What Is Citizenship by Residence?
Turkish citizenship by residence is available to foreigners who have legally resided in Turkey for 5 consecutive years. It is the most widely used citizenship route — cost-effective and open to a broad range of applicants.
Applications under Article 11 of Law No. 5638 (Turkish Citizenship Law) are determined at the discretion of the relevant authorities.
2026 Basic Requirements
Mandatory Conditions
5 years of continuous legal residence: The applicant must have held a valid residence permit in Turkey for the last 5 years as of the application date. Periods spent abroad may be counted as an interruption.
Intention to settle in Turkey: The applicant must document that they consider Turkey as their place of permanent residence (property, bank account, tax registration, etc.).
No threat to national security: A clean criminal record is required.
Valid residence permit: A valid residence permit must be held on the application date.
Factors That Strengthen the Application
- Turkish language proficiency (not mandatory but a positive factor)
- Marriage to a Turkish citizen
- Ownership of a business or investment in Turkey
- Being a taxpayer
- Children enrolled in the Turkish education system
Periods That May Count as an Interruption
In the 5-year residence period, the following may be considered as interruptions:
- Absences abroad exceeding 6 months
- Late applications made after permit expiry
- Cancellation of residence permit
- Periods of entry ban from Turkey
Important: Short-term trips abroad (holidays, business travel) are generally not counted as interruptions, but each case is evaluated individually.
Required Documents
- Application petition
- Passport (apostilled, with notarised Turkish translation)
- Birth certificate (apostilled, with notarised Turkish translation)
- Marital status certificate (apostilled)
- All residence permit documents from the last 5 years
- Proof of residence in Turkey (title deed or rental contract)
- Criminal record (both Turkish and from your home country, apostilled)
- Proof of financial means
- 2 biometric photos
- Tax identification number document
Application Process
- Preparation (1–2 months): Documents from abroad (birth certificate, criminal record) require apostille and translation — obtain these in advance.
- Application submission: Apply at the Civil Registry Office or Provincial Civil Registry and Citizenship Directorate with all documents.
- Security investigation (3–6 months): Background check by relevant security agencies — the longest phase.
- Presidential decision: Positively evaluated files are submitted for Presidential approval and published in the Official Gazette.
- Registration and documents: Turkish ID card and passport are issued following the decision.
Average Timeline
Complete applications typically take 12–24 months. This is longer than citizenship by investment (6–9 months) but significantly more affordable.
Dual Citizenship
Turkey permits dual citizenship. Check whether your home country also allows dual citizenship before acquiring Turkish citizenship.
Which Route Is Right for You?
| Criterion | By Residence | By Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | High (400,000 USD+) |
| Timeline | 12–24 months | 6–9 months |
| Must live in Turkey | Yes (5 years) | No |
| Language requirement | Recommended | Not required |
Contact Deniz Kurumsal for a free consultation to determine the right route for you.
Related Services: Work Permit · Residence Permit · Turkish Citizenship