EvimIstanbul Group®
EvimIstanbul Group Official

Turkish 
Citizenship | FAQs

Please Note:

The information below is provided for educational and informational purposes only. While we do our best to keep it up-to-date, laws, procedures, and requirements in Turkey are constantly evolving. Every case is unique — your situation may differ due to nationality, personal background, or recent legal changes.

hat’s why we always recommend speaking with the expert advisors first.

Contact us for a FREE Consultation and receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.

  • What are the ways to obtain Turkish citizenship? – There are multiple paths to Turkish citizenship: birth, descent, marriage, naturalization by residence, and investment. Most foreigners obtain it by naturalization (after legally residing ~5 years), by marriage to a Turk (after 3 years of marriage), or through the Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program (which grants citizenship in 3–6 months in exchange for qualifying investments). Additionally, if you have a Turkish parent you can claim citizenship, and in rare cases a Turquoise Card holder or someone who has made exceptional contributions can be granted citizenship by the state.
  • How do I get Turkish citizenship by investment? – Turkey’s citizenship-by-investment program requires making a qualified investment and keeping it for a certain period. The fastest route is typically real estate investment: investing at least $400,000 in Turkish property and holding it for a minimum of 3 years makes you eligible to apply for citizenship. Other qualifying options (each usually $500,000 or more) include depositing money in a Turkish bank, buying government bonds, investing in a Turkish business or fund, or creating 50 local jobs. Once the investment is made and verified by authorities, you can apply and typically get citizenship (and passports) in about 3–6 months.
  • Is it easy to get Turkish citizenship? – “Ease” depends on the route. The investment route is considered straightforward and fast if you have the required funds, since the process is well-defined and often completed within months. Other pathways, like naturalization through long-term residency or marriage, have stricter requirements (e.g. proving integration, language, or continuous residency) and can be more involved. In summary, citizenship by investment is the easiest if you qualify financially, whereas standard naturalization requires time and meeting various criteria.
  • How long must I live in Turkey to become a citizen by naturalization? – Generally, 5 years of continuous legal residency (with a residence permit) is required before you can apply for citizenship via naturalization. During those 5 years, you should not be outside Turkey for more than a total of 6 months. You also need to show you can support yourself, have no criminal record, and ideally show some integration (such as basic Turkish language). After 5 years, you may apply, but approval is at the state’s discretion and can take additional time to process.
  • Does Turkey allow dual citizenship? – Yes, Turkey allows dual citizenship. If your home country also permits dual citizenship, you can keep your original citizenship while holding Turkish citizenship. When you become Turkish, you are not required to renounce your previous citizenship under Turkish law. (Always double-check your home country’s rules – some countries might revoke your citizenship if you voluntarily acquire another.)
  • Do I need to learn the Turkish language to get citizenship? – Basic Turkish proficiency is officially a requirement for standard naturalization. In practice, during the citizenship interview, officials may assess if you can converse in Turkish. However, for citizenship by investment, there is no language requirement and typically no interview focused on language. Marriage-based applicants and long-term residents should be prepared to demonstrate some Turkish ability or at least integration. It’s always beneficial to learn Turkish for daily life and to show commitment to living in Turkey.
  • What are the main requirements for Turkish citizenship (naturalization)? – Key requirements include: being at least 18 years old, having lived in Turkey legally for 5+ years (with less than 6 months total outside), having “good moral character” (no serious criminal record), and being able to support yourself financially (and your dependents). For naturalization, you may need to show basic language ability and intent to reside in Turkey. If applying via marriage, you must have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and still be married and living together. For investment, the requirements are making the investment and keeping it for the required time, plus standard security/background checks.
  • If I marry a Turkish citizen, when can I get citizenship? – Marriage to a Turkish national allows you to apply after 3 years of marriage, provided you have lived together and the marriage is genuine. You must show family unity (still married and cohabiting), and that you pose no threat to national security or public order. Importantly, you do not automatically gain citizenship by marriage – it’s a facilitated route, but you still have to apply and be approved. There is also no requirement that you live in Turkey during those 3 years, but being able to demonstrate a real ongoing marriage is crucial.
  • Can my children get Turkish citizenship if I do? – Yes. When you (as a parent) are granted Turkish citizenship, you can include your children under 18 in your application and they become citizens with you. Newborn babies of a new citizen are also eligible. Adult children (18 and over) would need to qualify on their own; they won’t automatically get it through the parent. If you obtain citizenship by investment or naturalization, your spouse and minor kids can generally all apply and obtain citizenship together as a family unit.
  • If I have a Turkish parent or Turkish ancestry, can I get citizenship by descent? – Turkish citizenship can pass by descent: if one of your parents is a Turkish citizen, you are typically Turkish by birth (even if born abroad, once proper paperwork is done). If you discover a Turkish ancestor further back (grandparents, etc.), it doesn’t directly give citizenship, but you might look into Ottoman descendant citizenship cases (rare and not straightforward). There is also a provision that a child born in Turkey to foreign parents can acquire Turkish citizenship if they would otherwise be stateless (no other nationality). In summary, direct parentage is the clear path for citizenship by descent.
  • Will I need to serve in the Turkish military if I become a citizen? – Turkey has mandatory military service for male citizens between 20 and 41. However, naturalized citizens who obtain Turkish citizenship after a certain age are generally exempt. For instance, if you become a citizen at age 22 or older, you are exempt from military service in Turkey. Additionally, if you already served in your original country’s military, you may be exempt. Investors’ male children who are under 18 when they get citizenship could be subject to service when they come of age, but there are options like paid exemption (a fee to skip service) that many Turks use. It’s wise to confirm your specific situation with the authorities at the time of citizenship.
  • What are the benefits of Turkish citizenship for foreigners? – Turkish citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110+ countries (including Japan, South Korea, much of Latin America, etc.), the right to live and work in Turkey with no restrictions, access to free or low-cost public healthcare and education, and the ability to own all types of property without the few restrictions that apply to foreigners (e.g. land in certain areas). Citizens can also vote in elections. Another benefit: Turkey’s location and economy provide diverse business opportunities. If you plan to stay long-term, citizenship removes the need to renew permits. Also, Turkey allows dual citizenship, so it can be an “add-on” citizenship for ease of travel and investment. Lastly, once you’re a citizen, your future children will be Turkish by birth.
  • How much does it cost to apply for Turkish citizenship? – The costs depend on the route. For citizenship by investment, the main “cost” is the investment amount (at least $400,000 in real estate, or other $500,000 investments) plus various fees (due diligence, legal, translation, etc.). The government processing fees for citizenship applications are relatively modest (a few hundred dollars per applicant for processing and passport fees). For naturalization, costs include translation of documents, application fees, etc., usually a few thousand lira in total. For example, in 2025 the fees for the citizenship application and passport might be a few thousand Turkish Lira per adult. If we’re talking strictly application fees: they are not very high, but many people hire a lawyer which adds to cost. (By contrast, work permit fees range from 10,000 to 100,000+ TL depending on type/duration, but citizenship application fees are much lower than that.) In summary, investment route “costs” a lot due to the investment itself, while standard citizenship is mainly about meeting criteria rather than paying large fees.
  • How long does it take to become a Turkish citizen after applying? – Citizenship by investment is fast: around 3 to 6 months to approval after you make the investment and submit all documents. Naturalization (5-year residency route) can take longer – often 6–12 months or more for processing after you apply, because of security checks and bureaucratic processing. Marriage-based applications might take around 6–12 months as well for investigation. So, timeline varies: fastest is a few months (CBI route), while others may be around a year or more from application to getting the citizenship approval.