Turkish-Norwegian Dual Citizenship

The issue of dual citizenship between Turkey and Norway has become one of the most researched legal topics in recent years, particularly in relation to immigration, family reunification, international marriage, investment, and the status of children. The main reason for this is that both Turkey and Norway currently allow multiple citizenship; however, especially regarding past instances of citizenship loss, regaining, notification obligations, and the status of children, cases still need to be evaluated according to historical rules. Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Is there dual citizenship between Turkey and Norway?" is not simply "yes"; it also requires answers to questions such as when, by what means, which citizenship was acquired first, and which procedure was followed for which country. (Regjeringen.no)

As of today, Norway since January 1, 2020. UDI explicitly states that applicants for Norwegian citizenship do not need to separately declare their previous citizenship, and there is no separate application form for dual citizenship. On the Turkish side, under Article 44 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Turkish citizens who acquire the citizenship of a foreign state are registered in the population registry with a note indicating they hold "multiple citizenship" upon presentation of the necessary documents and verification of their identity as the same person. Considering these two systems together, dual Turkish-Norwegian citizenship is, as a rule, possible under current law. (udi.no)

The Approach to Multiple Citizenship in Turkish Law

In Turkey, dual or multiple citizenship is not a prohibited status. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs' "Multiple Citizenship" page clearly states that, in accordance with Article 44 of Law No. 5901, individuals who acquire the citizenship of a foreign state for any reason will have a note indicating multiple citizenship added to their family registers upon presentation of relevant documents and verification that the records belong to the same person. This regulation demonstrates that Turkish law does not consider the acquisition of foreign citizenship as an automatic loss of citizenship; rather, it governs it through registration and recording. (General Directorate of Population Affairs)

The frequently asked questions section on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Affairs page also confirms this approach. This official statement explains that acquiring foreign citizenship does not result in the loss of Turkish citizenship; that under the old law (Law No. 403), there was a provision for "retaining Turkish citizenship" for those who acquired foreign citizenship without permission; however, the new law (Law No. 5901) introduced the concept of "multiple citizenship" and abolished the requirement for prior permission to acquire another country's citizenship. Therefore, in current Turkish law, the fundamental issue for a Turkish citizen who has acquired Norwegian citizenship is not the preservation of citizenship, but the correct registration of the multiple citizenship status. (consulate.gov.tr)

The Dual Citizenship Approach in Norwegian Law

The fundamental turning point in Norwegian law January 1, 2020.UDI's citizenship pages and official statements regarding reinstatement clearly state that after this date, individuals wishing to acquire Norwegian citizenship are no longer required to renounce their previous citizenship. Similarly, an existing Norwegian citizen who acquires citizenship of another country after January 1, 2020, does not automatically lose their Norwegian citizenship solely on that basis. However, UDI specifically emphasizes that it is necessary to separately check whether the law of the other country permits multiple citizenship. (udi.no)

This point is important in terms of Turkey-Norway relations. Because there is no general obstacle to multiple citizenship on the Turkish side either, a Turkish citizen acquiring Norwegian citizenship or a Norwegian citizen subsequently acquiring Turkish citizenship can, as a rule, be structured without being subject to the requirement of single citizenship on either side. However, this does not mean that past citizenship losses, especially before 2020 , can be disregarded. Old Norwegian citizenship loss cases are still examined according to historical rules. (udi.no)

What happens if a Turkish citizen obtains Norwegian citizenship?

A Turkish citizen is no longer required to renounce their Turkish citizenship simply because of Norwegian law when wishing to acquire Norwegian citizenship. According to the current UDI website, the general requirements for Norwegian citizenship include having their identity verified, residing in Norway and intending to continue residing there, possessing or meeting the conditions for permanent residency in most cases, and, if aged 18-67, passing at least a B1 level oral Norwegian language exam and a citizenship test or a Norwegian social studies test. Additionally, if the applicant is over 15 years old, they must provide a current criminal record certificate and have no impediments regarding waiting periods arising from convictions or investigations. (udi.no)

