DOLĞUN AKADEMİ | MILITARY SERVICE LAW | 2026

Military Service in Türkiye 2026: Types of Military Service, Paid Military Service Fees, Foreign Currency Military Service, Exemptions, and the Rights of Newly Naturalized Turkish Citizens

Author: Attorney Murat Can Dolğun
Publication: Dolğun Akademi – TD Law Firm
Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Military Service Law, Turkish Citizenship Law, Immigration Law, and Human Rights Law
Last Updated: October 23, 2026

ABSTRACT

Military service in Türkiye is a constitutional public obligation governed primarily by Article 72 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye and Military Recruitment Law No. 7179. However, the obligation to perform military service does not apply identically to every Turkish citizen. A person’s age, medical condition, educational background, nationality status, residence abroad, previous military service, and the legal method through which Turkish citizenship was acquired may substantially affect the existence, duration, and manner of fulfilling this obligation.

The year 2026 has been particularly significant for the Turkish military service system because of legislative amendments affecting paid military service fees. Through Law No. 7577, published in the Official Gazette on April 17, 2026, the statutory coefficient used to calculate the paid military service fee was increased from 240,000 to 300,000. Following the adjustment of the civil servant monthly salary coefficient in July 2026, the paid military service fee for the second half of the year was established at TRY 472,653.60.

Nevertheless, Turkish military service law encompasses far more than the payment of a fee. The existing legal framework provides for six months of compulsory service as a private or non-commissioned enlisted soldier, twelve months of service as a reserve officer or reserve non-commissioned officer, paid military service, foreign currency military service, educational and overseas deferments, medical exemptions, and various circumstances in which military service is legally considered to have been completed.

One of the most important subjects examined in this article concerns foreign nationals who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship. In particular, male individuals who become Turkish citizens through real estate investment, exceptional naturalization, or ordinary naturalization procedures may benefit from specific exemptions or deferments under Article 43 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179.

This study also addresses the legal position of dual nationals, recognition of military service performed in foreign countries, the consequences of annulment or loss of Turkish citizenship, military service obligations following reacquisition of citizenship, failure to undergo military registration, failure to report for military service, administrative fines, medical assessments, administrative appeals, judicial review, and the protection of fundamental rights.

The purpose of this article is not merely to explain military service procedures. It is to provide a comprehensive legal analysis of how military service obligations arise, how they may be postponed or discharged, and which legal remedies are available when administrative authorities incorrectly determine an individual’s military status.

I. CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE IN TÜRKİYE

Article 72 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye establishes national service as both a right and a duty of every Turkish citizen. The same constitutional provision states that the manner in which national service shall be performed, or deemed to have been performed, either within the Armed Forces or in the public sector, shall be regulated by law.

This constitutional provision establishes three fundamental principles governing military service obligations.

First, military service is a public law obligation. Administrative decisions concerning military registration, classification, deferment, exemption, and deployment derive their legal authority from legislation rather than from private contractual relationships.

Second, the scope and conditions of military service must be determined by legislation. Although the Constitution establishes national service as a general constitutional duty, it does not directly identify every category of persons required to perform military service or every individual entitled to exemption.

Third, administrative decisions concerning military service remain subject to the rule of law and judicial review. Article 125 of the Constitution establishes the principle that administrative acts and decisions are subject to judicial review, subject to constitutionally recognized exceptions.

Under Article 2 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179, the legislation applies to male citizens of the Republic of Türkiye. Therefore, the general constitutional concept of national service must be distinguished from the personal scope of compulsory military service under existing statutory law.

Women are not subject to the same general compulsory military service obligation applicable to men. However, women may serve in the Turkish Armed Forces as professional military personnel under the applicable recruitment and employment regulations.

The general statutory military service age also requires clarification. Under Law No. 7179, military age begins on January 1 of the calendar year in which a male citizen turns 20 and ends on January 1 of the year in which he turns 41.

Nevertheless, reaching the end of the statutory military service age does not necessarily eliminate every legal consequence arising from previous administrative violations or criminal proceedings.

II. WHAT TYPES OF MILITARY SERVICE EXIST IN TÜRKİYE IN 2026?

The modern Turkish military service framework was substantially reorganized through Military Recruitment Law No. 7179, which entered into force in 2019.

The duration and legal characteristics of military service depend on the individual’s classification and applicable statutory conditions.

The table identifies the principal methods of performing military service. Other legal mechanisms include exemptions based on medical conditions, military service deemed completed following naturalization, and special exemptions prescribed by law.

Such exemptions must not be confused with independent categories of military service. They concern circumstances in which the obligation does not arise, is discharged by operation of law, or is legally regarded as satisfied.

Professional military careers, including commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, specialist enlisted personnel, and contracted military personnel, are subject to separate rules concerning recruitment, employment, contractual obligations, and service benefits.

III. HOW MUCH IS THE PAID MILITARY SERVICE FEE IN TÜRKİYE IN 2026?

The paid military service fee applicable between July 1 and December 31, 2026, is TRY 472,653.60.

This amount was officially announced by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence on July 7, 2026.

3.1. How is the paid military service fee calculated?

Under Article 9 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179, the fee is calculated by multiplying the statutory indicator by the civil servant monthly salary coefficient applicable on the date of payment.

For the second half of 2026, the calculation is as follows:

300,000 × 1.575512 = TRY 472,653.60

The Ministry of Treasury and Finance established the relevant monthly coefficient as 1.575512 through its circular dated July 3, 2026.

3.2. What changed in April 2026?

Law No. 7577, adopted on April 2, 2026, and published in Official Gazette No. 33227 on April 17, 2026, amended the statutory calculation method.

Article 12 of that legislation increased the indicator used to determine the paid military service fee from 240,000 to 300,000.

This constituted a 25% increase in the statutory indicator.

Following the amendment, the Ministry of National Defence announced the April 2026 fee as TRY 416,361.30. The amount subsequently increased to TRY 472,653.60 in July following the adjustment of the civil servant salary coefficient.

The legislative amendment also addressed the allocation of revenues collected through paid military service, including arrangements concerning the central budget and the Defence Industry Support Fund.

Accordingly, the increase in paid military service fees during 2026 should not be attributed exclusively to ordinary salary coefficient adjustments. It resulted from the combination of a statutory legislative amendment and a subsequent coefficient adjustment.

3.3. How much will paid military service cost in 2027?

As of October 23, 2026, this study does not adopt any definitive paid military service amount for 2027.

