The Problem
As a foreign employee with a work permit in Turkey, you are automatically enrolled in the Turkish social security system (SGK). However, you may wonder whether your contributions will be wasted if you leave Turkey, whether your home country social security will be affected, or how to access healthcare and pension benefits. Understanding the bilateral social security agreements and your rights under the system is essential.
How the Law Works in Turkey
Foreign workers social security is governed by Law No. 5510 (Social Security and General Health Insurance Law) and bilateral social security agreements between Turkey and 30+ countries. Contributions: employer pays approximately 20.5% and employee pays 14% of gross salary. Benefits include: general health insurance (genel sağlık sigortası), workplace accident and occupational disease insurance, disability and death insurance, maternity leave, and retirement pension. Turkey has bilateral social security agreements with countries including Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, UK, and others — these agreements allow transfer of contribution periods between countries.
What the Tourist Should Do
Verify your SGK registration on the SGK e-hizmet portal using your Turkish ID or foreign ID number. Check whether a bilateral social security agreement exists between Turkey and your home country. If an agreement exists, obtain a certificate of coverage from your home country to potentially exempt you from Turkish contributions. Keep all SGK registration documents and payslips. If you leave Turkey permanently, research whether you can transfer your contribution periods to your home country system.
The Risks
Employers who fail to register foreign workers with SGK expose both parties to penalties. Without SGK registration, you have no health insurance coverage in Turkey. Contributions made in Turkey without a bilateral agreement may be lost if you leave before qualifying for a pension (minimum 7,200 days/20 years). Some employers deduct SGK contributions from salaries but fail to actually pay them to SGK — verify your records online.
LetFix Solution
LetFix advises foreign employees on social security matters in Turkey. Our lawyers verify SGK registration, navigate bilateral agreements, handle contribution transfer procedures, and resolve disputes with employers over social security compliance.