Norway also sets very clear rules regarding residence duration. According to UDI, the general rule for adult applicants is to have resided in Norway for 8 out of the last 11 years and to have had at least one valid residence permit each year. For those with protection status, this period can be reduced to 7 out of 10 years , and for those with sufficient income, to 6 out of 10 years . For the spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner of a Norwegian citizen, the special regime requires having lived in Norway for at least 5 years in the last 10 years , and the total duration of marriage/cohabitation and residence must be at least 7 years . Therefore, the entry of a Turkish citizen into Norway depends not only on the fact that "dual citizenship is allowed," but also on the concrete fulfillment of Norway's naturalization conditions. ( udi.no )

Norwegian application fees are also important from a practical point of view. According to UDI's fee list, the application fee for Norwegian citizenship for adults is NOK 6,500, while the application fee for regaining Norwegian citizenship under the new scheme after 2020 NOK 3,200. The standard citizenship application for children is free. These figures also illustrate the financial aspect of the application strategy for individuals planning to obtain Norwegian citizenship from Turkey. (udi.no)

What happens if a Norwegian citizen acquires Turkish citizenship?

A Norwegian citizen can also acquire Turkish citizenship and, under current law, does not automatically lose their Norwegian citizenship. In Turkish law, the general method for acquiring citizenship later in life is to fulfill the conditions stipulated in Article 11 of Law No. 5901. According to the official statement of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, the applicant must be of legal age and have the capacity to understand and make reasoned decisions; have resided continuously in Turkey for 5 years ; demonstrate their intention to settle in Turkey through their actions; not have any illness that poses a threat to public health; demonstrate good moral character and trustworthiness; be able to speak Turkish at a level sufficient to adapt to social life; have sufficient income or a profession to support themselves; and not pose an obstacle to national security or public order. (General Directorate of Population Affairs)

In Turkish law, acquisition of citizenship is further divided into different regimes such as marriage, exceptional routes, adoption, and reacquisition. Specifically, if a Norwegian citizen is married to a Turkish citizen, while marriage itself does not directly confer citizenship, an application for citizenship can be made after a marriage lasting at least three years and continuing; this regime requires living together as a family, not engaging in activities incompatible with the marital union, and the absence of any impediment in terms of national security/public order. According to consular statements, residency in Turkey is not required for this application; those residing in Turkey can apply to the governor's office, while those residing abroad can apply to diplomatic missions (Registration Office)

The key takeaway from this point regarding dual citizenship between Turkey and Norway is this: A Norwegian citizen can acquire Turkish citizenship through general means, marriage, or exceptional means; and since Norwegian law permits multiple citizenship after January 1, 2020, they do not automatically lose their Norwegian citizenship as a rule, subject to other Norwegian internal conditions. Thus, an area has been created where the laws of both states allow it together. (udi.no)

Dual Citizenship for Children Born from Turkish-Norwegian Marriages

The most common form of Turkish-Norwegian dual citizenship is when a child is born to a parent who is both Turkish and Norwegian. Under Turkish law, for citizenship by birth, it is sufficient for only one parent to be a Turkish citizen at the time of birth; the other parent being a foreigner does not prevent the child from acquiring Turkish citizenship at birth. Under Norwegian law, according to the UDI after September 1, 2006, becomes a Norwegian citizen at birth if either parent is a Norwegian citizen at the time of birth. Therefore, a child with one Turkish parent and one Norwegian parent can, as a rule, acquire both citizenships at birth. (Registration Office)

In Turkish law, kinship is established through the citizenship of either the mother or the father; however, establishing paternity may sometimes require additional procedures such as recognition or a court ruling. The National Population Registry's (NV) page on principles of kinship states that kinship between a child and their father is established through marriage, recognition, or a court ruling. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' FAQ also clarifies that children born to a Turkish father and a foreign mother become Turkish citizens upon post-natal recognition of paternity. Therefore, in mixed Turkish-Norwegian families, it is necessary to examine not only the citizenship law but also whether kinship has been established in accordance with proper procedures. (Registration Office)

