Military Service Obligation in Turkey for Those Who Acquire Turkish Citizenship Before Military Age

Summary Answer: Do Those Who Become Turkish Citizens Before Military Age Perform Military Service?

Every male citizen of the Republic of Turkey is, as a rule, obliged to perform military service (Article 4 of the Conscription Law No. 7179). Individuals who acquire Turkish citizenship before the military age (prior to January 1st of the year they turn 20 according to population registry records) are subject to military service in the exact same status as their peers who are Turkish citizens by birth, as they had not yet reached military age upon acquiring citizenship (Article 3/1-a, Article 43/1 of the Conscription Law No. 7179).

The provision set forth in Article 43 of the Conscription Law No. 7179, which is frequently misunderstood by the public as “those who are 22 years of age or older in the year they acquire citizenship shall be deemed to have performed their military service”, is an exemption granted solely to individuals accepted into Turkish citizenship at 22 years of age and above. Therefore, male conscripts who acquired Turkish citizenship before reaching the age of majority or before turning 20 cannot benefit from the age 22 exemption under any circumstances. Such individuals are subject to draft procedures in the year they turn 20, and they may benefit from active military service, paid military service, or postponement/foreign currency-paid military service rights, if conditions are met, within the framework of general provisions.

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Legal Definition of Military Age and Legal Framework

In the Turkish military service system, “military age” serves as the fundamental statutory threshold for determining the conscription schedule. Pursuant to Article 3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph (a) of the Conscription Law No. 7179, military age refers to the period commencing on the first day of January of the year in which every male reaches the age of 20 according to population registry records and ending on the first day of January of the year in which he reaches the age of 41.

The following statutory regulations are decisive regarding the inception and progression of military service obligations:

Article 72 of the Constitution: Defines national service as the right and duty of every Turk.

Article 4 of the Conscription Law No. 7179: Mandates that every male who is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey is obliged to perform military service.

Article 43 of the Conscription Law No. 7179: Specifically regulates the military status of those who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship for various reasons.

Article 90 of the Conscription Regulation: Governs the administrative procedures for age, draft, and peer alignment processes for those who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship.

Foreign nationals who have recently acquired citizenship in Turkey have recently been receiving “Mr./Ms. X… You are being tracked as a draft evader. You must complete your military procedures via e-Government or at the military service branch.” SMS messages containing this content are sent. Although this warning message causes concern for many people, it actually serves as a routine notification to remind them of their military service obligation.

In this comprehensive guide; the purpose of sending the message, the military service status of individuals who later acquired Turkish citizenship, how draft and postponement procedures will be carried out, potential legal consequences that may be encountered and practical recommendations are addressed in detail.

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Why Is This Message Sent?

Male individuals who have subsequently acquired Turkish citizenship are legally under the obligation of military service. The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) monitors the draft processes of individuals who have reached or are about to reach the age of military service.

The purposes of sending this SMS are as follows:

1. To Remind Conscription Obligation

Conscription is the process by which an individual's health examination is conducted, and their educational status and military service status are determined.
A significant portion of newly naturalized citizens may not be aware of this obligation. Therefore, the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) sends informational SMS messages.

2. To Prevent Draft Evasion or Concealed Status

When military service procedures are not completed, the individual may be classified in the system as:

• Draft evader (Yoklama kaçağı),
• Overdue conscript (Bakaya),
• Unregistered (Saklı)

This situation entails consequences such as administrative fines, service of notices, and mandatory application requirements. The SMS messages serve as a preventative step to enable individuals to complete their procedures before falling into such status.

3. To Encourage Transactions via e-Government (e-Devlet)

Since many procedures can now be performed via e-Government, the SMS directly redirects to this processing channel. Thus, potential congestion at military branch offices is mitigated.

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Legal Status of Subsequent Citizens within the Scope of Article 43 of Law No. 7179

The military service obligations of individuals who acquire Turkish citizenship subsequently are regulated in three main paragraphs under Article 43 of Law No. 7179:

Rule of Performing Military Service Like Peers

Individuals who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship perform their military service in the same manner as liable parties who reach military age in that year, based on their age and educational status as of the date they acquired citizenship.

Counting of Military Service Performed in Previous Country

Those who prove with proper documentation that they have actively performed military service or are deemed to have fulfilled their military service in their countries of origin prior to their admission to Turkish citizenship shall be deemed to have performed their military service.

