A foreigner, who fulfils the conditions stated below, can become a Turkish Citizen with the proposal of the Ministry and the Council of Ministers’ Decision within the scope of the clause (b) of the article 1 of the Law numbered 12.

– A person who invests capital valuing at least 2.000.000 (USD) (it should be confirmed by the Ministry of Economy),

– A person who buys a property valuing at least 1.000.000 USD under the condition that there should be an annotation in Title Deed Registry that it cannot be sold for 3 years (it should be confirmed by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.),

– A person who provides employment for at least 100 people (it should be confirmed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security),

– A person who pays money valuing at least 3.000.000 USD in banks in Turkey providing that he/she should keep that account for 3 years (it should be confirmed by the Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Agency.),

– A person who buys official debt instruments valuing at least 3.000.000 USD which he/she will keep it for 3 years (it should be confirmed by the Under secretariat of Treasury).

***We base on Current exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Turkish Republic in the date of determination while determining the monetary value.

Source: Official Gazette (Dated 12.01.2017 – Numbered 29946)
Date: 14 February 2017

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Source: Independent Accountant and Financial Advisor and Certified Councillorship numbered 3568

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

When it is determined by the Capital Markets Board that a person has share of real estate investment trust valuing at 1.5 million USD or keeps share of venture capital investment for 3 years, he/she will be able to get Turkish Citizenship.

Previously, with the Cabinet Decision dated 12.01.2017, it has been decided that if a person keeps an asset valuing at 1 million USD for 3 years without selling it, or has fixed capital valuing at 2 million and deposits valuing at 3 million USD, he/she will have Turkish Citizenship.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Security

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Citizenship Acquired by Birth
Article 6 – (1) Turkish citizenship by birth shall be automatically acquired on the basis of descent or birth place. Citizenship acquired by birth shall be effective from the moment of birth.

Citizenship Acquired After Birth
Article 9 – (1) Turkish citizenship shall be acquired after birth either by a decision of the competent authority or by adoption or by using the right to choice.

Exceptional Circumstances in the Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship
Article 12 – (1) Foreigners mentioned below can acquire Turkish citizenship by decision of the Council of Ministers acting on a proposal from the Ministry provided that they have no quality constituting an obstacle in respect of national security and public order.
a) People who bring industrial plants into Turkey or render or are being considered to render in future outstanding services in the scientific, technological, economic, social, sporting, cultural and artistic fields and about whom a reasonable offer has been made by the ministries relevant.
b) Person whose naturalization is regarded necessary.
c) Person who is regarded as immigrant.

The Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Marriage
Article 16 – (1) Turkish citizenship cannot automatically be acquired by marriage with a Turkish citizen. A foreigner who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage still continues can apply for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship.
The applicants shall fulfill the conditions mentioned below;
a) Living within the unity of marriage,
b) Abstaining from acts incompatible with the unity of marriage,
c) Having no quality constituting an obstacle in respect of national security and public order.
(2) In case the marriage ends by death of the spouse, who is a Turkish citizen, after the application has been lodged, the applicant will not be able to require fulfilling the condition laid down in subparagraph (a) of the first paragraph.
(3) In case of the declaration of nullity of the marriage, foreigners who acquire Turkish citizenship by marriage will keep Turkish citizenship provided they had entered into marriage in good faith.

The Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Adoption
Article 17 – (1) A minor child adopted by a Turkish citizen can acquire Turkish citizenship from the date of adoption provided he/she has no quality constituting an obstacle in respect of national security and public order.

Source: Turkish Citizenship Law No 5901

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

What is the Subject of the Profession of Certified Public Accountancy and Sworn Certified Public Accountancy?
Article 2. 
a. keeping books; preparing the balance sheets, profit and loss statements, tax returns and other relevant documents in line with generally accepted accounting principles and the provisions of the relevant legislation.
b. establishing and improving accounting systems, regulating administration, accounting, finance, financial legislation and performing the jobs related to their applications and providing advisory services in the related fields.
c. Based on the relevant documents on issues specified in the paragraph stated above, performing investigations, analyses and audit, presenting written opinions concerning financial statements and tax returns, preparing reports and similar documents, performing arbitration, expertise and similar services.Persons, who perform the activities mentioned above independent from a business entity, are regarded as “Certified Public Accountants”.

In addition to the duties specified in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of Paragraph (A) above, the subject of the profession of “Sworn Certified Public Accountancy” also includes the application of certification within the scope of the regulation to be promulgated in compliance with Article 12 of the Law. Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants cannot keep books related to accounting, cannot establish an accounting office and cannot become partners to the accounting offices that have already established.