On the Norwegian side, dual citizenship by birth does not always mean "automatic lifelong guarantee." According to UDI, a person who has acquired dual citizenship by birth must apply separately to retain their Norwegian citizenship if they have not lived in Norway for at least two years by the age of 22 , or in Nordic countries for a total of seven years . This rule is particularly important for children who grew up in Turkey but acquired Norwegian citizenship by birth due to their Norwegian parent. ( udi.no )

Norway's Missing Persons and Recovery Before 2020

The most confusing area regarding Turkish-Norwegian dual citizenship is the case of individuals who lost their Norwegian citizenship in the past due to Norway's single citizenship policy before 2020. According to the UDI's (United Nations Institute of Medicine) reinstatement page, individuals who previously held Norwegian citizenship and lost it because they acquired citizenship of another country before January 1, 2020 , can regain their Norwegian citizenship through a simple notification process under certain conditions. The same simplified mechanism may also apply to some individuals whose status has been revoked because they did not renounce their previous Norwegian citizenship after acquiring it. (udi.no)

However, this avenue is not open to everyone. UDI explicitly states that those who lost their citizenship not having lived sufficiently in Norway until the age of 22 cannot benefit from this simple notification procedure. Furthermore, for those born into Norwegian citizenship, additional conditions may apply, such as having resided in Norway for a total of six months before the age of 22; and for those over 15, certain criminal charges or convictions may close the notification route. Therefore, for those who lost their Norwegian citizenship while acquiring Turkish citizenship in the past, the idea that "dual citizenship is now allowed, so my Norwegian citizenship will automatically be restored" is incorrect. (udi.no)

Old Files, Exit Permit and Blue Card on the Turkish Side

On the Turkish side, old cases should also be evaluated separately. The official FAQ of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that under the old Turkish Citizenship Law No. 403, those who acquired foreign citizenship without permission were required to submit an "Application to Retain Turkish Citizenship"; and that this system changed with the new law No. 5901, adopting a multiple citizenship approach. Therefore, although the general rule today is conducive to multiple citizenship, the historical rules of old cases should be interpreted according to the legislation of their respective periods. (consulate.gov.tr)

However, some individuals have in the past renouncing their Turkish citizenship with permission . According to the NVI's "Loss of Turkish Citizenship" page, those wishing to renounce their Turkish citizenship to acquire citizenship of another state may be granted permission or a certificate of renunciation by the Ministry. Within the same institutional structure, a Blue Card system is provided for Turkish citizens by birth and their descendants up to the third degree who have lost their Turkish citizenship with permission. Blue Card holders continue to benefit from most of the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for exceptions such as elections and military service; however, they cannot hold positions in primary and permanent public services subject to the public law regime. (Population Directorate)

Today, since Norway accepts dual citizenship, renouncing Turkish citizenship with permission is no longer a mandatory step for most people applying for Norwegian citizenship. However, for those who renounced their Turkish citizenship in the past to obtain Norwegian citizenship, the Blue Card is still effectively very important. According to the NVI (Norwegian Vitae Institute), the Blue Card is issued by diplomatic missions abroad and by district population registration offices within the country. Consular statements also indicate that individuals who have renounced their citizenship with permission can apply for a Blue Card to reside in Turkey without problems. (Population Registration Office)

Why is Declaration and Registration of Multiple Citizenship Important?

For Turkish-Norwegian dual citizenship to function smoothly in practice, simply acquiring citizenship is not enough; accurate records must also be kept. The NVI's "Multiple Citizenship" page states that Turkish citizens who acquire foreign citizenship must document this and have it registered in their population records. The Consulate FAQ also indicates that this notification requires a VAT-12 application form, a biometric photograph, a national identity card or a copy thereof, and a notarized Turkish translation of a duly certified document showing the date on which the other citizenship was acquired. This is a crucial technical step, especially for Turks who have acquired Norwegian citizenship, and should not be neglected. (Population Registry Office)

On the Norwegian side, no separate notification is required for dual citizenship; however, for those who have previously lost Norwegian citizenship and are seeking to regain it, the time and manner of acquiring the other citizenship must be correctly recorded in the Norwegian Civil Register. The UDI's readmission guide clearly states that if this record is missing, the applicant must also submit documents to the civil register. Therefore, registration systems are of great importance in both countries; dual citizenship is not merely a material right, but also a matter of correct administrative registration. (udi.no)