Under the existing legal framework, the amount is linked to the applicable civil servant monthly salary coefficient and is therefore subject to further adjustment.

Any exact prediction concerning future fees must be distinguished from an officially determined amount.

Applicants should also understand that the amount payable is linked to the legally applicable rate on the date of payment, rather than merely the date of submitting an application.

IV. WHO CAN APPLY FOR PAID MILITARY SERVICE?

Paid military service, commonly referred to in Turkish as bedelli askerlik, is available to eligible male Turkish citizens who satisfy the requirements established by Law No. 7179 and the Military Recruitment Regulation.

Applicants must generally have entered military service age, must not have commenced actual military service, and must meet the applicable administrative and medical conditions.

There is no general upper age limit for paid military service. However, the individual’s status as a person legally subject to military service must first be established.

Applicants who have not completed their military registration and medical examination procedures must complete the necessary formalities before their applications can be properly processed.

Individuals legally determined to be medically unfit for military service should not be required to pay a fee merely to obtain an exemption to which they are already entitled.

4.1. Where can an application be submitted?

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, applications may be submitted through the Turkish e-Government system or at a military recruitment office.

However, persons classified as draft evaders, unregistered military-age persons, or individuals who have failed to report for military service may be subject to a different procedure and may be required to apply directly to a military recruitment office.

4.2. What is the payment deadline?

As a general rule, the applicable paid military service fee must be paid within two months following the application date.

Payment is made in a single installment. The statutory paid military service system does not provide an ordinary installment payment arrangement.

Particular caution is required where an applicant has previously been classified as a draft evader or has failed to report for service.

Failure to pay within the prescribed period may affect the person’s ability to benefit from paid military service in the future, depending on the relevant statutory restrictions and the applicant’s history.

4.3. Is attendance at a military training facility compulsory?

Yes. Payment of the fee alone does not ordinarily complete paid military service.

Applicants must generally participate in one month of basic military training.

Therefore, payment of the fee and the legal completion of military service are distinct stages.

4.4. Can an applicant withdraw from paid military service?

Withdrawal may be possible at certain stages of the application process.

However, withdrawal after obtaining a place through classification or selection procedures may have consequences for the individual’s ability to apply again.

For this reason, applicants should assess the refund rules, classification timetable, training dates, and possible consequences of withdrawal before making a final decision.

V. FOREIGN CURRENCY MILITARY SERVICE: REQUIREMENTS, FEES, AND THE 1,095-DAY RULE

Foreign currency military service, known in Turkish as dövizle askerlik, is a special mechanism available to certain Turkish citizens residing abroad.

Although the financial calculation is connected to paid military service, the two systems are legally distinct.

They differ in eligibility requirements, residence and employment conditions, and obligations concerning military training.

5.1. Foreign currency military service fee in 2026

For the second half of 2026, the underlying Turkish lira amount is TRY 472,653.60.

The foreign currency equivalent is calculated using the applicable foreign exchange buying rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye on the payment date.

Consequently, there is no single fixed euro amount applicable throughout the entire year.

For illustration only, if the applicable buying rate were TRY 50 per euro, the corresponding amount would be approximately EUR 9,453.07.

This figure is an illustrative calculation and must not be interpreted as the actual exchange rate or an officially announced euro-denominated fee.

5.2. The 1,095-day residence or employment requirement

Eligible applicants generally must demonstrate at least three years, equivalent to 1,095 days, of qualifying residence or employment abroad under the statutory conditions.

For individuals working abroad as employees, employers, or members of a profession or trade, employment and residence authorizations, contracts, and actual periods of work may be relevant.

Different provisions may apply to persons working as seafarers aboard foreign-flagged vessels.

For certain multiple nationals and individuals born and residing abroad who hold indefinite residence permits, the legislation may permit the relevant period of residence to be assessed without the ordinary employment requirement.

Periods physically spent in Türkiye may have to be deducted from the qualifying period.

In suitable circumstances, periods of employment in different countries may be combined, provided that the applicable legal conditions are satisfied and the relevant documentation is submitted.

5.3. Must applicants travel to Türkiye for military training?

No. Under the current foreign currency military service framework, eligible applicants are not generally required to travel to Türkiye to complete one month of physical basic military training.

Instead, they must complete the distance education program established by the Ministry of National Defence.

The official distance education portal is available at:

https://dovizle.msb.gov.tr/

It is important to distinguish completion of the online training program from final approval of the foreign currency military service application.

Consular procedures, examination of supporting documents, confirmation of eligibility, and completion of payment obligations remain separate administrative stages.

5.4. Is there an age limit?

The former age limit of 38 for foreign currency military service has been abolished.

Nevertheless, removal of that restriction does not create an unconditional right to complete military service through payment alone.

Applicants must continue to satisfy the relevant statutory conditions.

5.5. Important considerations for Turkish citizens living abroad

Living outside Türkiye does not automatically establish eligibility for foreign currency military service.

Applicants must examine the legal basis of their residence, employment status, actual time spent abroad, travel history, and consular records.

Special restrictions may also apply to individuals who receive remuneration from Türkiye, work abroad in certain official capacities, or lack the relevant qualifying employment status.

VI. REGULAR MILITARY SERVICE, RESERVE OFFICERS, AND RESERVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

6.1. Six-month military service

Under the present legal system, the standard period of compulsory military service for enlisted personnel is six months.

Not every individual subject to military service must choose the paid military service option.

Where the statutory requirements are satisfied, the military obligation may be discharged by completing ordinary military service.

6.2. Reserve officer service

Reserve officer service lasts twelve months.

Eligibility and classification depend on factors such as educational qualifications, personnel requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces, and the relevant military classification procedures.

An applicant’s personal preference to serve as a reserve officer does not automatically entitle the applicant to that classification.

6.3. Reserve non-commissioned officer service

Reserve non-commissioned officer service also lasts twelve months.

This category is particularly relevant to individuals holding qualifying higher education degrees.

However, the applicant’s degree alone does not conclusively determine military classification.

6.4. Comparing different military service categories

The legal and financial consequences of regular enlisted service, reserve officer service, and reserve non-commissioned officer service are not identical.

They differ in duration, duties, responsibilities, remuneration, and service conditions.

Accordingly, the choice or preference expressed by an eligible applicant should be assessed in light of educational qualifications, professional circumstances, and individual requirements.

