Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901)

Unofficial English translation for information only. In case of discrepancy, the Turkish text prevails. This translation is not legal advice.

Turkish source: Law No. 5901, Official Gazette 12/06/2009, No. 27256. Turkish text as published on mevzuat.gov.tr, checked on 26 October 2026: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5901&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5

CHAPTER ONE – Purpose, Scope, Definitions and Conduct of Citizenship Services

Article 1 – Purpose

(1) The purpose of this Law is to determine the procedures and principles concerning the conduct of the work and transactions related to the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship.

Article 2 – Scope

(1) This Law covers the procedures for regulating the principles concerning the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship and for carrying out citizenship services.

Article 3 – Definitions

(1) For the purposes of this Law, the following definitions apply:

a) the Ministry: the Ministry of Interior,

b) Multiple citizenship: a Turkish citizen having more than one citizenship at the same time,

c) General Directorate: the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs,

ç) Turkish citizen: a person bound to the State of the Republic of Türkiye by a bond of citizenship,

d) Foreign national: a person who has no bond of citizenship with the State of the Republic of Türkiye,

Article 4 – Conduct of citizenship services

(1) Services related to the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are carried out by the Ministry domestically and by foreign missions abroad.

CHAPTER TWO – Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship

Article 5 – Cases of acquisition of Turkish citizenship

(1) Turkish citizenship is acquired by birth or subsequently.

Article 6 – Citizenship acquired by birth

(1) Turkish citizenship acquired by birth is acquired automatically on the basis of descent or place of birth. Citizenship acquired by birth takes effect from the moment of birth.

Article 7 – Descent

(1) A child born within or outside Türkiye to a Turkish citizen mother or father within marriage is a Turkish citizen.

(2) A child born outside marriage to a Turkish citizen mother and a foreign national father is a Turkish citizen.

(3) A child born outside marriage to a Turkish citizen father and a foreign national mother acquires Turkish citizenship if the procedures and principles ensuring the establishment of descent are fulfilled.

Article 8 – Place of birth

(1) A child born in Türkiye who cannot acquire citizenship by birth of any country on account of their foreign national mother and father is a Turkish citizen from birth.

(2) A child found in Türkiye is deemed to have been born in Türkiye unless the contrary is proven.

Article 9 – Citizenship acquired subsequently

(1) Turkish citizenship acquired subsequently takes place by a decision of the competent authority, adoption, or the exercise of the right of option.

Article 10 – Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority

(1) A foreign national wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship may acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority if they meet the conditions specified in this Law. However, meeting the required conditions does not confer an absolute right on the person to acquire citizenship.

(2) (Added: 19/10/2017-7039/28 art.) The fundamental principles and rules to be applied in the subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship pursuant to this Law shall be determined by the Ministry, after obtaining the opinions of the relevant public institutions and organizations.

Article 11 – Conditions required for application

(1) Foreign nationals wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship must:

a) be of legal age and have the capacity to discern under their own national law or, if stateless, under Turkish law,

b) have resided continuously in Türkiye for five years retrospectively from the date of application,

c) confirm through their conduct that they have decided to settle in Türkiye,

ç) not have an illness that poses a danger in terms of general health,

d) be of good moral character,

e) be able to speak Turkish sufficiently,

f) have income or a profession in Türkiye sufficient to support themselves and the persons they are obliged to support,

g) not have a circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order,

(2) (Repealed: 19/10/2017-7039/34 art.)

Article 12 – Exceptional cases in the acquisition of Turkish citizenship

(1) Provided that they do not have a circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order, the following foreign nationals may acquire Turkish citizenship by a Presidential decision. [1][2]

a) Persons who bring industrial facilities to Türkiye or have rendered, or are considered likely to render, outstanding service in the fields of science, technology, economy, social affairs, sports, culture, or the arts, and in respect of whom the relevant ministries submit a reasoned proposal.

b) (Added: 28/7/2016-6735/27 art.) Holders of a residence permit pursuant to subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 dated 4/4/2013, foreign nationals holding a Turquoise Card, their foreign national spouse, and their minor or dependent foreign national child or the spouse’s minor or dependent foreign national child.

c) Persons whose naturalisation is deemed necessary.

d) Persons accepted as migrants.

(2) (Added: 19/10/2017-7039/29 art.) Applications of persons who have a circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order shall be rejected by the Ministry.

