When expanding into a new country like Turkey, global companies face a complex web of local laws, employment regulations, and cultural nuances.
Understanding Turkish labor law, payroll systems, and compliance procedures requires not only technical knowledge but also on-the-ground experience.
That’s why partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) that specializes in Turkey is so valuable.
EOR companies with local expertise ensure your business can hire confidently, remain compliant, and adapt seamlessly to the Turkish employment landscape.
What Does “Local Expertise” Mean in EOR?
Local expertise refers to an EOR provider’s in-depth understanding of Turkey’s legal, administrative, and cultural environment — everything needed to employ people compliantly and effectively.
An EOR’s local team of HR, legal, and payroll professionals brings:
- Knowledge of Turkish Labor Law (Law No. 4857)
- Experience with local authorities and registration systems (SGK, İŞKUR, tax offices)
- Fluency in Turkish regulations, documentation, and HR best practices
This means that when you hire employees through an EOR, your company benefits from expert local guidance — without needing to set up a legal entity in Turkey.
Areas of Specialisation
EOR companies in Turkey provide expertise across multiple critical HR and compliance functions. Here’s a closer look at their main areas of specialization:
1. Employment Law & Compliance
EOR experts ensure every step of the employment process follows Turkish regulations:
- Drafting legally compliant employment contracts.
- Managing probation, notice periods, and severance pay.
- Advising on employee rights, working hours, and holidays.
By staying updated on legal amendments, EORs protect your company from fines or disputes.
2. Payroll & Taxation
Payroll in Turkey is governed by detailed rules on taxation and deductions.
Local EOR specialists handle:
- Accurate salary calculations in Turkish Lira (TRY).
- Income tax (Gelir Vergisi) and stamp tax (Damga Vergisi) compliance.
- Social security contributions and monthly filings to the Social Security Institution (SGK).
This ensures 100% accuracy and compliance — no surprises, no delays.
3. Social Security & Benefits Administration
EOR professionals understand how to register employees correctly with SGK and manage both mandatory and optional benefits, including:
- Health and pension coverage
- Unemployment insurance
- Private health plans, meal cards, and transport allowances
Local expertise ensures that benefit packages align with Turkish norms and employee expectations.
4. Recruitment & Talent Market Insight
Because EORs operate locally, they understand the Turkish job market — average salaries, in-demand skills, and employment trends.
They can help you:
- Source top candidates through local recruitment channels.
- Benchmark compensation packages.
- Adapt your hiring strategy to regional preferences (for example, Istanbul vs. Ankara salary expectations).
This local insight helps foreign businesses compete effectively for skilled Turkish talent.
5. Cultural Understanding
Beyond laws and payroll, cultural awareness is a vital part of business success.
Local EORs guide international companies on:
- Turkish workplace norms and communication styles.
- Religious and national holidays.
- Employee motivation and retention strategies.
This ensures stronger relationships and smoother integration between your remote and local teams.
Why Specialisation Matters
Partnering with an EOR that specializes in Turkey offers key advantages:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Accuracy | Avoid compliance risks with deep local legal expertise. |
| Time Efficiency | Faster onboarding thanks to established local processes. |
| Cultural Alignment | Better employee engagement through local HR understanding. |
| Cost Savings | No need for in-house HR, legal, or payroll departments in Turkey. |
| Strategic Advice | Guidance on hiring trends, salary benchmarks, and workforce planning. |
A specialized Turkish EOR acts as your trusted extension on the ground, turning local complexity into simple, compliant employment.
Example: Local Expertise in Action
A U.S. tech startup wanted to hire software engineers in Istanbul and Izmir but didn’t understand local tax and payroll requirements.
Their Turkish EOR partner:
- Drafted bilingual employment contracts compliant with Turkish law.
- Registered each employee with SGK and handled monthly payroll taxes.
- Recommended a benefits package that matched local market standards.
As a result, the startup built a compliant Turkish team in just three weeks — without setting up a legal entity or navigating local bureaucracy.
How to Identify a Reliable Turkish EOR
When choosing an EOR in Turkey, look for:
- Local registration and proven operations in Turkey.
- In-house Turkish HR, legal, and payroll experts.
- Experience with your industry (tech, manufacturing, finance, etc.).
- Strong client references and transparent service agreements.
These qualities ensure you’re working with a truly specialized, locally competent provider.
Conclusion
The success of your expansion into Turkey depends on working with a partner that understands both the law and the culture.
An EOR company with local expertise and specialization helps you hire, pay, and manage employees seamlessly — while ensuring full compliance with Turkish labor regulations.
With the right partner, you can focus on growing your business — confident that every detail of employment is handled by professionals who know Turkey inside and out.
