Turkey (TR)
Turkey is a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, uniting 85 million people under a rich civilisational heritage stretching from the ancient Hittites and Romans to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire.
Capital: Ankara
Region: Europe
Language: Turkish
Currency: TRY (₺)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)
Emergency: 112
Premium
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Turkey.
🏠
Permanent Residency
Name
Permanent Residence Permit (Süresiz İkamet İzni / Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni)
Eligibility
Foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Turkey for a minimum of 8 years (for Süresiz İkamet İzni) or 5 years (for Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni under EU Directive long-term equivalent). Continuous residence means no single absence of more than 6 months and total absences not exceeding 12 months in total over the 8 years.
Duration
Indefinite (no expiry)
Requirements
- ✓Minimum 8 consecutive years of legal residence in Turkey (or 5 years for long-term variant)
- ✓No criminal record (no serious crimes; minor offences may be evaluated individually)
- ✓No threat to public order or national security
- ✓No outstanding tax or social security debts
- ✓Sufficient financial means to support yourself without depending on social assistance
- ✓Valid health insurance or SGK coverage
- ✓Application to Göç İdaresi with all supporting documents
The Uzun Dönem İkamet İzni (Long-Term Residence Permit) provides near-equal rights to Turkish citizens in terms of work rights and social entitlements, with some exceptions (cannot vote, no military service obligation, no diplomatic passport). Does not require Turkish language test or passing a citizenship exam (unlike the citizenship route). This permit type is distinct from Turkish citizenship — it does not confer a Turkish passport.
🪪
Citizenship
Name
Turkish Citizenship (Türk Vatandaşlığı)
Eligibility
Multiple routes: (1) Standard residence route: 5 years of legal continuous residence; (2) Citizenship by investment: USD 400,000 real estate (most popular); (3) Marriage to Turkish citizen: 3 years of marriage; (4) Birth to Turkish parent; (5) Exceptional contribution in cultural, athletic, scientific, or economic sphere.
Duration
Permanent
Requirements
- ✓For residence route (5 years): valid ikamet for 5 consecutive years, Turkish language proficiency (Turkish Proficiency Test — TÖMER certificate B2 or above), clean criminal record, evidence of social integration, renunciation of previous citizenship may be requested (but Turkey allows dual citizenship so this is your choice)
- ✓For investment route (USD 400,000 real estate): property purchase and title deed (tapu), hold 3 years, application via TGDF process, no language/residence requirement, no renunciation required
- ✓For marriage route: 3 years of marriage to Turkish citizen, cohabitation, no threat to national security
CRITICAL ADVANTAGE: Turkey allows full dual (and even triple) citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce your existing citizenship(s) when acquiring Turkish citizenship, regardless of the route. Many citizenship-by-investment buyers specifically choose Turkey because of this dual citizenship policy. Turkish passport (2026) gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110+ countries. Turkish citizenship by investment is the world's most popular programme by volume — thousands of applicants annually, primarily from Russia, Iran, Middle East, Pakistan, China, and Central Asia. The citizenship by investment route requires no Turkish language knowledge, no residence period, and no integration test.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Citizenship by Investment — Bank Deposit
Eligibility
Foreign nationals depositing minimum USD 500,000 in a Turkish bank for at least 3 years (not to be withdrawn during this period).
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship
Requirements
- ✓Bank deposit of USD 500,000 minimum in a Turkish bank
- ✓Proof of funds from abroad (foreign-sourced)
- ✓Hold deposit for minimum 3 years (annotated commitment)
- ✓Application via investment pathway
- ✓Clean criminal record
Less popular than the real estate route but viable. The deposit must remain for 3 years — you earn interest on it (TRY-based deposit rates in Turkey can be high due to inflation). Risk: TRY devaluation risk on interest income if deposited in TRY.
Citizenship by Investment — Government Bonds
Eligibility
Purchasing minimum USD 500,000 in Turkish government bonds and holding for at least 3 years.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship
Requirements
- ✓USD 500,000 minimum in Turkish government bonds
- ✓Hold for 3 years
- ✓Standard application requirements
Bond yields provide fixed income. Foreign currency-denominated bonds (Eurobonds) reduce TRY devaluation risk.
Citizenship by Investment — Job Creation
Eligibility
Creating a minimum of 50 full-time jobs for Turkish citizens.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship
Requirements
- ✓Employ minimum 50 Turkish citizens continuously
- ✓Documented proof of employment contracts and SGK registrations
- ✓Verification by Ministry of Labour
Used primarily by large-scale investors establishing manufacturing or service businesses in Turkey. Very few applicants use this route compared to real estate.
Citizenship by Exceptional Contribution
Eligibility
Foreigners who have made exceptional contributions to Turkey in science, arts, culture, or sports, or who provide strategic investments deemed important by the President.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship
Requirements
- ✓Presidential decree required
- ✓Documented extraordinary contribution
- ✓Recommendation from relevant ministry
Discretionary — rare, typically for internationally prominent individuals.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — Turkey explicitly and fully permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. Turkish law does not require renunciation of a foreign citizenship when acquiring Turkish citizenship, and does not revoke Turkish citizenship when a Turkish citizen acquires a foreign citizenship. This is a significant advantage — particularly for the citizenship-by-investment programme where buyers retain both their original passport and receive a Turkish passport. Important caveat: your home country may have its own rules about acquiring foreign citizenship — check your home country's laws. For example, some countries automatically revoke citizenship if you voluntarily acquire a foreign one. Germany, for instance, allows Turkish citizens to retain both German and Turkish citizenship under bilateral agreements. The United States allows dual citizenship in practice though not formally recognised in law.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Unlock the complete Citizenship & Permanent Residency guide for Turkey — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere