Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901

Law Number: 5901
Date of Adoption: 29/5/2009
Official Gazette Publication Date: 12/6/2009 – Issue: 27256

PART ONE

Objective, Scope, Definitions and Implementation of Citizenship Services

Objective
Article 1 – (1) The objective of this Law is to establish the procedures and principles regarding the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship and the conduct of related operations and services.

Scope
Article 2 – (1) This Law covers the principles governing the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship and the procedures for the implementation of citizenship services.

Definitions
Article 3 – (1) For the purposes of this Law:
a) Ministry: refers to the Ministry of Interior;
b) Multiple citizenship: a Turkish citizen holding more than one citizenship simultaneously;
c) General Directorate: refers to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs;
ç) Turkish citizen: a person bound to the Republic of Turkey by citizenship;
d) Foreign national: a person who does not have citizenship of the Republic of Turkey.

Implementation of Citizenship Services
Article 4 – (1) Services regarding the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are carried out by the Ministry within Turkey and by Turkish diplomatic missions abroad.

PART TWO

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

Ways of Acquiring Turkish Citizenship
Article 5 – (1) Turkish citizenship may be acquired by birth or afterwards.

Citizenship Acquired by Birth
Article 6 – (1) Turkish citizenship by birth is acquired automatically based on descent or place of birth. Citizenship acquired by birth is effective from the moment of birth.

Descent (Kinship)
Article 7 – (1) A child born within a marriage to a Turkish father or mother, whether in Turkey or abroad, is a Turkish citizen.
(2) A child born out of wedlock to a Turkish mother and a foreign father is a Turkish citizen.
(3) A child born out of wedlock to a Turkish father and a foreign mother acquires Turkish citizenship if the legal procedures establishing descent are fulfilled.

Place of Birth
Article 8 – (1) A child born in Turkey who cannot acquire citizenship of any country from their foreign parents acquires Turkish citizenship at birth.
(2) A child found in Turkey is considered to have been born in Turkey unless proven otherwise.

Citizenship Acquired After Birth
Article 9 – (1) Turkish citizenship may be acquired after birth through a competent authority’s decision, adoption, or the exercise of the right of choice.

Acquisition by Competent Authority Decision
Article 10 – (1) A foreign national wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship may do so by the decision of the competent authority if they meet the conditions specified in this Law. However, fulfilling these conditions does not confer an absolute right to citizenship.
(2) Principles and procedures for post-birth acquisition of Turkish citizenship are determined by the Ministry after consulting relevant public institutions.

Conditions for Application
Article 11 – (1) Applicants wishing to acquire Turkish Citizenship must;
a) have reached the age of majority and possess full mental capacity according to their national law, or Turkish law if stateless;
b) have resided in Turkey continuously for five years prior to application;
c) demonstrate the intention to settle in Turkey;
ç) not have a disease that endangers public health;
d) possess good moral character;
e) speak Turkish adequately;
f) have sufficient income or profession to support themselves and dependents;
g) not pose a threat to national security or public order.

Exceptional Cases in the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

Artıcle 12 –(1) Provided that they do not pose any obstacle in terms of national security and public order, the following foreigners may acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the President:

a) Persons who bring industrial facilities to Türkiye or who have rendered, or are considered likely to render, extraordinary services in scientific, technological, economic, social, sporting, cultural, or artistic fields, and for whom a justified proposal has been submitted by the relevant ministries.

b) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27) Foreigners who obtain a residence permit pursuant to subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law No. 6458 dated 4/4/2013 on Foreigners and International Protection, as well as Turquoise Card holders, and their foreign spouses, as well as their and their spouses’ minor or dependent foreign children.

c) Persons whose naturalization is deemed necessary.

d) Persons accepted as immigrants.

(2) (Added: 19/10/2017-7039/29) Applications of those who are considered to pose a risk to national security and public order shall be rejected by the Ministry.

Re-Acquisition Without Residence Requirement
Article 13 – (1) Provided that they do not pose any obstacle in terms of national security, the persons specified below may reacquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, regardless of their period of residence in Türkiye.

a) Those who lost citizenship by renunciation;
b) Those who lost citizenship due to parental status and did not exercise their right of choice within the period prescribed in Article 21.

Re-Acquisition With Residence Requirement
Article 14 – (1) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship under Article 29 may regain it by Presidential decision; those who lost it under Article 34 may regain it by Ministry decision after three years of residence in Turkey.

