Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Turkey?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Turkish passport and ID
Turkish citizens can hold an identity card and apply for an ordinary Turkish passport.
Live in Turkey for life
Turkish citizenship lets you enter, live in and return to Turkey without a visa or residence permit.
Citizenship does not expire or need renewing.
Study in Turkey
Turkish citizens can study in Turkish schools and universities, subject to each institution’s admission rules.
Work in Turkey
Turkish citizens can work in Turkey without a foreigner’s work permit.
The usual rules for a particular job or profession still apply.
Get help abroad
Turkish embassies and consulates can help in emergencies, contact relatives and speak with local authorities.
If your passport is lost or stolen, they can provide a temporary passport for your return to Turkey.
Vote and run for office
Turkish citizens aged 18 or over can vote, stand for office and take part in politics, with some restrictions.
Some cannot vote, including military students, conscripted privates and corporals, people in prison for intentional offences and people legally unable to make decisions.
If registered to vote abroad, citizens can vote in presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums, but not local elections.
Use public healthcare
Turkish citizens living in Turkey are generally covered by public health insurance.
People not otherwise insured may have to pay a contribution, though the state may pay it for those with low incomes.
Children under 18 are covered without that condition.
Get social support
Turkish citizens may qualify for financial assistance, pensions or other support if they meet the conditions.
Citizenship alone does not guarantee a payment.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the provincial population and citizenship office for the place where you live in Turkey. If you are applying for your child, use the office for where your child lives.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Turkish provincial population and citizenship office serves your city for citizenship by place of birth?”
Download the application form
Download the Application Form for Acquiring Turkish Citizenship on the Basis of Place of Birth, called VAT-2.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign the VAT-2 form. If you are applying for your child, you or your child's guardian or other legal representative fills it in and signs it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Turkish citizenship by place of birth application form VAT-2?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the provincial population and citizenship office.
See required documentsArrange your appointment
If your provincial office requires an appointment, book one through the population and citizenship appointment service or its mobile service. If you are applying for your child, arrange the appointment for your child.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Turkish population and citizenship office appointment for citizenship by place of birth?”
Hand in your application
Bring the completed VAT-2 form and your documents to the provincial population and citizenship office; ask the office how it takes applications. You may apply in person or through a specially authorised representative where permitted; a parent, guardian or other legal representative applies for a child, and the applicant must attend personally if fingerprints are required.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Turkish citizenship by place of birth application at the provincial population and citizenship office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
While you wait, use your application number and date of birth to check progress, and answer any requests for more documents. If approved, you or your child will be registered as Turkish from birth and can then apply for a Turkish passport.
Check your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Turkish citizenship by place of birth application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parents' statelessness records *
Get records showing that your parents are stateless from the office that holds them. Include the records with your application.
* Only if your parents are stateless and proof can be obtained.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service for men
Turkish men may have to complete military service, depending on their age and circumstances.
Some citizens living abroad can use a foreign-currency service option if they meet its conditions, including the relevant residence, work or multiple-citizenship requirements.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship may be renounced with permission, or by choice within three years of adulthood for some citizens by birth, adoption or a parent who would not be left without citizenship.
It can be cancelled if acquired unlawfully or on an invalid basis.
It can be taken for unpermitted foreign military or wartime service, foreign service against Turkey’s interests after notice, or some unreachable terrorism suspects abroad not returning after a public call.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Turkish Residence permit for foreigners 🚋🚋🇹🇷
English Facebook group for people interested in Turkish citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookPlaces to visit in Türkiye
English Facebook group for people living in Türkiye interested in Turkish local life
Join on FacebookForeigners in Istanbul
English Facebook group for people living in Türkiye interested in Turkish local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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