Applying for Turkish Citizenship: General Route, Marriage and Challenging a Refusal

Author: Att. Ahmet Bertuğ Dönmez Date: 10 July 20262 min read

Later acquisition of Turkish citizenship is governed by Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Applications are made in Türkiye to the provincial civil registry directorates and abroad to Turkish missions; the decision is taken by the Ministry of Interior.

First, note this

Meeting the legal conditions does not give the applicant an absolute right to citizenship (Art. 10/1). The administration assesses even an application that meets the conditions, so a complete and consistent file matters.

General naturalisation (Art. 11)

• Being of age and of sound mind
• Five years of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye before the application date
• Confirming through one's conduct the decision to settle in Türkiye
• Having no illness posing a danger to public health
• Being of good conduct
• Speaking sufficient Turkish
• Having an income or profession to support oneself and one's dependants
• Having no situation posing an obstacle in terms of national security and public order

Time spent abroad during the five-year period may affect the continuity requirement. Before applying, check your entry and exit records and the limits in the Implementing Regulation.

Acquisition by marriage (Art. 16)

Marrying a Turkish citizen does not by itself confer citizenship. A foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply. The spouses must also live in family unity, the applicant must not engage in activities incompatible with the marriage, and there must be no obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

Exceptional acquisition (Art. 12)

Citizenship may be granted by Presidential decision to foreigners who bring industrial facilities to Türkiye, who have rendered or are expected to render extraordinary services in certain fields, or who make the investments set out in the Regulation. Since investment amounts change periodically, check the current figure before applying.

If the application is refused

A refusal is an administrative act and can be challenged before the administrative court. As a rule, the time limit is 60 days from notification (Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, Art. 7). Knowing the reason for refusal determines whether to reapply or to sue.

Sources

• Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Arts. 10, 11, 12, 16
• Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law
• Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, Art. 7