Turkey
GiniTalent simplifies employment in Turkey, managing payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance on one platform.
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SGK Registration
Social security registration is generally mandatory for Turkish employees and foreign nationals legally employed in Türkiye, subject to applicable exemptions. Employers must complete the required notifications within statutory deadlines.
Social Security Contributions
For standard 4/a employment in 2026, the combined employer contribution is 23.75%, including unemployment insurance, while the employee contribution is 15%. Eligible employers may benefit from statutory incentives.
Healthcare & Social Benefits
SGK provides eligible insured individuals with statutory healthcare coverage and benefits relating to maternity, occupational accidents, disability and retirement. Entitlement depends on contribution history and statutory conditions.
International Social Security Agreements
Türkiye has bilateral social security agreements that may allow eligible posted employees to maintain home-country coverage, avoid double contributions or combine insurance periods for certain benefits.
Tax Residency
Foreign nationals may be classified as Turkish tax residents based on their legal domicile or duration of stay. Residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are generally taxed on Turkish-source income, subject to exemptions and tax treaties.
Salary Income Tax
Employment income is generally subject to progressive income tax. Employers withhold applicable taxes through payroll, taking statutory deductions and the minimum wage income tax exemption into account.
Mandatory Payroll Deductions
Employee payroll deductions generally include 14% social security contributions, 1% unemployment insurance and applicable stamp tax. Statutory exemptions and individual circumstances may affect the final calculation.
Double Taxation Agreements
Türkiye has double taxation agreements with numerous countries to help prevent double taxation of cross-border income. Treaty benefits depend on tax residency, income source, applicable treaty provisions and supporting documentation.
Termination Types & Legal Grounds
Employment may end through resignation, employer-initiated dismissal, mutual agreement, expiry of a fixed-term contract or other legally recognized grounds. Applicable obligations depend on the contract, termination reason and statutory employee protections.
Notice Periods & Probation
Statutory notice periods for indefinite-term contracts range from 2 to 8 weeks, depending on length of service. Probation may generally last up to 2 months, extendable to 4 months by collective agreement, with different notice rules during probation.
Severance Pay & Final Payments
Eligible employees generally receive severance pay based on 30 days of gross remuneration per year of service, subject to the statutory ceiling. Final settlement may also include outstanding salary, unused annual leave and applicable notice compensation.
Foreign Employee Termination
Employers must complete applicable SGK exit notifications and notify the Ministry of Labour and Social Security when an employer-specific work permit ends. Foreign employees must assess their work authorization and residence status before taking up new employment.
Public Schools (MEB)
Eligible foreign children may attend tuition-free public schools regulated by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). Instruction is primarily in Turkish, and enrollment generally depends on address registration, documentation and applicable placement rules.
Private Schools
Private schools offer alternative academic programs, facilities and language-learning opportunities. Tuition fees, curricula and admission requirements vary by institution, with options available in major cities across Türkiye.
International & Multilingual Education
Selected international schools offer internationally oriented curricula, including International Baccalaureate and Cambridge programs where authorized. Availability is concentrated in major cities, and families should verify accreditation, language of instruction and admission criteria.
Preschool, Special Education & Enrollment
Preschool, early childhood and special education services are available through public and private institutions. Enrollment may require identity or residence documentation, previous school records, address information and educational equivalency procedures.
Public Healthcare (SGK Coverage)
Eligible SGK-insured individuals can access healthcare through Türkiye’s General Health Insurance system, including primary care, public hospitals, maternity services, specialist consultations and covered prescription medicines, subject to applicable rules.
Private Healthcare Services
Private hospitals and clinics provide specialist consultations, diagnostic services and treatment options. Selected facilities offer multilingual support and international patient services. Costs and insurance acceptance vary by provider.
Health Insurance & Family Care
SGK provides statutory healthcare coverage for eligible insured employees, while private or supplementary insurance may offer additional benefits. Maternity, pediatric and family healthcare services are available subject to coverage and eligibility conditions.
Emergency Care & Specialized Treatment
Emergency medical assistance is available nationwide through 112. Public and private facilities provide emergency treatment, specialist services and prescription medicines, with patient charges and reimbursement depending on insurance status and provider arrangements.
Public holidays in Türkiye.
There are 15.5 public holidays in Türkiye.