VII. VOLUNTARY ADDITIONAL SIX-MONTH MILITARY SERVICE

Individuals who complete their initial six-month military service as enlisted personnel may, subject to the applicable conditions, apply to continue their service for an additional six months.

Approval depends on matters including the evaluation of the applicant by military superiors and the relevant personnel requirements.

When approved, the total military service period becomes twelve months.

Individuals serving during the voluntary additional period receive an allowance that must not be lower than the applicable net minimum wage, subject to the statutory framework.

Participation is not compulsory and must not be confused with an automatic entitlement to continued military employment.

The relevant legislation also provides certain benefits concerning subsequent military personnel recruitment and social security arrangements.

The scope and application of these benefits depend on the special rules governing each procedure.

VIII. MUST NEWLY NATURALIZED TURKISH CITIZENS PERFORM MILITARY SERVICE?

One of the most important questions in Turkish citizenship law is whether foreign men who acquire Turkish citizenship later in life become subject to compulsory military service.

The answer requires particular attention to Article 43 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179.

The legislation does not subject all newly naturalized citizens to exactly the same military service obligations.

Instead, the individual’s age at naturalization, previous military service, and the legal method through which citizenship was acquired are decisive.

8.1. Naturalized citizens aged 22 or older

Under Article 43, persons who acquire Turkish citizenship in the calendar year in which they are 22 years of age or older are generally considered to have fulfilled their military service obligation.

This rule is subject to the statutory exception concerning persons who acquire Turkish citizenship through descent.

Importantly, the exemption does not necessarily require the individual to have completed military service in another country.

The statutory age requirement constitutes an independent legal basis for treating the military service obligation as fulfilled.

For example, a foreign man who acquires Turkish citizenship at the age of 30 and has never performed military service in any country may nevertheless be legally considered to have fulfilled his Turkish military service obligation, provided that the conditions of Article 43 are satisfied.

In such circumstances, the individual does not obtain exemption by paying the paid military service fee.

Instead, the relevant legislation treats the obligation itself as having been fulfilled.

8.2. Why does the legal method of acquiring citizenship matter?

Turkish citizenship may be acquired through birth, descent, ordinary naturalization, exceptional naturalization, or other procedures established by Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.

The legal basis of citizenship acquisition may directly affect whether the military service exemption under Article 43 is applicable.

In particular, individuals whose Turkish citizenship is established or registered through descent must not automatically be treated in the same manner as foreign nationals who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship by a decision of the competent authorities.

Failure to distinguish these categories may lead to serious legal errors in military registration and exemption decisions.

IX. HOW IS THE AGE OF 22 CALCULATED FOR NEWLY NATURALIZED CITIZENS?

The calculation of age is a particularly important issue under Article 43 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 and Article 90 of the Military Recruitment Regulation.

According to the administrative rules explained by the Ministry of National Defence, the year of birth is taken into account rather than the precise day and month of birth.

In practical terms, the relevant age is calculated by subtracting the person’s year of birth from the calendar year in which Turkish citizenship was acquired.

These examples concern individuals acquiring Turkish citizenship for the first time, outside the statutory exception applicable to citizenship through descent.

Different rules may apply to persons who lose and subsequently reacquire Turkish citizenship or who fall within the scope of special international agreements.

Consider an individual born on December 31, 2004, who acquires Turkish citizenship on January 1, 2026.

Although the individual has not yet reached his twenty-second birthday in the ordinary chronological sense, the difference between the naturalization year and birth year is 22.

Accordingly, the statutory age requirement may be satisfied.

This distinction may become particularly important when naturalization procedures are completed near the beginning or end of a calendar year.

X. WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO NATURALIZED CITIZENS AGED 21 OR YOUNGER?

Men who acquire Turkish citizenship at an age that does not satisfy the statutory exemption under Article 43 may become subject to military service unless another legally recognized exemption or completed-service provision applies.

However, Article 43 also provides an important deferment mechanism.

Eligible individuals may request deferment of military service for two years from the date on which Turkish citizenship was acquired.

This deferment should not be assumed to have been automatically entered into every individual’s military records.

The applicant should verify the administrative status of the deferment and obtain confirmation from the relevant military recruitment office.

10.1. What happens when the two-year deferment expires?

Following expiry of the deferment period, the person may become subject to the applicable military registration and classification procedures.

If the individual remains entitled to educational deferment or another statutory postponement, those possibilities must be separately examined.

10.2. Newly naturalized university students

University enrollment may provide an additional statutory basis for military service deferment.

However, the two-year deferment associated with naturalization and a deferment based on educational status arise from different legal provisions.

It should not be assumed that separate deferment periods can always be automatically added together.

The date of university enrollment, age limits, earlier military registration history, and any draft evasion or failure-to-report status must be examined.

XI. DOES MILITARY SERVICE COMPLETED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY COUNT IN TÜRKİYE?

Article 43 of Law No. 7179 recognizes certain circumstances in which a person who subsequently acquires Turkish citizenship may be deemed to have fulfilled military service because of previous military service in the country of origin.

Individuals who properly document that they completed military service, or were legally considered to have completed it, before acquiring Turkish citizenship may qualify under this provision.

This rule is especially relevant to persons naturalized before reaching the age of 22.

For example, a foreign national who acquires Turkish citizenship at the age of 21, having previously completed compulsory military service in his country of origin, should not automatically be classified as required to perform military service in Türkiye merely because he does not satisfy the age-based exemption.

The recognition of previous military service must be assessed separately.

11.1. What documents are required?

According to the Ministry of National Defence’s explanations concerning naturalized citizens, documents establishing previous military service must be submitted in their original form, accompanied by Turkish translations prepared by a sworn translator and notarized as required.

Depending on the country issuing the documents and the relevant international agreements, an apostille certificate or consular legalization may also be required.

For persons whose previous foreign military service was legally regarded as completed without ordinary active duty, the relevant foreign authority’s decision and its legal basis should be examined.

11.2. Foreign medical exemptions

Some individuals may have commenced military service abroad but subsequently been discharged or exempted because of medical conditions.

Under the relevant rules, such circumstances may qualify for recognition in Türkiye where the prescribed requirements are met.

However, a foreign medical exemption certificate does not necessarily produce an identical exemption in Türkiye in every case.

The previous military service history, the nature of the foreign decision, and the statutory recognition conditions remain important.

