immac

The Fethiye Times (for which I write the fishing section) is running the following story:
Has anyone extra information?

Foreign Investors to Get Citizenship
Friday, 05 May 2006
In a move to attract more foreign investment the Government is about to change the law to allow foreign investors to become Turkish citizens. The act adapts the current citizenship system to the European Citizenship Agreement of March 1 2000. It will take away the requirement for investors to carry out millitary service as well as the need to buy a residence visa.

The current law requires foreigners to have lived in Turkey for at least 5 years, pass a tough Turkish language test as well as meeting other requirements.

We will wait to see the details of the new law and how it may apply to our readers.

Ian

pebble

I havent heard about this, but it's gotta be worth something to someone....

starman

I skimmed through something about this in the Zaman newspaper. It will be interesting to see what they class as an investor. Some countries do this but for investments of 250,000 dollars plus.

Sarah

Lucky investors!! I'm married to a Turkish man and have to wait until I've been married three years and also pass a language test. Does anyone else think this is unfair?

jane2005

I think it's a little unfair only because I can't see what Turkey will gain. I wonder if there will be an 'investment limit'. If this law goes through then we wouldn't need to pay out each year for residency, so Turkey will lose money there. People will continue to invest in Turkey, ie property purchase, regardless simply because they love the country. Does this mean no more work permits either?