Difference Between Turkish Citizenship and Residence Permit in Turkey

Turkey, which is surrounded by the sea on 3 sides, has landed both in Europe and Asia, and it is a country that attracts the attention of foreigners. Turkey, located in a unique land where East meets West, is especially the focus of attention of foreign investors. A significant proportion of foreigners who come to Turkey for holidays are to purchase housing with a dream of permanently living in Turkey.

The Turkish Government provides the opportunity to get a short-term residence permit to foreigners who buy real estate in Turkey (whole family excluding children over the age of 18). The right to Turkish citizenship is granted in housing purchases of 400.000 USD and above (whole family excluding children over the age of 18).

Advantages of Obtaining Turkish Citizenship

First of all, we must note that the Turkish citizenship program by investment is the best citizenship program in the world because of its many advantages. It is the strongest and the most legal program because Turkish citizenship is granted officially by an official presidential decision and cannot be canceled. The other citizenship programs are granted without a legal basis. Also, the Turkish citizenship through real estate investment is giving the right to the investor to resale the property after 3 years, recover the investment amount, make some profits from the property's rent, and the increasing of the prices in the coming years. In the other citizenship, programs are granted by giving an amount to the government, which is granting the nationality. This grant for obtaining citizenship cannot be recovered!

Turkey is also a fast-growing country, being the first global competitor to Chinese industries and the first exporter of textile industries. Turkey is an economically promising country after the major oil and gas discoveries that will be extracted by the year 2023.

In this article, we discussed the differences between Turkish citizenship and residence permits in Turkey.

Having a Turkish Passport

- Turkish citizens, having a strong passport, can travel to 110 countries without a visa. While you can go directly to the vast majority of 110 countries with only passports, some countries can request an online visa or can give an entry point visa on arrival in the country. However, these visas can be obtained easily by paying the fees, without collecting any documents and waiting. Countries that can travel without a visa include such as Argentina, Albania, Bahamas, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Montenegro, Maldives, Moldova, Peru, Serbia, Singapore, Chile, Thailand, Ukraine, and Uruguay (Data for 2021). It is possible to obtain a visa easily in other countries that require a visa with a Turkish Passport.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit, cannot have Turkish passports.

Opportunity to become citizens with family members

- When applying for Turkish citizenship with a real estate investment, your spouse and all your children under the age of 18 have the right to apply for Turkish citizenship together with you and can benefit from all the privileges of Turkish citizenship.

- Foreigners, who bought real estate in Turkey, can apply for a residence permit with family except for children over the age of 18.

Right to vote

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship have the right to vote like Turkish citizens. Thanks to this right, you may have a say in the country where you live.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit are not entitled to vote.

Work permit in Turkey

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship can apply for a job at any institution in Turkey they wish, and can work anywhere they wish without needing a work permit.

- Residence permit does not replace a work permit. Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit must obtain a work permit to work.

Residence permit in Turkey

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship do not have to obtain a residence permit.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit must renew their residence permit once a year. This is an extra expense and burden. It is necessary to prepare the necessary documents and to pay some fees.

Registration in the social security system for retired pay

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship can work in any business without a work permit in Turkey and can register in the social security system. When the necessary conditions are met, they are entitled to retirement.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit must have a work permit to work in Turkey. Only in this way they can register in the social security system and gain the right to retirement when she meets the necessary conditions.

Benefiting from healthcare opportunities

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship can benefit from all facilities of public hospitals free of charge (surgery, treatment, medicine, diagnosis, etc.). The Turkish Government applies the Covid-19 vaccine free of charge to its citizens.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit can take advantage of free basic health facilities in state hospitals (examination, blood tests, etc.). Other services are fees charged.

Free primary education opportunity

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship have the right to free primary education in public schools. Students with inadequate financial status can benefit from scholarships and various aids.

- There is a right to free primary education, providing education in state schools in Turkey, for foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit.

Check out this article to get more information about "Education in Turkey"

Studying universities in Turkey

- Foreigners who obtain Turkish citizenship can only enter the university exams in Turkey and choose the department and university they want according to their success ranking. There is no requirement to take any special exam. Diplomas of Turkish universities are recognized in many countries including European countries.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit must pass a difficult and special exam successfully to study in universities in Turkey. After this examination is eligible to apply for admission to a university in Turkey.

European Union membership

- European Union membership negotiations with Turkey are continuing. When the negotiations are concluded positively, Turkish citizens will have a Schengen visa and will gain the right to travel to European countries without a visa.

- Foreigners living in Turkey with a residence permit will not benefit from this opportunity.

The Republic of Turkey does not report your Turkish citizenship to your country and does not share bank account information and the number of properties you have.

You can contact professional and experienced sales consultants of Diyar Turk Real Estate to learn more information about Turkish citizenship by investment.