With its geographical position, economic potential and social opportunities, the Republic of Türkiye is a centre of attraction where thousands of foreign nationals wish to settle and obtain citizenship every year. The most common of the ways foreign nationals acquire Turkish citizenship is the method based on the duration of residence, referred to in the law as “Acquisition of Citizenship Through the General Route.”

We have compiled for you the legal conditions that a foreign national wishing to acquire citizenship through the general route must meet under Article 11 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.

Legal Conditions for a Citizenship Application Through the General Route

A foreign national applying for Turkish citizenship through the general route must fulfil all of the following conditions:

  • Residing uninterruptedly for 5 years: Counting back from the application date, one must have resided in Türkiye uninterruptedly for at least 5 years with a legal residence permit. The law does not treat trips abroad totalling no more than 12 months during this 5-year period as an interruption.
  • Demonstrating the decision to settle in Türkiye: The foreign national is expected to prove their intention to build a future in Türkiye with concrete steps. Acquiring immovable property in Türkiye, opening a workplace, making an investment, transferring their centre of commerce to Türkiye, or working with a work permit are among the strongest proofs of this condition.
  • Being able to speak Turkish to a sufficient degree: As a requirement of adapting to social life, the applicant is expected to know Turkish at a level enabling them to manage daily life.
  • Having an income or profession: It is required to have a regular income or profession at a level sufficient to support oneself and any dependants in Türkiye.
  • Being of good moral character: One must have a character that inspires trust within society, not have been involved in offences such as gambling, narcotics or smuggling, and live in accordance with general morality.
  • Not posing a danger in terms of public health: It must be documented by a health report that the applicant does not have a contagious and permanent illness that would endanger public health.
  • Not constituting an obstacle to national security and public order: It is required not to have engaged in activities that would endanger the security of the state.

The Administration’s Discretionary Power

It should not be forgotten that fulfilling all of the conditions listed above does not mean that citizenship will definitely be granted. In the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, the relevant ministry and the administration have broad discretionary power according to the particulars of the specific case.

In order to minimize legal risks, it is of great importance to obtain professional legal counsel in preparing the application file completely, calculating residence periods correctly, and preparing for the administrative interview.