The 1.5× Minimum Wage Rule
Turkish labour law imposes a special minimum salary requirement on employers who hire foreign nationals. A foreign worker's gross monthly salary must be at least 1.5 times the national gross minimum wage. This rule applies at the time of the initial work permit application and must be maintained for the entire duration of employment — including at each renewal.
The purpose of this rule is twofold: to protect the Turkish labour market by ensuring foreign workers are not used as low-cost substitutes for Turkish employees, and to ensure that foreign workers themselves are paid a living wage.
2026 Figures at a Glance
| Monthly Amount (TRY) | |
|---|---|
| 2026 Gross Minimum Wage | 33,030.00 |
| 2026 Net Minimum Wage | 28,075.50 |
| Foreign Worker Minimum Gross (×1.5) | 49,545.00 |
Figures published by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, effective 1 January 2026.
The 49,545 TRY gross figure is the absolute floor. Employers may of course pay more — and many skilled foreign workers command significantly higher salaries — but no work permit application will be approved for a salary below this threshold.
How the Net Salary Compares
For budgeting purposes, employers and employees often need to understand the net (take-home) equivalent. Turkish payroll deductions include income tax, stamp duty, and SGK (Social Security Institution) premiums split between employer and employee. As a rough guide:
| Gross Salary | Approximate Net Salary |
|---|---|
| 33,030 TRY (national minimum) | ~28,075 TRY |
| 49,545 TRY (foreign worker minimum) | ~40,000–42,000 TRY* |
*The exact net figure depends on the employee's income tax bracket, dependant deductions, and sector-specific SGK rates. Always consult a payroll specialist for exact figures.
Sector-Specific Higher Minimums
For certain regulated professions, the Ministry sets salary minimums above the standard 1.5× floor. Examples include:
- Medical doctors and specialists: typically required to earn at least 3× the minimum wage to receive a work permit
- Senior management roles: assessed individually based on the company's financial capacity
- IT professionals and engineers: standard 1.5× applies unless the company seeks a senior-level permit
Always check the current ÇSGB guidance for your specific occupation code (meslek kodu) before filing.
Employer Obligations
Declaring the correct salary is a legal obligation, not a formality. Employers must:
- State the actual gross salary on the work permit application form — not an inflated figure. If the salary declared on the application differs from the salary actually paid, the employer faces penalties under both labour and immigration law.
- Maintain the salary at or above 49,545 TRY throughout the permit period. If the company restructures salaries and the foreign employee's pay drops below the threshold, the work permit becomes legally invalid even if it has not formally expired.
- Report salary to SGK correctly. The Social Security Institution cross-checks declared salaries against SGK premium records. Discrepancies trigger audits.
- Reflect salary in the employment contract. The signed employment contract submitted with the work permit application must show the correct gross salary.
What Happens If the Salary Drops Below the Threshold?
If a foreign employee's gross salary falls below 49,545 TRY after the permit is issued:
- The employer is technically in breach of the conditions of the work permit
- Upon renewal, the Ministry will refuse to approve the extension
- The employer may be subject to an administrative fine
- The employee may lose their right to work — and therefore their right to reside — in Turkey
Salary reductions should never be applied to foreign employees without first confirming that the new amount remains above the statutory threshold.
Does the Rule Apply to Intra-Company Transfers?
Yes. Foreign nationals transferred to Turkey by a multinational company are subject to the same 1.5× rule. Even if the employee's global salary is paid in another currency by a foreign entity, the Turkish entity must declare a Turkish-market salary above 49,545 TRY for the work permit to be approved. This is often handled by setting a notional Turkish payroll alongside the international compensation package.
Minimum Wage and Permit Renewal
The 49,545 TRY figure is anchored to the 2026 minimum wage. Turkey adjusts the minimum wage at least once a year (and sometimes twice). When the minimum wage rises, the foreign worker minimum rises proportionally. For example, if the minimum wage increases mid-year to 36,000 TRY, the foreign worker minimum would rise to 54,000 TRY.
Employers should budget for this increase when planning multi-year employment of foreign nationals. Long-term employment contracts should include a clause that links the employee's salary to Turkish minimum wage adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the rule apply to part-time foreign employees? The minimum salary is calculated on a full-time basis. For part-time workers, the applicable minimum is prorated — e.g. a half-time employee must earn at least 24,772.50 TRY gross (half of 49,545 TRY).
Can bonuses be counted toward the minimum? No. Only the regular monthly gross salary declared on the employment contract counts. Annual bonuses, performance payments, and in-kind benefits are not included in the calculation.
What about domestic workers? Foreign nationals employed as household staff (cleaners, carers, nannies) are subject to the same 1.5× rule. Many domestic employers are unaware of this requirement, which leads to rejected applications.
Employing a foreign national in Turkey? Deniz Kurumsal Danışmanlık helps employers structure compliant employment contracts and manage the full work permit process.
Contact: denizkurumsal.com | +90 533 319 74 90
Related: How to Get a Work Permit Turkey 2026 · Work Permit Required Documents · Work Permit vs Residence Permit