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ALERT / AUGUST 31, 2026
Turkey extends maternity and paternity leave entitlements
3 MIN READ
Turkey recently enacted significant reforms to family leave entitlements. The changes include increasing the standard government-paid maternity leave entitlement from 16 weeks to 24 weeks and employer-paid paternity leave from five days to 10 days. The amendments entered into force on 1 May 2026.
Background
The changes were enacted through Law No. 7578 on Amendments to the Social Services Law and Certain Other Laws (the “Law”), which was published in the Official Gazette on 1 May 2026 and became effective immediately.
The amendments represent one of the most significant expansions of family-related leave rights in Turkey in recent years and underscore the country's continued focus on supporting working families.
Key details
Increase in maternity leave
From 1 May 2026, the postnatal portion of government-paid maternity leave has been doubled from eight weeks to 16 weeks. The table below outlines the previous and current entitlements to maternity leave:
Before 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2026 | |
Maternity leave for a single birth | 16 weeks, comprising eight weeks before childbirth and eight weeks after childbirth | 24 weeks, comprising eight weeks before childbirth (no change) and 16 weeks after childbirth |
Maternity leave for a multiple birth | 18 weeks, comprising 10 weeks before childbirth and eight weeks after childbirth | 26 weeks, comprising 10 weeks before childbirth (no change) and 16 weeks after childbirth |
The amendments also provide greater flexibility in the use of prenatal leave. Previously, female employees could choose to continue working until three weeks before childbirth if certified fit for work by a physician. Under the amended provision, employees may continue working until two weeks before childbirth, subject to the same physician certification requirement. Any leave not used before childbirth continues to be transferred to the employee’s postnatal leave period.
Maternity leave benefits are paid by social insurance directly to the employee through a temporary incapacity allowance. This is typically two-thirds of the employee’s average social insurance contribution salary.
Increase in paternity leave
Male employees were previously entitled to five days of employer-paid paternity leave when their spouse gives birth, starting from the date of childbirth. From 1 May 2026, this has increased to 10 days.
Unlike maternity leave, paternity leave is fully financed by employers.
New foster parent leave
The Law introduces a new entitlement to 10 days of unpaid leave for employees who become foster parents, either jointly with their spouse or individually. The leave may be taken starting on the date the child is placed in their care.
Lockton Comment
Turkey provides lengthy statutory maternity leave with government-funded income replacement through the social security system equal to two-thirds of the employee’s contributory salary. With Turkey’s relatively high contribution ceiling (TRY 297,270 per month, approximately USD 6,200), most employees will be adequately insured by state benefits, but there may be a larger gap for high earning employees. Employer-funded maternity enhancements are not broadly prevalent in the market, but some multinational and large employers supplement statutory benefits by topping employees up to full pay during leave.
Employer action: ACT
Employers should review and update their employee handbooks, family leave policies, payroll procedures, and HR systems to reflect the expanded statutory leave entitlements. Workforce planning and staffing arrangements may be affected by longer periods of parental absence. Employers that currently provide enhanced parental leave benefits should evaluate whether their existing programs remain compliant and appropriately coordinated with the updated statutory minimum entitlements.
Further Information