Calculation of Residence Periods
Article 15 – (1) For a foreigner, residence means living in Turkey in accordance with Turkish law. A foreigner applying to acquire Turkish citizenship may stay outside Turkey for no more than a total of twelve months during the required residence period for the application. The time spent outside Turkey is still counted within the residence periods stipulated in this Law.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Marriage
Article 16 – (1) Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not automatically grant Turkish citizenship. However, foreigners who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage is ongoing may apply to acquire Turkish citizenship. Applicants must meet the following conditions:

a) Living within family unity,
b) Not engaging in activities incompatible with the marital union,
c) Not having any circumstances that would pose an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

(2) If the marriage ends due to the death of the Turkish citizen spouse after the application has been submitted, the condition in subparagraph (a) of the first paragraph shall not be required.

(3) Foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage shall retain their citizenship if the marriage is annulled, provided that they entered into the marriage in good faith.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Adoption

Article 17 – (1) A minor who is adopted by a Turkish citizen may acquire Turkish citizenship as of the date of the decision, provided that they do not have any circumstances that would pose an obstacle in terms of national security and public order.

Citizenship Application Review Commission

Article 18 – (1) The determination of whether foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship under Articles 11 and 16 meet the required application conditions shall be carried out by the citizenship application review commission established in the provinces. The composition of the commission and its procedures and principles of operation shall be determined by regulation.

Procedures and Principles for the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

Article 19 – (1) For foreigners who wish to acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority and who meet the required application conditions, a citizenship file shall be prepared in their name and submitted to the Ministry for a decision. As a result of the examination and investigation to be carried out by the Ministry, those whose situation is deemed appropriate may acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, while the applications of those not found suitable shall be rejected by the Ministry.

(2) The procedures for acquiring Turkish citizenship pursuant to Article 12 shall be carried out by the Ministry.

Validity and Consequences of the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

Article 20 – (1) Decisions regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship shall take effect as of the date of the decision.

(2) The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority shall not affect the citizenship of the spouse. Children under the custody of either parent shall acquire Turkish citizenship provided that the other spouse consents. In the absence of such consent, action shall be taken in accordance with the decision of the judge in the country where the habitual residence of the mother or father is located. Children of parents who acquire Turkish citizenship together shall also acquire Turkish citizenship.

(3) Children who did not undergo the process together with their parents at the time when the mother or father acquired Turkish citizenship shall be subject to the provisions of Article 11 if they apply to acquire Turkish citizenship after reaching the age of majority.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Exercising the Right of Option

Article 21 – (1) Children who lost Turkish citizenship due to their parents in accordance with Article 27 may acquire Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of option within three years after reaching the age of majority.

Validity and Consequences of the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Exercising the Right of Option

Article 22 – (1) The acquisition of Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of option shall take effect as of the date of the decision determining that the conditions for exercising this right have been met.

(2) The provisions of Article 20 shall apply to the spouses and children of persons who acquire Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of option.

PART THREE

Loss of Turkish Citizenship

Cases of Loss of Turkish Citizenship
Article 23 – (1) Turkish citizenship is lost either by decision of the competent authority or by exercising the right of option.

Loss of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

Article 24 (1) The loss of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority occurs through renunciation, deprivation, or annulment of acquisition of citizenship.

Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

Article 25 – (1) Persons requesting permission to renounce Turkish citizenship may be granted a renunciation permit or certificate by the Ministry if they meet the following conditions:

a) Being of legal age and having full mental capacity.
b) Having acquired or being able to acquire citizenship of another state, with credible evidence of this.
c) Not being wanted for any crime or military service.
ç) Not having any financial or criminal restrictions.

Documents for Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

Article 26 – (1) Persons requesting permission to renounce Turkish citizenship in order to acquire the citizenship of another state shall, if their request is approved, be issued a permit to renounce Turkish citizenship by the Ministry; those who have already acquired or can document that they acquired foreign citizenship either prior to or as a result of the permit shall be issued a certificate of renunciation of Turkish citizenship.

(2) The renunciation permit is valid for two years from the date of the decision. Permit holders must provide information and documentation regarding the acquisition of foreign citizenship to the provincial governorate if residing in Turkey, or to the Turkish diplomatic mission if residing abroad. If foreign citizenship is not acquired within this period, the renunciation permit becomes invalid.

Validity and Consequences of Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

Article 27 – (1) Turkish citizenship is lost upon delivery of the renunciation certificate to the individual against their signature. The records of persons who lose Turkish citizenship shall be closed in the civil registry and family registers, and they shall be treated as foreigners from the date of loss.

(2) (Amended: 6/12/2019-7196/63) The loss of Turkish citizenship by one spouse through renunciation does not affect the citizenship of the other spouse. Children of a parent who loses Turkish citizenship may also lose Turkish citizenship if requested by the parent and with the consent of the other parent. If consent is not given, action shall be taken according to the decision of the judge.

(3) The provisions of this article shall not apply if the loss of citizenship would render the children stateless.

