As being implemented as of 1st of January 2023, the Minimum Wage Determination Commission has determined the national monthly minimum wage as gross TRL 10.008,00 and net TRL 8.506,80 as to be applied all employees in Turkey. By this decision an increase of 54,66 percent is being made in the monthly minimum wage.
The determined minimum wage has come into effect as of 1st of January 2023.
As it is known, the wages of foreign employees are calculated on the basis of the minimum wage. With the increase in the minimum wage, the minimum wages of foreign workers were also being updated.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security stipulates that work permit applications will be evaluated by taking into account the opinions of the relevant authorities, according to the 13th Article of the Implementation Regulation of the Law on Work Permits of Foreigners.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in the evaluation of work permit and permit extension applications, unless otherwise stipulated in bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Turkey is a party, considers the following: The duration of the residence and work permit of the foreigner, the duration of the service contract and the work, the situation in the job market, developments in working life, sectoral, geographical and economic conjuncture changes regarding employment in a certain workplace or business and in a certain profession.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is authorized to consider the information showing the special nature of the job, the education level of the foreigner, the contribution of the workplace to the national economy, the wage level and employment status suitable for these qualifications, while evaluating the reasons that will justify the employment of foreigners instead of employment domestically. In this sense, the wage levels to be applied to foreigners determined by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security vary depending on the job to be done and in accordance with the minimum wage applied in Turkey.
The wage levels of foreigners to be employed with a work permit in the calendar year of 2023 are as follows:
Job of the Employee | Minimum Wage Rate Compared to the National Minimum Wage | The Monetary Amount of the Minimum Wage |
Executive level managers Aircraft pilots |
6.5 times of the national minimum wage | TRL 65,052.00 |
Unit or branch managers
Engineers and architects |
4 times of the national minimum wage | TRL 40,032.00 |
Jobs that require expertise and mastery
Teachers/Lecturers Medical doctors |
3 times of the national minimum wage | TRL 30,024.00 |
Foreigners who will work in tourism-animation organization companies in jobs such as acrobats and similar titles, and foreigners who will work in jobs such as masseur, masseuse and SPA therapist | 2 times of the national minimum wage | TRL 20,016.00 |
Foreigners who will work in other professions (such as salesperson, marketing, export officer, foreigners who will work in staff status) | 1.5 times of the national minimum wage | TRL 15,012.00 |
Foreigners to be employed in domestic services | The national minimum wage | TRL 10,008.00 |