Article 13 – Reacquisition of Turkish citizenship without a residence requirement

(1) Provided that they do not have a circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security, the following persons may reacquire Turkish citizenship by a decision of the Ministry, regardless of their period of residence in Türkiye.

a) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it.

b) Persons who lost Turkish citizenship on account of their mother or father and did not exercise the right of option within the period prescribed in Article 21.

Article 14 – Reacquisition of Turkish citizenship subject to a residence requirement

(1) Persons whose Turkish citizenship was revoked pursuant to Article 29 may reacquire Turkish citizenship by a Presidential decision, and persons who lost Turkish citizenship pursuant to Article 34 may reacquire it by a decision of the Ministry, provided that they have no circumstance that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and have resided in Türkiye for three years.[3]

Article 15 – Residence and calculation of periods

(1) For a foreign national, residence means living in Türkiye in accordance with Turkish law. A foreign national applying to acquire Turkish citizenship may be outside Türkiye for a total of no more than twelve months during the residence period required for the application. Periods spent outside Türkiye are counted within the residence periods prescribed in this Law.[4]

Article 16 – Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through marriage

(1) Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not directly confer Turkish citizenship. However, foreign nationals who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply to acquire Turkish citizenship. Applicants must:

a) live within the family unit,

b) not engage in an activity incompatible with the marital union,

c) not have a circumstance that would constitute 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, the condition in subparagraph (a) of the first paragraph is not required.

(3) Foreign nationals who acquired Turkish citizenship through marriage retain Turkish citizenship if they acted in good faith in the marriage, should the marriage be declared null and void.

Article 17 – Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through adoption

(1) A minor adopted by a Turkish citizen may acquire Turkish citizenship as of the date of the decision, provided that no circumstance concerning them constitutes an obstacle on grounds of national security and public policy.

Article 18 – Citizenship application review commission

(1) The citizenship application review commission established in the provinces shall determine whether foreign nationals wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship pursuant to Articles 11 and 16 meet the conditions required for application. The composition of the commission and its working principles shall be determined by regulation.

Article 19 – Procedures and principles for acquiring Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority

(1) A citizenship file shall be prepared in the names of foreign nationals wishing to acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority who meet the conditions required for application, and shall be sent to the Ministry for a decision. Following the examination and investigation to be carried out by the Ministry, those whose circumstances are found suitable may acquire Turkish citizenship by a decision of the Ministry; the applications of those not deemed suitable shall be rejected by the Ministry.

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

Article 20 – Validity and consequences of the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority

(1) Decisions concerning the acquisition of Turkish citizenship take effect as of the date of the decision.

(2) Acquisition of Turkish citizenship by decision of the competent authority does not affect the citizenship of the spouse. Children over whom the mother or father has custody acquire Turkish citizenship if the other spouse consents. If consent is not given, 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 a mother and father who acquire Turkish citizenship together also acquire Turkish citizenship. [5]

(3) The provisions of Article 11 shall apply to children who were not processed together with their mother or father on the date the mother or father acquired Turkish citizenship, if they apply to acquire Turkish citizenship after reaching legal age.

Article 21 – Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through the right of option

(1) Children who lost Turkish citizenship on account of their mother or father pursuant to Article 27 may acquire Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of option within three years from reaching legal age.

Article 22 – Validity and consequences of the acquisition of Turkish citizenship through the right of option

(1) Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through the right of option takes 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 acquired Turkish citizenship by exercising the right of option.

CHAPTER THREE – Loss of Turkish Citizenship

Article 23 – Cases of loss of Turkish citizenship

(1) Turkish citizenship is lost by a decision of the competent authority or through the exercise of the right of option.

Article 24 – Ways of loss by decision of the competent authority

(1) Loss of Turkish citizenship by a decision of the competent authority takes place through renunciation, revocation, or annulment of naturalisation.

Article 25 – Renunciation of Turkish citizenship

(1) Persons who request permission to renounce Turkish citizenship may be granted permission to renounce or a renunciation certificate by the Ministry if they meet the following conditions.

a) Be of legal age and have the capacity to discern.

b) Have acquired the citizenship of a foreign state or have credible indications that they will acquire it.

c) Not be among persons sought in connection with any offence or military service.

ç) Not be subject to any financial or criminal restriction.