Rights Granted to Persons Who Lose Turkish Citizenship by Obtaining a Renunciation Permit

Article 28 (Amended: 9/5/2012-6304/14)

(1) Persons who are Turkish citizens by birth and who lose Turkish citizenship through a renunciation permit, along with their descendants up to the third degree, shall continue to enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens as stated in this article, except for the exceptions indicated. Provisions concerning national security and public order are reserved.

(2) Persons within the scope of this article do not have the right to vote or be elected, import duty-free vehicles or household goods, nor are they obliged to perform military service. Their acquired social security rights are preserved and are subject to the relevant provisions of the applicable laws.

(3) Persons covered by this article cannot hold permanent and regular public service positions that are based on a staff assignment and subject to public law. However, they may be employed as workers, temporary staff, or contract personnel in public institutions and organizations.

(4) The President may determine, as necessary, which degree of descendants beyond the third degree may benefit from the rights granted under this article.

(5) Descendants eligible to benefit under this article must document their genealogical relationship with their ancestor.

(6) Persons covered by this article may, upon request, be issued a Blue Card showing that they are entitled to the rights specified in this article. This card falls under the scope of the Law on Valuable Papers dated 21/2/1963 and numbered 210.

(7) Presentation of the Blue Card is sufficient to exercise the rights granted by this article. If the card cannot be presented, transactions shall be carried out using a record from the Registry of Blue Card Holders via the Identity Sharing System and identity documents issued by the authorities of the country of nationality. In case of any changes in the identity information, the old and new identity documents, certified and translated into Turkish, must be presented.

(8) Persons covered by this article shall be assigned an identity number according to principles determined by the Ministry. This number shall be used wherever the Turkish Republic identity number is required.

(9) The Ministry shall determine the procedures and principles for issuing and distributing Blue Cards and for maintaining the Registry of Blue Card Holders electronically.

(10) Public institutions and organizations shall take all necessary measures and make the required arrangements to implement the provisions of this article.

Revocation of Turkish Citizenship
Article 29 – (1) Turkish citizenship may be revoked by Presidential decree for individuals whose conduct is determined by official authorities to fall under any of the following categories:

a) Persons who, having served a foreign state in a manner contrary to the interests of Turkey, fail to voluntarily resign from such service within a reasonable period of no less than three months, despite notification by Turkish diplomatic missions abroad or by provincial administrative authorities within Turkey.

b) Persons who, without the permission of the President, continue to serve in any capacity for a state that is at war with Turkey.

c) Persons who voluntarily perform military service in the service of a foreign state without obtaining prior authorization.

(2)(Added: 2/1/2017 – Decree Law No. 680/Article 75; Ratified: 1/2/2018 – Law No. 7072/Article 73) Citizens who are subject to investigation or prosecution for the offenses enumerated in Articles 302, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 dated 26 September 2004, and who are abroad and cannot be reached, shall be reported to the Ministry for the purpose of revoking their citizenship within one month of the date on which the public prosecutor (during the investigation) or the court (during the prosecution) becomes aware of their absence. If such individuals fail to return to Turkey within three months following a “return to country” notice published in the Official Gazette by the Ministry, their Turkish citizenship may be revoked by Presidential decree.

Validity and Consequences of Revocation of Turkish Citizenship

Article 30 – (1) The revocation of Turkish citizenship shall take effect as of the date on which the Presidential decree is published in the Official Gazette.

(2) Decisions on revocation are personal in nature and shall not affect the spouse or children of the individual concerned.

Annulment of Turkish Citizenship

Article 31 – (1) A decision granting Turkish citizenship shall be annulled by the authority that issued it if it is determined that the individual obtained citizenship as a result of false statements or by concealing material facts that formed the basis for the acquisition of citizenship.

Validity and Consequences of Annulment of Turkish Citizenship

Article 32 – (1) An annulment decision shall take effect as of the date of the decision. The annulment shall also apply, with respect to the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, to the spouse and children of the individual concerned.

Liquidation of Assets

Article 33 – (1) The provisions of Law No. 5683 dated 15 July 1950 on the Residence and Travel of Foreigners in Turkey shall apply to individuals whose Turkish citizenship has been annulled. In cases where the liquidation of their assets is deemed necessary, this requirement shall be specified in the annulment decision. Such individuals shall be obliged to liquidate their assets in Turkey within one year. Otherwise, their assets shall be sold by the Treasury, and the proceeds shall be deposited in the name and account of the individual in a public bank included within the public treasury system.

(2) If these individuals initiate legal proceedings against the annulment decision, the liquidation of assets shall be postponed until the conclusion of the case.

Loss by Right of Choice of Turkish Citizenship
Article 34 – (1) Individuals in the circumstances described below may renounce Turkish citizenship within three years of reaching the age of majority:

a) Those who are Turkish citizens by birth through descent from a Turkish mother or father and who acquire, by birth or subsequently, the citizenship of a foreign mother or father.

b) Those who are Turkish citizens by descent from a Turkish mother or father and who acquire, on the basis of place of birth, the citizenship of a foreign state.

c) Those who acquire Turkish citizenship through adoption.

