Your Trusted Partner for Recruitment in Turkey

To better fulfill your recruitment needs, we at Remote People are here to help you find top talent in Turkey more effectively than recruiting on your own. Our team understands the local language, customs, and the intricacies of the Turkish talent market, giving you a significant advantage in securing the right candidates.

We know where to advertise your job openings to ensure maximum exposure and attract the best talent. Additionally, we assist in designing competitive, locally-appropriate compensation packages that not only appeal to top candidates but also help you optimize costs. 

Get in touch with us to navigate Turkey’s recruitment landscape with confidence and ease.

Key Takeaways

  1. Turkey’s low labor costs and young talent pool make the nation a prime location for foreign investment.
  2. The main recruiting sectors in Turkey include the food, retail, and services industries.
  3. Companies may use temporary, permanent, executive, or industry specialist recruitment agencies when sourcing new talent.
  4. When choosing an agency, companies should prioritize the agency’s experience and expertise in recruiting candidates for specific industry roles.

Located on a strategic intersection between Europe and Asia, Turkey enjoys access to a combined European, Middle Eastern, North American, and Central American markets. Turkey’s GDP has grown by 5.4% over the last decade, mainly driven by increases in private consumption. Historically, Turkey’s economy has been dominated by the agriculture industry. Though this sector remains a key player in rural employment, government initiatives to promote foreign investment have seen increases in the renewable energy, logistics, and hospitality industries.

Boasting the world’s 17th largest economy, Turkey remains a desirable location for foreign investment and international expansion. Its young and highly-educated population  provides employers with a diverse and skilled workforce, making the nation particularly favorable for global recruitment agencies.

Overview of Turkey's Recruitment Industry

Of Turkey’s 85.8 million population, over half are under the age of 33.5. As a result, when sourcing talent, employers enjoy access to Europe’s largest pool of young and dynamic skilled workers.

The post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector saw major increases in job postings for hospitality roles, with Istanbul leading the charts, posting 204, 306 new jobs in 2024. Additionally, an increased population density in major cities such as Ankara, Kocaeli and Istanbul has led to a rise in demand for security personnel.

The manufacturing industry claimed the title for most job openings in 2024, with 1.57 million positions reported nationwide by the Turkish Employment Agency. Though the food sector had fewer job openings, this industry saw the most documented hires, closely followed by the retail industry. As Turkey strives to dominate the European market, government investments in renewable energy also meant that the service industry was a popular sector for job employment. According to the job platform Eleman.net, by mid-2024, businesses in Turkey had hired 309,000 new employees.

Popular destinations for recruitment in Turkey in 2024 include the country’s economic capital Istanbul (93, 638 job postings),  the northwestern province, Kocaeli (27, 261 job postings) and its capital city Ankara (211, 101).

When recruiting professionals, businesses must comply with ILO (International Labor Organization) standards. In addition to collective bargaining agreements, the Turkish Labor Law is currently the country’s main legal framework with regards to protecting employees from discrimination and exploitation in the workplace.

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Benefits of Recruiting in Turkey

Turkey champions hard work and hospitality in its employees. The country’s 33.3 million strong workforce prides itself in being skilled and highly educated. Owing to an increase in educated workers and industry demand, the employment rate in Turkey reached a record high of 49.9% in May of 2024. This trend also reflects an increase in the trust both national and foreign businesses have in their Turkish employees.

Recruiting in Turkey can also be very cost-effective for employers. As of January 2026, the statutory national minimum wage increased to a net value of TRY 28,075.50 ($655.53) per month and a gross value of TRY 33,030.00 ($767) per month. Employee wages differ depending on their role and the industry in which they are working. Collective bargaining agreements may also be used to set minimum standards for employee pay.

In an effort to encourage FDI, the Turkish government has introduced a series of incentives and preferential policies for foreign investors. Such incentives include VAT exemptions, corporate income tax deductions, social security support, interest support, and land allocation. Certain businesses, such as banking and insurance, may also apply for tax credits funded by the Turkish government. Turkey additionally offers free land to select businesses, provided they are shown to be actively contributing to the country’s economy. These policies mean that incorporating a business in Turkey and hiring local talent can prove particularly economical for many employers.