Article 26 – Documents for renunciation of Turkish citizenship

(1) The Ministry shall issue a permission certificate to renounce Turkish citizenship to persons requesting permission to renounce Turkish citizenship in order to acquire the citizenship of a foreign state whose requests are deemed suitable; and shall issue a certificate of renunciation of Turkish citizenship to persons who document that they have acquired the citizenship of a foreign state as a result of the permission granted or beforehand.

(2) The permission certificate to renounce is valid for two years from the date of the decision. Persons who receive the permission certificate must submit information and documents showing that they have acquired the citizenship of a foreign state to the governorship of their place of residence domestically, or to foreign missions abroad, within this period. If the citizenship of the foreign state is not acquired within the period, the permission certificate to renounce becomes invalid.

Article 27 – Validity and consequences of renunciation of Turkish citizenship

(1) Turkish citizenship is lost upon delivery of the certificate of renunciation to the person concerned against signature. The records of persons who lose Turkish citizenship in the civil registry family registers shall be closed, and from the date of loss they shall be treated as foreign nationals.

(2) (Amended:6/12/2019-7196/63 art.) The loss of Turkish citizenship by one spouse by obtaining permission to renounce does not affect the citizenship of the other spouse. If the mother or father who lost Turkish citizenship so requests and the other parent also consents, their children shall also lose Turkish citizenship together with them. If consent is not given, action shall be taken in accordance with the decision of the judge.

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

Article 28 – Rights granted to persons who lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it

(Amended: 9/5/2012-6304/14 art.)

(1) Persons who were Turkish citizens by birth but lost Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it, and their descendants up to the third degree, shall continue to enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens in the same manner, except for the exceptions specified in this Article. Provisions concerning national security and public policy (ordre public) are reserved.

(2) Persons within the scope of this Article have no rights to vote or stand for election or to import vehicles or household goods duty-free, and no obligation to perform military service. Their acquired social security rights are reserved, and they are subject to the provisions of the relevant laws in exercising these rights.

(3) Persons within the scope of this Article may not serve in principal and permanent public service positions based on a staff position and subject to the public law regime. However, they may be employed as employees, temporary personnel, or contract personnel in public institutions and organizations.

(4) If the President of the Republic deems it necessary, the President may determine up to which degree, starting from the third degree, descendants may benefit from the rights granted under this Article.[6]

(5) Descendants who are to benefit from the provisions of this Article must document their descent from their ascendant.

(6) Upon request, a Blue Card shall be issued to persons within the scope of this Article, showing that they may benefit from the rights specified herein. This Card is within the scope of the Valuable Papers Law No. 210 dated 21/2/1963.

(7) Presentation of the Blue Card is sufficient for the exercise of the rights provided by this Article. If the Card cannot be presented, the matter shall be processed on the basis of a copy of the record to be obtained from the Blue Card Holders Registry through the Identity Sharing System and a document showing identity information issued by the authorities of the state of which they are nationals. If there is a change in these persons’ identity information, they must present a document obtained from the authorities of the state of which they are nationals, showing their former and new identity information, together with its duly certified Turkish translation.

(8) An identity number shall be assigned to persons within the scope of this Article in accordance with the principles determined by the Ministry. This identity number shall be used wherever a Republic of Türkiye identity number is required.

(9) The procedures and principles concerning the issuance and distribution of the Blue Card and the electronic maintenance of the Blue Card Holders Registry shall be determined by the Ministry.

(10) Public institutions and organizations shall take all measures and make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of the provisions of this Article.

Article 29 – Revocation of Turkish citizenship

(1) The Turkish citizenship of persons officially determined to have engaged in the actions specified below may be revoked by a Presidential decision.

a) Persons who serve a foreign state in any service incompatible with Türkiye’s interests and do not voluntarily leave that position within an appropriate period to be granted of no less than three months, despite being notified to do so by Türkiye’s diplomatic or consular missions abroad or by local administrative authorities within Türkiye.

b) Persons who continue to work voluntarily, without the permission of the President of the Republic, in any capacity for a state at war with Türkiye.

c) Persons who voluntarily perform military service for a foreign state without permission.