Most Common Mistakes in Practice

The most common mistake in Turkish-Norwegian dual citizenship cases is assuming that the current regime will be automatically applied retroactively. However, in Norway, acquiring a second citizenship before 2020 may have resulted in the loss of citizenship; similarly, in Turkey, different protection procedures were in place under the old Law No. 403. A second major mistake is assuming that citizenship acquired by birth in children will always be automatically protected; the 22-year-old rule in Norway is particularly critical for children growing up abroad. A third mistake is failing to register the declaration of multiple citizenships with the Turkish population registry (Registration Office)

Another mistake is the false assumption that "Norway allows dual citizenship, therefore it is easy to obtain Norwegian citizenship." However, the current pages of UDI (Urban Institute of Medicine) show that the requirements such as permanent residency, identity card, criminal record check, language test, and citizenship test remain the same. Similarly, in Turkish law, when a Norwegian citizen wishes to become a Turkish citizen, the general requirements include 5 years of continuous residence, intention to settle, Turkish language proficiency, and income. Freedom to hold dual citizenship does not mean that naturalization is unconditional. (udi.no)

Conclusion

Dual Turkish-Norwegian citizenship is possible. Turkey operates a system for registering multiple citizenships under Law No. 5901, while Norway abolished the requirement to renounce previous citizenship on January 1, 2020. Therefore, today a Turkish citizen can acquire Norwegian citizenship, and a Norwegian citizen can acquire Turkish citizenship, by fulfilling the relevant naturalization conditions, without automatically losing the other citizenship. Furthermore, children born to Turkish-Norwegian families can, in most cases, acquire both citizenships at birth. (Registration Office)

However, a correct understanding of historical distinctions is necessary for the successful handling of the case. Issues such as Norwegian citizenship losses prior to 2020, the effects of the old Turkish law No. 403, the registration of multiple citizenship declarations in the population registry, the Blue Card regime, the 22-year-old rule for Norwegian citizenship acquired by birth, and specific conditions in reinstatement applications directly affect the outcome of the case. Therefore, Turkish-Norwegian dual citizenship cases should be approached not only with the question of "is it possible to have two passports?" but also with the question of "on what date, by what means, through what procedure, and with what record corrections?" (Population Registry Office)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dual citizenship possible between Turkey and Norway?
Yes. Norway has allowed multiple citizenship since January 1, 2020; Turkey also implements a system for registering multiple citizenships under Law No. 5901. (udi.no)

If a Turkish citizen becomes a Norwegian citizen, will they lose their Turkish citizenship?
Under current Turkish law, acquiring foreign citizenship does not result in the loss of Turkish citizenship; however, registration of the multiple citizenship is required. (consulate.gov.tr)

If a Norwegian citizen becomes a Turkish citizen, will they lose their Norwegian citizenship?
Multiple citizenship is possible in Norway after January 1, 2020; therefore, as a rule, there is no automatic loss of citizenship. However, other historical cases should be evaluated separately. (udi.no)

Can a child with one Turkish parent and one Norwegian parent have dual citizenship?
As a rule, yes. Under Turkish law, it is sufficient for one parent to be Turkish; under Norwegian law, for a child born after September 1, 2006, it is sufficient for one parent to be Norwegian. (Registration Office)

What should a Turkish citizen who has acquired Norwegian citizenship do in Turkey?
According to the NVI system, it is necessary to document the acquisition of foreign citizenship and register the declaration of multiple citizenship in the population registry. The Consulate FAQ indicates that VAT-12 and supporting documents are required for this. (Population Registry Office)

Can someone who lost their Norwegian citizenship in the past due to acquiring Turkish citizenship regain it today?
According to UDI (United Nations Institute of Medicine), some individuals can regain Norwegian citizenship through a simple notification process; however, those who lost it due to the 22-year-old age limit cannot benefit from this easy procedure. (udi.no)