1.) In Which Circumstances Can Turkish Citizenship Be Lost?

Pursuant to Article 23 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, Turkish citizenship may be lost in two ways:

• By a decision of the competent authority;
• By exercising the right of option.

The law treats the loss of citizenship as an exceptional situation and requires different legal conditions to be satisfied depending on the specific circumstances of each case.

2.) Loss of Turkish Citizenship by Decision of the Competent Authority

Turkish citizenship may be lost by a decision of the competent authority in three different ways.

2.1. Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship

Renunciation of Turkish citizenship refers to the voluntary termination of the citizenship bond upon the individual's request. However, certain legal requirements must be met for this process to take place.

2.2. Conditions for Renouncing Turkish Citizenship

A person wishing to renounce Turkish citizenship must:

• Be an adult and possess legal capacity;
• Have acquired the citizenship of another state or provide convincing evidence that such citizenship will be acquired;
• Not be wanted in connection with any criminal offense or military service obligation;
• Not be subject to any financial or criminal restrictions.

If these conditions are met, the Ministry of Interior may issue either a Permit for Renunciation of Citizenship or a Certificate of Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship.

2.2.1. What Is a Permit for Renunciation and a Certificate of Renunciation?

Individuals whose applications are approved are first issued a Permit for Renunciation of Citizenship. This permit is valid for two years. During this period, the applicant must submit proof to the competent authorities that he or she has acquired the citizenship of a foreign state.

Upon submission of proof of foreign citizenship, the individual is issued a Certificate of Renunciation of Turkish Citizenship. Turkish citizenship is terminated on the date the certificate is delivered to the individual.

2.2.2. Consequences of Renouncing Turkish Citizenship

Individuals who renounce Turkish citizenship:

• Are removed from the Turkish population registry;
• Become foreign nationals in legal status;
• Become subject to the legal provisions applicable to foreigners in Türkiye.

However, this does not necessarily mean the loss of all rights. The legislator has provided significant exceptions, particularly for individuals who acquired Turkish citizenship by birth.

2.2.3. What Is the Blue Card?

One of the most important rights granted to persons who renounce Turkish citizenship with official permission is the Blue Card (Mavi Kart).

The Blue Card is a special status granted to individuals who were Turkish citizens by birth and subsequently renounced their citizenship with permission, as well as to certain descendants of such individuals.

2.2.4. What Rights Do Blue Card Holders Have?

Except for certain statutory limitations, Blue Card holders continue to enjoy many of the rights granted to Turkish citizens.

These rights include:

• Residing in Türkiye;
• Working in Türkiye;
• Acquiring real estate;
• Inheritance rights;
• Conducting commercial activities;
• Accessing education and healthcare services.

2.2.5. Rights Not Available to Blue Card Holders

Blue Card holders:

• Cannot vote or stand for election;
• Are not subject to compulsory military service;
• Cannot import vehicles or household goods under customs exemptions;
• Cannot hold permanent and principal public service positions.

However, they may be employed in public institutions as workers, contractual personnel, or temporary staff.

3. Revocation of Turkish Citizenship

Revocation of Turkish citizenship refers to the termination of citizenship by a Presidential Decision without the individual's consent.

This measure may only be applied in circumstances expressly provided by law.

3.1. In Which Cases Can Turkish Citizenship Be Revoked?

According to the law, Turkish citizenship may be revoked if a person:

• Continues to serve a foreign state in a manner contrary to Türkiye's national interests;
• Continues to work, without authorization, for a state that is at war with Türkiye;
• Voluntarily performs military service for a foreign state without obtaining permission.

In addition, citizenship may be revoked for individuals who are under investigation or prosecution for certain offenses against state security and who fail to return to Türkiye despite an official call to do so while residing abroad.

3.2. Consequences of a Revocation Decision

A decision revoking Turkish citizenship becomes effective as of the date on which the Presidential Decision is published in the Official Gazette.

Revocation decisions are personal in nature. Therefore, they do not affect the citizenship status of the individual's spouse or children.

4. Cancellation of Turkish Citizenship

Turkish citizenship may be cancelled if it was acquired through false statements or by concealing material facts during the citizenship application process.

4.1. Consequences of the Cancellation of Citizenship

A cancellation decision takes effect from the date of the decision and does not operate retroactively.

However, spouses and children who acquired Turkish citizenship through the person whose citizenship is cancelled may also be affected by the decision.

In certain cases, the liquidation of the individual's assets in Türkiye may also be ordered.

4.2. Objection and Annulment Lawsuit Against a Citizenship Cancellation Decision

A person whose Turkish citizenship has been cancelled may challenge the decision through an administrative objection and/or an annulment lawsuit.

Foreign nationals who wish to remain in Türkiye should consider pursuing the available legal remedies against such decisions.

4.3. Administrative Objection Before the Competent Authority

The first legal remedy available against a citizenship cancellation decision is to file an objection with the competent authority.

The competent authority is the Ministry of Interior, which issued the cancellation decision.

The objection must be filed within 60 days from the day following the notification of the cancellation decision to the foreign national.

If the objection is rejected, an annulment lawsuit may be filed. Likewise, if the administration remains silent for 30 days, the request is deemed rejected, and the applicant may initiate annulment proceedings.

However, it is also possible to file an annulment lawsuit directly without first exhausting the administrative objection procedure.

4.4. Annulment Lawsuit

An annulment lawsuit may be filed within 60 days from the day following the notification of the citizenship cancellation decision.

The claimant must clearly demonstrate the legal grounds showing that the cancellation decision is unlawful.

If an annulment lawsuit is filed against the cancellation decision, the obligation to liquidate assets in Türkiye within one year is suspended pursuant to Article 33/2 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, and this obligation remains suspended until the conclusion of the proceedings.

A person whose Turkish citizenship has been cancelled may not only pursue administrative objections and annulment proceedings but may also reapply for Turkish citizenship if the statutory requirements are satisfied.

5. Loss of Turkish Citizenship Through the Right of Option

The law grants certain individuals the right to renounce Turkish citizenship after reaching the age of majority.

Eligible individuals include:

• Persons who acquired both Turkish and foreign citizenship at birth;
• Persons who acquired foreign citizenship based on the principle of birth in a foreign country;
• Persons who acquired Turkish citizenship through adoption;
• Children who acquired Turkish citizenship through their parents.

Such individuals may exercise their right of option and renounce Turkish citizenship within three years of reaching adulthood.

However, this right cannot be exercised if it would result in statelessness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a person who renounces Turkish citizenship purchase property in Türkiye?

Yes. Blue Card holders retain the right to acquire real estate in Türkiye.

2. Does renouncing Turkish citizenship result in the loss of inheritance rights?

No. Individuals holding a Blue Card continue to enjoy inheritance rights in Türkiye.

3. Is it necessary to acquire another citizenship before renouncing Turkish citizenship?

Yes. The law requires either the acquisition of another state's citizenship or convincing evidence that such citizenship will be acquired.

4. Does the revocation of Turkish citizenship affect family members?

No. Revocation decisions are personal and do not directly affect the citizenship status of the individual's spouse or children.

5. Can Blue Card holders work in Türkiye?

Yes. Blue Card holders are entitled to work in Türkiye. However, they may not hold permanent and principal public service positions.