Employer of Record in Turkey

Hiring Employees in Turkey With An EOR

Hiring in Turkey can seem complex – but with the right facts and tools, it’s simple. This guide walks you through the local job market, shows how Employer of Record services guarantee compliance, and highlights the key labor laws you need to know.

Hiring Employees In Turkey
Employer Of Record In Turkey

Capital City

Ankara

Currency

Turkish Lira

 (

)

Timezone

GMT +3

Payroll Frequency

monthly

Tax Year

1 January- 31 December

Employer Tax

22.50%

Languages

Turkish

Jesse Weisz

R&D Analyst

Last Updated

September 12, 2025

In This Guide

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Employment Guide For Hiring in Turkey

Looking to grow your team in Turkey? It’s a great way to tap into new talent and fresh markets – but hiring across borders comes with its own set of hurdles. From understanding local labor laws to managing payroll and staying compliant, it gets complex if you don’t have local HR support.

Playroll’s full-service Employer of Record platform handles all the heavy lifting so you can hire confidently in Turkey without setting up a local entity. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about hiring employees in Turkey, including employment contracts, payroll, statutory benefits, and compliance with local labor laws.

What to Know Before Hiring employees in Turkey

Minimum Wage: The statutory minimum wage in Turkey is a minimum monthly gross wage of TRY 26,005.5 and a minimum monthly net wage of TRY 22,104.67.

Working Hours: In Turkey, an employee aged 18 or older is allowed to work up to 45 hours per week, with a maximum of 11 hours per day.

Labor Laws: An Employer of Record acts as the legal employer for workers in Turkey, taking on key responsibilities to ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations. 

Payroll Taxes: In Turkey, employers contribute about 14% in payroll taxes, which typically cover social security, health care, and other statutory benefits.

Average Salary: The average salary in Turkey is approximately TRY 20,700.

How to Hire Employees In Turkey

Hiring in Turkey for the first time can be overwhelming, especially when navigating unfamiliar employment laws. So, how do you get started? There are three main ways to hire in Turkey: Set up your own legal entity, hire independent contractors, or use an EOR service to handle payroll and global HR for you. Below, we’ll walk you through each option in detail.

1. Set Up A Local Entity In Turkey

Setting up a local entity in Turkey is the traditional route for businesses that want to build a long-term presence in a new market. It allows for direct hiring, fine control over operations, and compliance with local labor laws.

That said, the process is rarely simple. It involves navigating complex legal structures, extensive registration procedures, ongoing payroll administration, and local tax obligations. Beyond the administrative burden, the costs of incorporation, maintaining local offices, and hiring compliance experts can quickly add up.

For companies operating with slim margins or testing new markets, these financial and operational commitments often make setting up a local entity an unfeasible option compared to more flexible and cost-effective solutions.

2. Use An Employer Of Record In Turkey

An Employer of Record (EOR) acts as the legal employer for workers in Turkey, taking care of compliance, payroll, and local labor regulations. This makes it fast and straightforward to bring on talent without the cost and complexity of setting up a local entity. For businesses looking to test new markets or scale teams across borders with confidence, EORs offer a flexible, low-risk solution.

The Employer of Record in Turkey is responsible for:

  • Employment Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts comply with Turkey's labor laws and regulations, including proper classification of employees.
  • Payroll Management: Calculate, process, and distribute employee salaries in accordance with Turkey's payroll laws, including deductions for taxes and social security contributions.
  • Tax Filing and Contributions: Handle the registration, filing, and payment of employer taxes and social security contributions to the relevant authorities.
  • Employment Contracts: Draft and maintain compliant employment agreements, detailing salary, benefits, working hours, and termination terms in line with Turkey's legal requirements.
  • Benefits Administration: Provide mandatory employee benefits as required by Turkey's labor laws, such as health insurance, pension contributions, and statutory leave.

3. Hire Independent Contractors In Turkey

Hiring independent contractors has boomed in popularity because of the cost savings and flexibility they offer. It can be a great option if you require niche skills or short-term project support. Contractors allow businesses to access specialized skills quickly, without the time and cost of setting up a local entity.

However, it’s important to know the limits of this model: contractors are not a substitute for full-time employees. Relying on them for ongoing, long-term roles can create serious compliance risks, including employee misclassification, which can lead to fines, back taxes, and reputational damage.

Playroll’s contractor management solutions make it simple to compliantly engage, onboard, and pay contractors around the world. We provide clear visibility into agreements, streamline payments, and reduce compliance risks – so you can focus on getting the work done. And when you’re ready to take the next step, we can help seamlessly convert contractors into full-time employees through our global Employer of Record service.