XII. DUAL CITIZENSHIP, CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT, AND TURKISH CYPRIOT NATIONALS

12.1. Are all dual nationals exempt from Turkish military service?

No. Dual nationality alone does not create an automatic exemption from compulsory military service in Türkiye.

The decisive considerations include when Turkish citizenship was acquired, how it was acquired, when the other nationality was obtained, and whether an applicable bilateral agreement exists.

12.2. Turkish citizens by birth

A male individual who has been a Turkish citizen since birth and also possesses a foreign nationality generally remains subject to the ordinary Turkish military service rules.

The age-based exemption under Article 43 cannot be applied merely because the individual holds more than one nationality.

12.3. Citizenship acquired through descent

Article 43 contains a specific exception regarding individuals who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship through descent.

Consequently, delayed registration of Turkish citizenship acquired through family lineage must be distinguished from naturalization by a decision of the competent Turkish authorities.

The date on which citizenship was entered into the population register does not necessarily establish that citizenship was first acquired on that date.

12.4. Dual nationals who completed military service abroad

Following the entry into force of the new military recruitment framework in June 2019, military service performed in a foreign state by dual nationals is no longer recognized under an unrestricted general rule.

Nevertheless, applicable bilateral agreements concerning mutual recognition of military service and legally protected transitional arrangements may remain relevant.

The Ministry of National Defence has referred to arrangements involving Tunisia in its official explanations.

Therefore, a man who has held both Turkish and German nationality since birth cannot necessarily rely solely on military service completed in another country as proof that his Turkish military service obligation has been discharged.

12.5. Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The legal situation of persons who acquire Turkish citizenship while holding citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus requires separate analysis.

Article 42 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the applicable military service provisions must be considered together.

Any special rules relating to the recognition of military service or the acquisition of Turkish citizenship must be assessed in the context of the particular individual’s circumstances.

XIII. MILITARY SERVICE OBLIGATIONS OF TURKISH CITIZENS NATURALIZED THROUGH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Foreign nationals may acquire Turkish citizenship through qualifying investment under the exceptional naturalization provisions of Article 12 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the relevant implementing legislation.

However, obtaining Turkish citizenship through real estate investment does not itself constitute a special military service exemption.

The applicant’s age and legal method of citizenship acquisition must be assessed under Article 43 of Law No. 7179.

For example, a male investor who acquires Turkish citizenship through a qualifying real estate investment at the age of 40 in 2026 will generally be regarded as having fulfilled his military service obligation, provided that the relevant statutory conditions apply.

The legal position of the investor’s family members may be different.

Suppose the same investor has a 19-year-old son who also acquires Turkish citizenship.

The son’s military status cannot automatically be assumed to be identical to that of his father.

The relevant questions include the son’s citizenship acquisition procedure, the date of the naturalization decision, his age, previous military service, and any applicable deferment or exemption.

For this reason, citizenship-by-investment applications should address the military service status of male family members as part of the overall legal planning process.

The conditions and legal risks associated with Turkish citizenship by investment are examined in our related publication:

Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2026: Requirements and Legal Risks.

XIV. HOW DO ANNULMENT, LOSS, OR REACQUISITION OF TURKISH CITIZENSHIP AFFECT MILITARY SERVICE?

The annulment, loss, withdrawal, and reacquisition of Turkish citizenship may create substantial legal consequences concerning military service.

However, these legal concepts must be distinguished carefully.

Annulment of a citizenship acquisition decision, deprivation of citizenship, permitted renunciation, and the various statutory mechanisms for loss of nationality do not necessarily have identical legal grounds or effects.

14.1. What happens to military records when citizenship is annulled?

When a person’s Turkish citizenship status changes, the relevant population and citizenship records may need to be reflected in the military recruitment system.

The Ministry of National Defence’s administrative explanations refer to the electronic transfer of relevant citizenship information from the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs to the Directorate General of Recruitment.

Nevertheless, it would be legally unsafe to conclude that the entire issue has been conclusively resolved merely because a particular status appears in an e-Government record.

The legal basis of the citizenship decision, its effective date, any pending judicial challenge, population records, and military recruitment records should be examined together.

14.2. Does loss of citizenship eliminate previous military liabilities?

There is no universally applicable answer.

The legal consequences depend on the statutory basis for loss of citizenship, the temporal effect of the relevant decision, and the previous military history of the individual.

For example, determining whether an obligation to perform future military service continues after loss of citizenship is legally distinct from determining the validity of an administrative fine imposed during an earlier period.

It should therefore not be assumed that every previously issued administrative decision or penalty automatically disappears when citizenship is lost.

14.3. Reacquisition of Turkish citizenship

Article 43(2) of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 provides a special rule concerning persons who lose Turkish citizenship and subsequently reacquire it.

Their military recruitment procedures are carried out by taking their previous military service history into account.

This rule is particularly important for individuals whose citizenship previously ended through renunciation or another legally recognized mechanism and who later become Turkish citizens again.

Consider a person who was subject to military service during an earlier period of Turkish citizenship, subsequently lost Turkish citizenship, and reacquired it many years later.

The fact that the individual is older than 22 when citizenship is reacquired does not necessarily create a new exemption under the first paragraph of Article 43.

Instead, the individual’s previous military record must be examined under the provision governing reacquisition.

14.4. Judicial protection in citizenship and military service disputes

Where a citizenship annulment or withdrawal decision is challenged before an administrative court, military registration and classification issues may also arise.

The outcome of the citizenship proceedings may have consequences for the individual’s underlying military status.

However, filing a citizenship lawsuit does not automatically suspend every related military service decision.

Separate administrative applications, annulment proceedings, and requests for suspension of execution may be necessary depending on the nature of the contested military decision.

Further analysis concerning citizenship withdrawal, investment valuation disputes, and judicial remedies can be found in our related article:

Annulment and Withdrawal of Turkish Citizenship Acquired Through Investment.

XV. MILITARY SERVICE DEFERMENT FOR STUDENTS

Military service deferment is legally distinct from exemption.

An exemption generally removes or discharges the relevant obligation under applicable law, whereas deferment postpones the date on which the obligation must be fulfilled.

Article 20 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 and the relevant regulations provide deferment mechanisms for qualifying educational circumstances.

These ages represent general upper limits. The existence of educational enrollment does not necessarily establish an unconditional right to deferment until the relevant age.

The actual legal assessment must also take into account enrollment dates, previous educational qualifications, graduation, termination of studies, and any earlier military registration violations.

