Turkish law allows multiple citizenship. If you acquire another citizenship, you can keep your Turkish one and report it to Turkish authorities. If you instead give up Turkish citizenship with permission, the Blue Card (Mavi Kart) keeps most of the rights of a Turkish citizen. This guide covers the Turkish rules only.
- 01
Keeping it
No permission needed; report it.
Under Article 44 of the Turkish Citizenship Law (No. 5901), a Turkish citizen who acquires a foreign citizenship presents the documents, and a multiple-citizenship note is added to the family registry. From the US, this is done at a Turkish consulate.
- 02
Giving it up
Renouncing with permission.
The Ministry may grant permission to renounce to an adult with capacity who has, or is about to acquire, a foreign citizenship, provided there is no outstanding criminal, military-service or financial restriction (Article 25). The permission certificate is valid for 2 years (Article 26).
- 03
Blue Card · Who
Turkish by birth, and their descendants.
The Blue Card is for people who were Turkish citizens by birth and lost citizenship by obtaining permission to renounce, and for their descendants up to the third degree (Article 28). It is issued on request.
- 04
Blue Card · Rights
Most rights of a citizen continue.
Holders keep using the rights of Turkish citizens, including residence, work, property and inheritance, subject to national security and public order rules. They can buy property as a citizen does, outside the limits that apply to foreigners.
- 05
Blue Card · Exceptions
What the card does not give.
- The right to vote or stand for election
- Duty-free import of a vehicle or household goods
- Permanent career posts in the civil service (contract posts are possible)
- Holders have no military service obligation
- 06
Applying
At a consulate or a civil registry office.
Abroad, Turkish consulates issue the card; in Turkiye, district civil registry offices do. The application needs a petition, two photos and a foreign passport or ID. Holders must report address and civil-status changes.
Good to know
A child born abroad to a Turkish mother, or to a Turkish father within marriage, is Turkish by birth; register the birth at the consulate.
Rules and office practice change. Turkish-law matters are handled by the Turkish attorneys at Sonmez Partners.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026. General information on Turkish law only, not legal advice. It does not cover the law of any other country. Sonmez Consulting LLC is not a U.S. law firm.