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Ways to be a Turkish Citizen
There are two main ways to be a Turkish citizen. First, you can be a Turkish citizen by birth or birth of place. Second, you can acquire Turkish citizenship by meeting some criteria that the Turkish authorities ask.
Citizenship by Birth
There are two ways to become a Turkish citizen through birth. First is the paternity. A child who was born to a Turkish mother or father can be a Turkish citizen. Second is through birthplace. If a child is born in Turkey and if the mother and father are not known or stateless, the child can be a Turkish citizen.
Citizenship Acquired after Birth
Turkey welcomes applications for citizenship for the people that meet the criteria mentioned in Turkey’s citizenship laws. Here are the criteria for the ones who wonder how to be a Turkish citizen:
1. The person needs to be an adult according to its own country’s constitution. If the person is stateless, the person must be an adult according to the Turkish constitution.
2. The person must live at least five years before the application date
3. The person must prove his/her intention to live in Turkey by meeting some conditions.
4. The foreigner who applies for citizenship must not have health conditions that endanger society.
5. To have good morality, to be a trustable person and not to have bad addictions.
6. To be able to speak Turkish in a necessary and desired level
7. To have the economic capacity or a job to take care of himself/herself and his/her family
8. Not to be a threat to Turkish national security and social order.
How to Show Intention to Live in Turkey
As mentioned above, Turkey expects foreigners who want to be a Turkish citizen, to meet the 8 conditions. In the third condition, the foreigner who applies for citizenship has to prove his or her intention to live Turkey to Turkish authorities. There are various ways to prove the intention to live in Turkey. A foreigner who applies for Turkish citizenship can prove his or her intentions by buying an immovable asset worth of at least $250.000, by making an capital investment worth of at least $500.000, by buying state bonds worth of at least $500.000, by establishing a business that employs at least 50 people, by marrying a Turkish citizen and by getting education in Turkey.
Immovable Assets
If you buy an immovable asset such as a house, office worth of at least $250.000, you can apply for and get Turkish citizenship. Buying immovable assets is the easiest way to get Turkish citizenship. The booming construction sector enables people to buy houses and offices both to live and invest in relatively lower prices compared to other European countries. The minimum amount was $1.000.000 before 2018 to get a citizenship in Turkey through buying immovable assets. But after an adjustment in the citizenship law, which was made in 2018, the minimum amount was redetermined at $250.000. This shows that getting Turkish citizenship through immovable assets such as houses and offices in the most favorable way for these days. Also, Turkey enables people to sell their immovable assets after they have become a citizen for more than three years. Thus, if you become a Turkish citizen for more than three years you can sell your immovable asset and this situation does not affect your citizenship status. Buying immovable assets in Turkey is also a stable investment that most people choose to invest in the construction sector by buying houses and offices in offices in İstanbul, İzmir, Antalya, etc. You can check the opportunities in İstanbul and other beautiful touristic cities of Turkey such as Antalya, Bursa, İzmir and you can see the guides on how to buy immovable assets in Turkey and get Turkish citizenship through buying immovable assets, in here.
Business Establishment
If you establish a business and employ at least 50 people in that business, you can apply for and get Turkish citizenship through the business establishment.
Making Capital Investment
Turkey is an investment seeking country, especially for the last 20 years, Turkey welcomes all foreign investment and investors. Thus, Turkey provides easiness for an investor to get Turkish citizenship by making the capital investment worth of at least $500.000. The minimum amount was $2.000.000 before 2018 but with the adjustment in the citizenship law, the minimum amount was reduced to $500.000 in 2018. Thus, these days are a good opportunity for investors who think to be a Turkish citizen. Also, Turkey gives investors the chance to give away from his or her investment three years after becoming a citizen. Thus, if you are a citizen for more than three years, you can give away your investment and this does not affect your citizenship status.
Buying State Bonds
Turkey accepts the citizenship applications of those who buy state bonds worth of at least $500.000 with the conditions of not to sell the bond for three years. But after three years past from your citizenship, you can sell the bonds and this situation does not affect your citizenship status.
Citizenship through Marriage
Another way to become a Turkish citizen is through marrying a Turkish citizen. However, marrying a Turkish citizen does not bring Turkish citizenship automatically. There are some conditions that have to be met. From the applying date for citizenship, the foreigner has to be married at least for 3 years. The citizenship status is not affected by divorces that take place after three years. The persons who are charged for a crime or have a continuing trial cannot apply for Turkish citizenship.
How to be a Turkish Citizen
Turkish authorities welcome people who wonder how to be a Turkish citizen and who meet the required criteria. Turkey provides various easiness for foreigners who wants to be a Turkish citizen.
