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Paid Military Service Calculator

What is "Dövizle Askerlik" (Paid Military Service)?

Dövizle askerlik is a legal arrangement that lets male Turkish citizens who have worked or resided abroad for a qualifying period fulfil their military service obligation by paying a set fee in foreign currency, instead of serving the full standard term. It's set out in Law No. 7179 (as amended by Law No. 7281).

The exact requirement depends on your situation: (1) Those working abroad under a work permit (or a residence permit that includes one) - as an employee, employer, self-employed professional or craftsperson - or serving as a contracted seafarer on a foreign-flagged ship, need at least 1,095 days (3 years) of actual work, excluding time spent in Turkey. (2) Dual/multiple citizens, and people born abroad who hold permanent residency there, don't need to prove any work at all - they just need at least 1,095 days of actual presence abroad.

The process runs through the Ministry of National Defence's Distance Education Portal (dovizle.msb.gov.tr), followed by an in-person appointment at your Turkish consulate. The fee is calculated automatically by the system at the time of application, based on a current government index figure - it isn't a fixed amount - and is paid on the spot through the consulate's own electronic payment system (not a state bank branch) by debit or credit card; cash and postal payments aren't accepted.

Exactly how your time abroad is verified (entry/exit records, employer letters, benefit statements) is assessed case by case by the consulate. So the calculator on this page is a pre-check to help you get a rough sense of where you stand before an official application - always confirm the exact figures with your consulate.

General requirements (summary)

  • Being a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye
  • Being legally liable for military service (male Turkish citizens with a registration/"yoklama" record)
  • Not having already been called up under any other form of military service
  • Work/residence permit holders: at least 1,095 days (3 years) of actual work, excluding time spent in Turkey and any stretches of unemployment without a qualifying benefit
  • Dual/multiple citizens and those born abroad with permanent residency: at least 1,095 days of actual presence abroad, with no work requirement
  • Not having used the paid-military-service right before
  • Not being registered as a draft evader or absentee ("asker kaçağı"/"bakaya") - this needs to be resolved first if it applies to you
  • Having completed the Ministry of National Defence's distance-education program
Go to the Day CalculatorAm I Eligible?

Frequently asked questions

How much is the paid military service fee, and how is it paid?
Under Article 39 of Law No. 7179, the amount is calculated automatically by the system at the time of application from a current government index figure - it isn't a fixed number. It's paid on the spot through the consulate's own electronic payment system (not a state bank branch) by debit or credit card; cash isn't accepted.
How is the 1,095-day requirement actually calculated?
For work/residence permit holders, it's the total time actually worked (or covered by a qualifying unemployment/sickness/social benefit), minus any time spent in Turkey. For dual/multiple citizens and those born abroad with permanent residency, only actual time present abroad counts - there's no work requirement at all.
Do periods when I was unemployed count?
If the work requirement applies to you, periods when you received unemployment, sickness, or social benefit pay count the same as work. Periods when you were unemployed without receiving any such benefit don't count, and are subtracted from the total. For dual/multiple citizens and those born abroad with permanent residency, work status doesn't matter either way.
Are the requirements different if I have dual citizenship or was born abroad?
Yes. Dual/multiple citizens, and people born abroad who hold permanent residency there, can apply without proving any work at all - they just need at least 1,095 days of actual presence abroad.
Why can entry/exit days be counted differently?
The "difference method" subtracts the start date from the end date (e.g. 1-3 Sep = 2 days). "Excluding boundary days" leaves out the (usually partial) start and end days themselves - 1 day for the same example. Confirm with your consulate which convention your official calculation actually uses.
Do I need to attend basic military training?
No. Basic military training was replaced back in 2011 with the Ministry of National Defence's distance-education program at dovizle.msb.gov.tr, which you need to complete before applying.
Are this tool's results official?
No. This tool is for information and a rough pre-calculation only - the official day count and decision are made by your consulate.
Is any of my data sent anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser - the dates you enter are never sent to any server.
Where do I submit the application?
In person, by appointment, at your nearest Turkish consulate (book via konsolosluk.gov.tr) - after completing the distance-education program. Postal applications aren't accepted.
What documents do I need?
Generally: an application petition, a signed undertaking, recent biometric photos, your Turkish ID, your Turkish passport, proof of your foreign residence/work status (or citizenship/permanent-residency documents on the presence track), and - for the work track - employer letters and tax/benefit records covering the relevant years. Exact requirements vary by consulate, so confirm the current list with yours.
How do I complete the distance-education program?
Create an account at dovizle.msb.gov.tr with your T.C. ID number, work through the course content, and answer the questions at the end of each module correctly to complete it - you'll need this done before your consulate appointment.
Can I use the paid-military-service right more than once?
No - it's a one-time right. Once you've used it and paid the fee, you can't use it again.
What should I do if I'm registered as a draft evader or absentee?
You'll need to resolve that status with your consulate or recruitment office before applying for paid military service - it has to be cleared up first.
Does my qualifying-day count reset if I spend some time in Turkey?
No, it doesn't reset - the days you spent in Turkey are simply subtracted from your running total. You can make up the shortfall by spending more qualifying time abroad afterward and applying once you reach 1,095 days.
Where do I get my passport entry/exit records?
From the stamped pages of your passport itself, or as an official "yurt dışı çıkış-giriş belgesi" (entry/exit document) that Turkish citizens can request through e-Devlet or a PTT branch.
Do the same rules apply if I was born with dual citizenship rather than acquiring it later?
Yes - how you acquired your second citizenship doesn't matter. Anyone who currently holds dual/multiple citizenship is exempt from the work requirement, regardless of when or how that citizenship was obtained.
Can I apply without having registered for military service ("yoklama") first?
No - your military service status needs to be in order (registered, and not a draft evader/absentee) before you can apply for paid military service.
Does the fee amount change every year?
Yes, it can change periodically, since it's calculated from a government index figure and a civil-servant salary coefficient that are both updated from time to time - not a fixed number set once and left alone.
Can I apply after I've retired?
If you meet the requirements (1,095 qualifying days, within the applicable age window, etc.), retirement itself isn't a barrier - check the current age rules with your consulate, since those can change.
Is "dövizle askerlik" the same thing as "bedelli askerlik"?
No. "Bedelli askerlik" is a separate, Turkish-lira-based option for people residing in Turkey. "Dövizle askerlik" is specifically for Turkish citizens who qualify based on time abroad, and is paid in foreign currency.

Check whether your time abroad meets Turkey's paid military service requirements and calculate your remaining days.

This tool is for general information and a rough pre-calculation only - it is not an official document and not legal advice. Requirements, the fee amount, and how days are officially counted can change; always confirm current rules with your Turkish consulate or on the e-Devlet Gateway before relying on this. This page was built using official sources as they stood on 21 September 2026.

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