Turkey, as a country that has hosted various civilisations throughout history and has been the meeting point of different cultures, attracts the attention of many foreigners. The process of applying for citizenship in Turkey is of great importance for foreigners and the details of this process are subject to legal regulations. Here is a detailed guide on who can apply for citizenship in Turkey:

1. Turkish Citizenship by Birth:

Turkey adopts two basic citizenship principles, namely “jus sanguinis” (the principle of citizenship by law) and “jus soli” (the principle of citizenship by birth). Turkish citizenship by birth covers the children of foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship by law. A child born in Turkey is automatically recognised as a Turkish citizen.

2. Turkish Citizenship by Marriage:

Foreigners who marry a Turkish citizen may have the right to become a Turkish citizen after their marriage. However, the process of becoming a Turkish citizen after marriage may be subject to a certain waiting period and couples may need to maintain their marriage for a certain period of time.

3. Becoming a Turkish Citizen through Residence:

Foreigners who have obtained a residence permit in Turkey can apply for Turkish citizenship if they continue to reside in this country for a certain period of time. This period is usually five years. Furthermore, there should not be any interrupted periods of residence within this period.

4. Exceptional Circumstances Specific to the Turkish Citizenship Law:

The Turkish Citizenship Law contains provisions regulating special cases. For example, a foreigner’s request to become a Turkish citizen may be accepted if he/she has made significant contributions to Turkey’s national interests. Furthermore, the procedure for becoming a Turkish citizen may vary according to factors arising from the age, health and marital status of the foreigner.

5. Human, Administrative or Financial Contributors:

Foreigners who provide important services to Turkey and contribute to the country in human, administrative or financial terms may also be entitled to become Turkish citizens. A special procedure and evaluation process is applied for these persons.

The process of becoming a Turkish citizen is a complex and regulated process. It is important that foreigners wishing to apply for Turkish citizenship should carefully examine the necessary documents and procedures and consider obtaining the necessary legal counselling before applying for Turkish citizenship. Due to Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and quality of life, many foreigners wish to realise their dream of becoming a citizen of this country. Therefore, understanding the details and requirements of the citizenship application process is important to achieve this goal.