Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

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29 Citizenship and nationality
29.01 As regards nationality by birth, Introduction to Turkish Law states that:
“Turkish nationality is mainly acquired through the relation to the father or mother. Thus a legitimate or illegitimate, but legally recognised, child of a Turkish father or mother is Turkish. Legitimate children born to a Turkish mother, and not acquiring the nationality of the father by birth, as well as all illegitimate children born to Turkish mothers, are Turkish. Children born of non-Turkish parents do not acquire Turkish nationality by reason of birth on Turkish soil. An exception is the case of children born in Turkey and not acquiring at the time of birth the nationality of either their father or mother; they are Turkish at birth.” [64] (p89)
29.02 Regarding acquisition of nationality other than by birth. Introduction to Turkish Law states that, “Any foreigner may acquire Turkish nationality by means of naturalisation (telsik). Persons who have lived in Turkey more than five years and have all the qualifications required by the law may apply to the Ministry of Interior, and, upon the recommendation of this Ministry, the Council of Ministers may grant Turkish nationality.” [64] (p89)
29.03 As highlighted in the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) document ‘Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Women: The Case of Turkey’, dated November 2003:
“The Amendment to the Turkish Citizenship Law (No. 4866): This amendment, enacted by the Parliament on 4 June 2003, introduced some changes to the Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 403 of 1964). Before being amended this law played an important role in the sharp increase of paper marriages and this led to calls for amendments to prevent further abuse. The amendment has made it more difficult for a foreigner to acquire Turkish citizenship through marriage, by imposing a three-year waiting period before a foreign spouse may obtain Turkish nationality. Anyone not living in the same house-hold will not be eligible for Turkish citizenship.” [86] (p27)
See also Section 9.01 on Military service, for information on the deprivation of nationality for evasion of military service
29.04 The EC 2006 report however also noted that, “Nationality requirements for professions such as lawyers, medical doctors, dentists and midwives, as well as for air traffic controllers and private security services are not in line with the acquis…” [71a] (p34)