Exemption at Age 22

Those who are 22 years of age or older in the year they are granted Turkish citizenship are directly deemed to have performed their military service and are exempt from military service in Turkey.

Right to Postponement for a Period of 2 Years

Upon request, the military service of those who subsequently acquire citizenship shall be postponed for a period of 2 years starting from the date they are granted citizenship. Upon the expiration of the postponement, they shall undergo conscription processing along with their peers.

Exception for Citizenship Based on Lineage

Pursuant to the 3rd paragraph of Article 43, those who are subsequently registered as Turkish citizens based on lineage (for example, those whose mother or father is Turkish and who were registered late in the civil registry) cannot benefit from the facilitating exemptions set forth in this article.

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Status of Those Who Acquire Citizenship Before Military Age (Ages 0-19)

Since military age begins on January 1st of the year in which an individual turns 20, the legal framework for those who acquired Turkish citizenship prior to this date (for example, at a childhood age along with their families through general procedures, exceptional procedures, or adoption) is as follows:

1. Inapplicability of the 22-Year Age Exemption

The lawmaker has granted the 22-year age exemption solely to individuals who have completed 22 years of age or are older in the calendar year of their naturalization. A male who acquires Turkish citizenship prior to the military service age (e.g., at the age of 5, 12, 17, or 19) strictly falls outside the scope of this exemption, as he is under 22 years of age at the time of naturalization.

2. Conscription and Call-Up with Peers of the Same Birth Year

Regardless of their naturalization dates, these individuals enter military service age in the year they turn 20, based on their birth year in the population registry, similar to their peers born in Turkey. They are required to complete their conscription procedures in that year and be dispatched to their units in accordance with the classification results.

3. Two-Year Optional Postponement Right

The two-year postponement right under Article 43, Paragraph 1 of the Law, as a rule, commences as of the date of naturalization. It is practically meaningless for a child who became a citizen prior to the military service age (e.g., at the age of 10) to benefit from this postponement, given that the child is already exempt from military service age until the age of 20. However, a conscript naturalized at the age of 18 or 19 may assert this two-year postponement right on the grounds that they have not yet completed the integration process upon turning 20.

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Comparison Table: Military Service Obligation by Age of Naturalization

The following table summarizes the military service statuses applicable to male conscripts who subsequently acquire Turkish citizenship, based on their age brackets:

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Recognition of Military Service Performed Abroad in Turkey and Dual Citizenship

The situation of individuals who acquire Turkish citizenship before the military service age and simultaneously retain the citizenship of a foreign state (multiple citizenship / dual citizenship) presents specific characteristics.

Performance of Military Service in the Country of Origin

Pursuant to Article 43/1 of Law No. 7179, those who document with official documents obtained from competent authorities—bearing an apostille or consular certification with an official translation—that they performed their military service or are considered to have fulfilled their military service in the country they came from before acquiring Turkish citizenship, shall be deemed to have performed their military service in Turkey. However, since the rule is that individuals who acquired Turkish citizenship before the military service age have not yet performed military service in their country of origin, this exception has a limited scope in practice.

Bilateral Agreements and Article 45 of Law No. 7179

Pursuant to bilateral agreements concluded between the Republic of Turkey and foreign states, military service performed in one of the two countries may be deemed valid in the other. Pursuant to Article 45/1 of Law No. 7179, citizens of countries with which a bilateral agreement exists receive exemptions or deferrals in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. In cases where no bilateral agreement exists, exemption cannot be granted solely based on administrative directives.

Deferral in Case of Residence Abroad and the Paid Military Service (Foreign Currency) Option

Individuals with multiple citizenship who were Turkish citizens before the military service age and continue to reside abroad:

Article 38 of Law No. 7179: Dual citizens residing abroad, with documents proving their status upon application to Turkish consulates, they may have their military service procedures deferred until the end of the year in which they complete the age of 35.

Article 39 of Law No. 7179: Obligors who effectively reside and work abroad with a residence or work permit for at least 3 years, or who possess dual citizenship and effectively reside abroad for at least 3 years, may benefit from military service in foreign currency by paying the statutory fee in advance and completing the distance education provided by the Ministry of National Defense. Regarding the subject of military service in foreign currency Military Service Procedure Paid in Foreign Currency you can read our article.