(2) (Added: 2/1/2017 - Decree Law No. 680/75 art.; Adopted verbatim: 1/2/2018-7072/73 art.) Citizens against whom an investigation or prosecution is being conducted for the offences set out in Articles 302, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314 and 315 of the Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237 dated 26/9/2004, and who cannot be reached because they are abroad, shall be reported to the Ministry for the purpose of revoking their citizenship within one month from the time this situation becomes known to the public prosecutor during the investigation phase or to the court during the prosecution phase. If they do not return to the country within three months despite the call to return to the country published by the Ministry in the Official Gazette, their Turkish citizenship may be revoked by a Presidential decision.

Article 30 – Validity and consequences of revocation of Turkish citizenship

(1) Revocation of Turkish citizenship takes effect as of the date the Presidential decision is published in the Official Gazette.[8]

(2) Revocation decisions are personal and do not affect the spouse or children of the person concerned.

Article 31 – Annulment of Turkish citizenship

(1) A decision to acquire Turkish citizenship shall be annulled by the authority that issued the decision if it was made as a result of a false statement by the person concerned or the concealment of material matters forming the basis for acquiring citizenship.

Article 32 – Validity and consequences of the annulment decision

(1) The annulment decision takes effect as of the date of the decision. The annulment decision also applies to the spouse and children who acquired Turkish citizenship through the person concerned.

Article 33 – Liquidation of assets

(1) The provisions of the Law on the Residence and Travel of Foreign Nationals in Türkiye, dated 15/7/1950 and numbered 5683, shall apply to persons whose citizenship has been annulled. In cases where liquidation of their assets is deemed necessary, this matter shall be specified in the annulment decision. These persons are obliged to liquidate their assets in Türkiye within one year at the latest. Otherwise, their assets shall be sold by the Treasury and the proceeds shall be deposited, in their name and on their account, in a public bank included in the public treasury management system.

(2) If these persons apply for a legal remedy against the annulment decision, liquidation of the assets shall be deferred until the end of the action.

Article 34 – Loss of Turkish citizenship by exercising the right to choose

(1) The persons whose circumstances are specified below may renounce Turkish citizenship within three years from reaching the age of majority.

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

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

c) Those who acquire Turkish citizenship through adoption.

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

d) Those who acquire Turkish citizenship through a mother or father who acquired Turkish citizenship in any manner.

(2) The right to choose may not be exercised if loss of citizenship under the above provisions would render the person concerned stateless.

Article 35 – Validity and consequences of loss of Turkish citizenship by exercising the right to choose

(1) Loss of Turkish citizenship by exercising the right to choose takes effect as of the date of the decision determining that the conditions for exercising this right are met.

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

CHAPTER FOUR – Common Provisions

Article 36 – Proof of Turkish citizenship

(1) Proof of Turkish citizenship is not subject to any formality.

(2) The following official records and documents constitute a presumption that the person concerned is a Turkish citizen, unless proven otherwise.

a) Civil registry records.

b) Identity cards.

c) Passports or documents serving in place of passports.

(3) If any doubt arises as to whether a person is a Turkish citizen, this matter shall be referred to the Ministry.

Article 37 – Competent authority and procedure for applications in citizenship matters

(1) Applications concerning the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship shall be made to the governorship of the place of residence within the country or to Turkish diplomatic or consular missions abroad, either in person or through a representative holding a power of attorney authorising the exercise of this right.

Article 38 – Request for information and documents

(1) Information and documents relating to examinations and investigations concerning citizenship matters shall be provided by public institutions and organisations without any delay.

Article 39 – Correction of clerical errors and completion of omissions

(Amended together with its heading: 19/10/2017-7039/31 art.)

(1) If it is subsequently understood that a decision made under this Law contains a clerical error or omission, the Directorate General shall issue a decision to correct or complete it in accordance with its basis.

Article 40 – Withdrawal of citizenship decisions

(1) Decisions concerning the acquisition or loss of Turkish citizenship shall be withdrawn if it is subsequently understood that they were made without the legal conditions being met or more than once.

Article 41 – Service

(1) Decisions concerning the acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship shall be served on the person concerned and the competent authorities for applications. Decisions depriving a person of Turkish citizenship pursuant to Article 29 shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall be deemed served on the date of publication.

CHAPTER FIVE – Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 42 – Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

(1) Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who apply to acquire Turkish citizenship shall acquire Turkish citizenship if they declare in writing that they wish to become Turkish citizens.

(2) The provisions specified in Article 11 shall apply to those who have subsequently acquired citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Article 43 – Persons who have lost Turkish citizenship or been deprived of citizenship

(Amended together with its heading: 19/10/2017-7039/32 art.)