Additional deferment opportunities may be available following graduation or termination of certain educational programs.

For example, graduates of university programs lasting four years or longer may qualify for a two-year post-graduation deferment, subject to the applicable age limits and other statutory conditions.

For newly naturalized citizens, the interaction between the naturalization-related deferment and education-based deferment requires careful examination.

XVI. MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS FROM MILITARY SERVICE

Individuals who are medically unfit for military service may qualify for exemption under the relevant legislation.

However, an individual cannot obtain a final military exemption merely by declaring himself medically unfit or submitting an ordinary medical opinion from an unauthorized healthcare institution.

The relevant statutory provisions include Articles 15, 16, and 17 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 and the Regulation on the Health Competence of the Turkish Armed Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, and Coast Guard Command.

16.1. How does the medical examination process work?

The initial medical assessment may be carried out by a family physician or another authorized healthcare institution as part of the military registration process.

Where necessary, the individual is referred to an authorized medical board.

A final medical determination that a person is unfit for military service is subject to the procedures governing the relevant medical board report and its official approval.

16.2. Can a medical decision be challenged?

Yes. The relevant legislation provides a procedure for challenging military medical determinations.

According to the Ministry of National Defence’s published guidance, an objection to an approved medical report may be submitted through the military recruitment office within 30 days following notification or delivery of the report.

The administrative medical objection procedure must be distinguished from possible judicial review of an administrative decision based on the medical findings.

16.3. Psychiatric conditions and chronic illnesses

Chronic diseases, physical disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and other medical conditions may be relevant to determining eligibility for military service.

Nevertheless, the mere existence of a medical diagnosis does not automatically establish an exemption.

The relevant legal assessment depends on the nature and severity of the condition, its functional consequences, and the applicable medical classification rules.

Obtaining or submitting fraudulent medical documentation may also give rise to separate legal and criminal liability.

XVII. DRAFT EVASION, FAILURE TO REPORT FOR SERVICE, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FINES IN 2026

Turkish military service law distinguishes among several forms of non-compliance, including failure to undergo military registration, remaining unregistered, and failure to report for service after being called up.

The Turkish legal terms yoklama kaçağı, saklı, and bakaya refer to different administrative situations.

A person classified as yoklama kaçağı has failed to complete the required military registration procedures within the applicable period.

A person classified as bakaya has failed to report for military service despite being subject to a call-up or deployment obligation.

These classifications may result in administrative penalties and, under the conditions prescribed by law, criminal consequences.

17.1. Administrative fines in 2026

The Ministry of National Defence has published the following daily administrative fine amounts for 2026:

These administrative fines must not be confused with the additional fee imposed on certain applicants seeking paid military service after periods of draft evasion or failure to report.

The two financial obligations arise from different statutory provisions.

17.2. Additional paid military service fee

For the second half of 2026, the applicable additional monthly fee is TRY 5,514.29.

The amount is calculated by reference to qualifying periods during which the person remained a draft evader, unregistered, or absent after call-up, subject to legally recognized excuses.

Under the relevant calculation method, a period of between one and thirty days may count as one calculation month.

For example, four applicable calculation months would produce an additional fee of TRY 22,057.16 at the second-half 2026 rate.

Combined with the standard paid military service fee, the illustrative total would be TRY 494,710.76.

This is an example only. The actual calculation must take into account the individual’s complete record, relevant periods, legal excuses, and the rate applicable when payment is made.

17.3. Does payment of an administrative fine complete military service?

No.

Payment of an administrative fine does not constitute performance of compulsory military service.

The individual’s substantive military obligation must still be resolved under the relevant legislation.

Likewise, payment of an additional fee required for paid military service does not necessarily cancel a previously imposed administrative fine.

17.4. Administrative penalties incorrectly imposed on naturalized citizens

Incorrect military records may create particularly serious difficulties for newly naturalized Turkish citizens.

For example, a male individual who acquires Turkish citizenship at the age of 30 may incorrectly appear in the military recruitment system as having failed to complete registration.

Before determining whether the individual has violated military service legislation, it is necessary to establish whether he was legally subject to the relevant obligation at all.

If Article 43 applies and the person should be considered to have fulfilled military service, the administrative and legal basis of any penalty must be reconsidered.

The Ministry of National Defence’s guidance also addresses circumstances in which administrative fines may be cancelled following the determination that a person was legally exempt or entitled to a relevant deferment.

XVIII. LEGAL REMEDIES AGAINST TURKISH MILITARY SERVICE DECISIONS

Disputes concerning military service may involve administrative registration, exemption refusals, medical decisions, classification, deployment, administrative fines, or criminal proceedings.

These matters are not necessarily subject to the same appeal procedure or judicial deadline.

18.1. Administrative application to the military recruitment office

Where a military record contains incorrect citizenship information, an incorrect birth year, missing exemption information, or another administrative error, the individual may submit a written application to the competent military recruitment office.

The application should identify the relevant legal basis and include supporting documents such as:

• Turkish identification and civil registry records;
• Naturalization decisions and supporting citizenship records;
• Documents establishing the date and method of citizenship acquisition;
• Previous military service certificates;
• Medical decisions or educational records where relevant;
• Copies of disputed administrative decisions.

18.2. Objections to administrative fines

Under Article 27 of Misdemeanours Law No. 5326, an administrative fine may generally be challenged before the competent Criminal Judgeship of Peace within fifteen days following notification or pronouncement of the decision.

Depending on the facts, the objection may address the absence of a legal military service obligation, an applicable exemption, a valid deferment, procedural irregularities, or the absence of the alleged violation.

The deadline for challenging an administrative fine must not be confused with the ordinary deadline for bringing an administrative annulment action against a different military service decision.

18.3. Annulment proceedings before administrative courts

Where an administrative authority unlawfully refuses an exemption, incorrectly determines military service status, or adopts an unlawful deployment decision, judicial review before an administrative court may be available.

Under Article 7 of Administrative Judicial Procedure Law No. 2577, the ordinary period for filing an annulment action before an administrative court is sixty days.

However, the legal nature of the administrative decision, notification requirements, and any special statutory deadline must be examined in each case.

The effect of an administrative application on the limitation period must also be assessed under the relevant provisions of Law No. 2577.

18.4. Suspension of execution

An unlawful military service decision may expose the affected individual to consequences that are difficult or impossible to remedy.

For example, a person who is legally entitled to exemption but is nevertheless ordered to report for military service may require urgent judicial protection.