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Precedent Case Law Analysis in Light of Judicial Decisions

Military service obligations and exemption disputes are subject to the judicial review of the administrative judiciary (Council of State and Administrative Courts). An analysis of favorable and unfavorable judicial decisions concerning the matter is presented below:

Favorable Precedent: That the Administration Cannot Restrict the Right to Exemption via Regulation and the Hierarchy of Norms

Judicial Body and Citation: Council of State, 10th Chamber, E. 2022/1154, K. 2025/5231, D. 13.11.2025

Case in Point: The plaintiff, holding dual citizenship, completed their basic military service in Austria. Following the entry into force of the Conscription Law No. 7179, the plaintiff applied to the military branch requesting to be exempted from military service in Turkey. The Administration rejected the application by citing the requirement of “having applied prior to 26/06/2019, the effective date of the Law,” as set forth in paragraph 5 of provisional article 1 of the Conscription Regulation dated 22.07.2020.

Legal Issue: Whether a preclusive application deadline—not provided in the superior norm, i.e., the Law—can be introduced by a regulation, and whether the principles of the rule of law, legal certainty, and acquired rights have been violated.

Reasoning of the Court: The 10th Chamber of the Council of State emphasized that, pursuant to Article 124 of the Constitution and the hierarchy of norms, regulations cannot contain provisions that restrict a right granted by law. It was found unlawful to impose a time limitation via regulation on the exemption right arising from military service performed during the period of the repealed Law No. 1111, whereas Law No. 7179 did not provide for any time restriction.

Conclusion of the Judgment: It has been unanimously decided to annul the phrase "prior to 26/6/2019 (excluding this date), when the Law entered into force" set forth in the 5th paragraph of Provisional Article 1 of the Conscription Regulation, as well as the rejection procedure established against the plaintiff (In Favor of the Plaintiff).

Unfavorable Precedent: Missing Administrative Application and Litigation Deadlines

Judicial Body and Citation: Council of State 10th Chamber, E. 2017/2863, K. 2022/1537, D. 22.03.2022

Case in Point: The plaintiff, who subsequently acquired the citizenship of the Republic of Turkey, was subjected to paid military service and paid the requisite fee. The plaintiff later applied to the administration requesting exemption from military service within the scope of immigrant status and the refund of the fee paid together with statutory interest, and upon the rejection of the application, filed an action for annulment and full remedy.

Legal Issue: In lawsuits regarding military service exemptions and the refund of fees allegedly collected unlawfully pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, whether the statutory litigation deadlines have been complied with.

Reasoning of the Court: The court of first instance (and the defunct AYİM) dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds of expiration of the statute of limitations, stating that the lawsuit was not filed within the statutory period. The 10th Chamber of the Council of State also found the appeals against this decision, which was in compliance with procedure and law, to be unfounded.

Conclusion of the Judgment: It has been decided to dismiss the plaintiff's appeal request and uphold the decision dismissing the lawsuit due to the expiration of the litigation deadline (Against the Plaintiff).

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Legal Remedies and Administrative Application Process

The administrative and judicial application steps that must be followed by liable parties who acquired Turkish citizenship before the military service age and experience disputes regarding military service procedures are as follows:

Application to the Military Service Branch

The concerned party submits their citizenship decision, civil registry registration document, and—if any—notarized Turkish translations with apostille/consular certification of documents proving that they performed military service or are exempt in a foreign country, to the Military Service Branch Presidency having jurisdiction over their place of residence.

Appeal to the General Directorate of Conscription of the Ministry of National Defense

An appeal may be filed with the superior authority against the negative action of the military service branch pursuant to Article 11 of the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK).

Annulment Action in the Administrative Court

Upon the administration's final rejection action, an annulment lawsuit with a request for a stay of execution must be filed in the competent Administrative Court within 60 days following the day after the service of the action.

Objection to Administrative Fines for Draft Evaders / Delinquents (Yoklama Kaçağı / Bakaya)

If the liable party has been wrongfully classified as a draft evader or delinquent and subjected to an administrative fine, an objection must be filed with the Criminal Judgeship of Peace within 15 days from the service of this fine, pursuant to Article 27 of the Misdemeanors Law No. 5326.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. I became a Turkish citizen at a young age; can I benefit from the 22-age exemption?

