Turkey — Residency: Citizenship

Why this matters

A Turkish passport offers visa-free travel to over 110 countries, including many European nations.

Key facts

• General naturalization requires five consecutive years of legal residence, with no single absence over 12 months, and takes 12 to 24 months.
• Applicants must be 18+, of good character, show sufficient finances and speak Turkish (stated as up to A2, though the guide says language is not always mandatory).
• Citizenship by investment requires USD 400,000 in real estate held for at least three years, or USD 500,000 in a bank deposit, bonds, fixed capital or investment funds; it takes about 12 months.
• Turkey allows dual citizenship if the home country does; the guide gives no fee amounts and has minor internal inconsistencies.

Steps

1. Step 1: Meeting Eligibility Criteria — Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residence in Turkey for a minimum period, language proficiency, and a clean criminal record. These criteria are not well-documented and may change over time.
2. Step 2: Filing an Application — Applicants must submit their application to the relevant authorities, which may involve gathering extensive documentation and navigating complex bureaucracy.
3. Step 3: Obtaining Citizenship — If the application is successful, applicants will be granted Turkish citizenship, which may take several years.

Timelines

• Naturalization: 12 to 24 months
• Investment route: About 12 months