Hiring guide in Turkey

Minimum wage

Contributions & taxes

Employer tax

The total cost of employment is 22.50%.

Corporate tax

In Turkey, the standard corporate tax rate is 20%.

Employee tax

The total employee cost is 15%.

Income tax

Tax rates on personal income are between 15% and 40%. The tax system applies progressive rates on income.

To calculate the salary and taxes in Turkey please click here.

Payroll cycle

Wages in Turkey are typically paid on the 5th of the following month, following a monthly payroll cycle.

Is there a 13th salary in Turkey?

The 13th month is not required by law in Turkey.

Labor rules

Probation period

Although the employee’s job contract typically specifies a probation or trial period, 2 months are frequently accepted in Turkey.

Notice period 

According to the following, the notice period in Turkey is based on the employee’s length of service:

• 2 weeks’ notice: 0 to 6 months of service;
• 4 weeks’ notice: 6 to 18 months of service;
• 6 weeks’ notice: 18 to 36 months of service;
• 8 weeks’ notice: more than 36 months of service.

Severance period

Severance compensation is owed to workers who have been wrongfully terminated (or quit without good cause) after putting in at least one year of service. After working for a company for one year, employees in Turkey are eligible for severance pay under the country’s labor law. The amount of severance compensation due equals one month’s salary times the number of years worked. The number of days and months left after the termination date are also factored into the severance package. 

Working hours

In Turkey, a standard workweek consists of 45 hours, which may be split up however the worker sees fit during the week, so no more than 11 hours are put in on any given day. Weekly overtime hours are limited to a maximum of 48.

Leave and benefits

Public holiday

There are 9 national holidays in Turkey. The following are national public holidays:

1. New Year’s Day
2. National Sovereign and Children’s Day
3. Labor Day
4. Remembrance  of Atatürk and Youth Day
5. Democracy and National Unity Day
6. Victory Day
7. Republic’s Day
8. Ramadan Holiday
9. Eid-al Adha Feasting Holiday

Sick leave

Social Security provides the worker with a benefit. Workers are eligible for one week of paid sick leave each year. A sick day is a paid day off; however, it can be extended if necessary.

Maternity leave & paternity leave

Women are entitled to 8 weeks of paid leave before and after giving birth. They can also receive one large payment after giving birth or breastfeeding.

Laws mandate 16 weeks of maternity leave and one week of paternity leave.

Other leave

Bereavement leave

Employees who lose a close relative are entitled to 3 days of paid time off.

Parental leave

If both parents are working, they can work part-time until the child begins primary school. The employee shall give the employer written notice of the request at least one month in advance.

Also, parents are entitled to up to 10 days of leave to attend a child’s medical appointments or treatment for a chronic illness or impairment.

Military leave

Workers called up for military training exercises or to fulfill a statutory duty – other than mandatory military service – are eligible for up to 90 days of paid leave each year.

What are the minimum vacation days?

In Turkey, after an employee has been with the company for a year, they are entitled to 14 paid days off every year in addition to public holidays. When an employee has worked for the company for between 5 and 15 years, they are eligible for 20 paid days off each year, and when they have worked for the company for 15 years or more, they are eligible for 26 paid days off each year.

Insurance

Health security & private insurance

Anyone who has worked for an employer for at least three months within the previous fifteen months is entitled to free medical and dental care through the Social Security Administration.

*Native Teams can support you in finding the best private insurance in the country. Contact us and we will send a comparison of insurance packages and prices.*

Visa

Relocation and work permits

Native Teams will apply for your work visa in the nation on your behalf and serve as your Employer of Record. All the required documents can be uploaded using our app. Until you have your work and residency visa, Native Teams will support you by providing you with frequent information on the progress.

How long is the visa/work permit process?

2 to 4 weeks depending on the authorities and provided documents.

Which documents do you need?

To apply for a visa/work permit in Turkey, upload the documents from our onboarding list (relocation to log in/pricing). 

Why use Native Teams for hiring in Turkey?

Native Teams lets you employ team members ‘like a local’ meaning you get all the benefits of a global team, wherever you are based. Here are the reasons why you should use Native Teams for hiring:

• No paperwork: We will handle all the necessary paperwork for you.
• Save on taxes: We help you handle your taxes.
• No company set up: You can expand your business using our company entitles.
• Online onboarding: We’re here to ensure your onboarding process is trouble-free.
• No accounting: We will handle all of your accounting needs, including invoicing, payroll, and more.
• Increase your profit: We assist you in growing your business and maximizing your profits.
• Compliance expertise: we can assist your company in navigating the regulatory environments and ensure you meet all relevant requirements.
• Local support: We can assist you in understanding and complying with the relevant local laws.