Turkish citizens working abroad should be aware of certain procedures and application steps to qualify for retirement rights in Turkey. Depending on the country of employment, international social security agreements may apply. Thanks to these agreements, it is possible to apply for retirement even if the required number of premium days in Turkey has not been completed. When calculating the pension amount, contributions from both countries are taken into account together.
Key points in this process include notifying the Social Security Institution (SGK) of the periods worked abroad, calculating the monthly entitlement rate, preparing a detailed service statement, and submitting the correct documents according to the type of retirement (old-age, disability, or agricultural land-based retirement).
Which Countries Do We Have Social Security Agreements With?
Turkey has signed social security agreements with many countries to protect the retirement rights of citizens working abroad. These agreements allow periods worked abroad to be combined with Turkish periods, creating the opportunity to retire in Turkey.
- There are comprehensive agreements with EU countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Bilateral agreements have also been concluded with countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
- There are social security protocols with some Arab countries, Northern European and Balkan countries as well.
- Periods worked in countries without an agreement are not evaluated in Turkey; however, the person may continue paying premiums in Turkey.
Thanks to these agreements, the required number of premium days for retirement can be completed by combining periods spent abroad. The next section explains which documents are required, how to obtain them, and the SGK application steps.
How Are Periods Worked Abroad Reported to SGK?
If a person working abroad wants to include those periods in their Turkish retirement record, they must first submit official documents proving employment in that country to SGK. This notification should be completed before applying for retirement and must be prepared in detail.
Documents to Be Submitted to SGK
- A service statement certified by the social security institution of the country of residence.
- An officially translated document authenticated by that country’s Turkish consulate.
- Employment contracts, payroll records, and tax statements covering the periods worked.
- Residence documents and other records proving actual presence abroad.
- A petition addressed to the provincial SGK directorate in Turkey.
After these documents are prepared, an application must be submitted in person to the SGK Provincial Directorate or Social Security Centers.
What Does SGK Do?
- It receives, reviews, and verifies the documents.
- It records the foreign service periods in the SGK service statement.
- If necessary, it requests additional documents from the applicant.
- If retirement conditions are met, the application is accepted.
- If there are missing premiums, SGK typically recommends completing them through debt payment (borçlanma).
SGK only considers periods reported through official channels. If no notification is made, years spent working abroad will not be included in the Turkish retirement calculation.
What Is Overseas Debt Payment (Yurt Dışı Borçlanması) and Who Can Do It?
Overseas debt payment allows periods worked outside Turkey to be included in the Turkish retirement period by paying the equivalent premiums to SGK. This system is especially useful for those who want to complete missing premium days. It applies to Turkish citizens and those who previously held Turkish citizenship under certain conditions.
Who Can Make an Overseas Debt Payment?
- People who worked abroad and can document their employment.
- Individuals who lived abroad for long periods as homemakers, provided they can document it.
- Those who were previously Turkish citizens but later acquired foreign citizenship, under specific conditions.
- Expatriates who wish to retire without returning to Turkey.
Periods Eligible for Debt Payment
- Periods spent insured abroad.
- Periods spent as a homemaker abroad, if properly documented.
- Unemployment periods cannot be covered by debt payment.
- There are maximum limits applicable to each country.
How to Apply for Debt Payment
- Obtain the “Overseas Debt Payment Request Petition” from SGK.
- Attach the documents proving the periods spent abroad.
- SGK calculates the number of days eligible for debt payment and notifies the amount of premiums to be paid.
- Make the payment within the period specified by SGK.
- After the debt payment is completed, you can apply for retirement.
Overseas debt payment is an important option for those seeking early retirement. It makes completing missing premium days and meeting age requirements much easier.
How Much Is the Debt Payment? 2025 Calculation
The premium amount to be paid for overseas debt payment is determined according to the daily earnings rate based on the annually updated minimum wage. As of 2025, the amount payable depends on the daily earnings level chosen by the applicant within the permitted range.
2025 Daily Debt Payment Amount
SGK sets a range between minimum and maximum earnings for overseas debt payments. The applicant can choose a daily amount within this range.
- Daily minimum debt payment (2025): approximately 213 TL
- Monthly minimum debt payment: approximately 6,400 TL
- Calculation: number of days × chosen daily earnings × 32% (contribution rate)
Example Calculation
Suppose a person wants to make debt payment for 2 years (720 days):
- Daily 213 TL × 720 days = 153,360 TL
- If a higher daily earnings level is selected, the total amount increases.
- Payment must be made in a single installment or within the period given by SGK (usually 3 months).
Payment Details
- Payments are made at SGK cash desks or contracted banks.
- Keep the payment receipt as proof after the transaction.
- Partial payments are not accepted; full payment is required.
This amount directly affects the retirement pension. Higher contributions result in a higher pension; therefore, applicants should choose a daily earnings level between the minimum and maximum according to their budget and retirement goals.
How Many Days of Work Abroad Are Needed to Retire?
The number of days required for a person working abroad to retire in Turkey varies based on the insurance category, gender, date of birth and the date of first employment. The Turkish retirement system is divided into three main categories: 4A (SSK), 4B (Bağ-Kur) and 4C (Civil Servants’ Pension Fund).
Retirement Under 4A (SSK)
For women:
- If first insured before September 8, 1999: between 5,000 and 5,975 days.
- If first insured after that date: age and premium day conditions apply together (for example, 58 years and 7,000 days).
For men:
- If first insured before September 8, 1999: between 5,000 and 5,975 days.
- For those insured later, conditions such as 60 years of age and 7,000 days may apply.
Retirement Under 4B (Bağ-Kur)
- Men: 9,000 premium days.
- Women: 7,200 premium days.
- Age requirements generally range between 58 and 60 years.
How Are Overseas Debt Payment Periods Counted?
- Every 30 days of debt payment counts as one month of premiums.
- You gain as many retirement premium days as the days you paid for.
- If there are missing days, they can be completed by working in Turkey or by voluntary insurance payments.
How Long Does the Retirement Process Take?
- If documents are complete and debt payment is finalized, SGK typically completes retirement procedures in about 3–6 months.
- Payment periods, missing documents or service aggregation processes may extend this timeline.
The most important factor in this process is that all documents are ready before applying and that the applicant determines in advance under which status (4A or 4B) they will seek retirement.