Understanding maternity and paternity leave rights is critical for HR compliance in Turkey. The 2026 regulations bring updated durations and benefits that every employer must implement correctly.
"Turkey ranks above the OECD average for maternity leave duration, offering 16 weeks of paid leave for working mothers."
2026 Maternity Leave: Key Rules
Female employees are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave — 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth. In case of multiple births, an additional 2 weeks are added to the pre-birth period. The leave is fully paid through SGK (Social Security Institution) temporary incapacity allowance.
Upon the employee's request, unpaid leave of up to 6 months may be granted after the 16-week period. For the first child, an additional 60 days of half-pay leave is available; 120 days for the second child, and 180 days for the third.
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Male employees are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave following the birth of their child. This is a statutory right under Turkish Labor Law No. 4857, and the employer must grant it without any deduction from wages.
Employer Obligations & Best Practices
Employers must maintain accurate leave records, process SGK notifications within 5 working days, and ensure the employee's position is protected during the leave period. Digital leave management systems greatly simplify this compliance burden.
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