Under Article 27 of Law No. 2577, the court may order suspension of execution where the applicable statutory conditions are satisfied, including manifest unlawfulness and the risk of irreparable or difficult-to-compensate harm.

However, filing an administrative lawsuit or an application to the authorities does not automatically suspend the challenged decision.

The existence and effect of an actual suspension order are decisive.

18.5. Criminal investigations concerning military service violations

In certain circumstances, violations involving draft evasion or failure to report may give rise to criminal proceedings following the administrative sanction process or under special statutory provisions.

Different rules may also apply during mobilization or wartime.

Criminal liability must be distinguished from the legality of the underlying administrative military service decision.

The existence of a criminal investigation does not, by itself, establish that the administrative determination of military status was lawful.

XIX. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Compulsory military service is not merely a matter of administrative regulation. It also raises significant constitutional and international human rights questions.

Conscientious objection refers to an individual’s refusal to perform military service because of genuinely held religious, ethical, moral, or philosophical convictions.

As of October 23, 2026, Turkish legislation does not establish a general and independent statutory exemption from compulsory military service based exclusively on conscientious objection.

Nevertheless, the European Court of Human Rights has addressed conscientious objection under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

The Court’s judgment in Bayatyan v. Armenia is particularly important because it recognized that opposition to military service arising from sufficiently serious and compelling convictions may fall within the protection of Article 9.

Other judgments, including Ülke v. Türkiye, demonstrate the importance of assessing repeated penalties and the wider legal consequences experienced by conscientious objectors.

The judgment in Kanatlı v. Türkiye also raises significant questions concerning conscientious objection in the context of reserve military obligations.

However, developments in international human rights jurisprudence must not be confused with the existence of an unconditional administrative exemption under current Turkish domestic legislation.

An individual who refuses to comply with military service requirements solely on the basis of conscientious objection may still face administrative or criminal consequences under domestic law.

The fundamental legal question concerns the balance between the state’s authority to regulate national service and the individual’s protected freedom of conscience.

XX. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKISH MILITARY SERVICE LAW IN 2026

20.1. April 17, 2026: Legislative increase in paid military service fees

Following publication of Law No. 7577 in the Official Gazette, the statutory indicator used to calculate the paid military service fee increased.

The Ministry of National Defence subsequently announced a fee of TRY 416,361.30 for the relevant April 2026 period.

20.2. June 5, 2026: Warning concerning the July fee adjustment

The Ministry of National Defence announced that the paid military service amount would change on July 1, 2026, following adjustment of the civil servant monthly salary coefficient.

Applicants wishing to benefit from the earlier fee were advised to complete the necessary application and payment procedures before the adjustment.

20.3. July 7, 2026: New paid military service amount announced

The paid military service fee for the second half of 2026 was announced as TRY 472,653.60.

The additional monthly fee applicable to certain applicants with previous periods of draft evasion or failure to report was announced as TRY 5,514.29.

Application procedures were resumed in accordance with the official announcement.

20.4. July 27, 2026: November 2026 military classification period

The Ministry of National Defence published an announcement concerning the November 2026 classification period.

According to that announcement, relevant registration and service preference procedures were required to be completed by August 31, 2026.

As of the publication date of this article, classification results were scheduled to be announced on October 27, 2026.

20.5. Upcoming deployment dates

According to the relevant official announcement, deployment documents may be obtained through the e-Government system or military recruitment offices starting ten days before the relevant deployment date.

Individual classification and deployment information should always be checked through official records.

Official source: Ministry of National Defence – November 2026 Classification Period Announcement.

XXI. PRACTICAL LEGAL CASES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Case 1: Foreign investor naturalized at the age of 35

A foreign national born in 1988 acquires Turkish citizenship through qualifying real estate investment in 2026.

He has never performed military service in any country. Nevertheless, the authorities indicate that he may be required to perform military service in Türkiye.

Legal assessment: If this is the individual’s first acquisition of Turkish citizenship and the statutory exception concerning citizenship through descent does not apply, Article 43 of Law No. 7179 should be considered.

Because the individual was older than 22 in the year of naturalization, he may be legally deemed to have fulfilled his military service obligation.

Proposed legal solution: Submit the naturalization decision and supporting citizenship records to the competent military recruitment office and request correction of the military service record. If an unlawful refusal or penalty exists, consider the applicable administrative or judicial remedies.

Case 2: A 21-year-old newly naturalized university student

A male foreign national born in 2005 acquires Turkish citizenship in 2026 and is enrolled at a Turkish university.

Legal assessment: The individual does not satisfy the age-based exemption under Article 43. However, the two-year naturalization-related deferment and the education-based deferment rules may be relevant.

Proposed legal solution: Examine the naturalization decision, student enrollment records, and military registration data. Determine which deferment provisions may apply and ensure that the administrative record accurately reflects the individual’s legal status.

Case 3: An Afghan national who completed military service before naturalization

A 21-year-old Afghan national acquires Turkish citizenship after having completed military service in his country of origin.

Legal assessment: Although the individual does not satisfy the age-based exemption, previous military service may qualify for recognition under Article 43.

Proposed legal solution: Obtain the original foreign military service documents, arrange the required authentication and Turkish translations, and submit the application to the competent military recruitment authority.

Case 4: A dual Turkish-German citizen residing in Germany

A male individual has held Turkish citizenship since birth and also possesses German nationality.

He resides in Germany and has never completed military service in Türkiye.

Legal assessment: Dual nationality does not automatically activate the naturalization exemption under Article 43.

However, the individual may qualify for overseas deferment or foreign currency military service, depending on residence, employment, and other statutory requirements.

Proposed legal solution: Examine residence permits, employment records, entry and exit history, and the 1,095-day requirement. Determine the appropriate consular and military recruitment procedures.

Case 5: Reacquisition of Turkish citizenship following previous loss

An individual who was previously a Turkish citizen and subject to military service later loses Turkish citizenship. Several years afterward, he reacquires Turkish nationality.

Legal assessment: The individual cannot automatically be treated as someone acquiring Turkish citizenship for the first time.

His previous military service history must be taken into consideration under Article 43(2).

Proposed legal solution: Examine the earlier citizenship records, the military service status at the time citizenship was lost, and the subsequent reacquisition decision.

Case 6: An administrative fine imposed despite an existing exemption

A man acquires Turkish citizenship for the first time at the age of 28 in 2026.

