Article 20 of the regulation regarding implementation of “the Law for Turkish Citizenship” enacted in 2010 specifying requirements for foreigners to acquire Turkish citizenship, was amended by the presidential decree signed by President Erdogan on 19 September 2018. The decree with number 106 was published in the Official gazette and went into effect as of said date.
Based on the amended text, the fixed capital amount required to apply for citizenship was reduced from US$ 2 million to USD 500 thousand. According to the new regulation foreigners who own real estate in Turkey worth a minimum of USD 400,000 (instead of USD 1 million) can apply for Turkish citizenship. Please note the $400,000 minimum threshold has been increased in 2022 from $250,000 previously. The expression “employing at least 100 persons” which is among the conditions of eligibility for citizenship, was changed to “50 persons”. The amount of deposit to keep in banks in Turkey to acquire citizenship was also reduced from US$ 3 million to USD 500 thousand.
On the other hand, foreign investors should hold the properties or continue the minimum limit of financial investments for at least three years to meet the criteria for Turkish citizenship.
A foreign person that meets any of the below conditions may acquire Turkish citizenship:
The Regulation Amending the Regulation on the Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law enters into force on the date of its publication (19 September 2018).
Application form link:
https://www.nvi.gov.tr/PublishingImages/Lists/PageContents/NewForm/Vat-4_Istisnai_Olarak_Kazanma.pdf
Link for code regarding the exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship
https://www.nvi.gov.tr/ministry-of-the-interior
REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS WHO BUY PROPERTY IN TURKEY TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP
• Purchasing a property worth min. US$ 400.000
• Payment of concerned amount by Bank transfer
• Keeping the property for a minimum of 3 years
Documents Required for Application
Application Authority and Procedure
Upon the written instruction of the Ministry, a citizenship file consisting of the application documents is prepared by the office of the governor where the foreigner is located or foreign missions (if the person is abroad) about the applicant.
Applications made by mail are not accepted.
Citizenship applications for persons who are immature or deprived of discrimination capability are made by their parents or guardians.
The date of application is taken as the date the application form of the applicant is recorded by the application authority.
The process of validation of official documents issued by foreign authorities shall be carried out by Article 167 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Population Services Law.
It is sufficient that the documents such as diplomas, and passports taken from the foreign authorities by the foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship are translated into Turkish and notarized at the time of application.
If deemed necessary, the approval of the original residence permit can also be made by the provincial directorates.