Turkish Citizenship

In recent years, many Israeli citizens have begun to take an interest in the subject of obtaining foreign passports and citizenships. While the reasons for this are manifold and primarily individual, it is impossible to ignore the fact that certain European countries have recently started endorsing a more convenient and straightforward path to acquiring citizenship. Although Turkey is geographically situated close to Israel, it is nevertheless a candidate for European Union membership. Turkey first applied to join the European Union back in 1987, however, due to numerous upheavals within that country a decision regarding its accession is still pending. Towards the start of the year 2000, Turkey was indeed officially recognized as a candidate state and a potential future member of the European Union. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also declared that if his country was not accepted as a member the European Union, he would withdraw its candidacy. In recent years, due to the undermining of minority rights and press freedom in Turkey, changes to its governmental structure, and above all, Erdoğan’s harsh rhetoric against the heads of European states, especially those of Germany and Holland (comparing them to Nazis) and their statements against him, Turkey’s prospects of joining the EU appear more remote than ever. It should also be borne in mind that the European Union is a federation of Christian countries, and it is difficult to see how such a populous Muslim country can be accepted into that federation.

In a Nutshell, how to Obtain Turkish Citizenship?

In order to try and apply for a Turkish passport, contact must be made with the Turkish Embassy, which manages the process of issuing the passport. Therefore, in order to begin the process of obtaining Turkish citizenship it is recommended that the applicant thoroughly familiarize himself with all the attendant conditions and requirements for acquiring the citizenship. Firstly, it is important to know that Turkish citizens are obliged to enlist and serve several years in the Turkish army. Secondly, in order to obtain Turkish citizenship, you shall almost certainly be compelled to renounce your Israeli citizenship, which raises the question – is it worth it?

In order to obtain Turkish citizenship, you shall need to prove that you have a significant connection to Turkey and that you are direct descendants of Turkish citizens who did not lose their entitlement to citizenship. In most cases you shall have to do this through documents, photographs, certificates and other evidence which substantiates your claim to Turkish citizenship. All documents must be translated and notarized into Turkish.

At any rate, the process of obtaining Turkish citizenship is complex and calls for in-depth knowledge of that country’s laws and requirements, and if you are doing this in the hope that Turkey shall one day join the European Union, there is a simpler and faster way.

Did you know – Jewish descendants of Turkish émigrés are entitled to Portuguese citizenship

Few are aware that it is actually far easier and more logical to try and obtain Portuguese citizenship than to obtain a Turkish passport. In other words, a person who has a past (or present) familial background or connection to Turkey, is apparently tied in one way or another to the Jews who were expelled from Spain. In 2015, it was decided that the descendants of Jews who lived in and were expelled from Portugal are eligible for Portuguese citizenship – which is tantamount to European citizenship. Given the complex requirements involved in obtaining a Turkish passport, it is strongly recommended that individuals of Turkish-Jewish descent check whether they qualify for Portuguese citizenship. Actually this almost invariably turns out to be possible and simpler.

The advantages of a Portuguese passport for Jews of Turkish descent are numerous. Those who are eligible for Portuguese citizenship can enjoy all the benefits which holders of a European passport are entitled to, namely the right to live, study, work, and do business in each of the European Union member states. Studies in Europe for citizens of European Union countries are free (and while in certain countries you shall have to pay just like a local citizen, the amount is significantly less than what you would typically pay in Israel).

What is the connection between Turkish natives and Portuguese citizenship?

Most Turkish natives are directly or indirectly related to Jews who were expelled from Spain and therefore their descendants currently qualify for Portuguese citizenship.

In fact, almost any Jew with “Turkish blood” is entitled to Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport, under a relatively recent law which came into force in Portugal in April 2015.

It is important to note that the Portuguese passport is regarded as a prestigious and select passport and is ranked as the sixth top-tier passport in the world. For comprehensive information on Portuguese citizenship click here.

To check whether you meet the conditions and requirements for Turkish or Portuguese citizenship, you are welcome and advised to contact us.