Loss of Turkish Citizenship

Loss of Turkish Citizenship

Cases of loss of Turkish citizenship

Turkish citizenship is lost by a decision of the competent authority or by exercising the right of vote.

Lost roads by decision of the competent authority

 Turkish citizenship is lost by decision of the competent authority through renunciation, cancellation of naturalization, or annulment of acquisition.

Renunciation of Turkish citizenship

 Individuals requesting permission to renounce their Turkish citizenship may be granted a renunciation permit or certificate by the Ministry if they meet the following conditions.

a) Being of legal age and having the capacity to make reasoned decisions.

b) Having acquired the citizenship of a foreign state, or having credible indications that one will acquire it.

c) Not being wanted for any crime or military service.

c) Not having any financial or criminal restrictions against him/her.

 Documents for renouncing Turkish citizenship

 Those who request permission to renounce their Turkish citizenship in order to acquire the citizenship of a foreign state, and whose requests are deemed appropriate, are issued a Turkish citizenship renunciation certificate by the Ministry; those who, as a result of the permission granted or beforehand, can document that they have acquired the citizenship of a foreign state, are issued a Turkish citizenship renunciation certificate.

The exit permit is valid for two years from the date of the decision. Those who obtain the permit must, within this period, provide information and documents proving that they have acquired foreign citizenship to the governor's office of their place of residence within the country, or to diplomatic missions abroad. If foreign citizenship is not acquired within the specified period, the exit permit becomes invalid.

Validity and consequences of renouncing Turkish citizenship

 Turkish citizenship is lost upon receipt of the renunciation certificate, against signature. Individuals who lose their Turkish citizenship have their records closed in the population and family registers and are treated as foreigners from the date of loss.

If one spouse loses their Turkish citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce it, this does not affect the citizenship of the other spouse. If the parent who has lost their Turkish citizenship requests it, and the other parent consents, their children will also lose their Turkish citizenship along with them. If consent is not given, the matter will be handled according to a court decision.

The provisions of this article shall not apply if the loss of citizenship would render the children stateless.

Rights granted to individuals who have lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit

 Those who were born Turkish citizens but lost their Turkish citizenship by obtaining a renunciation permit, and their descendants up to the third degree, continue to enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for the exceptions specified in this article. Provisions relating to national security and public order are reserved.

Individuals covered under this article are exempt from the right to vote and stand for election, the right to import vehicles or household goods duty-free, and the obligation to perform military service. Their acquired rights regarding social security are preserved, and the exercise of these rights is subject to the provisions of the relevant laws.

Individuals covered under this article may not hold permanent or continuous public service positions based on a fixed cadre and subject to public law regulations. However, they may be employed as workers, temporary staff, or contract personnel in public institutions and organizations.

 The President may, if deemed necessary, determine to which degrees of descent, starting from the third degree, the descendants may benefit from the rights recognized in this article.^[6]

Descendants who wish to benefit from the provisions of this article must provide documentation of their blood relationship with their ancestors.

Individuals covered under this article are issued a Blue Card, upon request, indicating their eligibility to benefit from the rights specified in this article. This Card falls under the scope of the Valuable Papers Law No. 210, dated 21/2/1963.

 To exercise the rights granted by this article, presentation of the Blue Card is sufficient. If the card cannot be presented, the transaction will be processed with a record obtained from the Blue Card Holders Registry via the Identity Sharing System and a document showing identity information issued by the authorities of the state of nationality. In case of changes in the identity information of these individuals, it is mandatory to present a duly certified Turkish translation of the document showing the old and new identity information obtained from the authorities of the state of nationality.

 Individuals covered under this article will be assigned an identification number in accordance with the principles determined by the Ministry. This identification number will be used wherever a Turkish Republic identification number is required.

 The procedures and principles regarding the issuance and distribution of the Blue Card and the maintenance of the Blue Card Holders Registry in electronic format shall be determined by the Ministry.

 Public institutions and organizations shall take all necessary measures and make the required arrangements for the implementation of the provisions of this article.

Loss of Turkish citizenship^[7]

 (1) The Turkish citizenship of persons who are determined by official authorities to have committed the acts specified below may be revoked by a decision of the President.

a) Those who, while serving a foreign state in a capacity that is contrary to Türkiye's interests, fail to resign from this position within a reasonable period of time, not less than three months, after being notified of this duty by diplomatic missions abroad or by local administrative authorities within the country.

(b) Those who, without the permission of the President, voluntarily continue to work in any capacity for a state that is at war with Türkiye.

c) Those who volunteer for military service in a foreign country without permission.

Validity and consequences of revocation of Turkish citizenship

The revocation of Turkish citizenship takes effect from the date the Presidential decree is published in the Official Gazette.^[8]

 Decisions to forfeit property are personal and do not affect the spouse or children of the person concerned.

Revocation of Turkish citizenship

 If the decision to grant Turkish citizenship is based on false statements by the applicant or concealment of essential information forming the basis for acquiring citizenship, the decision shall be revoked by the issuing authority.

Validity and consequences of the cancellation decision

The cancellation decision takes effect from the date of the decision. The cancellation decision also applies to the spouse and children who acquired Turkish citizenship depending on the person concerned.

Liquidation of assets

The provisions of Law No. 5683 of July 15, 1950, concerning the Residence and Travel of Foreigners in Türkiye, shall apply to those whose citizenship has been revoked. If the liquidation of their assets is deemed necessary, this shall be stated in the revocation decision. These individuals are obliged to liquidate their assets in Türkiye within one year at the latest. Otherwise, their assets shall be sold by the Treasury, and the proceeds shall be deposited in their name and account into a public bank included in the public treasury system.

 If these individuals appeal the cancellation decision through legal channels, the liquidation of the assets will be postponed until the end of the lawsuit.

Loss of Turkish citizenship through the right to choose

 (1) Those whose situations are specified below may renounce their Turkish citizenship within three years of reaching adulthood.

a) Those who are Turkish citizens by birth due to kinship through their mother or father, and who acquire the citizenship of their foreign mother or father by birth or subsequently.

b) Those who are Turkish citizens by virtue of parentage but acquire the citizenship of a foreign state based on their place of birth.

c) Those who acquired Turkish citizenship through adoption.

c) Those who were Turkish citizens by virtue of their place of birth but subsequently acquired the citizenship of their foreign mother or father.

d) Those who acquire Turkish citizenship through a parent who has acquired Turkish citizenship in any way.

(2) If the loss of citizenship, in accordance with the above provisions, would render the person stateless, the right to vote cannot be exercised.

The Importance of the Lawyer

1. Developing the Right Strategy Based on the Procedure for Loss of Citizenship: According to the Turkish Citizenship Law, the loss of citizenship can occur in different legal forms. The lawyer determines which category the specific case falls under and initiates the correct process.

2. Preventing Loss of Rights and Grievances: Loss of citizenship does not only bring about a change in status; it affects many issues such as real estate ownership in Türkiye, inheritance rights, work and residence permits.

3. Management of Administrative and Judicial Processes:Administrative decisions regarding loss of citizenship are subject to strict procedural rules of administrative law. Lawyers also pay attention to these time limits.