authorities at the time of application for Turkish citizenship by descent.

There are certain conditions to apply for Turkish citizenship by descent, as follows:

• You must prove that you were born in Turkey or outside the country, having a Turkish mother or father.
• You are a child born of a foreign mother and a Turkish father or a Turkish mother and a foreign father.

One can claim Turkish citizenship by birth if one of the parents is Turkish, without taking into account the place of birth. However, getting citizenship in Turkey by descent is not a valid option for children born in Turkey to foreign parents.

Foreign citizens who own and hold at least 3 years of venture capital investment fund participation shares or real estate investment fund participation worth a minimum of USD 500,000 can be good candidates for Turkish citizenship.

We recommend specialized help offered by our law firm in Turkey if you are interested in more information about dual citizenship in Turkey.

Other conditions for getting citizenship in Turkey

The authorities are quite strict regarding citizenship in Turkey and are entitled to make a series of checks and also to ask for a lot of information. Here are other formalities and conditions that you should take into account for getting citizenship in Turkey:

• The minimum age to apply for Turkish citizenship is 18 years.
• Before applying for citizenship in Turkey, you must prove that you have lived in this country for at least 5 years with a residence permit.
• You must also prove that you know the Turkish language and that you have enough funds to support your living in this country.
• A clear criminal record is also requested, and normally, a good conduct certificate issued by the police is required.

Foreigners may apply for exceptional Turkish citizenship under certain conditions. For instance, they must purchase USD 500,000 worth of state borrowing instruments from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in Turkey and hold them for at least 3 years.

The E2 visa for Turkish citizens

Once you get citizenship in Turkey, you can enjoy a series of benefits, including easily obtaining the E2 Visa for the USA. This type of visa allows entry to the American market for Turkish entrepreneurs looking to expand their business horizons in this territory. Business connections with the United States are thus greatly simplified for Turkish citizens who have obtained citizenship.

If you are interested in more about this topic, you can talk to one of our lawyers. We can help you with the steps and formalities to obtain citizenship in Turkey when you want to apply. Our clients can also be guided on getting dual citizenship in Turkey.

Main benefits of Turkish citizenship

Getting citizenship in Turkey means a series of advantages, and among them, the following are the most important:

• Turkish citizens can travel to certain countries in the world without needing a visa. There are over 110 destinations where Turkish citizens receive a visa upon entering the respective country.
• Turkish citizenship can be offered to the whole family if the applicant includes them in the chosen program.
• If you have already lived in Turkey for 3 years, you can easily obtain the E-2 investor visa required to enter the USA.
• Turkey is an important financial hub and one of the largest business centers in Europe and Asia. Thus, businesses opened in Turkey can develop important connections all over the world.
• Another reason why foreigners choose Turkey for relocation is the high standard of living, a very well-developed health system, as well as an education system appreciated abroad.

A short guide for moving to Turkey

If you want to relocate to Turkey, it is good to take into account some important aspects:

• In most cases, a Turkish visa is needed. Certain visas have specific purposes. Our Turkish immigration lawyers can explain the procedures and help you obtain the necessary visa with the help of online formalities.
• If you intend to stay in Turkey for more than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit. Otherwise, it is considered that you are staying in this country illegally. In this regard, health insurance and proof of payment of the related tax are required.
• Registration with the local authorities is mandatory when you start the procedures for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey.
• It is recommended that you already have a domicile in Turkey when you apply for residence. Many of those who relocate here prefer to rent a house, while others want to buy a property. A real estate agent can be useful in this case.
• If you want to relocate and gain Turkish citizenship, you can opt for dedicated programs. For example, buying a property worth at least USD 400,000 can be an excellent option in this regard.
• If you have obtained a residence permit in Turkey, you can turn your attention to opening a bank account, in case you are interested in this. Here, our Turkish attorneys can explain the formalities.
• A permanent residence permit in Turkey is obtained after 8 years of living in this country, as provided by the legislation.
• If you want to relocate to Turkey for business purposes, you also have an entrepreneur visa with a validity of 3 months for the registration of a company.
• Citizenship in Turkey can be obtained after 5 years of living in this country. To benefit from a simple and fast process, you can opt for the services offered by one of our experts with experience in immigration issues.

About Turkey’s number of immigrants

Turkey remains an option for foreigners in vulnerable situations in 2026, given the current social context. We will review some interesting data in this regard:

• The recent data provided by the Presidency of Migration Management in Turkey shows that around 2.26 million Syrians were under temporary protection in mid-2026.
• Temporary protection covers only Syrian citizens, many of whom have requested international protection in Turkey and received temporary protection.
• Citizens from Iraq, Ukraine and Afghanistan are not covered by temporary protection; they apply for international protection or residence permits.
• Over 1,045,000 foreign citizens enjoy residence permits in Turkey.

Updates on citizenship in Turkey in 2026

Here are some of the most important Turkish citizenship updates in 2026:

• Immigration authorities in Turkey are more restrictive regarding citizenship granted to foreigners. In this regard, extra checks will be made regarding the source of funds and the criminal background of applicants.
• A 3-year monitoring period will be implemented for those who obtain Turkish citizenship. In this regard, the authorities reserve the right to revoke this status to people who do not comply with the country’s legislation.
• Applying for citizenship in Turkey is a relatively simple and quick process. However, there are situations in which extra documentation is required, alongside proper legal advice.

Working with our immigration lawyers in Turkey

You can simplify the process of getting citizenship in Turkey if you call for specialized help and a team with experience in this field. At our Turkish law firm, you can discover a wide range of legal services tailored to your needs. In addition, you can avoid situations where the application for a residence or work permit or Turkish citizenship by descent, for example, is rejected due to incomplete or missing documents.

You can opt for citizenship by investment in Turkey or even a passport by investment, and buy properties in this sense. We recommend that those interested in Turkish citizenship requirements in 2026 contact our law firm as soon as possible.