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Action for annulment of ‘Turkish citizenship in return for investment’ regulation

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations announced that it has applied to the Council of State for the annulment of the regulation amendment regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship in return for investments made in foreign currency. In the statement made by the TBB, “The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey orders that the conditions for the acquisition of citizenship be regulated by law.” expression was used.

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) announced in a written statement that it applied to the Council of State for the annulment of the regulation amendment regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship in return for investments made in foreign currency.

TBB’s statement on the subject is as follows:

“The regulations put into effect by the Presidential Decision and introduced in Article 20 of the Turkish Citizenship Regulation result in granting Turkish citizenship in return for investments such as purchasing real estate with a certain amount of foreign currency or entering the fund/individual pension system.

The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey orders that the conditions for the acquisition of citizenship be regulated by law. In this context, in the relevant provisions of the Turkish Citizenship Law, the circumstances in which citizenship can be acquired are regulated, and the conditions for this are listed as limited. There is no regulation in the law regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by making investments such as entering a fund/private pension system in return for a certain amount of foreign currency.

On the other hand, the fact that the concept of citizenship, which expresses legal and political bond and commitment with the state, is met with a value in foreign currency, in the regulation in question, abstracts the concept of citizenship and takes it away from its essence. Therefore, the regulations are inconsistent with the principle of ‘reality of citizenship’ adopted by the Turkish Citizenship Law as well as being unconstitutional and devoid of any legal basis.

As long as these provisions remain in force, leaving the principle of loyalty to the state aside and giving citizenship in exchange for money will result, which will inflict irreparable loss of rights for our nation. For these reasons, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations applied to the Council of State for the stay of execution and cancellation of the said regulation change.”

Enes Sahin

Hello, I am Enes, I write content for Expat Guide Turkey every day. Don't forget to check it out! You can contact me via e-mail enes@expatguideturkey.com.

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