What is Investment and Citizenship Law?

 

While investment law deals with investment activities and investment contracts, citizenship law regulates the rights and responsibilities related to a person's citizenship status.

Investment law informs people who want to invest about the legislation in the country they will invest in and enables them to follow the legislation in the investment process. In this context, issues such as the preparation of investment contracts, the protection of foreign investors, the supervision of investments and the protection of investors' rights are among the main subjects of investment law.

Citizenship law, on the other hand, is concerned with the citizenship rights and responsibilities of a person. In this context, citizenship acquired by birth or by other means, dual citizenship, loss of citizenship, citizenship procedures and other issues related to citizenship are among the basic subjects of citizenship law.

Recently, some countries have dealt with investment and citizenship law together by offering the opportunity to give citizenship to those who will invest. Within the scope of this application, foreign investors can apply for citizenship in that country in return for a certain amount of investment.

In summary, investment law deals with investment activities and investment contracts, while citizenship law deals with a person's citizenship rights and responsibilities. However, some countries consider these two branches of law together by offering the opportunity to grant citizenship to those who will invest.

 

Status of Investment and Citizenship Law in Turkey

 

In terms of investment law, Turkey offers many incentives and support programs for foreign investors. These incentives and support include tax exemptions, investment discounts, customs duty exemptions, interest support and government guarantees. In addition, foreign investors are also given the opportunity to establish companies and own shares in Turkey.

Citizenship law in Turkey covers the regulations regarding the investment, and protection and loss of Turkish citizenship. In order to acquire Turkish citizenship, foreigners must meet certain conditions. These conditions include criteria such as residing in Turkey for a certain period of time, marrying a Turkish citizen or making an investment.

Legislation on investment and citizenship law in Turkey has regulated within the scope of the Turkish Citizenship Law adopted in 2018 and incentive and support programs for foreign investors. In addition, the minimum investment amounts required for foreign investors to invest in certain sectors in order to operate in Turkey have also been determined.

As a result, investment and citizenship law in Turkey offers many incentive and support programs for foreign investors and stipulates certain conditions for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship. In this context, a suitable legal basis is provided for foreign investors to operate in Turkey and acquire Turkish citizenship.

 

Current Regulations on Investment and Citizenship Law in Turkey

 

Regulations regarding investment and citizenship law in Turkey have increased significantly, especially with the legal changes made in recent years. Prominent among them are:

• Foreigners and International Protection Law: This law regulates the duration of stay and work permits of foreigners in Turkey. The law also gives foreigners the right to own and establish a company in Turkey.

• Turkish Citizenship Law: This law determines the conditions for being a Turkish citizen. With the amendments made to the law in recent years, the opportunity to acquire citizenship by investing has also been provided.

• Law on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners: This law regulates the acquisition of real estate by foreigners in Turkey. The law also includes conditions for acquiring citizenship by investing.

• Regulation on Work Permits of Foreigners: This regulation determines the documents and conditions required for foreigners to obtain a work permit in Turkey.

• Investment Program prepared by the Strategy and Budget Department: This program includes regulations for foreign investors who want to invest in Turkey.

• Public Procurement Law: This law determines the regulations regarding public procurement in Turkey. It is an important arrangement for foreign companies to participate in tenders and do business in Turkey.

• Free Zones Law: This law makes it easier for foreign investors to do business in free zones in Turkey.

The regulations listed above constitute an important resource for foreign investors who want to invest in Turkey. However, since each regulation contains technical details within itself, it is extremely important for investors to understand these regulations well and apply them correctly.

For this very reason, it is extremely important for people who will take any initiative in this field to work with an investment law lawyer or a citizenship law lawyer who is an expert in this field. Because, as mentioned above, these areas contain many technical details within themselves, and it will not be possible for people from outside the country who want to operate in the geography of Turkey to master the existing regulations. For these reasons, if our team specialized in this field is contacted, all processes can be carried out in a legal way and a quality service can be provided to clients at the point of procedures.

In this context, the following services are among the main services we provide to our clients, together with our specialized team:

• Preparation, follow-up and finalization of residence permit applications for foreign nationals who want to reside in Turkey,

• Execution of necessary procedures regarding work permits,

• Providing necessary consultancy services for Turquoise Card application processes within the scope of the International Protection Law and following the application procedures meticulously,

• Carrying out VAT exemption application procedures for property acquisitions by foreigners in Turkey and following the processes carefully.

• Investment Law Consultancy: To provide consultancy to the investing individuals or companies on investment law, to explain the requirements of the legislation and to protect the rights of the investors.

• Citizenship Law Consultancy: Providing consultancy to foreign investors on obtaining Turkish citizenship, managing citizenship application procedures and preparing the necessary documents.

• Legal Support in Investment and Citizenship Law Disputes: Providing legal support to clients in investment and citizenship law disputes, filing lawsuits and protecting the rights of the client.

• Contract Preparation and Review: To protect the rights of clients by preparing and examining contracts prepared within the scope of investment and citizenship law.

• Tax Planning: Making tax planning based on investment and citizenship law, minimizing the tax liabilities of the clients and providing detailed information continuously.