# Hire in Turkey

Source: https://overseashire.com/hire/turkey · verified 2026-10-05 · confidence medium

Large, young engineering workforce with strong tech hubs in Istanbul and Ankara, and low USD-denominated cost, though high inflation makes salary reviews frequent.

## Employer cost
Employer on-costs 23.75–23.75% of gross salary. PwC: employers contribute 21.75% of salary to social security from 1 January 2026 plus 2% unemployment insurance, up to the monthly ceiling of TRY 297,270. Total 23.75%. A government incentive of several percentage points reduces the employer share for many eligible hires (not verified here), and work-accident rates vary. Excludes severance accrual (kidem tazminati) and paid leave.

| Contribution | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SGK social security premium (employer) | 21.75% | PwC; applied up to ceiling of TRY 297,270 per month (2026). |
| Unemployment insurance (employer) | 2% | PwC. |

Mandatory benefits: Severance pay (kidem tazminati) for 1+ years' service on qualifying exits; Annual leave of 14/20/26 days by service band; Overtime premium of 50%; Maternity leave of 16 weeks (general knowledge)

## Rules
- Payroll: Monthly (private sector commonly monthly; at least monthly by law)
- Probation: Up to 2 months (extendable to 4 months by collective agreement) under Labour Law 4857 (general knowledge).
- Notice and severance: Statutory notice: 2 weeks (under 6 months' service), 4 weeks (6-18 months), 6 weeks (18 months-3 years), 8 weeks (over 3 years). Severance: 30 days' gross pay per full year of service, subject to an annual ceiling, for dismissal without just cause (not for resignation except certain cases).
- Termination: Job-security rules (reinstatement claim) apply to employers with 30+ employees for staff with 6+ months' service. Valid reason is required; mandatory mediation precedes court.
- Working time: 45 hours per week; overtime paid at +50%. Maximum overtime 270 hours a year (general knowledge).
- Paid leave: 14 working days (1-5 years), 20 days (5-15 years), 26 days (15+ years) per the Labour Law; plus about 14-15 public holidays (general knowledge; not fetched).
- Minimum wage: TRY 33,030 gross (about TRY 28,075 net) per month from 1 January 2026, per press reports of the official announcement - https://wageindicator.org/work/minimum-wage/updates/2026/minimum-wage-increased-in-turkiye-from-01-january-2026-january-01-2026

## Contractors
Freelancers invoice as serbest meslek; courts can reclassify disguised employees. Moderate risk. Foreign contractors should be paid through proper invoicing.

## EOR
A foreign company needs a Turkish entity (limited or joint-stock) or an EOR. Provider timelines not verified.
Onboarding: EOR not verified; own entity not verified.

## FAQ
**What are employer social security costs in Turkey?** PwC reports 21.75% SGK plus 2% unemployment from 1 January 2026, on salary up to a monthly ceiling of TRY 297,270.

**Is severance mandatory?** Yes. Kidem tazminati accrues at 30 days' pay per year of service for qualifying terminations, subject to a ceiling.

**What is the minimum wage?** TRY 33,030 gross per month from January 2026.

**Is the 5-point social security incentive available?** Many hires qualify for a reduction, but we have not verified current eligibility; ask a local adviser.

Unverified: PwC's 21.75% breakdown and accident-insurance component not itemised; Social security incentive for employers; Leave bands, notice weeks, probation and severance mechanics from general knowledge; Severance ceiling 2026; Entity/EOR timelines

Sources:
- https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/turkey/corporate/other-taxes
- https://wageindicator.org/work/minimum-wage/updates/2026/minimum-wage-increased-in-turkiye-from-01-january-2026-january-01-2026
- https://www.envoyglobal.com/news-alert/turkiye-minimum-salary-threshold-2026/

Not legal or tax advice.