Turkish Citizenship and Military Service: A Guide for Naturalized Citizens

One of the questions foreign men most often ask when applying for Turkish citizenship, yet frequently overlook during the application itself, is the military service obligation. As a rule, the same framework that binds a man born a Turkish citizen also applies to someone who becomes a citizen later in life (through naturalization). However, the law provides significant exceptions tied to the applicant's age and level of education at the moment citizenship is acquired. Knowing these details before applying prevents unexpected obligations down the line.

The Legal Framework: From Law No. 1111 to the Conscription Law No. 7179

The Military Service Law No. 1111 of 21 June 1927, which governed conscription for decades, was largely repealed by the Conscription Law (Askeralma Kanunu) No. 7179, which entered into force in 2019. Today the position of naturalized citizens is determined principally under this newer law and its secondary regulations. The statute separately defines concepts such as "multiple citizenship," "paid military service" (bedelli askerlik), and "foreign-currency military service" (dövizle askerlik). For those who acquire citizenship later, the key provision is Article 43.

The Core Rule for Naturalized Citizens (Article 43)

Article 43 of the Conscription Law sets a clear starting point: those who acquire Turkish citizenship later perform their military service according to their age and educational status on the date citizenship was acquired, just like conscripts who reach military-service age that year. In other words, the obligation follows the same logic as for citizens by birth; what matters is the applicant's situation at the moment of acquisition.

The most important relief the article offers is an age threshold. Those who are 22 years of age or older in the year they acquire citizenship are deemed to have already completed military service. In addition, those who can document that they performed military service, or are treated as having performed it, in the country they came from before acquiring Turkish citizenship are likewise deemed to have served. Neither group incurs an actual obligation to enlist; they may, however, be called up in the event of general mobilization.

The law also allows eligible persons, on request, a two-year deferral running from the date citizenship is acquired. Two important exceptions apply: those who lose and later regain Turkish citizenship are processed with reference to their prior service record, and those naturalized on the basis of descent (for instance through a Turkish parent) cannot benefit from the reliefs this article provides.

The Paid Military Service Option (Article 9)

For naturalized citizens who fall below the age threshold and therefore remain genuinely liable, the paid military service (bedelli askerlik) under Article 9 is an important route. Under it, willing conscripts who are fit for service pay, in advance, an amount set by reference to an indicator figure in the law and complete one month of basic military training, after which they are deemed to have discharged the obligation.

The amount payable is calculated by multiplying a fixed indicator figure by the civil-servant monthly coefficient, and it is updated through legislative amendments; the current figure should therefore be confirmed with the Ministry of National Defence or the local recruitment office (askerlik şubesi) at the time of application. Paid military service is a general facility, and naturalized citizens who meet the conditions may use it. Where applications exceed the quota, selection is made by lot.

Living Abroad and Multiple Citizenship (Article 39)

For men who continue to live abroad after naturalizing, the foreign-currency military service (dövizle askerlik) under Article 39 stands out. Those who have worked abroad for at least three years under a residence permit that also covers a work permit may be deemed to have discharged their service by paying an amount set in foreign currency.

The provision is particularly helpful for those holding multiple citizenship: persons residing abroad who hold multiple citizenship, as well as those born and residing abroad who hold a permanent residence permit, may benefit without the work condition, provided they have actually been abroad for at least three years. On the other hand, having completed compulsory service in another country does not automatically affect the Turkish obligation; that is assessed only under Article 43 (documenting service performed before naturalization) or within the framework of bilateral arrangements. Each file must therefore be examined on its own facts.

What to Know Before Applying

The military service obligation is not, on its own, a bar to a citizenship application; still, it is prudent to calculate the obligation that will arise after citizenship is granted. Your age in the year citizenship is acquired, your level of education, whether you live inside or outside Turkey, and any prior military service all directly affect the outcome. Because these variables differ from person to person, it is advisable to confirm your individual position with the relevant unit of the Ministry of National Defence or the recruitment office to which you would be attached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does a man who becomes a Turkish citizen at 40 have to do military service?

Under Article 43 of the Conscription Law, those who are 22 or older in the year they are naturalized are deemed to have completed military service. As a rule, therefore, a man who naturalizes at that age is not liable for actual service; call-up may arise only in the event of mobilization.

Q: I did military service in my own country. Must I repeat it in Turkey?

If you document that you performed, or are treated as having performed, military service in the country you came from before acquiring Turkish citizenship, you are deemed to have served under Article 43. Submitting these documents in proper form is essential.

Q: Can naturalized citizens use paid military service?

Yes. Those who are not treated as exempt on age grounds and remain genuinely liable may use the paid military service under Article 9, provided they are fit and willing, by paying the set amount and completing one month of basic training.

Q: How much is the paid military service fee?

The amount is calculated from the indicator figure stated in the law multiplied by the civil-servant monthly coefficient, and it is updated through legislative amendments. The current figure should be confirmed with the recruitment office or the Ministry of National Defence before payment.

How Mona Hukuk Can Help

For men who acquire citizenship later, military service is often the most overlooked dimension of the application. Our team in Antalya assesses your obligation before you apply, taking your age and education as the starting point, interprets the exemption, paid-service, and foreign-currency options in light of your circumstances, and guides you in submitting the necessary documents to the relevant authorities.

For a consultation in Antalya, write to us at contact@monahukuk.com or call +90 (242) 606 14 32.