Planning a workation in Istanbul? Or a business trip to Ankara or Izmir? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Turkey, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Ankara
Telephone code
+90
Official language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)
Time zone
UTC+3
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Turkey has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance, access the list of countries here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, many of Turkish tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. In addition to these guidelines, Turkey has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries, available here, that specifies the steps to take to avoid double taxation.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Turkey, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Turkey are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. Please find the recent information about minimum salary in Turkey here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Turkey, here’s a quick overview:
- E-Visa: Available for many nationalities through the official e-visa portal, offering stays of up to 90 days.
- Standard Visa: Available through Turkish diplomatic missions for those not eligible for e-visa.
- Visa on Arrival: Available only to a very limited number of nationalities.
- Visa-Free Entrance: Many nationalities can enter Turkey without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
- Digital Nomad Visa: Turkey has introduced a Digital Nomad Visa program, allowing remote workers to stay and work legally in the country. This visa is specifically designed for location-independent professionals.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trips to Turkey, here’s what you need to know:
- E-Visa Option: Business e-visas are widely available for eligible nationalities.
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can conduct business visits without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Business Visa: Required for activities not covered by e-visa or visa-free entry.
- Visa on Arrival: Available to a very limited number of nationalities.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Turkey work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 45 hours. The typical workday usually starts between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM and ends between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, including a lunch break of about 1 hour. Some businesses, particularly in the private sector, may also operate on Saturday mornings, although this varies by company and industry.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- April 23: National Sovereignty and Children's Day
- May 1: Labor Day
- May 19: Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
- July 15: Democracy and National Unity Day
- August 30: Victory Day
- October 29: Republic Day
- Religious holidays (dates vary by Islamic calendar): Ramadan Feast (3 days), Sacrifice Feast (4 days)
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Turkey has implemented the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as moderate. That means, Turkey enforces strict, comprehensive data protection laws with robust regulatory oversight. These laws cover all aspects of data privacy and impose severe penalties for non-compliance, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
112
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not advisable - bottled water recommended
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Turkey for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. For WorkFlex users, travel health insurance is included by default with every trip request to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad. Regardless of whether insurance is provided by the employer or purchased by the employee, international coverage is crucial for a safe and secure trip.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Since 2015, Turkey has experienced recurring terrorist attacks, including major incidents in Istanbul and Ankara that have resulted in significant casualties. Notable events include a bombing on Istanbul's Istiklal shopping street in November 2022 and a bomb attack targeting the Ministry of the Interior near the Turkish Parliament in Ankara on October 1, 2023. On January 28, 2024, a shooting at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district resulted in one fatality.
The risk of terrorist attacks remains ongoing, particularly in major metropolitan areas, driven in part by Turkish military operations in Syria and Iraq. Groups such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist organization, and its offshoot, the "Kurdistan Freedom Hawks," have been responsible for numerous attacks since 2015, affecting both southeastern Turkey and other regions.
Turkey maintains a high level of security with an increased police and security force presence, especially in larger cities. Despite these precautions, the risk of terrorism remains, and potential targets include non-military sites.
Southeastern and Eastern Regions / Border Areas with Syria and Iraq
Provinces near the borders of Syria and Iraq, such as Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, and Hakkâri, continue to face heightened risks due to conflicts in neighboring areas.
- Remain vigilant, particularly in crowded places and at special events.
- Avoid all non-essential travel to these border regions.
- Stay informed about the security situation and avoid large public gatherings and sites near government or military installations.
- Avoid remote areas and infrequently used rural roads.
- Consult global security advisories for updates.
Domestic situation
Protests and demonstrations can still occur, potentially leading to violence and traffic disruptions.
- Stay updated through local media.
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
- Follow any instructions provided by local security forces.
Crime
Turkey generally has low levels of violent crime. However, caution is advised in major cities, particularly Istanbul, due to:
- Pickpocketing, often involving children as distractions, is common.
- Scams in areas like Beyoğlu, where tourists have been lured into bars and coerced into paying exorbitant bills, with some forced to withdraw large sums from ATMs.
- Passport theft is frequently reported.
Incidents of violent crime, including sexual assaults, have occasionally affected foreign visitors, especially women traveling alone or in small groups. Parents should be aware that minors, such as those going to restrooms in public establishments, have also been targeted for sexual offenses.
Tourists have also been targeted by fraud schemes involving fabricated stories, such as lottery winnings or urgent tax payments. Recently, there have been scams involving fraudulent emails requesting payment for supposed customs fees on packages transiting Turkey. Such requests are scams, as these fees are not applicable.
Safety recommendations:
- Exercise caution, particularly when visiting isolated areas or engaging in activities with unfamiliar people.
- Women traveling alone should remain vigilant and culturally aware due to reports of sexual assaults.
- Secure your money, IDs, driver's licenses, and important documents; save electronic copies/photos to facilitate replacements if needed.
- Use cashless payments whenever possible, and carry only the necessary amount of cash.
- Stay alert in large crowds, such as at airports, train stations, and on public transport.
- Be cautious of unusual emails, phone calls, payment requests, lottery notifications, and requests for help from unknown contacts. Do not share personal information. Verify the legitimacy of such communications personally or by contacting the police.
Turkey has a diverse climate that varies significantly by region, characterized by distinct seasonal patterns.
- Winter (December to February): Cold and snowy in central and eastern regions (-5°C to 10°C/23°F to 50°F). Milder along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts (7°C to 14°C/45°F to 57°F).
- Spring (March to May): Mild and pleasant temperatures with occasional rain. Ideal time for visiting, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
- Summer (June to August): Hot and dry in most regions, particularly inland. Coastal areas experience high humidity. Temperatures can reach 35°C to 40°C (95°F to 104°F).
- Autumn (September to November): Moderate temperatures with occasional rainfall. Pleasant conditions for outdoor activities, ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
Airports
Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Location: Istanbul (European side)
- When to use: The main international hub of Turkey, offering extensive connections worldwide.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
- Location: Istanbul (Asian side)
- When to use: Secondary Istanbul airport, particularly good for domestic flights and budget carriers.
Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)
- Location: Ankara
- When to use: Main airport serving the capital city, with good domestic and international connections.
Train stations
Istanbul Halkalı Station
- Main connections: High-speed rail services to Ankara and other major cities
- International connections: Services to Bulgaria and beyond to Europe
Ankara Central Station
- Main connections: Hub for Turkey's high-speed rail network
- Routes: Connects to Istanbul, Konya, and other major cities
Ride-hailing services
- BiTaksi
- Uber (available only in Istanbul)
- iTaksi
Public transportation
Metro
- Istanbul has an extensive metro system connecting both European and Asian sides
- Ankara and Izmir also have well-developed metro networks
Buses
- Comprehensive bus networks in all major cities
- Long-distance intercity buses (known as "otobüs") connect all major cities
Trams
- Istanbul features both modern and heritage tram systems
- Antalya and other cities also operate tram networks