Ways to Obtain German Citizenship While Retaining Turkish Citizenship

Entrance

In a globalized world, many individuals are exploring opportunities to live, work, and invest in different countries. Germany, in particular, has been a popular destination for immigrants from Türkiye for many years. Turkish citizens who have lived in Germany for a long time and established permanent status often wonder whether they can retain their Turkish citizenship during the process of acquiring German citizenship. This article will detail the process of acquiring German citizenship, the status of dual citizenship, and ways to retain Turkish citizenship.

The Process of Obtaining German Citizenship

To apply for German citizenship, certain conditions must be met. These include:

• at least 8 years ,
• Having knowledge of the German language (B1 level),
• To prove that one has adapted to Germany's social and legal order (integration process),
• No criminal record
• In Germany, having the economic means to support oneself is essential
• the German citizenship test .

However, individuals applying for German citizenship are generally to renounce their current citizenship . At this point, there are some legal avenues available for those who wish to acquire German citizenship while retaining their Turkish citizenship.

Dual Citizenship Status and Legal Obstacles

Germany, in principle, does not allow dual citizenship. However, there are certain exceptions:

1. Dual Citizenship by Birth: If a child is born to two parents, one German and the other Turkish, they may be entitled to dual citizenship.
2. Dual Citizenship by Special Permission (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung): A person living in Germany may exceptionally retain the right to dual citizenship.

In this context, the biggest problem for those wishing to acquire German citizenship from Turkey the risk of losing their current Turkish citizenship . However, there are some legal ways to overcome this situation.

Ways to Obtain German Citizenship Without Losing Turkish Citizenship

1. Blue Card (Protecting Rights Without Renouncing Turkish Citizenship)

For those who have lost their Turkish citizenship but wish to maintain ties with Turkey, the Blue Card (Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901) is an important option. Blue Card holders have almost the same rights as Turkish citizens in Turkey, but there are also some restrictions. Blue Card holders:

• They have the right to reside, work, and inherit in Turkey .
• You can buy real estate in Türkiye,
• You can benefit from social security rights,
• However, they are not eligible for military service and cannot hold certain public offices.

While the Blue Card provides the closest legal framework for retaining Turkish citizenship, it does not fully grant dual citizenship status.

2. Application for Permission to Retain German Citizenship (Becoming a German Citizen without Renouncing Turkish Citizenship)

Individuals residing in Germany can hold both German and Turkish citizenship simultaneously by applying for a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (Permission to Retain Existing Citizenship) . During this application process, the individual must demonstrate that retaining Turkish citizenship is important to their economic, social, or cultural ties .

If the application is accepted, the individual can obtain German citizenship without renouncing their Turkish citizenship. However, this process is complex, and there is no guarantee that every application will be accepted.

3. Dual Citizenship by Birth

If a person is born in Germany and one parent is German and the other is Turkish, they can have dual citizenship from birth . Before 2014, those with dual citizenship had to choose one citizenship by the age of 23, while after 2014, dual citizenship became permanent.

Citizenship Reapplication for Those Wishing to Return to Türkiye

If a person completely loses their Turkish citizenship after acquiring German citizenship, Article 13 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. However, this process depends on applications to the competent authorities for the restoration of citizenship and on residing in Turkey for a long period of time .

Conclusion

For Turkish citizens wishing to obtain German citizenship, current legal regulations permit dual citizenship only under specific conditions . While the most common solution is the Blue Card , applying for a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (permission to retain citizenship) can be considered a significant alternative for preserving the right to dual citizenship.

During this process, the citizenship legislation of both countries should be carefully examined, individual legal support should be sought, and the most appropriate method should be determined. It is of great importance for Turkish citizens living in Germany to act with due consideration for their rights and potential risks regarding the citizenship process