Northern Cyprus changes rules for paid military service: new benefits and payment conditions

Northern Cyprus has amended the law on military service, concerning the procedure of paid service (bedelli askerlik). The relevant decree, which has the force of law, was published in the Official Gazette.

According to the amendments, citizens of the Republic of Turkey who obtained citizenship of Northern Cyprus and have not previously completed mandatory military service, may be exempted by paying an amount equal to five minimum wages. In this way, the authorities intend to support the defense forces and eliminate inequality between those who have already paid for the benefit and new applicants.

In addition, the rules for residents abroad have changed. Previously, only those who lived in countries such as the United Kingdom or Australia before conscription age, but not in Turkey, had the right to paid service. Now this distinction has been removed: the same conditions apply to all who have lived outside Cyprus.

New payment schemes have also been introduced, calculated through a coefficient of the minimum wage. For those working abroad who cannot return even for a short period, full exemption from service is possible upon payment of 15 minimum wages.

The authorities emphasize that the changes are aimed at adapting the system to modern conditions and eliminating injustices that existed in the previous legislation.