All routes to Turkish citizenship

Turkish citizenship comes through three main routes: investment (from $400,000), 5 years of continuous residence and marriage of at least 3 years to a Turkish citizen. Türkiye allows dual citizenship, and the Turkish passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries.

Routes compared

Citizenship by residence

• 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence before applying; absences of more than 180 days a year break the period.
• Sufficient Turkish and an interview with the commission.
• Sufficient income, good conduct and no security threat.

Citizenship by marriage

• At least 3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen, and the marriage continuing.
• Genuine family life and no conduct incompatible with marriage.
• No requirement to live in Türkiye during those 3 years.

Military service for new citizens

• Men aged 22 or over in the year they naturalise, or who prove service in their former country, are treated as having served.
• Younger men are called up with their age group and can defer for 2 years; this also applies to citizenship by investment.
• The paid exemption (bedelli askerlik) for July to December 2026: TL 472,653.60.

Dual citizenship

Türkiye allows dual citizenship. Iran does not recognise its nationals' second citizenship, so in Iran you are treated only as Iranian and must enter and leave on your Iranian passport.

Frequently asked questions

How many years for Turkish citizenship by residence?

5 years of continuous legal residence, with no more than 180 days abroad a year, plus basic Turkish and an interview.

Will my son have to do military service with Turkish citizenship?

If he is under 22 in the year of naturalisation, usually yes; he can defer or be exempted by paying the bedelli fee.

Do I become a citizen immediately by marrying a Turkish citizen?

No. At least 3 years of marriage and continuing family life are required.

Based on the Turkish Citizenship Law and Military Service Law 7179; position as of October 2026.