Regarding the Bank Transfer in Turkey, a new legal development is reshaping how salaries are paid in Türkiye. As announced in the Official Gazette on June 4, 2025, the Turkish government has revised the Regulation on the Payment of Wages, Bonuses, and Similar Entitlements via Banks. This amendment significantly lowers the threshold that obliges employers to process salary payments through bank transfer in Turkey.
Bank Transfer in Turkey / New Legal Threshold: 3 Employees
As of July 1, 2025, any employer with three or more employees must pay net wages and other financial entitlements exclusively through bank transfer. Previously, this rule applied only to employers with five or more workers.
This updated regulation applies across key labor categories, including:
- Journalists governed by The Press Labour Law No. 5953
- Employees under the scope of the Labor Law No. 4857
- Seafarers regulated by the Maritime Labor Law
Bank Transfer in Turkey / Implementation Date: July 1, 2025
The change becomes effective starting the first day of the month following publication, which means July 1, 2025. From this date forward, all salary-related payments—net wages, bonuses, premiums, and similar entitlements—must be made through bank transfers, not in cash or any other form.
Who Is Affected by this new Bank Transfer regulation in Turkey?
The rule is binding for any employer who, when counting all covered employees across these three laws, reaches a total of three or more. For example, an employer with one journalist, one maritime worker, and one regular employee must comply with this regulation.
Objective Behind the Amendment regarding the Bank Transfer in Turkey
The Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security introduced this change to:
- ✅ Promote transparency in employee compensation
- ✅ Deter informal (off-the-books) employment practices
- ✅ Strengthen financial traceability of wage payments
- ✅ Improve legal compliance in payroll operations
In a time when payroll accountability and digital recordkeeping are vital for audits and tax controls, this move is expected to enhance the country’s efforts in regulating labor market practices.
What Must Employers Do?
1. Assess Workforce Size Under Labor Law Categories
HR and payroll departments should carefully assess how many employees fall under the relevant labor laws. If the total count is three or more—even across different employee categories—the bank transfer rule becomes mandatory.
2. Switch to Bank-Based Salary Payments
Employers must ensure all net wages (after legal deductions like income tax and SGK contributions) are paid via official bank transactions. This includes monthly salaries, performance bonuses, and any other wage-based compensation.
3. Update Payroll Systems and Contracts
Employers may need to:
- Modify employment contracts to reflect the payment method
- Upgrade or adjust payroll software systems to ensure compliance
- Inform employees of the upcoming change in salary disbursement
Legal Risks of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with this new regulation can result in administrative fines or penalties issued by Turkish labor authorities. Inspections or complaints could expose companies to legal risk and reputational damage.
Companies should ensure that every salary payment is legally traceable and documented via bank statements, both for labor compliance and corporate accountability.
HR Compliance Tip for 2025
If your organization operates in Türkiye or works with Turkish contractors or staff, this update is a crucial compliance milestone. Regardless of whether you are a local company or an international firm with Turkish operations, this rule applies uniformly to all sectors.
Make sure to review:
- Your employee headcount under each applicable labor law
- The form of your wage payments
- The readiness of your HR/payroll infrastructure
Employers working with EOR (Employer of Record) services or payroll providers should verify that these providers are aligned with the new requirements starting July 1, 2025.
Summary: Key Takeaways
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Bank transfer in Turkey required for wage payments |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2025 |
| New Threshold | Applies to employers with 3 or more employees |
| Who’s Covered | Journalists, workers, seafarers |
| Purpose | Wage transparency, fight against informal employment |
| Consequences of Non-Compliance | Administrative penalties, audits, loss of reputation |
Final Note
To stay compliant with evolving Turkish labor laws, it’s essential for employers to monitor legal changes and adjust HR processes accordingly. This new rule regarding wage payments by bank transfer represents a step toward greater formalization of the Turkish employment ecosystem.
📄 You can read the full regulation in Turkish here:
📩 If you need personalized legal or HR assistance regarding this transition, please contact your customer advisor or consult with a local labor law expert.