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Labor Laws in Turkey

Businesses can only operate smoothly in Turkey if they comply with local labor laws including drafting compliant employment contract agreements and meeting taxation and payroll obligations. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in Turkey below, to avoid any compliance issues.

Employment Contract Requirements

The Turkish Constitution and the Labor Act of 2003 define provisions for employee protections and workers' rights. Discrimination based on age, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, and race is prohibited. Contracts must be drafted in Turkish but have the option to be bilingual. A contract should include the following elements:

  • Commencement date
  • Duration of employment
  • Working hours
  • Compensation and benefits

Onboarding Process

We can help you get a new employee started in Turkey quickly, with a minimum onboarding time of just 1-2 working days. The timeline starts once the employee submits all required information onto the Playroll platform and completes any necessary local authority registrations.

For non-nationals, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) may add up to three extra days. Additional time may be needed for follow-ups on this assessment. Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual start date. Playroll's payroll cut-off date is the 10th of each month unless otherwise specified.

Probation Period in Turkey

Though optional, employment contracts typically include a probationary or trial period, with the standard duration being two months.

Average Salary In Turkey

The average gross monthly salary in Turkey in 2025 is approximately TRY 20,700. Salaries vary widely based on experience, industry, and location - entry-level workers typically earn around TRY 11,000, while experienced professionals in sectors like IT, finance, and medicine can earn over TRY 45,000. Geographically, Istanbul leads with the highest wages, averaging TRY 25,000, while rural and eastern regions may see salaries closer to TRY 13,000–16,000.Turkey’s economic landscape remains volatile in 2025, with inflation estimated around 30–40%, putting pressure on real wages. Although official unemployment is around 8%, broader labor underutilization remains high, reflecting persistent structural challenges that affect overall salary levels.

Not sure what to pay in Turkey? Compare fair, local salaries with our free benchmarking tool.
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Working Hours in Turkey

In Turkey, an employee aged 18 or older is allowed to work up to 45 hours per week, with a maximum of 11 hours per day.  A minimum meal interval of 30 minutes must be observed by employees who work between 4 and 7.5 hours in a day, and this increases to 1 hour for those working more than 7.5 hours. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, though this can vary by company and industry.

In Turkey, overtime is defined as any work performed beyond the standard 45-hour work week. Turkish labor law sets a clear annual limit on overtime: 270 hours per year per employee. This averages to about 5 hours per week, though it can be distributed unevenly throughout the year based on business needs.

Turkish law requires that overtime work be compensated at a rate of 150% of the regular hourly wage (time-and-a-half). This applies to all overtime hours worked beyond the standard 45-hour week. Weekend work is paid at an additional full day's wage, while public holiday work receives double the daily wage.

Minimum Wage in Turkey

How an Employer of Record Helps You Hire in Turkey

Hiring in Turkey means navigating local labor laws, mandatory employee benefits, payroll taxes, and strict employment regulations. These requirements aren’t always intuitive, especially if your team lacks in-country legal or HR expertise. An Employer of Record steps in as the legal employer for your hires, managing all compliance-related responsibilities. This includes issuing locally compliant contracts, registering employees with relevant authorities, processing payroll, and handling social security contributions and taxes in line with national laws.

By handing over these complexities to an EOR, your business avoids costly compliance errors and the time required to master local employment standards. You can focus on growing your team and operations while trusting that the legal and administrative foundation is solid. Whether you're making one strategic hire or building out an entire team, the EOR keeps you compliant, removes guesswork, and reduces the risk of legal or financial penalties, without requiring you to open a legal entity or maintain a local HR team.

Payroll Management in Turkey

Fiscal Year in Turkey

1 January- 31 December is the 12-month accounting period that businesses in Turkey use for financial and tax reporting purposes.

Payroll Cycle in Turkey

The payroll cycle in Turkey is usually monthly, with employees being paid on or before the last day of the month.

Minimum Wage in Turkey

As of 1 January 2025, the minimum wage rate in Turkey is:

  • Minimum monthly gross wage: TRY 26,005.50
  • Minimum monthly net wage: TRY 22,104.67

All full-time employees are entitled to this statutory minimum wage.

The monthly gross wage is an increase from the 2024 minimum monthly gross wage of TRY 20,002.50. The minimum wage is reviewed annually by the government and may be adjusted according to inflation and economic conditions.

Bonus Payments in Turkey

There is no legal requirement for 13th-month payments.

Employment Taxes in Turkey

Employer Tax Contributions

Employer payroll contributions are generally estimated at an additional 22.5% on top of the employee salary in Turkey.