ç) Those who are Turkish citizens by birth on the basis of place of birth but subsequently acquire the citizenship of a foreign mother or father.

d) Those who acquire Turkish citizenship through a parent who has themselves obtained Turkish citizenship by any means.

(2) The right to renounce Turkish citizenship under the provisions above shall not be exercised if such renunciation would render the individual stateless.

Validity and Consequences of Loss of Turkish Citizenship by Right of Choice

Article 35 – (1) The loss of Turkish citizenship through the exercise of the right to choose shall take effect as of the date of the decision determining the existence of the conditions for exercising that right.

(2) The provisions of Article 27 shall apply to the spouse and children of individuals who renounce Turkish citizenship by exercising the right to choose.

PART FOUR

General Provisions

Proof of Turkish Citizenship
Article 36 – (1) Proof of Turkish citizenship is not subject to any formal requirements.
(2) The following official records and documents are prima facie evidence of Turkish citizenship unless proven otherwise:
a) Population registry records;
b) Identity cards;
c) Passports or equivalent documents.
(3) In case of doubt about a person’s Turkish citizenship, the matter shall be referred to the Ministry.

Application Authorities and Procedures
Article 37 – (1) Applications regarding acquisition or loss of Turkish citizenship shall be made in person or by proxy: within Turkey, to the provincial governor’s office of residence; abroad, to Turkish diplomatic missions.

Request for Information and Documents
Article 38 – (1) Public institutions and organizations shall provide information and documents related to citizenship investigations and procedures without delay.

Correction of Material Errors and Completion
Article 39 – (1) In the event that it is subsequently determined that a decision made pursuant to this Law contains a material error or omission, the Directorate General shall issue a correction or completion decision in accordance with the basis of the original decision.

Revocation of Citizenship Decisions
Article 40 – (1) Decisions regarding the acquisition or loss of Turkish citizenship shall be revoked if it is subsequently determined that they were issued without the legal requirements being fulfilled or were issued redundantly.

Notification
Article 41 – (1) Decisions on the acquisition or loss of Turkish citizenship shall be notified to the relevant persons and application authorities. Decisions on loss under Article 29 shall be published in the Official Gazette and deemed notified on the date of publication.

PART FIVE

Miscellaneous Provisions

Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Article 42 – (1) Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who apply for Turkish citizenship shall acquire it upon a written declaration of their intention to become Turkish citizens.
(2) Those who acquired citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus afterwards are subject to the provisions of Article 11.

Persons Who Lost or Were Deprived of Citizenship
Article 43 – (1) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship under the repealed Law No. 403, Article 25 (a), (ç), (d), and (e), may regain it by Ministry decision without residence requirement, provided no national security impediment exists.
(2) Persons deprived of citizenship under the repealed Law No. 1312 of 28/5/1928 may also regain Turkish citizenship under the same conditions.
(3) Requests of persons posing a national security risk shall be rejected by the Ministry.

Multiple Citizenship
Article 44 – (1) Persons who acquire foreign citizenship shall present relevant documents. Upon verification that the same individual holds multiple citizenships, the population and family registry records shall indicate multiple citizenship status.

Fees for Citizenship Procedures
Article 45 – (1) Fees for services related to acquisition of Turkish citizenship shall be jointly determined by the Ministry and Ministry of Finance and recorded as state revenue.
(2) Persons without taxable income under Law No. 193, and their minor dependent children, shall be exempt from fees under paragraph (1).

Regulations
Article 46 – (1) Procedures and principles for implementing this Law shall be regulated by a regulation issued by the President.

Repealed Legislation and References
Article 47 – (1) The Law No. 403 of 11/2/1964 and the phrase “province and district” in Law No. 5490, Article 22(2) of 24/4/2006 are repealed.
(2) References to Law No. 403 in other legislation shall be deemed to refer to this Law.

Reserved Population
Additional Article 1 – (1) Persons not registered in family registers for any reason until age eighteen, and without citizenship of a foreign state, shall acquire Turkish citizenship if they present a medical report proving kinship with parent(s) or, if deceased, with siblings.

Foreigners of Turkish Descent
Provisional Article 1 – (1) The residence period specified in Article 11(1)(b) shall be applied as two years for foreigners of Turkish descent until 31/12/2010.

Application of Existing Regulations
Provisional Article 2 – (1) The regulation under Article 46 shall be prepared and enacted within six months. Until then, existing regulations consistent with this Law shall continue to apply.

Entry into Force
Article 48 – (1) This Law enters into force on the date of publication.

Execution
Article 49 – (1) The Council of Ministers shall execute the provisions of this Law.