Turkey transmits citizenship to children born to at least one Turkish parent. Grandparent claims are possible if an unbroken legal lineage is established — meaning the applicant's parent must also have held Turkish citizenship at the time of the applicant's birth. Turkey allows dual citizenship.
Legal Basis
Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901), effective February 12, 2010. Article 6 establishes citizenship by descent. The law replaced the former Citizenship Law No. 403.
Generation Limit
1 generation (parent); 2nd generation possible if unbroken lineage proven
Turkish citizenship by descent is governed by Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901). At least one parent must have been a Turkish citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. For grandparent claims, an unbroken legal lineage must be established — the applicant's parent must also have held Turkish citizenship at the time of the applicant's birth (i.e., the citizenship chain cannot have been broken by renunciation or loss). All foreign documents must be professionally translated into Turkish, notarized, and apostille authenticated. Applications are submitted to a Turkish Consulate abroad or the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü) in Turkey. Processing times range from several months to up to two years.
Step-by-Step Process
1: Obtain your birth certificate and Turkish parent's identity documents — Local vital records + Turkish civil registry (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) · 2–4 weeks · $20–$50
2: Obtain certified Turkish translations and notarize all documents — Certified Turkish translator + notary · 2–4 weeks · $200–$500
3: Apostille all foreign documents — Secretary of State (for US documents) · 1–3 weeks · $20–$50 per document
4: Submit citizenship application at Turkish Consulate — Turkish Consulate in your country · 1 day appointment · Consular fee (varies)
5: Directorate General processes application — Ankara (processed centrally) · 6–18 months · Included
Turkey allows dual citizenship — no renunciation required
Turkish passport provides visa-free access to 110 countries
Turkey straddles Europe and Asia — unique geopolitical position
Access to Turkey's growing economy and real estate market
Turkey is a NATO member and EU customs union partner
Considerations
Processing times are long (6–24 months)
Document requirements are extensive — all docs must be translated into Turkish, notarized, and apostilled
Turkish passport has limited visa-free access compared to EU passports
Grandparent claims require proving unbroken citizenship chain (complex if records are incomplete)
Requirements
Your birth certificate (apostilled + certified Turkish translation)
Turkish parent's birth certificate and proof of Turkish citizenship
Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable, apostilled + Turkish translation)
Your current passport (copy)
Completed citizenship application form
Consular fee (amount varies by consulate)
Tax Considerations
Turkey taxes residents on worldwide income. Non-resident Turkish citizens (living abroad) are generally taxed only on Turkish-sourced income. Turkey has a territorial-leaning tax system for non-residents and an extensive tax treaty network.
Frequently Asked Questions
My father is Turkish — do I qualify?
Yes. If your father was a Turkish citizen at the time of your birth, you are entitled to Turkish citizenship by descent under Law No. 5901. You need to apply at a Turkish Consulate.
My grandfather was Turkish but my father renounced Turkish citizenship — do I qualify?
No. If your father renounced Turkish citizenship before you were born, the citizenship chain is broken and you do not qualify through the standard descent pathway. Turkey requires an unbroken lineage.
Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Turkey allows dual citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce your foreign citizenship when claiming Turkish citizenship by descent.