GENERAL INFORMATION

 

1. Who does his military service in the TRNC?

 

In accordance with the TRNC Military Service Law (No: 59/2000), each citizen of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is obliged to do his military service. Under extraordinary circumstances, women at the draft age can also be conscripted by the approval of the TRNC assembly.

 

2. Who is deemed as a citizen according to the TRNC civil code?

 

Those who were born in the TRNC or in a foreign country and whose;

 

a. Both mother and father are Turkish Cypriot; or

b. Mother is a Turkish Cypriot and father is an alien; or

c. Father is a Turkish Cypriot and mother is an alien.

 

3. How does one acquire the TRNC citizenship?

 

Citizenship is acquired by and at the time of birth. It is not necessary to apply for or obtain a TRNC identity card to become a citizen.

 

4. Does anyone who has not met his military service obligation cease to be a citizen of the TRNC or is he denaturalized?

 

a. Those who were born and have been living outside of the TRNC permanently until the age of 18 can request to cease their citizenship without meeting their military service obligation by applying to the Ministry of Internal Affairs between the ages of 18 - 21. Those who have not met their military obligation by the age of 21 cannot cease their citizenship.

 

b. Those who were born outside but have been residing in the TRNC permanently cannot cease their citizenship without meeting their military service obligation.

 

c. Those who were born in the TRNC cannot cease their citizenship without meeting their military service obligation.

 

5. What is the military service obligation of those who acquired the citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus subsequently?

 

a.  Every male citizen is obliged to do his military service in the TRNC.

 

b. Those who acquired the citizenship of TRNC and who can document that they have met or are exempt from meeting their military service obligation under their previous citizenship or in whose countries there is no obligatory military service are not conscripted in accordance with the provisions of the TRNC Military Service Law (No. 59/2000). Those who have not done their military service or cannot document that they have done their military service are made to do their service in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned law.

 

     c. However, those who acquired the citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus before the draft age (age 19) lose their right to be reserve officers unless they apply within 6 months following the date that they reached the draft age. Those who acquired it after the draft age, lose their right unless they apply within 6 months following the date they acquired the citizenship.

 

     d. Nationals of third countries (except the TRNC and the Republic of Turkey) who acquired the citizenship of the TRNC are exempted from military service obligation upon payment of 2,000 GBP (two thousand pound Sterling)

 

6. What should those who wish to travel outside of the TRNC while they are still in the period of draft age do?

 

a. Citizens, who finished or postponed their military service by applying to the Recruiting Office, can pass from passport control only by producing their identity cards to the Police.

 

b. Citizens, who did not finish their military service and did not postpone their military service by applying to the Recruiting Office, are forbidden to go abroad. These citizens have to apply to the Recruiting Office in order to complete their procedures.

 

7. Who does not do (is exempt from) his military service?

 

a. Those who are mentally or physically not suitable for military service in accordance with the Health Aptitude Regulations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Security Forces Command,

 

b. Those who live abroad, who are under the scope of Article 14 and who are no longer eligible for conscription due to their age (those older than 49),

 

c. Those who acquired the citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus before 24 February 2012, and who can document that they have met or are exempt from meeting their military obligation under their previous citizenship or in whose countries there is no obligatory military service are exempt from military service.

 

     d. Citizens of TRNC (those older than 49 but did not join the military forced) have a right to pay £2000 and exempt from his military service.

 

    e. Those who were citizens before 12 December 2014 and already obliged to join military forces by law in different country are exempt from his military service.

 

    f. Military service of citizens (those who complete their military service after specified dates in a different country) will not be deemed as having been completed within TRNC Military Law.