Obtaining Turkish citizenship can offer numerous advantages for foreigners, including visa-free travel, real estate ownership rights, business opportunities, and long-term residency security. However, the legal and administrative steps involved are complex and time-sensitive. Engaging a licensed Turkish citizenship lawyer ensures that your application is completed accurately, efficiently, and with full legal compliance. At ER&GUN&ER, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers provide end-to-end legal representation for citizenship applicants through all recognized pathways.
Why Legal Representation Is Critical in Citizenship Applications
Turkish citizenship laws are governed by Law No. 5901 and its regulations, which outline multiple routes to citizenship—each with unique requirements. Legal representation is essential because:
- Minor documentation errors or omissions can cause rejection or indefinite delay
- Procedures differ depending on the application route (investment, marriage, exceptional, ancestry)
- Legal risk exposure exists in background checks, criminal records, and source of funds audits
- Government communication and documentation are handled exclusively in Turkish
- A lawyer can act under Power of Attorney (POA) to handle every step remotely
Who Needs Legal Representation for Turkish Citizenship?
- Investors applying under the $400,000 property route or other investment options
- Foreign spouses of Turkish citizens applying through marriage-based citizenship
- Individuals with Turkish ancestry applying through descent
- Exceptional applicants (artists, athletes, executives) applying through Presidential approval
- Those rejected in previous applications needing an appeal or administrative lawsuit
Key Benefits of Working with a Turkish Citizenship Lawyer
- Bilingual application file preparation (English–Turkish)
- POA-based application from abroad—no need to travel
- Monitoring file progress through online portal and direct government contacts
- Handling legal issues such as name corrections, criminal record submissions, marriage proof, or military service waivers
- Protecting family rights (children, spouse) through unified applications
Legal Basis: Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901
According to Article 9 of Law No. 5901, legal representation is allowed in all application stages. Article 12 sets forth investment-based options, while Articles 16–21 cover marriage, birth, and other routes. Our firm prepares applications in line with official legislation and updated administrative circulars.
Step-by-Step Citizenship Application Process (Via Lawyer)
- Legal eligibility review by our team
- Tax ID number application and bank account opening (if investment-based)
- Collection and apostille of all necessary documents (passport, birth certificate, criminal record, marriage certificate, property title, etc.)
- Translation and notarization of documents
- Application to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (Nüfus Müdürlüğü)
- Submission of biometric data, photographs, and fingerprints
- Approval stages at the Ministry of Interior and Presidential Office
- Citizenship certificate issued and Turkish ID/passport application completed
Using a Power of Attorney for Turkish Citizenship Applications
Foreigners can appoint a Turkish lawyer to act on their behalf using a notarized Power of Attorney (POA). This allows the full application process to be handled without the applicant being physically in Turkey.
- POA must be issued through a Turkish consulate or local notary with apostille
- Our lawyers prepare draft POAs in English–Turkish for your review
- All paperwork, signatures, and filings are handled remotely
What Happens If My Citizenship Application Is Rejected?
If your application is denied, we conduct a full legal review to identify the reason for rejection. Common reasons include:
- Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
- Errors in marital status, criminal records, or property valuation reports
- Concerns over national security or public order (subject to appeal)
- Improper fulfillment of investment conditions
Depending on the issue, we submit a revised application or initiate an appeal through the Administrative Court (İdare Mahkemesi). We also apply for stay of execution to stop enforcement of rejection consequences.
Case Examples: Real Clients We Represented
- 🇬🇧 UK investor applied for citizenship through real estate—valuation was $20,000 short. We filed an objection, corrected the appraisal and succeeded.
- 🇪🇬 Egyptian family with prior visa overstay—application approved with legal explanation and consular cooperation.
- 🇨🇭 Swiss entrepreneur missed fingerprint deadline—resubmitted via POA and completed process in 6 months.
- 🇷🇺 Russian citizen's child was excluded from original file—our lawyers filed supplementary inclusion request, child received citizenship in same decree.
Why ER&GUN&ER Is Trusted by Citizenship Clients
- Decade-long experience with over 400+ foreign applications
- Specialized in real estate, family, and investment-based citizenship law
- Fluent team offering English, Arabic, French, and Russian communication
- Direct liaison with local authorities and accelerated appointment scheduling
- Fully transparent fee structure with fixed-price packages
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I apply for Turkish citizenship from abroad? Yes. We complete the entire process remotely using POA.
- Is a lawyer mandatory? Not legally—but strongly recommended due to procedural and documentation risks.
- How long does citizenship take? Typically 4–9 months depending on file type and accuracy.
- What happens if my investment drops in value after I apply? As long as it met the threshold at the time of application, you are safe.
- Can I include my children? Yes. Children under 18 are included in the same application without extra investment.
- Do I need to visit Turkey for biometrics? In some cases yes, but we minimize this through strategic scheduling and POA coordination.
- Can I include adopted or disabled children? Yes. Special petitions and medical reports are required—we provide full support.
- Can I apply through bank deposit instead of real estate? Yes. $500,000 deposit into a Turkish bank for 3 years also qualifies.
- Do I need to speak Turkish or pass an exam? No. Unlike naturalization, investment-based citizenship has no language requirement.
- Can I apply with my same-sex spouse? Turkish law does not recognize same-sex marriage for citizenship. We explore alternate legal paths for dependent inclusion.
- Is dual citizenship allowed? Yes—Turkey permits dual nationality unless your country forbids it.
- Can I lose citizenship once granted? Yes. Fraud or national security risks can trigger revocation. We advise on legal protection and post-citizenship compliance.
- Do I need to renounce my current nationality? No. Most applicants retain their original citizenship.
Conclusion: Citizenship Success Begins with Legal Precision
Turkish citizenship offers global mobility, investment protection, and a strategic foothold in a growing economy—but the process must be handled with care. At ER&GUN&ER, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers deliver full-spectrum legal representation to ensure your citizenship journey is fast, compliant, and stress-free. Whether you’re applying through investment, family ties, or a special decree, let the Best Lawyer in Turkey support your citizenship application from start to finish.