General Information About The Loss of Turkish Citizenship in Turkey

As Karanfiloglu Law Firm, we aim to answer those who are curious about this process with this blog post that provides general information about the loss of Turkish citizenship in Turkey. Get detailed information about how Turkish citizenship can be lost, how this process works and in which cases Turkish citizenship will be lost.
Main Reasons for Losing Turkish Citizenship
Turkish citizenship can be lost for various reasons according to the Turkish Citizenship Law.

Here are the main reasons that can lead to the loss of Turkish citizenship:
Voluntary abandonment of citizenship: When a Turkish citizen wants to accept the citizenship of another country and wants to renounce Turkish citizenship, he can renounce his citizenship by applying to the Turkish authorities for a renunciation permit.
Right of option in case of dual citizenship: When a Turkish citizen by descent also holds the citizenship of another country through a foreign parent or place of birth, he/she may, if he/she wishes, renounce Turkish citizenship within three years after reaching majority (Article 34 of Law No. 5901). Dual citizenship is permitted in Turkey, and living abroad does not by itself cause the loss of Turkish citizenship.
Deprivation by administrative decision: Turkish citizenship may be withdrawn (Article 29 of Law No. 5901), in particular from a person who remains in the service of a foreign state in a manner contrary to Turkey's interests despite a call to leave within three months, who serves without permission in the army of a foreign state, or who, while abroad and being prosecuted for certain serious offences against the security of the state, does not return to Turkey within three months of the call published in the Official Gazette.
The Process of Losing Turkish Citizenship
The process of losing Turkish citizenship varies depending on the reason for the loss of citizenship. In case of voluntary relinquishment of citizenship, Turkish citizens must apply to the Ministry of Interior for a renunciation permit (çıkma izni), through the governorate in Turkey or the Turkish consulate abroad. The permit requires that the person is an adult with the capacity of discernment, has acquired a foreign citizenship or there are serious indications that he or she will acquire one, is not sought for an offence or for military service, and is not subject to any financial or criminal restriction (Article 25 of Law No. 5901). The person loses Turkish citizenship on the date the renunciation certificate is delivered to him or her.
In the case of loss of Turkish citizenship for other reasons, the process is more complex and often requires due process. Deprivation is ordered by decision of the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Ministry of Interior (Article 29), and an acquisition of citizenship obtained through false statements or by concealing material facts can be annulled (Article 31).
Consequences of Losing Turkish Citizenship
The loss of Turkish citizenship has important consequences.

Here are some of these results:
Right to reside and work in Turkey: A person who is not a Turkish citizen may not have the right to reside and work in Turkey. Therefore, the person who loses Turkish citizenship will in principle need appropriate visas and permits to live and work in Turkey. However, a person who is Turkish by birth and renounced with permission, together with his or her descendants up to the third degree, can obtain the Blue Card (Mavi Kart) and continue to enjoy the rights granted to Turkish citizens regarding residence, travel, work, inheritance and the acquisition of property; certain rights, such as the right to vote and to stand for election, are excluded (Article 28 of Law No. 5901).
Social rights in Turkey: A person who is not a Turkish citizen may not be able to benefit from social rights in Turkey. This includes areas such as health care, education and other government support.
Loss of Turkish passport: A person who loses Turkish citizenship also loses his Turkish passport. This means that the person wishing to travel must use the passport of the country of which he or she is a new citizen.
Military service: A male who is not a Turkish citizen will be exempt from military service in Turkey.
Reacquisition of Turkish Citizenship
Persons who have lost their Turkish citizenship can regain Turkish citizenship under certain conditions. Turkish Citizenship Law regulates the process of regaining citizenship. Persons who renounced with permission can regain it without any residence requirement in Turkey (Article 13 of Law No. 5901), whereas persons who were deprived of citizenship or who left through the right of option must have resided in Turkey for three years (Article 14). In both cases, the person must not pose an obstacle from the point of view of national security and must declare their intention to regain Turkish citizenship. The application is evaluated by the Ministry of Interior and when it is accepted, the person becomes a Turkish citizen again.
As a result, loss of Turkish citizenship can happen for various reasons and through different processes. As Karanfiloglu Law Firm, we offer consultancy services on issues related to Turkish citizenship. Contact us for help and information on loss or recovery of Turkish citizenship.