In 2021 the KOSGEB salary support amount is 50,000 TRY. Once the application is approved, the full amount may be requested from KOSGEB during the support period determined by the institution. KOSGEB salary support is provided for up to two years. To receive the KOSGEB salary support, the business must hire an employee who meets the qualified personnel criteria and submit the support application to KOSGEB for that employee.
This support, provided by KOSGEB, covers salary payments for qualified personnel. It encourages the employment of university graduates and skilled workers and makes it easier for businesses to cover their salaries. Payments are made to businesses, which must pay their qualified personnel at or above the minimum salary levels set by KOSGEB.
What Is the Purpose of KOSGEB Salary Support?
The purpose of KOSGEB salary support is to increase the supply of qualified labor. By helping university graduates find better working conditions within businesses, the support also contributes to business growth.
The program aims to preserve national employment momentum, support entrepreneurship, prevent unemployment, and help businesses maintain their market share.
Through these salary supports, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can develop and expand operations. Employees with adequate technical knowledge begin to participate more actively in the workforce.
In addition to reducing informal employment, the support contributes to the national economy by creating new lines of work staffed by qualified personnel. Certain conditions must be met to receive the support for qualified employees.
Who Is Eligible for KOSGEB Salary Support?
Those eligible for KOSGEB salary support are businesses registered in the KOSGEB database. SME declarations must be up to date and approved by KOSGEB. Owners of small or medium-sized businesses can apply for support, provided the employees they hire meet the KOSGEB criteria for qualified personnel.
Business owners who want to expand or develop their operations can receive partial salary support for the qualified employees they hire. Beneficiary businesses are relieved of a portion of the salary burden, allowing them to allocate larger budgets for business development.
What Are the Conditions to Benefit from KOSGEB Salary Support?
The conditions for KOSGEB salary support are listed below:
- The employee to be hired must be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey.
- The applicant business must have at least five insured employees.
- The employee for whom support is requested must not have previously worked for the same business. If support is sought for someone previously employed by the same business, the application will be rejected. The support can be requested for those who have not worked at the same business within the last 12 months.
- The support is available for employees with university-level education. It is not available for those with only high school or lower education. At least a two-year higher education diploma is required. Graduates of vocational schools, two-year associate degree programs, four-year bachelor programs and postgraduate degrees are eligible.
- The applicant business must start the insured employment of the qualified employee within 45 days after the application date. Applications are canceled if the insurance start date exceeds 45 days.
- Support is available only for full-time employees, not part-time or freelance positions.
- The employee for whom support is requested must not be retired or under 18 years of age.
- After hiring, the qualified employee’s salaries must be paid regularly and deposited into their bank account.
Who Cannot Benefit from KOSGEB Salary Support?
Applications that will not be accepted for KOSGEB salary support include the following:
- Applications for family members of the business owner or partners are not accepted.
- Applications based on children or retirees are not accepted.
- Support cannot be requested for employees who work without insurance.
- It is not possible to apply for support for employees who are insured at another business; if such a situation is detected, any approved support will be canceled.
- Foreign nationals cannot be used as the basis for salary support even if they meet other conditions.
What Documents Are Required for KOSGEB Salary Support Applications?
The documents required for a KOSGEB salary support application are as follows:
- A list of insured SGK benefits is requested.
- Documents proving the educational qualifications of the qualified employee to be employed are required.
- The payment request form for employees, available on KOSGEB’s website, must be completed and signed.
- SGK and service certificates for the business covering the last 12 months are requested to verify the company’s existence. Newly established businesses are exempt from this requirement.
- Bank slips showing salary payments to the employees hired under the KOSGEB salary support must be submitted.
- An SGK debt-free certificate must be obtained and included in the application documents.
- A payroll sheet is required for each employed person.
- The employee for whom support is requested must have a job application dated within the last 30 days.
What Are the Implementation Principles of KOSGEB Salary Support?