(1) Persons who have lost Turkish citizenship pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (ç), (d) and (e) of Article 25 of the repealed Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 may, upon application, be readmitted to Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, without a requirement to reside in Türkiye, provided they have no circumstance that would constitute an impediment in terms of national security.

(2) Persons who were deprived of citizenship under the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 1312 dated 28/5/1928, which has been repealed, may, upon application, be readmitted to Turkish citizenship by decision of the Ministry, without a requirement to reside in Türkiye, provided they have no circumstance that would constitute an impediment in terms of national security.

(3) Requests of persons who have a circumstance that would constitute an impediment in terms of national security shall be rejected by the Ministry.

Article 44 – Multiple citizenship

(1) If persons who acquire the citizenship of a foreign state for any reason submit documents concerning this situation, and the examination to be conducted establishes that they are the same persons as those in the records, an annotation shall be made in their civil family registers stating that they hold multiple citizenship.

Article 45 – Service fee for citizenship procedures

(1) The fee payable for services provided in relation to the subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship shall be determined jointly by the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance. The amounts collected as service fees shall be recorded as revenue in the budget.

(2) No service fee determined pursuant to paragraph one shall be charged to persons who have no income under Income Tax Law No. 193, or in respect of their minor children whose procedures are carried out together with theirs.

Article 46 – Regulation

(1) The procedures and principles concerning the implementation of this Law shall be regulated by a regulation to be issued by the President of the Republic.[9]

Article 47 – Repealed legislation and references

(1) The Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 dated 11/2/1964 is repealed, as is the phrase “province and district” in the second paragraph of Article 22 of the Population Services Law No. 5490 dated 24/4/2006.

(2) References made in other legislation to the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403 dated 11/2/1964 shall be deemed to have been made to this Law.

Additional Article 1 – Unregistered persons

(Added: 19/10/2017-7039/33 art.)

(1) Persons who, for any reason, have not been registered in the civil family registers before reaching the age of eighteen and who have no citizenship bond with a foreign state shall acquire Turkish citizenship if they submit a medical report establishing their kinship with their mother or father, or, if they are deceased, with their siblings, if any.

Provisional Article 1 – Foreign nationals of Turkish descent

(1) The residence period prescribed in subparagraph (b) of the first paragraph of Article 11 shall be applied as two years for foreign nationals of Turkish descent until 31/12/2010.

Provisional Article 2 – Application of the existing regulation

(1) The regulation prescribed in Article 46 shall be prepared and brought into force within six months. Until this regulation enters into force, the provisions of the existing regulations that do not conflict with this Law shall continue to be applied.

Article 48 – Entry into force

(1) This Law shall enter into force on the date of its publication.

Article 49 – Execution

(1) The Council of Ministers shall execute the provisions of this Law.

Notes

[1] By Article 27 of Law No. 6735 dated 28/7/2016, paragraph (b) was added to the first paragraph of this article after subparagraph (a), and the other subparagraphs were renumbered accordingly.

[2] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, the phrase “upon the proposal of the Ministry, the Council of Ministers” in this paragraph was changed to “the President of the Republic.”

[3] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, the phrase “Council of Ministers” in this paragraph was changed to “President of the Republic.”

[4] By Article 30 of Law No. 7039 dated 19/10/2017, the phrase “six” in the first paragraph of this article was changed to “twelve.”

[5] By Article 34 of Law No. 7039 dated 19/10/2017, the phrase “on the date of acquisition of Turkish citizenship” in this paragraph was removed from the text of the article.

[6] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, the phrase “Council of Ministers” in this paragraph was changed to “President of the Republic.”

[7] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, in the first paragraph of this article, the phrase “upon the proposal of the Ministry and the Council of Ministers” was changed to “President of the Republic”; in subparagraph (b) of the same paragraph, the phrase “of the Council of Ministers” was changed to “of the President of the Republic”; and in the second paragraph, the phrase “upon the proposal of the Ministry and the Council of Ministers” was changed to “President of the Republic.”

[8] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, the phrase “Council of Ministers” in this paragraph was changed to “President of the Republic.”

[9] By Article 188 of Decree-Law No. 700 dated 2/7/2018, the phrase “Council of Ministers” in this paragraph was changed to “President of the Republic.”