His military records do not reflect an exemption, and an administrative fine for failure to complete military registration is imposed.

Legal assessment: Before assessing any alleged violation, it must be determined whether the individual was legally subject to military service.

If Article 43 applies, the legal basis of the administrative fine may be contested.

Proposed legal solution: Request correction of the military registration record and consider an objection against the administrative fine within the applicable fifteen-day period.

XXII. LEGAL ACTION PLAN FOR NEWLY NATURALIZED TURKISH CITIZENS

Before concluding whether a newly naturalized Turkish citizen is subject to compulsory military service, the following questions should be examined systematically:

1. Was Turkish citizenship acquired for the first time, or was it reacquired?
2. What is the precise date and legal basis of citizenship acquisition?
3. Was citizenship acquired by descent or through a decision of the competent authorities?
4. How old was the individual in the calendar year of naturalization?
5. Did the individual complete military service in the country of origin?
6. Can previous foreign military service be established through legally acceptable documents?
7. What military service status currently appears in Turkish official records?
8. Does the person qualify for exemption, deferment, or recognition of completed military service?
9. Are there any draft evasion records, deployment decisions, or administrative fines?
10. Is an administrative application, objection, or judicial proceeding necessary?

Only after these questions have been resolved should the individual determine whether payment for military service or actual military attendance is required.

This is particularly important for individuals who may already be considered to have fulfilled their military service obligation under Article 43.

Unnecessary payment made because of an incorrect administrative record may create subsequent disputes concerning reimbursement and the correction of military records.

The appropriate legal approach is therefore to establish the individual’s legal military status first and to evaluate financial or physical military service obligations only afterward.

XXIII. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MILITARY SERVICE IN TÜRKİYE

1. What is the paid military service fee in Türkiye in 2026?

The fee for July 1–December 31, 2026, is TRY 472,653.60.

2. What is the additional fee for draft evaders applying for paid military service?

The additional calculation amount is TRY 5,514.29 per applicable month during the second half of 2026. The actual amount depends on the relevant period and legal circumstances.

3. How long is ordinary compulsory military service?

The standard enlisted military service period is six months.

4. How long is reserve officer service?

Twelve months.

5. Must applicants for foreign currency military service travel to Türkiye?

Qualifying applicants generally do not need to complete in-person basic military training in Türkiye. Completion of the prescribed distance education and other administrative requirements is necessary.

6. I acquired Turkish citizenship at the age of 30. Must I perform military service?

If you acquired Turkish citizenship for the first time through a qualifying procedure other than the excluded descent category, you may be considered to have fulfilled military service under Article 43.

7. Does my exact birthday matter for the 22-year rule?

Under the applicable administrative calculation, the relevant calendar years are used rather than the precise day and month of birth.

8. Are Turkish citizens naturalized through investment exempt from military service?

Investment alone does not create an exemption. Age at naturalization and the applicable statutory conditions must be examined.

9. Will an 18-year-old child who acquires Turkish citizenship later have to serve?

Potentially. The individual may not qualify for the age-based exemption, but the method of acquiring citizenship, previous military service, deferment opportunities, and other exemptions must be examined.

10. I already completed military service abroad. Must I serve again in Türkiye?

The answer depends on whether you acquired Turkish citizenship later in life or were a Turkish citizen from birth, as well as on the relevant legislation and any applicable international agreements.

11. Does dual nationality automatically exempt me?

No.

12. Can a newly naturalized 20-year-old obtain a military service deferment?

A two-year deferment may be requested under Article 43, subject to the statutory conditions. Other deferment possibilities should be considered separately.

13. Can paid military service fees be paid in installments?

The current ordinary system requires payment in full.

14. Is one month of military training compulsory for paid military service?

Generally, yes.

15. How long do I have to challenge a military administrative fine?

Generally, fifteen days following the legally effective notification or pronouncement of the decision.

16. Can I bring a lawsuit if my exemption application is rejected?

An administrative annulment action may be available depending on the nature of the decision. The ordinary period is sixty days, subject to applicable special rules.

17. Does the annulment of Turkish citizenship automatically cancel previous military fines?

Not necessarily. The legal basis and temporal effect of the citizenship decision, together with the relevant military and penalty records, must be examined.

18. If I reacquire Turkish citizenship after the age of 22, am I automatically exempt?

No. Previous military service history must be considered under the special rules governing reacquisition of citizenship.

19. Can a family doctor issue a final military service exemption?

A family physician may perform initial medical assessments and refer the individual to the appropriate institution. A final unfitness determination is subject to the authorized medical board and official procedures.

20. What is the exact foreign currency military service fee in euros?

The euro amount is not fixed throughout the year. It is calculated using the applicable exchange rate on the payment date.

XXIV. CONCLUSION AND COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSESSMENT

Compulsory military service in Türkiye constitutes an important public law obligation rooted in the Constitution and implemented through a detailed statutory and administrative framework.

The system established by Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 provides several legally distinct methods of fulfilling military service, including six-month enlisted service, twelve-month reserve officer or reserve non-commissioned officer service, paid military service, and foreign currency military service.

It also recognizes exemptions, deferments, and legal circumstances in which military service is deemed to have been completed.

The most significant financial development of 2026 has been the increase in the statutory indicator used to calculate paid military service fees through Law No. 7577.

As a result, the paid military service fee reached TRY 472,653.60 for the second half of the year.

However, the most challenging legal issues in military service law are not necessarily financial.

For individuals acquiring Turkish citizenship later in life, the existence of any military obligation depends on the legal basis and date of naturalization, age, previous military service, earlier citizenship history, and the accuracy of administrative records.

Article 43 of Military Recruitment Law No. 7179 establishes an important legal safeguard for qualifying naturalized citizens who are at least 22 years old in the calendar year in which citizenship is acquired.

Yet this provision must be interpreted together with the statutory exceptions concerning citizenship by descent and the reacquisition of Turkish citizenship.

Incorrect military classification can result in consequences extending beyond an administrative error.

It may lead to deployment orders, draft evasion records, administrative fines, and potentially criminal proceedings.

Accordingly, the fundamental legal question should always be whether the individual was subject to the relevant military service obligation in the first place.

Only after that determination has been made should the authorities assess the duration, manner, and financial consequences of military service.

An individual who is legally deemed to have fulfilled military service should not be required to make an unnecessary payment or complete military training merely because of an incorrect administrative record.