Important points regarding KOSGEB salary support include:
- If a qualified employee hired under the program leaves temporarily for reasons such as military service or childbirth and then returns to the same business, the remaining support amount can continue to be claimed from KOSGEB.
- Business owners, their relatives, retirees and foreign nationals cannot be the basis of salary support.
- If a qualified employee is transferred to a different branch of the same business, salary support can continue for that employee.
- If a qualified employee returns to work after temporary absence due to childbirth, illness, work accident or disability, the remaining support period can continue.
- Businesses may request support from KOSGEB every three months. If a supported qualified employee leaves before completing a three-month period, the business can request the support payment without waiting for the full three months to elapse.
- At one time, applications may be submitted for up to two employees. While support is being received, KOSGEB will approve no more than four support applications simultaneously. In total, a business can receive salary support for up to eight qualified employees.
Requirements for Qualified Personnel Under KOSGEB
According to KOSGEB personnel regulations, the conditions for employees are:
- Employees are expected to be citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
- Personnel should not be deprived of any public rights.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
- Male employees must have completed military service or provide proof of exemption.
- They should meet the requirements of the position to be filled.
- Mental fitness for the job is required.
- The criminal record should show no prior imprisonment.
- No involvement in crimes against the constitutional order—such as forgery, fraudulent bankruptcy, embezzlement, bankruptcy, or fraud—is permitted.
- Necessary archive and security checks must be completed.
How Much Is the KOSGEB Salary Support?
The maximum amount of KOSGEB salary support is 50,000 TRY, as announced on KOSGEB’s official website. KOSGEB also sets minimum salary levels based on education. Businesses that pay less than the determined amount are not eligible for support.
The support is calculated based on the qualified employee’s net salary. Additional payments from the business—such as bonuses, premiums and tax reliefs for minimum living allowance—are not included in the support calculation.
KOSGEB’s recommended minimum salary amounts are listed below:
- Graduates of vocational schools should be paid at least 2,000 TRY.
- Associate degree graduates should be paid at least 2,500 TRY.
- Bachelor and postgraduate degree holders should be paid at least 3,500 TRY.
What Portion of Qualified Employees’ Salaries Does KOSGEB Cover?
KOSGEB covers 60% of the qualified employee’s salary. KOSGEB provides only salary support and does not cover SGK premiums. During the entitlement period, the employer may use up to the 50,000 TRY limit allocated by KOSGEB.
How Often Are KOSGEB Salary Support Payments Made?
KOSGEB salary support payments are made every three months. Businesses participating in the Business Development Support Program can benefit from this support for up to two years, beginning from the date KOSGEB approves the application.
Which Payments Are Not Covered by KOSGEB Salary Support?
Payments not included in the net cost covered by KOSGEB qualified personnel support are:
- Cost-of-living allowances are not included.
- Supplementary payments are not included in the salary support calculation.
- Employer-paid social security contributions (premiums) are not covered.
- Bonuses are excluded from the support calculation, except where specified otherwise.
How to Apply for KOSGEB Salary Support?
KOSGEB salary support applications are made through KOSGEB’s website. First, the business must be registered in the KOSGEB database and provide accurate and complete business information.
After registration, the business must submit the required documents for the company and the qualified employee to the provincial or district KOSGEB office during working hours. KOSGEB will review the application and issue approval if all conditions are met.
The steps to apply online are as follows:
- Ensure the business operates in a sector supported by KOSGEB by checking the list of supported sectors on KOSGEB’s website.
- Access the KOSGEB registration page and log in to the Business Registration area.
- Click the Apply button in the Business Registration section.
- Enter tax or national ID number and the employment start date, then click Login.
- Create an application for the KOSGEB Business Development Support Program.
- If the application is approved, upload the documents required by KOSGEB for the qualified employees into the system to complete the process.
- KOSGEB verifies uploaded documents with SGK and YÖK. If no errors are found, the application is approved and a copy of the approval is sent to the business’s email address.
- After approval, the qualified employee for whom KOSGEB salary support will be received must be registered for insurance within 45 days.
KOSGEB Salary Support Application