As remote work continues to redefine global employment, businesses across Europe and the United States are increasingly turning to Turkey as a strategic location to build distributed teams. With a rich talent pool, favorable costs, and excellent digital infrastructure, building a remote team in Turkey has become an appealing option for companies seeking operational efficiency and skilled professionals.
In this article, we explore the key advantages of building a remote team in Turkey, how it compares to other outsourcing destinations, and why 2025 is the right time to tap into this emerging talent hub.
1. Why Turkey? A Remote Work-Friendly Environment
Turkey has evolved into a major talent source for international companies in recent years. The shift to remote and hybrid models—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has made it easier than ever for global businesses to hire remote professionals in Turkey without needing to establish a physical office.
Key reasons why Turkey is ideal for remote teams:
- High internet penetration (over 80%) and reliable infrastructure
- Widespread use of digital tools and platforms
- Large English-speaking population in urban areas and tech industries
- Government incentives for technology exports and foreign hiring
- Time zone overlap with both Europe and parts of the US
From developers and digital marketers to support agents and designers, Turkey offers a wide range of skilled professionals ready to work remotely.
2. Access to a Skilled and Cost-Effective Workforce
The most compelling reason to build a remote team in Turkey is the balance between talent quality and affordability.
Highlights of the Turkish workforce:
- Over 30 million people in the active labor force
- Median age of 33 — young, dynamic, and digitally fluent
- Strong education system with over 200 universities producing thousands of STEM, business, and language graduates each year
- High proficiency in tools such as Slack, Jira, Zoom, GitHub, Notion, and Trello
Sample monthly gross salaries in 2025:
| Role | Monthly Gross Salary (TRY) |
|---|---|
| Junior Developer | 25,000 – 35,000 |
| Mid-Level Software Engineer | 40,000 – 55,000 |
| Senior Digital Marketer | 35,000 – 50,000 |
| Customer Support Specialist | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| UX/UI Designer | 30,000 – 45,000 |
Compared to Western Europe or North America, these salaries can be 40% to 70% lower, allowing companies to scale cost-effectively while maintaining high performance.
3. Time Zone Advantages for European and US Companies
Turkey’s time zone (GMT+3) makes it an excellent bridge between continents.
For European companies:
- Workday overlaps completely with CET and EET zones
- Enables real-time collaboration with central and eastern Europe
- Suitable for nearshore development or customer service
For US companies:
- Overlap of 3–6 hours with EST and CST time zones
- Ideal for asynchronous workflows, tech support, QA, and design tasks
Whether you’re running a global product team or a 24/7 customer support operation, Turkey offers flexible options to fit your schedule.
4. Cultural Compatibility and Work Ethic
One of the lesser-known but powerful advantages of hiring in Turkey is the strong cultural fit with Western companies. Turkish professionals are known for:
- High adaptability to international business norms
- Excellent communication skills, especially in English-speaking environments
- Strong work ethic, accountability, and loyalty
- Experience working with global teams in US, UK, German, and Middle Eastern markets
These traits make Turkish employees particularly effective in client-facing, collaborative, and agile roles.
5. Hiring a Remote Team in Turkey: Your Options
Depending on your company’s structure and goals, you can hire remote workers in Turkey using several methods:
a. Direct Hire (with a Local Entity)
- Requires establishing a Turkish branch, subsidiary, or representative office
- Full control over payroll, compliance, and HR processes
- Suitable for large or long-term investments
b. Employer of Record (EOR)
- Fastest and most compliant way to build a remote team in Turkey without setting up a company
- The EOR becomes the legal employer, handling contracts, social security, payroll, and taxes
- You manage the employee’s tasks and performance directly
Ideal for:
- Companies hiring fewer than 20 employees
- Startups testing new markets
- Remote-first businesses scaling internationally
c. Freelancers and Contractors
- Common in tech and creative roles
- More flexibility, but higher risk of misclassification under Turkish labor law
- Limited access to benefits and protection for the worker
Using an EOR in Turkey is often the safest, most scalable option for foreign companies building distributed teams.
6. Legal and Compliance Considerations
If you hire Turkish professionals as remote employees, you must consider local labor regulations. Here are key factors:
- Contracts must comply with Turkish Labor Law (No. 4857)
- Social security registration is mandatory for full-time employment
- Employer contributions average 22.5% of gross salary
- Income taxes are withheld at source, with progressive rates from 15% to 40%
- Working hours: Max 45 hours/week; overtime must be compensated
- Annual leave starts at 14 days and increases with tenure
These requirements are managed seamlessly if you hire via a local EOR provider, ensuring full compliance and peace of mind.
7. Tools and Technology Adoption
Remote professionals in Turkey are fluent in the latest tools and platforms, making onboarding quick and smooth.
Common tools used by Turkish remote teams:
- Communication: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
- Project Management: Jira, Trello, Asana, ClickUp
- Development: GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
- Design: Figma, Adobe Suite, Canva
- HR & Admin: Deel, Remote, Gusto, Workable
Most developers, marketers, and designers in Turkey already operate in digital ecosystems, minimizing ramp-up time.
8. Cost Savings Beyond Salaries
Building a remote team in Turkey doesn’t just save money on salaries. You also save on:
- Office space and equipment (fully remote model)
- HR and legal infrastructure (handled by your EOR or hiring partner)
- Recruitment costs (via access to broader regional talent pools)
- Retention expenses (lower turnover in regions outside Istanbul)
Many international companies report cost savings of 50–60% when switching from in-house European or US teams to remote Turkish counterparts.
9. How to Attract and Retain Top Remote Talent in Turkey
To compete for top talent in Turkey, offer:
- Competitive compensation based on role and region
- Remote-friendly culture with flexibility and autonomy
- Clear career progression paths
- Language and training support
- Team integration efforts, such as regular check-ins and virtual events
Benefits like private health insurance, wellness stipends, and performance bonuses are increasingly expected, even in remote roles.
10. Final Thoughts: The Case for Building a Remote Team in Turkey
Building a remote team in Turkey offers a compelling blend of:
| Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Strategic Location | Time zone overlap with Europe and partial US |
| 👩💻 Skilled Workforce | Young, educated, digitally fluent talent |
| 💰 Cost Efficiency | 40–70% savings vs. US or Western Europe |
| ⚙️ Easy Setup via EOR | Hire legally without opening a local entity |
| 💬 Cultural Compatibility | Strong English skills and global mindset |
| 🧑💼 Scalable Hiring Models | Freelance, EOR, or full-time options |
Whether you’re launching a product, scaling a development team, or building a multilingual support operation, Turkey offers the right mix of resources, infrastructure, and affordability.
Ready to build your remote team in Turkey?
We help international companies hire, onboard, and manage top Turkish talent—without the complexity of entity setup or legal risk. Contact us today to explore our Employer of Record (EOR) solutions and recruitment support for Turkey.
