National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler makes statement on military service for foreign currency

National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made assessments regarding the fee for military service paid in foreign currency. Güler stated that the fee is calculated based on the foreign exchange buying rate determined by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey on the day of payment.

He also clearly stated that there is no work being carried out within the ministry to reduce the fee for military service in foreign currency.

RESPONSE TO YENEROĞLU'S PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

The statement was made in response to a parliamentary question submitted by independent Istanbul MP Mustafa Yeneroğlu.

Yeneroğlu stated that as of the first half of 2026, the fee for military service in foreign currency had reached 333 thousand 89 TL (approximately 6,620 Euros according to the current exchange rate), noting that this amount has become an unaffordable burden for many young people.

The motion also included assessments that some young people are choosing to renounce their Turkish citizenship due to the high cost.

Minister Güler stated that military service transactions in foreign currency are carried out within the scope of Article 39 of the Conscription Law No. 7179.

The statement indicated that the amount to be paid for military service in foreign currency has varied over the years. Accordingly:

6 thousand Euros in 2015,

1,000 Euros in 2016-2017,

2 thousand Euros in 2018-2019,

And between 2019-2025, the paid military service amount is applied as the Euro equivalent calculated based on the foreign exchange buying rate determined by the Central Bank on the day of payment.

281 THOUSAND PEOPLE BENEFITED IN 10 YEARS

According to the data shared by the ministry, a total of 281 thousand 111 people benefited from the military service in foreign currency program between 2015 and 2025.

In this context:

152 thousand 941 people between the ages of 20-35,

And 128 thousand 170 people over the age of 35 benefited from the military service in foreign currency practice.

News Source: 12punto