No. The 22-age exemption set forth in Article 43 of the Conscription Law No. 7179 applies only to those who were 22 years of age or older on the date they acquired Turkish citizenship. Those who became Turkish citizens at a young age (before the military service age) cannot benefit from this exemption.

2. I acquired Turkish citizenship at the age of 16; am I obliged to perform military service in Turkey?

Yes. Since you became a Turkish citizen before January 1st of the year you turned 20, which is the military service age, you are subject to the same rules as Turkish citizens by birth. When you turn 20, you must undergo the draft registration (yoklama) and fulfill your military service.

Can individuals who became citizens before military age perform paid military service (bedelli askerlik)?

Yes. Individuals who became Turkish citizens prior to military age may benefit from paid military service, provided they meet the general conditions set forth in Article 9 of Law No. 7179 (passing the draft examination, paying the fee in advance, and completing the 1-month basic military training).

Will my being considered to have performed military service as a minor in the country where I arrived be valid in Turkey?

As a rule, military service actually performed in a foreign country or compulsory military service exemptions proven pursuant to the laws of that country can be accepted when documented with official documents. However, documents from foreign countries deeming an individual to have performed military service for the period prior to majority are meticulously examined by the administration, and abstract documents lacking actual service are generally rejected.

I am both a Turkish and a foreign citizen (dual citizen); will my military service be deferred?

Yes. Pursuant to Article 38 of Law No. 7179, dual Turkish citizens who are resident in a foreign country may have their military service deferred until the end of the year in which they turn 35 by applying through Turkish consulates.

I live abroad as a dual citizen; can I benefit from military service for foreign currency (dövizle askerlik)?

Yes. Those who hold dual citizenship and have physically resided abroad for at least 3 years may apply for military service for foreign currency pursuant to Article 39 of the Law, even without employment requirements.

I was subsequently registered in the civil registry because my mother or father is Turkish; will the military service I performed abroad be recognized?

No. Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 43 of Law No. 7179, those who acquire Turkish citizenship based on lineage cannot benefit from the exemptions provided by this article. For the military service of these individuals in a foreign country to be recognized, there must be a special bilateral agreement between Turkey and that country.

Do those who became citizens before military age have the right to a 2-year military service deferment?

The 2-year deferment right under Article 43/1 of the Law begins as of the date of naturalization. Since this period will expire before reaching military age for those who became citizens well before military age (e.g., at age 8-10), the 2-year period cannot be re-triggered at age 20; however, those who become citizens at age 18-19 can benefit from this right at the beginning of their military age.

The 9th Military Recruitment Branch did not accept my military service completed in a foreign country; what should I do?

Against the rejection decision of the military recruitment branch, an annulment lawsuit must be filed in the competent Administrative Court within 60 days as of the notification date. In line with the jurisprudence of the Council of State (Danıştay), the restriction of rights by the administration through regulation or directive conditions not set forth in the law is unlawful.

Will I pay an administrative fine if I fall into the status of draft evader (yoklama kaçağı)?

Obligors who fail to have their conscription checks conducted in the year they reach military age enter the status of draft evaders and administrative fines are imposed against them pursuant to Article 24 of Law No. 7179. If there is a legitimate excuse or an ongoing citizenship/exemption dispute, an application must be made to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace (Sulh Ceza Hâkimliği) against these fines within 15 days.

I am studying at a university; does acquiring citizenship later prevent my student postponement?

No. Those who acquire Turkish citizenship subsequently benefit fully from the high school, associate degree, undergraduate, and postgraduate student postponement rights under Article 20 of Law No. 7179 within the same age limits, just like all obligors who are Turkish citizens by birth.

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Conclusion

Male obligors who acquire Turkish citizenship before military age are, as a rule, under equal obligations with their peers born in the Republic of Turkey under the Recruitment Law No. 7179; the age-22 exemption does not apply to this group. To prevent loss of rights, it is of utmost importance that consulate-approved records regarding foreign citizenship status, residency status, and services rendered abroad, if any, are submitted completely to the military recruitment branches before turning 20 years of age. In case of a dispute, timely initiation of legal remedies and careful preparation of the necessary documents will increase success. Regarding the matter, Beylikdüzü criminal defense lawyer benefiting from their services may be useful.

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