06.08.2026 13:20
According to the Constitutional Court decision published in the Official Gazette, the objection to the requirement of "having earned the right to retire with a first-degree position" for municipal mayors to obtain a green passport was rejected. The Constitutional Court ruled that the regulation does not violate the principles of legal certainty and equality, and decided that the current practice should continue.
Known as the green passport, the special-stamped passport can be used by certain public officials, exporters who meet the conditions, and their families.
The 6th Administrative Litigation Chamber of the İzmir Regional Administrative Court referred the regulation to the Constitutional Court, claiming that the requirement of 'having earned the right to retirement with a first-degree position' sought for mayors to obtain a green passport is unconstitutional.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTED THE OBJECTION
The Constitutional Court rejected the application as a result of its examination. In the reasoned decision, it was stated that the regulation in question clearly and explicitly sets out the conditions under which mayors can obtain a special-stamped passport, and therefore does not create legal uncertainty.
The Court also noted that the opportunities provided by the special-stamped passport constitute a privilege, emphasizing that every Turkish citizen can travel abroad with an ordinary passport.
THE EQUALITY CLAIM WAS ALSO NOT ACCEPTED
In the application, it was argued that granting more flexible conditions to some public officials, such as faculty members, while imposing stricter conditions for mayors, violates the principle of equality.
However, the Constitutional Court stated that those subject to Law No. 5434 on the Pension Fund and those insured under Law No. 5510 are subject to different social security systems, and ruled that these two groups cannot be considered to be in the same legal situation.