What are the General Conditions to be a Certified Public Accountant?
Article 4.
a. Turkish citizenship (provisions for foreign Certified Public Accountants remain reserved).
b. being competent in exercising the civil rights.
c. Not being deprived of public rights.
d. Although the time periods specified in the 53rd article of Turkish Criminal Code are terminated, not to be sentenced to one or more years imprisonment because of an intentional crime or not to be sentenced to the crimes violating the safety of the state even if it was forgiven, and the crimes against constitutional system and the progression of it, crimes against national defense, crimes against state secrets and crimes of espionage, embezzlement, malversation, bribe, theft, fraud, falsification, breach of confidence, fraudulent bankruptcy, rigging an auction, money laundering or smuggling.
e. Not being penalized by expulsion from the government service consequent to an investigation.
f. Not possessing conditions incompatible with the honor and dignity of the profession.

What are the Conditions to be a Certified Public Accountant?
Article 5.
a. having at least a B. A. degree in law, economics, business administration, accounting, banking, public administration and political science from a Turkish university, or from foreign universities offering degrees equivalent to their Turkish counter parts, on the condition that this equivalence is ratified by the Higher Education Committee, or holding a post-graduate degree in one of the disciplines mentioned above, following an undergraduate degree received in a different branch.
b. working as a trainee for at least three years.
c. passing the examination for Certified Public Accountants.

This condition does not apply to the inspectors of public banks rendering audit services throughout the country, to individuals authorized for inspection in compliance with the relevant legislation, to the applicants who have served in public institutions and establishments after having received such authorizations, and to the individuals who have given lectures in the universities on the above mentioned subjects as members of the teaching staff for a period of at least 8 years.

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

What is the Subject of the Profession of Certified Public Accountancy and Sworn Certified Public Accountancy?
Article 2. 
a. keeping books; preparing the balance sheets, profit and loss statements, tax returns and other relevant documents in line with generally accepted accounting principles and the provisions of the relevant legislation.
b. establishing and improving accounting systems, regulating administration, accounting, finance, financial legislation and performing the jobs related to their applications and providing advisory services in the related fields.
c. Based on the relevant documents on issues specified in the paragraph stated above, performing investigations, analyses and audit, presenting written opinions concerning financial statements and tax returns, preparing reports and similar documents, performing arbitration, expertise and similar services.
Persons, who perform the activities mentioned above independent from a business entity, are regarded as “Certified Public Accountants”.

In addition to the duties specified in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of Paragraph (A) above, the subject of the profession of “Sworn Certified Public Accountancy” also includes the application of certification within the scope of the regulation to be promulgated in compliance with Article 12 of the Law.

Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants cannot keep books related to accounting, cannot establish an accounting office and cannot become partners to the accounting offices that have already established.

What are the General Conditions to a Certified Public Accountant?
Article 4.
a. Turkish citizenship (provisions for foreign Certified Public Accountants remain reserved).
b. being competent in exercising the civil rights.
c. Not being deprived of public rights.
d. Although the time periods specified in the 53rd article of Turkish Criminal Code are terminated, not to be sentenced to one or more years imprisonment because of an intentional crime or not to be sentenced to the crimes violating the safety of the state even if it was forgiven, and the crimes against constitutional system and the progression of it, crimes against national defense, crimes against state secrets and crimes of espionage, embezzlement, malversation, bribe, theft, fraud, falsification, breach of confidence, fraudulent bankruptcy, rigging an auction, money laundering or smuggling.
e. Not being penalized by expulsion from the government service consequent to an investigation.
f. Not possessing conditions incompatible with the honor and dignity of the profession.

What are the Conditions to be a Certified Public Accountant?
Article 5.
a. having at least a B. A. degree in law, economics, business administration, accounting, banking, public administration and political science from a Turkish university, or from foreign universities offering degrees equivalent to their Turkish counter parts, on the condition that this equivalence is ratified by the Higher Education Committee, or holding a post-graduate degree in one of the disciplines mentioned above, following an undergraduate degree received in a different branch.
b. working as a trainee for at least three years.
c. passing the examination for Certified Public Accountants.

This condition does not apply to the inspectors of public banks rendering audit services throughout the country, to individuals authorized for inspection in compliance with the relevant legislation, to the applicants who have served in public institutions and establishments after having received such authorizations, and to the individuals who have given lectures in the universities on the above mentioned subjects as members of the teaching staff for a period of at least 8 years.

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.