Paid Leave and Holidays: Employee Rights in Turkey
Moving to a new country for work brings a mix of excitement and challenges. As an expat in Turkey, understanding your employee rights, especially regarding paid leave and holidays, is crucial. Navigating the local labor laws ensures you can fully enjoy your time off while balancing professional responsibilities.
Understanding Paid Leave in Turkey
Turkey offers generous paid leave policies to employees, aligning with European standards. As an expat, you’re entitled to annual paid leave based on your length of service:
- 14 days for 1 to 5 years of service
- 20 days for 5 to 15 years of service
- 26 days for over 15 years of service
These days are exclusive of public holidays and weekends. Planning your vacations becomes easier, knowing you have these days secured by law.
Public Holidays and Observances
Turkey celebrates several national holidays throughout the year. As an employee, you have the right to enjoy these days off without a reduction in your salary. Key public holidays include:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- National Sovereignty
