If you are living abroad and considering buying property in Turkey, this is probably your first question: will you have to give up your current passport if you acquire Turkish citizenship by investment?
Short answer
Turkey allows multiple citizenship and does not require you to renounce your existing nationality when acquiring Turkish citizenship, including through property investment under Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the implementing regulation [1][2]. Whether you keep or lose your original citizenship depends entirely on the laws of your current country of nationality. Some countries allow dual citizenship without conditions, while others restrict it or impose automatic loss upon voluntarily acquiring another nationality [5][6][7][8].
Legal basis in Turkey
Turkish citizenship by investment is granted under the “exceptional acquisition” route regulated by Article 12 of Law No. 5901, with detailed criteria set by the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law (Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanununun Uygulanmasına İlişkin Yönetmelik) [1][2]. A qualifying real estate purchase must have a minimum value of USD 400,000, with a no-sale undertaking for at least three years annotated on the title deed (satılamaz şerhi). The USD 400,000 threshold took effect on 13 June 2022 by Presidential Decision No. 5554 published in the Official Gazette [3]. The Land Registry and Cadastre Directorate confirms the requirement for a three-year restriction annotation as part of the citizenship certification process based on real estate acquisition [9].
Turkey’s legal framework does not require an applicant to renounce their existing citizenship as a condition of naturalization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Turkish law permits multiple citizenship and sets out notification obligations for Turkish citizens who acquire another nationality, rather than imposing renunciation [2]. Law No. 5901 defines the grounds for loss of Turkish citizenship separately, such as renunciation by permission or revocation in specific cases, but it does not provide for automatic loss of a foreign nationality, nor does it require you to forfeit your existing passport to become Turkish [1][2].
How your current country treats dual citizenship
Your ability to keep your original citizenship after acquiring Turkish citizenship depends on your home country’s nationality law. The United States recognizes the existence of dual nationality and does not require U.S. citizens to choose one citizenship or the other, though obligations of both countries may apply concurrently [5]. The United Kingdom also allows dual citizenship without requiring British citizens to give up their British nationality if they become citizens of another country [6]. These policies allow you to hold Turkish citizenship alongside your existing U.S. or UK citizenship if you qualify under Turkish law.
By contrast, some European jurisdictions maintain restrictions. The Dutch Nationality Act provides that a Dutch national who voluntarily acquires another nationality can lose Dutch nationality automatically, subject to specified exceptions such as marriage to a national of the other country or acquiring nationality of certain countries through birth or recognition [7]. Austria generally does not permit dual citizenship and requires prior permission to retain Austrian nationality before voluntarily acquiring another; otherwise, Austrian citizenship is typically lost by operation of law [8]. These examples show why the decisive factor is not Turkish law but the rules of your existing country of nationality. Before proceeding, you should verify retention or renunciation requirements with your home authorities or a licensed immigration lawyer in your jurisdiction, as this is a material legal issue that can affect your status and rights [6][7][8].
Process notes specific to the property route
Under the property investment route, the Land Registry issues a certificate of conformity once the valuation report, purchase price, and title deed annotation confirm compliance with the USD 400,000 minimum and the three-year no-sale condition [3][9]. The citizenship application then proceeds under the exceptional acquisition procedure managed by the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri), culminating in a presidential decision on naturalization [2]. Throughout this process, Turkey does not ask you to surrender your existing passport, nor does it impose a renunciation declaration as a condition precedent to approval under Article 12 [1][2].
If your home country restricts dual nationality, the timing of any renunciation or retention permission can be critical. Some states require you to obtain permission to retain citizenship before acquiring a new one, while others allow an application to retain within a specific time window. Failure to follow these steps can result in automatic loss of your original citizenship upon acquiring Turkish nationality. Because these rules vary and change, consult the competent authorities or a licensed practitioner in your country to align your Turkish application timeline with your home country’s requirements [6][7][8]. This article provides general information, and you should obtain advice tailored to your personal circumstances.
Summary
Turkey’s legislation explicitly permits multiple citizenship and does not oblige investors to relinquish their existing nationality when they qualify for citizenship through real estate investment, subject to the USD 400,000 minimum and a three-year no-sale title deed annotation [1][2][3][9]. The decisive factor for whether you lose, keep, or must formally retain your original citizenship is the law of your home country. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom allow dual nationality, while jurisdictions like the Netherlands and Austria restrict it or impose automatic loss in many cases [5][6][7][8]. Before committing to the Turkish citizenship application, verify the dual citizenship rules and any retention or renunciation procedures that apply to you.
Related Questions:
– Q# Can my family obtain Turkish citizenship with me through the same property investment?
– Q# What types of real estate qualify for Turkish citizenship by investment?
– Q# How long does the Turkish citizenship by investment process take from purchase to passport?
– Q# What are the tax implications of holding Turkish and foreign citizenships as a property owner?
References:
[1] Republic of Türkiye. “Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu).” https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.5901.pdf
[2] Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Acquisition and Loss of Turkish Citizenship.” https://www.mfa.gov.tr/acquisition-and-loss-of-turkish-citizenship.en.mfa
[3] Republic of Türkiye Official Gazette. “Presidential Decision No. 5554 (Raising Real Estate Threshold to USD 400,000).” https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2022/05/20220513-1.pdf
[4] Invest in Türkiye (Republic of Türkiye Investment Office). “Acquiring Turkish Citizenship.” https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/investmentguide/pages/acquiring-turkish-citizenship.aspx
[5] U.S. Department of State. “Dual Nationality.” https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Laws-and-Policy/dual-nationality.html
[6] UK Government. “Dual citizenship (same as dual nationality).” https://www.gov.uk/dual-citizenship
[7] Government of the Netherlands. “Loss of Dutch nationality if you voluntarily acquire another nationality.” https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/dutch-citizenship/dual-nationality/loss-of-dutch-nationality
[8] Federal Ministry of the Interior, Republic of Austria. “Austrian citizenship and multiple nationality.” https://www.bmi.gv.at/302/staatsbuergerschaft/
[9] General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM). “Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship within the Scope of Real Estate Purchase.” https://tkgm.gov.tr/en/content/acquisition-turkish-citizenship-scope-real-estate-purchase
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Property law and tax rules in Turkey change frequently. Consult a licensed Turkish lawyer, accountant, or real estate professional before making any purchasing decision.