- 1JanNew Year’s Day1 January
- 23AprNational Sovereignty and Children’s Day23 April
- 1MayLabour and Solidarity Day1 May
- 19MayCommemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day19 May
- 15JulDemocracy and National Unity Day15 July
- 30AugVictory Day30 August
- 29OctRepublic Day29 October
- VariesRamazan Bayramı Arifehalf day, lunar calendar
- VariesRamazan Bayramı3 days, lunar calendar
- VariesKurban Bayramı Arifehalf day, lunar calendar
- VariesKurban Bayramı4 days, lunar calendar
Religious holidays follow the lunar calendar and their dates may vary each year.
National Public Holidays
Türkiye observes statutory national holidays, including New Year’s Day, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, Labour and Solidarity Day, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Democracy and National Unity Day, Victory Day and Republic Day.
Religious Holidays
Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) is observed for 3 days, while Sacrifice Feast (Kurban Bayramı) is observed for 4 days. Their calendar dates change each year according to the lunar calendar.
Half-Day Holiday Observances
Republic Day celebrations begin with a half-day public holiday on 28 October, followed by a full holiday on 29 October. The eves of Ramadan Feast and Sacrifice Feast are also observed as half-day public holidays.
Public Holiday Pay & Working Arrangements
Employees covered by Turkish Labour Law are generally entitled to their normal pay for statutory public holidays. Employees who work on these days are generally entitled to an additional day’s wage for each day worked, subject to applicable legal provisions.
Work Permit Requirements
Foreign nationals generally need a valid work permit before starting employment in Türkiye. Employers must meet applicable eligibility criteria relating to Turkish employee numbers, financial capacity, salary thresholds and regulatory compliance, subject to exemptions.
Application Process & Permit Validity
Work permit applications are generally submitted through the Ministry’s e-İzin system, with consular procedures for eligible overseas applicants. Initial permits are generally issued for up to 1 year, with extensions subject to statutory requirements.
Working Hours & Overtime
Standard working time is generally limited to 45 hours per week and 11 hours per day. Statutory overtime is generally paid at 150% of the normal hourly wage, with an annual overtime limit of 270 hours.
Employee Rights & Annual Leave
Turkish and foreign employees covered by Labour Law generally receive the same statutory employment protections. Annual paid leave is generally 14, 20 or 26 days depending on length of service, with additional minimum protections for certain age groups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does GiniTalent’s Turkey Destination Guide cover?
GiniTalent helps global companies hire and manage talent in Turkey compliantly—covering payroll, benefits, taxes, work permits, and more.
What services does GiniTalent provide in Turkey?
We provide end-to-end Recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR), Technology Consulting, and Business Setup services in Türkiye.
What is the capital city and currency of Turkey?
The capital is Ankara , and the currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY, ₺) .
What is the population of Turkey?
Approximately 85,518,661 people.
What are standard working hours and flexibility in Turkey?
The standard is 40-45 hours per week , and flexible/remote arrangements are increasingly common.
What are employer social security & tax contributions?
Employers generally contribute 23.75% of gross salary to social security (SGK) and unemployment insurance before applicable incentives. Eligible employers may benefit from contribution reductions, bringing the total employer rate to 18.75%–23.75%, depending on sector and eligibility. Employees contribute 15% of gross salary to SGK and unemployment insurance, in addition to applicable progressive income tax.
How is termination handled and severance calculated?
Employment contracts in Türkiye may be terminated for just cause or for valid reasons in accordance with the Labor Law. Severance pay (when applicable) is calculated as 30 days’ gross salary per year of service, subject to the statutory ceiling. Notice periods vary based on the employee’s length of service. Probation periods of up to 2 months (extendable to 4 months by collective agreement) allow termination without notice or severance.
What worker rights and benefits are guaranteed?
Employee protections in Türkiye include statutory annual leave, maternity leave, health insurance coverage, disability benefits, and participation in mandatory social security and unemployment insurance schemes.
What industries and professions are strong in Turkey?
Popular sectors include tourism, construction, software development, textiles, engineering, and healthcare.
How do taxes and filings work?
Income tax returns are filed annually (usually in March). Employers and employees must comply with statutory deductions, with the employer ensuring correct withholding and reporting.
How can a company begin hiring in Turkey via GiniTalent?
You can initiate contact via the “Get in Touch” section; provide role profiles and locations, and Gini will handle compliance, payroll, and onboarding in Turkey.
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