Tax TypeTax Rate
Pension & Disability11%
General Health Insurance7.5%
Short-Term Insurance Branch Premium2%
Unemployment Insurance2%

Employee Payroll Tax Contributions

In Turkey , the typical estimation for employee payroll contributions cost is around 15%.

Tax TypeTax Rate
Pension & Disability9%
General Health Insurance5%
Unemployment Insurance1%

Individual Income Tax Contributions

In Turkey, individuals are subject to progressive tax rates ranging from 15% to 40%, determined by their respective income levels as follows:

Income BracketTax Rate
0 - 158,000 TRY15%
158,001 TRY - 330,000 TRY20%
330,001 TRY - 1,200,000 TRY27%
1,200,001 TRY - 4,300,000 TRY35%
4,300,001 TRY And above40%

Pension in Turkey

As of 2023, individuals who started work before September 8, 1999, can retire without any age requirement if they have been insured for 20 years (for women) or 25 years (for men), and paid the required days of social security premium (ranging from 5000 to 5975 days depending on insurance start date). For those who started work after September 8, 1999, the retirement age is 58 years for women and 60 years for men, with other pension conditions determined by their first employment date.

As of August 2025, the retirement age for those who started work between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026 is 64 years. Mothers of children with disabilities who require constant attendance may receive credit to retire before the normal retirement age.

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The tax-related information provided in this guide is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Reach out to our dedicated team for insights on remote hiring in Turkey tailored to your needs.

Employment Taxes and payroll in Turkey

In Turkey, payroll taxes involve a combination of contributions and withholdings that employers must manage carefully to ensure compliance. Key components include income tax withholding, social security premiums, and unemployment insurance contributions. Employers are responsible for deducting 14% for social security and 1% for unemployment insurance from employees’ gross wages, while also contributing 20.75% to social security and 2% to unemployment insurance. Income tax is progressive, ranging from 15% to 40%, and is calculated cumulatively throughout the year.

Employers must submit monthly declarations to the Turkish Tax Office and Social Security Institution, and failure to comply can result in penalties. Payroll is typically processed on a monthly cycle, and businesses must stay updated on tax thresholds and contributions to avoid legal issues.

Using payroll management software can help employers consolidate payroll data and stay compliant in Turkey.

How an EOR Helps You Run Payroll in Turkey

Running payroll in Turkey is complex, especially when you're hiring without a local entity. Local laws determine everything from tax withholdings and reporting deadlines to benefit contributions and currency requirements. Missteps can lead to fines, payment delays, or unhappy employees. An Employer of Record takes this burden off your plate by handling the full payroll process. Acting as the legal employer, the EOR ensures you remain compliant with all payroll-related obligations, while still allowing you to manage your team’s day-to-day work and performance.

Key Ways an EOR Supports Payroll in Turkey:

  • Compliance Assurance: Ensures payroll aligns with local tax laws, labor regulations, and statutory deadlines.
  • Payroll Processing & Tax Management: Calculates salaries, applies correct tax withholdings, and submits required reports.
  • Benefits & Social Security Contributions: Manages employer obligations for pensions, health insurance, and other legal entitlements.
  • Contract Generation & HR Administration: Drafts compliant employment contracts and supports onboarding, terminations, and HR tasks.
  • Currency Payments: Issues timely salary payments in local currency, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.

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Work Permits & Visas in Turkey

In Turkey, work permits and visas are essential for employers hiring foreign workers. The process involves securing a job offer, submitting applications to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS), and meeting eligibility criteria such as valid passports with at least six months' validity, employment contracts, and health insurance.

Key visa types include the Employment Purpose Visa, Assigned Lecturer Visa, and Free Zone Worker Visa. Employers must also comply with Turkish labor laws when sponsoring foreign employees.

Annual Leave & Company Policies In Turkey

Mandatory Leave Entitlement in Turkey

The annual leave entitlement in Turkey is from 14 to 26 days, depending on the length of service for a full time worker. These can include public holidays on top of that or within those days, which would otherwise be unpaid.

Public Holidays In Turkey

There are several public holidays throughout the calendar year. These holidays are distinct from the minimum paid leave entitlement and are granted in addition to annual leave. The following list comprises the national holidays in Turkey:

HolidayDate
New Years Day1 January
Ramazan Bayramı Holiday [Eid al-Fitr]March 30-April 1, 2025
National Sovereignty and Children's Day23 April
Labor and Solidarity Day1 May
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day19 May
Kurban Bayramı Holiday [Eid al-Adha]June 6-9, 2025
Democracy and National Unity Day15 July
Victory Day30 August
Republic Day29 October

Paid Time Off in Turkey

In Turkey, the labor law ensures that employees are entitled to annual paid leave based on their length of service, provided they have completed at least one year of employment. The accrual periods and corresponding leave durations are as follows:

  • One to five years of employment, including the fifth year: 14 days
  • Five to 15 years of employment, including the fifteenth year: 20 days
  • 15 years of employment or more: 26 days
  • Individuals under 18 or over 50 years of age are automatically granted 20 days of paid annual leave in Turkey.

