Retirement for people who worked abroad can be subject to different rules. Those who return to Turkey after working abroad must meet certain conditions to qualify for retirement under Turkish regulations.
Situation of Workers in Certain Occupations Abroad
Many people work abroad for higher wages, better conditions, or other reasons. Turkish citizens employed overseas often face questions about how they will qualify for retirement. Entitlement can vary depending on the occupation and on whether the host country’s social security system covers them.
If a person is covered by the social security system of the country where they worked, retirement will follow that country’s rules. If there is no social security agreement between Turkey and the country in question, the worker must satisfy Turkish retirement requirements according to their occupation. Specific rules apply, for example, to seafarers and to women who spent time abroad as homemakers, among other categories.
Workers who want to buy back (credit) work periods spent in countries without a social security agreement must present service documents from Turkish representations in those countries—such as embassies, consulates, or labor and social security attachés—to the Social Security Institution (SGK) when applying for retirement.
How Is Retirement Handled for Seafarers?
Seafarers who wish to count time spent abroad toward Turkish retirement must apply for a debt-based credit (borçlanma). They need to obtain service records from the social security authority of the country whose flag their ship flies, provided that country is party to the relevant social security conventions. These documents must be translated by sworn translators in Turkey or translated through accredited channels at Turkish representations abroad.
Seafarers should also obtain service certificates from Turkish consulates, labor and social security advisers, or other official representations located in the country whose flag the ship carries, showing start and end dates of employment.
Additionally, seafarers must submit employment documents from the ship or the company confirming insurance periods, along with passport pages showing entry and exit dates for countries appropriate to seafaring work—or official police records that document entries and exits. These documents, translated where required, must be submitted to SGK to complete the borçlanma procedure and initiate retirement applications.
Retirement Status for Women Who Did Not Work Abroad
Women who lived abroad as homemakers—meaning they did not hold formal employment—may apply to buy back the periods they spent abroad. The applicant must present a photograph, identification details, and photocopies of passport pages showing entry and exit dates or official police documents recording those dates. They must also provide the original residence certificate issued by the host country’s authorities or a residence document obtained from Turkish representations abroad. Documents translated by sworn translators in Turkey or translations approved by Turkish diplomatic missions should accompany the application to SGK.
The cost of borçlanma is calculated under Law No. 5510. It is determined by multiplying the chosen daily earnings base (subject to legally defined minimum and maximum limits) by 45% and then by the number of days to be credited. The date when the submitted documents are registered will be used to determine the borrowing amount, so applicants should send documents promptly. SGK will notify the applicant of the debt by mail to the registered address.