Additionally, businesses in Turkey enjoy access to a global market. Close economic ties with Europe, Asia, and the Middle East make Turkey a profitable location for international expansion. Trading links also reduce import and export costs for businesses, and employers are protected by double-tax treaties with 28 different countries worldwide.

Legal Considerations when Recruiting in Turkey

All employees recruited in Turkey must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security before starting work. Employees may choose between acquiring a temporary work permit (valid for one year) or a permanent work permit. In order to receive the latter, employees will need to show proof of residence or work within Turkey for a duration of 8 years. Independent work permits may also be awarded for project-based or seasonal work.

Additionally, all employment contracts must be written in Turkish and signed by the employee within 60 days of commencing their work. Foreign businesses are advised to provide a translated copy of the agreement. Businesses in Turkey are obliged to hire five Turkish employees for every foreign worker. This ensures that Turkish businesses are diverse and multicultural.

When recruiting, employers should conduct structured interviews and background checks to confirm the suitability of the candidate. Though there are no statutory limitations regarding the questions an employer can ask candidates, companies must ensure that all interviews are non-discriminative and adhere to Turkish employment laws. It is important to note that only with the explicit consent of the candidate can special category data such as criminal and health records be processed.

Employers will also be required to contribute to Turkey’s social security scheme. For each employee, employers must make a contribution of 15.5% and withhold 14% from employee salaries. Though social security contributions may be reduced by 5% in certain circumstances, companies must consider these costs when recruiting in Turkey.

How to Choose a Recruitment Agency in Turkey

When sourcing talent, employers should look for recruitment agencies with experience and expertise in their specific industry. Companies may choose to use specialist recruitment agencies, which provide candidates with the specific skills and qualifications needed to meet company objectives. Temporary recruitment agencies may also be used if a company is seeking to fill a role for a short period of time. These services are particularly helpful for companies looking to find replacements for employees on temporary leave.

If a company wishes to seek candidates for more senior roles they are advised to enlist the help of executive recruitment agencies. Providers of this nature will afford companies access to individuals with specific managerial and leadership skills, crucial for ensuring long-term company growth.

Companies must prioritize the agency’s proven experience in finding candidates and informing recruitment decisions. The provider should be proficient in vetting employees and conducting the necessary background checks and skills tests to evaluate the candidate’s suitability. It is also crucial that the recruitment agency has been accredited by internationally recognized recruitment bodies such as the Turkish Employment Agency.

As unfit or inappropriate candidate choices may inflict financial costs on the company due to inefficiency and lack of productivity, it is essential that the process taken to evaluate the employee’s competency is rigorous and compliant with Turkish labor laws.

Moreover, companies must consider the cost of their chosen recruitment agency. Whilst most services will offer a basic rate, some agencies may charge a higher price for specialist services. Companies must be aware of their financial commitment to the agency and must ensure that they budget accordingly.

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Navigating the complexities of hiring and workforce management across different countries can be challenging. Partnering with a reliable recruitment agency ensures you stay compliant with local labor laws, streamline the hiring process, and secure top talent. Learn how Remote People can help you recruit in the following countries:

Recruitment Agencies in Europe
AlbaniaAndorraAustria
AzerbaijanBelgiumBosnia and Herzegovina
BulgariaCroatiaCyprus
Czech RepublicDenmarkEstonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceGreenlandGuernsey
HungaryIcelandIreland
Isle of ManItalyJersey
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
LithuaniaLuxembourgMalta
MayotteMoldovaMonaco
MontenegroNetherlandsNorth Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
RomaniaSan MarinoSlovakia
SloveniaSpainSweden
SwitzerlandTurkeyUkraine
United Kingdom 

Ready to recruit top talent from Turkey? Remote People can help. Contact us today to discuss your recruitment needs and discover how we can assist you in achieving your business objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although they play a similar role in sourcing and hiring local talent, EORs offer a more comprehensive solution to company legal concerns. The EOR will be responsible for handling a range of administrative duties, including payroll, tax reporting, and ensuring compliance. Contracting an EOR may prove more beneficial if the company is seeking international legal expertise when incorporating a business in Turkey. The contraction of an EOR also precludes the need for companies to have an established legal entity in Turkey.

Companies may enlist the help of one or many recruitment agencies. These services will differ, with some offering temporary recruitment, others providing candidates with executive potential, and others offering industry specialists. The type of recruitment agency chosen will depend on the company’s financial needs and organizational goals.