Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Which Family Members Are Included?

Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Which Family Members Are Included?

Last updated: October 2026

Short answer: One qualifying investment, such as property worth at least USD 400,000, covers the investor, the foreign spouse, and the investor's or spouse's children who are under 18 or dependent. Children aged 18 or over who are not dependent, parents and siblings are not included and need their own route. Children born after the family becomes Turkish are Turkish citizens by birth. Turkey allows dual citizenship.

The family rule is set by Article 12(1)(b) of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901: the investor's foreign spouse and "minor or dependent" foreign children of the investor or the spouse can acquire citizenship by Presidential decision together with the investor. No extra investment or separate residence permit is needed for them.

Who is included and who is not

Spouse

The spouse is added to the investor's file and receives citizenship in the same decision. The marriage must be legally registered and proven with an official certificate. Acquiring citizenship does not automatically make the spouse a citizen (Article 20 of Law No. 5901): the spouse must be named in the application. A spouse who does not want Turkish citizenship can stay out of the file.

Marrying later. The application reflects your family at the time you apply. If you marry while the file is pending, ask your lawyer whether it can still be updated before the decision; there is no published procedure that guarantees this. After the investor becomes Turkish, a new foreign spouse follows Article 16: the couple must have been married for at least 3 years, live together as a married couple and pose no security or public-order concern. Marriage alone never gives citizenship automatically.

Children under 18

Minors (under 18 under Turkish law) are included with the parent. Under Article 20 of Law No. 5901:

• The child must be in the custody of the investing parent.
• If the other parent is not part of the application, that parent's notarised consent is required, or a court decision on custody.
• If the parents disagree, a court decision on the child is needed.

If a child is close to 18, start early: an adult child cannot be included as a minor later.

Children over 18

An adult child who is not dependent is not covered. Options:

• Make a separate qualifying investment in the child's own name, such as a separate USD 400,000 property.
• Hold a residence permit through property and later apply by ordinary naturalisation (Article 11, generally after 5 years of continuous legal residence).

Dependent children with disabilities

The law's word is "dependent" (bağımlı). Applications use it for adult children who, because of a disability, cannot live independently and depend on their parents. Expect to provide an official medical or disability report, translated into Turkish, and proof that the child lives with and is supported by the parents. The decision is individual; prepare the file with a lawyer.

Documents for family members

• Passport of each family member.
• Marriage certificate for the spouse.
• Birth certificate for each child, showing both parents.
• Custody documents and, where needed, the other parent's consent.
• Photos of each family member.
• For dependent adult children: medical or disability report.

Foreign civil documents must carry an apostille (Hague Convention countries) or be legalised by the Turkish consulate, then be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarised. Names must be spelled identically on every document; differences between the passport and the birth certificate are a common cause of delay. Our Turkish citizenship by property investment guide covers the investor's own documents and the property rules, including the new rules from 29 September 2026.

Children born after citizenship

A child born within marriage to a Turkish mother or father is a Turkish citizen by birth, in Turkey or abroad (Article 7 of Law No. 5901). No investment is needed. Register the birth with a Turkish consulate abroad or the civil registry (nüfus müdürlüğü) in Turkey.

Military service for new citizens

Sons who become Turkish are subject to Military Service Law No. 7179, Article 43:

• Those aged 22 or over in the year they become citizens are treated as having completed military service.
• Those who document that they completed military service in their previous country are also treated as having served.
• Younger sons serve on the same basis as Turkish men of their age and education, but can ask to defer for 2 years from the date of citizenship.
• Like other citizens, they can use the paid military service option (bedelli askerlik). Those living abroad can use the foreign-currency option (dövizli askerlik) after at least 3 years abroad (Article 39).

They may be called up in a mobilisation.

Dual citizenship

Turkey does not ask investors to give up their nationality, and Turkish law allows multiple citizenship (Article 44 of Law No. 5901). Whether you keep your original nationality depends on your home country's law. China, for example, does not recognise dual nationality, and a Chinese citizen who settles abroad and acquires a foreign nationality loses Chinese nationality. Check your home country's rules before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Is my spouse included in Turkish citizenship by investment?

Yes. A legally married foreign spouse can be named in the same application and receives citizenship in the same decision, with no extra investment.

Up to what age are children included?

Children under 18 are included. Children over 18 are included only if they are dependent, for example because of a disability.

Can I include my parents?

No. Parents are not covered by the investor's application. They need their own investment or a residence permit.

Will my son have to do military service in Turkey?

Not if he is 22 or over in the year he becomes a citizen, or has served in his previous country. Younger sons can defer for 2 years and later use paid service options.

Can I keep my current passport?

Turkey allows it. Your home country may not; China, for example, does not recognise dual nationality.

Sources: Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (Articles 7, 11, 12, 16, 20 and 44); Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law; Military Service Law No. 7179 (Articles 39 and 43); General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (NVİ); Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China. This is general information and rules change; confirm your family's case with a licensed lawyer and the relevant authority before applying.

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