Maternity Leave In Turkey

Female employees get 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. They need to take eight weeks before giving birth and the other eight weeks after. If it's a multiple pregnancy, they get an extra two weeks before childbirth. If a doctor confirms the woman's good health, she can work until three weeks before delivery and then take a 13-week leave after giving birth.

Paternity Leave In Turkey

Employees in Turkey are granted five days of paid leave when their spouse gives birth, and three days of paid leave in the case of adoption. The employer covers the costs of this leave.

Sick Leave In Turkey

Employees become eligible for sickness benefits from the social security office after the third consecutive day of illness. Employers are not required to provide sick pay during the initial two days of an employee's sickness (although often paid in practice), and they have the option to terminate workers after a six-week period of sick leave.

Parental Leave In Turkey

Parental leave in Turkey is not specifically regulated by any law. Nonetheless, employees may be eligible for maternity leave and paternity leave benefits.

Marriage Leave

Employees are permitted a maximum of three days of paid leave to fulfill their matrimonial ceremonies.

Adoption Leave

Adoptive parents of children below the age of three are eligible for eight weeks of compensated leave, starting from the date their legal custody is officially recognized. Furthermore, these parents have the option to apply for up to six months of unpaid leave following the completion of the adoption process.

Annual Leave and Company Policies In Turkey

Employee Benefits in Turkey

Using an Employer of Record to Administer Benefits in Turkey

Administering employee benefits in Turkey requires more than just offering a standard package. Local labor laws often mandate specific entitlements, from health insurance to paid leave, and the rules can change without warning. Turkey also has unique standards for what an attractive, competitive benefits package looks like. For businesses without in-country expertise, meeting these obligations and expectations can quickly become risky and expensive. An Employer of Record acts as your compliance partner, ensuring all benefits are provided according to the latest legal requirements and without administrative strain on your internal team.

Beyond compliance, an EOR brings clarity and consistency to a process that’s often complex and fragmented. They handle enrollments, ensure accurate employer contributions, manage communications with local providers, and keep everything properly documented. This means employees get what they’re entitled to, and you avoid the headache of navigating benefits systems in a foreign market. Whether you're hiring one person or building a larger team, an EOR provides a clear, dependable structure that lets you offer competitive benefits without taking on unnecessary risk or workload.

Termination and Severance Policies in Turkey

Employment Termination and Severance Policies in Turkey

Termination Process in Turkey

The procedures for termination in Turkey depend on the specific terms outlined in the employment agreement and collective agreement. Termination can occur under the following circumstances:

  • Due to immoral, dishonorable, malicious conduct, or similar behavior
  • Because of medical reasons causing incapacity for the job
  • As a result of misconduct
  • Through disciplinary dismissal

Notice Period in Turkey

For those employed under an open-ended contract in Turkey. Fixed-term contracts in Turkey do not entail any specific notice period. The duration of notice periods is by the length of the employee's tenure, outlined as follows:

  • Less than six months: A notice period of two weeks.
  • Six to 18 months: A notice period of four weeks.
  • 18 to 36 months: A notice period of six weeks.
  • Over 36 months: A notice period of eight weeks.

Severance in Turkey

In Turkey, employees who have worked for more than a year and are unfairly dismissed or resign for a valid reason, get severance pay. The amount is calculated based on 30 days' gross wage for each full year of employment, including any extra months and days. As of 2025, there is an upper limit of TRY 46,655.43 for severance payment calculations.

Disclaimer

THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Playroll does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect Playroll’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. Playroll makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jesse Weisz

Jesse is an experienced R&D Analyst at Playroll, a leading Employer of Record (EOR) provider. With a strong background in data analysis and market research, Jesse specializes in identifying emerging trends and driving innovation in global HR solutions. She is an all-rounder, critical thinker and success-seeker (often inextricably linked to being a late-night tea drinker).

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FAQs About Hiring in Turkey

What is the minimum wage in Turkey?

As of January 1, 2025, Turkey's minimum wage rate is:

  • TRY 26,005.50
  • All full-time employees are entitled to this statutory minimum wage.
  • Reviewed annually, with adjustments based on inflation.

What is the average salary in Turkey?

The average salary in Turkey in 2025 is around TRY 20,700 per month, with higher wages in major cities like Istanbul and among experienced professionals, and lower earnings in rural areas or for entry-level roles.

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