Turkey Extends Maternity Leave to 24 Weeks

Ankara – In a significant move to support working mothers, Turkey has passed a new law that extends maternity leave for employees in both the public and private sectors. This legislative update, part of the Social Services Law and Amendments to Certain Laws, was approved by the Grand National Assembly, marking a crucial step towards enhancing family-friendly policies.

The core of the new regulation is the extension of maternity leave to a total of 24 weeks. This period is divided into 8 weeks prior to the expected birth date and 16 weeks following childbirth. This extended duration aims to provide mothers with more time to recover and bond with their newborns, acknowledging the critical early stages of infancy.

Furthermore, the law addresses the pre-birth work period. Previously, women could work up to 3 weeks before their due date if their health permitted, as certified by a doctor. The new legislation allows them to reduce this period to 2 weeks, effectively transferring an additional week of work time to their post-birth leave, thereby extending their total leave by a week.

For mothers who have already completed their initial maternity leave but have not yet reached the 24-week mark from their childbirth date (as of April 1, 2026), the law provides an additional 8 weeks of maternity leave upon request. The legislation also introduces a 10-day paternity leave for employees in the private sector, aligning it with the duration available to civil servants. Additionally, to encourage foster care, individuals who become foster parents will be granted a 10-day leave upon the child's placement in their care.