How Long Is Maternity Leave in Turkey?
Under Article 74 of the Turkish Labour Code, statutory maternity leave totals 16 weeks: 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth. For multiple pregnancies the prenatal portion is extended by 2 weeks, giving 18 weeks in total.
- Prenatal transfer: With medical approval, an employee may work until 3 weeks before the expected date; unused prenatal weeks are transferred to the postnatal period.
- Unpaid leave: On request, up to 6 months of unpaid leave may follow the statutory period.
- Nursing breaks: 1.5 hours per day until the child turns one, at times chosen by the employee.
How the Maternity Allowance Is Calculated
During leave the salary is paid by the Social Security Institution (SGK), not the employer (Law No. 5510). The daily allowance equals two-thirds of the average daily gross earnings of the last 3 months (one-half for inpatient days).
Worked Example
Monthly gross salary 30,000 TL → daily earnings 1,000 TL → daily allowance 666.67 TL. For 112 days (16 weeks) the total allowance is roughly 74,666 TL.
Eligibility requires at least 90 days of short-term insurance premiums within the year preceding the birth.
Frequently Confused Points
- Who pays during leave? SGK pays the allowance; employers may voluntarily top up the difference.
- Paternity leave: 5 paid days in the private sector.
- Using the calculator: Enter the expected birth date, multiple-pregnancy status and the last 3 months' gross pay; the tool computes leave dates and the approximate allowance. Results are informational — final amounts depend on SGK records.
How Maternity Benefit Is Calculated in Turkey
Under Law No. 5510, the daily maternity benefit is 66% of the average daily earnings in the last 3 months before birth. Payment is made by SGK; the employer manages the leave period.
If average daily earnings are 1,500 TL: 1,500 × 66% = 990 TL/day. For 56 days postnatal leave ≈ 55,440 TL total benefit.
Maternity Leave Checklist
- ✓ Pre/postnatal weeks correct?
- ✓ SGK benefit application filed?
- ✓ Multiple pregnancy extra weeks added?
- ✓ Unpaid leave request handled separately?