Is there an obligation to return to Turkey after the scholarship?

Return is NOT mandatory for DAAD and most German scholarships, but some Turkish scholarships (TEV, TÜBİTAK) have a 5-year work requirement in Turkey.

#Return Status for DAAD

#Official Policy

• DAAD has NO return obligation — you can stay in Germany after graduation
• Job search with a Job Search Visa (18 months)
• You can find a job and get a residence permit in Germany
• DAAD Alumni network supports both return and staying in Germany

#Practical Expectation

• DAAD's implicit expectation: return to Turkey to build a Turkish-German academic/professional bridge
• Making publications/projects considered as a contribution to Turkey is encouraged at DAAD Alumni events
• Former DAAD scholarship holders who contribute to Turkish-German relations in Turkey are prestigious

#For Political Foundation Scholarships

#KAS, FES, Böll, Naumann

• NO official return obligation
• Practical expectation: contribution to democratic values in Turkey
• Political networking + knowledge sharing

#KAAD (Catholic)

• Return is NOT mandatory
• Expectation: contribution to Turkish-German interfaith dialogue
• Activities in Turkish Christian/Muslim communities

#For Turkish Scholarships (TEV, TÜBİTAK, Vehbi Koç)

#TEV Overseas Scholarship Program

• 5-year return + work requirement in Turkey
• Written in the contract — violation is not possible without repayment
• If you don't return → obligation to repay the entire scholarship amount

#TÜBİTAK 2213

• At least 5 years of academic work in Turkey after PhD is mandatory
• Return to a Universität is mandatory (TÜBİTAK + Universität agreement)
• If you don't return → scholarship repayment + additional penalty

#TÜBİTAK 2214-A (6-12 month research)

• Completing PhD in Turkey is mandatory (not in Germany)
• Afterwards, you are free

#Vehbi Koç Foundation

• 5 years of work in Turkey is expected (according to the contract)
• Scholarship repayment in case of violation

#Ways to Overcome the Return Obligation

#If You Don't Want to Return with a Turkish Scholarship

1. Repay the scholarship — pay back the amount specified in the contract
2. Short-term work in Turkey (2-3 years) then return to Germany
3. Get legal advice — there might be flexible points in the contract

#If You Want to Stay in Germany with a German Scholarship

1. Job Search Visa (18 months after graduation)
2. Transition from Werkstudent → full-time job
3. Mavi Kart (Blue Card EU) — highly skilled worker visa
4. PhD scholarship in Germany (after Master's) → permanent stay

#Mavi Kart (Blue Card EU) for Staying in Germany

#Requirements

• Bachelor/Master/PhD degree from Germany or a recognized Universität
• Employment contract or job offer (in Germany)
• Annual gross salary of at least €50,700 for 2026 or
• €45,934.20 for the occupational groups listed in § 18g (e.g. IT, engineering, medicine) and for graduates whose degree is no more than 3 years old (with Federal Employment Agency approval) (BMI notice BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3, checked 15.10.2026)

#Duration

• 4 years Mavi Kart
• Afterwards, application for Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence) is possible
• 21 months living in Germany + German A1 → permanent residence
• 33 months living in Germany → permanent residence (lower language proficiency)

#Ethical Advice for Receiving Dual Scholarships

#Prohibited Situations

• Receiving DAAD + TEV simultaneously — considered a violation as both are aware
• DAAD + KAS simultaneously — foundations notify each other
• TÜBİTAK 2213 + DAAD PhD simultaneously — the two institutions notify each other

#Permitted Situations

• TEV scholarship + additional research funding from the Universität (non-academic)
• DAAD + TVöD assistant position from the Universität (DAAD 50%, assistant 50% salary)
• TÜBİTAK 2214-A + partial support from a German Universität (TÜBİTAK main, Universität contribution)

#Practical Strategy

#If You Want to Stay in Germany

1. Choose a German scholarship (DAAD, KAS, FES) → no return obligation
2. Decline the Turkish scholarship (if you don't take TEV, it's a backup for a later scholarship)
3. After graduation, the Mavi Kart + job path

#If You Want to Continue in Turkey

1. TÜBİTAK 2214-A + DAAD Sandwich (PhD in Turkey + 6-12 months research in Germany)
2. Master's with a TEV scholarship + mandatory 5 years academic career in Turkey
3. Find a job in Turkey after graduation and develop your career

#If You Want Flexibility

1. DAAD Master (flexible return)
2. After Master's, decide:
   • PhD in Germany → DAAD PhD or Universität position
   • Job in Germany → Mavi Kart
   • Return to Turkey → academic or professional career

#Support for Returning to Turkey

#For Turkish Scholarship Holders After Graduation

• DAAD Alumni Türkiye — events + network
• TÜBİTAK Academic Employment Program — after PhD abroad
• Turkish Academic Alumni Network (TÜABA) — support
• Türk-Alman Üniversitesi (TAÜ) — priority for Germany graduates

#Important Notes

• Read the contract carefully — the 5-year obligation is clearly written in TEV/TÜBİTAK contracts
• Get legal advice — for the nuances of the contract
• DAAD return is not mandatory but alumni contribution is expected — participate in events in Turkey

Related: TEV scholarship | DAAD application.