Q. What must an employer do to register a new employee with the Social Security Institution (SGK) in Turkey?
According to Article 8 of Law No. 5510, employers must notify SGK at least one day before the employee starts work using the online system. This registration is mandatory for insurance coverage, pension contributions, and healthcare access.
Q. What are the employer and employee contribution rates to social security in Turkey?
Under Law No. 5510, the total SGK premium is approximately 37.5% of gross salary:
- Employer pays ~22.5%
- Employee pays 15%
These cover retirement, health insurance, disability, and unemployment benefits.
Q. What benefits does SGK provide to employees, such as health insurance or pensions?
SGK offers access to universal healthcare, retirement pensions, maternity and paternity benefits, unemployment pay, injury/disability compensation, and funeral grants. These benefits are funded through monthly premium contributions.
Q. What medical coverage do employees receive through Turkey’s public social security system?
Registered employees and their dependents receive free or subsidized healthcare through SGK. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions, maternity care, and chronic disease treatment, as defined under the General Health Insurance (GSS) framework.
Q. What are the retirement age and contribution requirements to receive a state pension in Turkey?
As per Law No. 5510, retirement depends on date of entry into SGK, but generally requires:
- Minimum 7000 premium days or 25 years of service
- Age 58 (women) or 60 (men) (increasing gradually)
Exact eligibility varies based on insured date and status.
Q. Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Turkey, and how can employees apply?
Employees qualify if they worked at least 600 premium days in the last 3 years and were unemployed involuntarily. Applications must be made to İŞKUR (Turkish Employment Agency) within 30 days of contract termination.
Q. What maternity or parental benefits does SGK provide to employees?
Under Law No. 5510, SGK pays a temporary maternity allowance for 16 weeks (112 days), based on daily earnings. Fathers receive 5 days paid paternity leave, and nursing mothers receive 1.5 hours of paid breastfeeding break daily for 1 year (Labor Law Art. 74).
Q. Are Turkish employers legally required to offer extra benefits beyond salary, like meal or transport allowances?
There is no legal obligation under Labor Law No. 4857 to provide meal or transport allowances, but they are common in collective agreements or employment contracts. These benefits are often provided as fringe incentives in white-collar sectors.
Q. Is private pension enrollment (BES) mandatory, and what must employers do to comply?
Yes. According to Law No. 6740, all employees aged 18–45 must be enrolled in BES (Automatic Individual Pension System). Employers must deduct 3% of the employee’s gross salary and remit it to a registered pension fund unless the employee opts out.
Q. How does SGK support employees in case of workplace accidents or occupational illnesses?
SGK provides temporary incapacity pay, permanent disability pensions, and medical treatment if an occupational disease or workplace accident occurs. Employers must report the incident to SGK within 3 days, as per Article 13 of Law No. 5510.
Q. What happens to an employee’s health coverage when they leave a job in Turkey?
After leaving a job, SGK health coverage continues for 10 days, or up to 100 days if the employee had 90 days of premium payments in the last year. After this period, the individual must pay GSS premiums privately or join another employer.
Q. How long does SGK health insurance remain active after job termination or retirement?
For retirees, SGK coverage continues for life, fully funded by the state. For job leavers, coverage lasts up to 100 days, depending on prior premium history. Afterward, individuals may register as voluntary contributors or apply for GSS (universal insurance).