Similarly, an individual who remains subject to compulsory military service should not assume that residence abroad, possession of another nationality, or participation in a naturalization procedure automatically eliminates the obligation.

The rule of law requires military obligations to be imposed and administered in accordance with clear statutory provisions, individual legal circumstances, and effective judicial safeguards.

From this perspective, military service law is not merely concerned with the question of how many months an individual must serve or how much money must be paid.

Its central legal question is the authority of the state to establish, modify, defer, enforce, and terminate compulsory military service obligations within the limits imposed by constitutional law, statutory legislation, and fundamental rights.

XXV. LEGISLATION, OFFICIAL SOURCES, AND ACADEMIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Constitutional and Legislative Sources

1. Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, particularly Articles 10, 24, 72, and 125. Constitutional Court – Official Constitutional Text.
2. Military Recruitment Law No. 7179, Official Gazette dated June 26, 2019, No. 30813; particularly Articles 2–9, 14–24, and 38–45.
3. Military Recruitment Regulation (Askeralma Yönetmeliği), July 22, 2020, including provisions concerning paid military service, foreign currency military service, deferments, exemptions, and naturalized citizens.
4. Law No. 7577 Amending Certain Laws, adopted April 2, 2026, Official Gazette dated April 17, 2026, No. 33227. Grand National Assembly of Türkiye – Legislative Record.
5. Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, particularly Articles 12, 29, 31, 32, 40, and 42.
6. Administrative Judicial Procedure Law No. 2577, particularly Articles 7, 11, and 27.
7. Misdemeanours Law No. 5326, particularly Articles 17 and 27.
8. Regulation on the Health Competence of the Turkish Armed Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, and Coast Guard Command.
9. Notification Law No. 7201.

B. Official Ministry of National Defence Sources

1. Ministry of National Defence, July 7, 2026, Paid Military Service Application Announcement for July 1–December 31, 2026.
2. Ministry of National Defence, Citizenship Procedures and Military Service Obligations of Naturalized Turkish Citizens.
3. Ministry of National Defence, Paid Military Service: Eligibility and Procedures.
4. Ministry of National Defence, Foreign Currency Military Service Procedures.
5. Ministry of National Defence, Student Military Service Deferment Procedures.
6. Ministry of National Defence, Administrative Procedures and Penalties for Draft Evasion and Failure to Report.
7. Ministry of National Defence, November 2026 Military Classification Announcement, July 27, 2026.
8. Ministry of National Defence, Military Service and Discharge Procedures.
9. Ministry of National Defence, Frequently Asked Questions.
10. Ministry of National Defence, Foreign Currency Military Service Distance Education Portal.

C. Academic Publications and International Human Rights Sources

1. Pala, Gülşah, “Osmanlı Asker Alma Sisteminde Bedel-i Şahsî: Askerlik Yükümlülüğüne Alternatif Bir Uygulama” [An Alternative to Military Service Obligations in the Ottoman Recruitment System], Marmara Türkiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2026. DergiPark.
2. Fidan, Merve; Hasta, Derya, “Vicdani Redde Yönelik Tutumların Yordanması: Erkek Rolleri ve İnsan Haklarına Yönelik Tutumların Aracı Rolü Üzerine Bir Çalışma” [Predicting Attitudes Toward Conscientious Objection], Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, Vol. 41, No. 97, 2026. DergiPark.
3. “Vicdanın Yedeği Olabilir mi: Güncel Bir Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi Kararının İncelemesi – Kanatlı/Türkiye” [Can Conscience Have a Reserve? An Analysis of Kanatlı v. Türkiye], Yaşar Hukuk Dergisi. DergiPark.
4. “Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi Kararlarında Vicdani Ret” [Conscientious Objection in the Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights], Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Law Journal. DergiPark.
5. Batıgün, Elif Selen, “5901 Sayılı Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu’na Göre Vatandaşlığın Kaybettirilmesi” [Deprivation of Citizenship under Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901], İnönü University Faculty of Law Journal, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2026. DergiPark.
6. European Court of Human Rights, Bayatyan v. Armenia, Application No. 23459/03, July 7, 2011.
7. European Court of Human Rights, Ülke v. Türkiye, Application No. 39437/98, January 24, 2006.
8. European Court of Human Rights, Kanatlı v. Türkiye, Application No. 18382/15, March 12, 2024.

Statutory provisions, official administrative guidance, historical legal scholarship, and international human rights jurisprudence have been considered separately throughout this study.

Academic publications are cited as scholarly contributions to legal analysis rather than as substitutes for binding legislation or judicial decisions.

XXVI. RELATED LEGAL PUBLICATIONS BY DOLĞUN AKADEMİ

Readers interested in the relationship between military service, Turkish nationality, citizenship by investment, and administrative litigation may consult the following related publications:

1. Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2026: Current Requirements, Investment Amounts, and Legal Risks. Examines investment requirements, the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, and the legal status of naturalized citizens.
2. Annulment and Withdrawal of Turkish Citizenship Acquired Through Investment. Examines administrative annulment, withdrawal, and judicial remedies.
3. Turkish Citizenship Annulment and Withdrawal in 2026: Valuation Reports, Insufficient Investments, Family Members, Children, Military Service, and Investigated Construction Companies. Addresses citizenship-related legal risks affecting individuals and their families.
4. Can Turkish Citizenship Be Annulled Despite a Genuine Investment?. Examines administrative procedures, evidence preservation, valuation issues, and legal protection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND LEGAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Attorney Murat Can Dolğun
Member of the Istanbul Bar Association
Law Lecturer at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
TD Law Firm
Dolğun Akademi

Areas of Practice: Turkish Citizenship Law, Immigration and Foreigners Law, Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Private International Law.

Office Address:
Istanbul World Trade Center
Block A2, Office 206
Yeşilköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul, Türkiye

Telephone: +90 212 299 44 22
Website: www.dolgun.av.tr

Legal Disclaimer: This publication has been prepared for general legal and academic information purposes and reflects the legislative framework, official announcements, and academic materials considered as of October 23, 2026. Military service fees, administrative practices, exchange rates, classification schedules, and statutory provisions may change. Individual cases involving naturalization, military service exemptions, administrative penalties, or loss of citizenship require separate examination of the relevant legal documents and official records. This article does not constitute individualized legal advice or a guarantee of any particular legal outcome.

DOLĞUN AKADEMİ | ATTORNEY MURAT CAN DOLĞUN | 2026