Bayraktar Attorneys guides foreign nationals through every route to Turkish citizenship, from citizenship by investment to marriage, descent and naturalisation. We assess your eligibility, prepare and file the application, and follow it through the authorities until the decision, all in English.
Turkish citizenship is a life-changing step. It gives you a Turkish passport with visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to many countries, the right to live, work and own property freely, and the ability to pass citizenship to your children. Turkey also allows dual citizenship, so in most cases you do not have to give up your current nationality.
Talk to an English-speaking citizenship lawyer today. The first consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Citizenship files are detailed and unforgiving. A single missing document, a valuation that falls short of the threshold, or a gap in your residence history can delay a case for months. Our team manages the whole application so it is right the first time.
We take care of the full process, so nothing is missed:
Turkish law offers more than one path to citizenship. The right one depends on your ties to Turkey, your budget and your timeline. We explain the options clearly and recommend the strongest route for you.
The fastest route for most foreign clients. By making a qualifying investment, such as real estate of currently USD 400,000 held for three years, you and your family can apply for citizenship without the usual residence period. We cover the thresholds in the next section.
A foreigner married to a Turkish citizen may apply after the marriage has lasted at least three years and is still continuing. The couple must live together in a genuine family union. Marriage does not give citizenship automatically, and the authorities check that the marriage is real.
A child born to a Turkish mother or father acquires Turkish citizenship by descent, wherever the child is born. If you have a Turkish parent, you may already be entitled to citizenship, and we help you prove and register it.
A foreigner who has lived in Turkey legally and continuously for at least five years, intends to settle, is of good character and can show basic Turkish and a stable income may apply for ordinary naturalisation. This is a discretionary route decided by the authorities.
Citizenship by investment is granted under an exceptional route where the President may grant citizenship to those who bring in a qualifying investment. The thresholds are set by regulation and can change, so we always confirm the current figures before you commit. As matters currently stand, the main options are:
The valuation, the payment route and the paperwork all have to meet strict rules, and property must be valued by an authorised appraiser. We work alongside our property and title deed and bank account teams so the investment is structured correctly and the citizenship file is not held up.
The exact file depends on your route, but most applications share a common core. In general you will need:
Turkey allows dual citizenship, so you generally do not have to renounce your current nationality to become Turkish. You should still check whether your own country accepts dual citizenship, and we are glad to flag the common issues.
A successful application usually covers your spouse and dependent children as well, so the whole family can obtain citizenship together. Where family status is part of your route, we coordinate with our family law team, and if you are living here while your file is processed we handle your residence permit in parallel.
We assess your situation, confirm the best route, and set out the requirements, costs and realistic timeline.
For investors we structure and confirm the qualifying investment. For every route we prepare and certify the documents and translations.
Where the investment route is used, we secure the residence permit that supports the citizenship application.
We submit the citizenship application to the authorities and manage the process, responding to any requests for more information.
We follow the file to the decision, then help you register and obtain your Turkish identity card and passport.
Investment, marriage, descent and naturalisation, assessed honestly for your situation.
We structure property and financial investments so they meet the current thresholds and the file is not delayed.
Property, banking, family and residence handled together, in English, for you and your dependents.
We confirm the current thresholds and fees before you commit, with no surprises.
Atty. Nevzat Oğulcan Bayraktar
Confidential, English-speaking support on every route to a Turkish passport.
This page provides general information about Turkish citizenship in Turkey and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please contact Bayraktar Attorneys for a consultation.
