Istanbul Citizenship Lawyer

Acquiring Turkish citizenship requires strict compliance with the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its implementing regulations. Kalem Law Office represents foreign investors, property buyers, and international families in citizenship applications, real estate eligibility verification, civil-status registration, and administrative court appeals connected with Istanbul and across Turkey.

1. Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate or Capital Investment (Law No. 5901 Art. 12)

Under Article 12/1-b of Law No. 5901 and Article 20 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreign nationals may apply for exceptional Turkish citizenship by completing a qualifying investment and holding it for at least three years. For real estate investments in Istanbul or elsewhere in Turkey, the legal process requires:

• Property and Seller Eligibility Review: Verifying that the seller is a Turkish citizen or Turkish corporate entity, that the property has not previously been used for another citizenship application, and that the title deed is free of disqualifying encumbrances.
• Official Valuation and Banking Compliance: Coordinating the licensed SPK real estate valuation report, executing the Foreign Currency Purchase Certificate (Döviz Alım Belgesi — DAB) through a Turkish bank, and ensuring exact payment traceability from the buyer’s account to the seller’s account.
• Three-Year Annotation and Certificate of Conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi): Registering the mandatory three-year non-sale commitment at the Land Registry Directorate, obtaining the Certificate of Conformity, filing the investor residence permit (Article 31/1-j of Law No. 6458), and submitting the citizenship dossier for the investor, spouse, and minor children under 18.

2. Citizenship by Marriage and General Naturalisation

Beyond investment routes, Law No. 5901 provides statutory pathways for:

• Acquisition by Marriage (Article 16): Foreign nationals married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and living in family unity may apply for citizenship, subject to commission interviews and public-order/security verification.
• General Naturalisation by Residence (Article 11): Foreign nationals who have resided in Turkey legally and continuously for five years under an eligible residence or work permit (excluding tourist or student permits that do not count toward naturalisation) and who satisfy Turkish language and income requirements.
• Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) and Descent Routes: Applications by Turquoise Card holders following the transition period or individuals proving lineage to a Turkish citizen ancestor.

3. Administrative Appeals Against Citizenship Refusal or Delay

If a Turkish citizenship application is rejected by the Ministry of Interior or faces unlawful administrative inaction, the applicant has the right to file an administrative annulment lawsuit (İptal Davası) before the competent Administrative Court within the statutory 60-day litigation period under the Administrative Jurisdiction Procedures Act (İYUK No. 2577).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can multiple properties in Istanbul be combined to reach the citizenship investment threshold?

Yes, multiple qualifying properties may be combined provided each property satisfies the seller-nationality, valuation, DAB, and three-year no-sale annotation rules under the Regulation on the Implementation of Law No. 5901.

Do my spouse and children receive Turkish citizenship in the same investment application?

Yes. The principal investor’s legal spouse and children under the age of 18 at the date of application are included in the exceptional citizenship application without requiring an additional investment amount.

Which court hears disputes regarding the rejection of a Turkish citizenship application?

Disputes concerning the refusal or cancellation of Turkish citizenship decisions are administrative disputes heard before the competent Administrative Courts (İdare Mahkemesi) under Law No. 2577.

For further details, consult our Turkish Citizenship Law overview and Legal Services for Matters in Istanbul.