As businesses around the world embrace flexible workforces, Turkey has emerged as an attractive market for hiring freelancers and part-time professionals. Whether you’re a startup founder, HR manager, or a multinational expanding into the Turkish market, the ability to recruit freelancers in Turkey offers agility, cost-effectiveness, and access to specialized talent.
However, hiring non-permanent workers in Turkey involves legal, tax, and compliance nuances that every employer should understand. This guide provides a step-by-step overview of how to recruit freelancers and part-time workers in Turkey, including platforms, legal frameworks, and best practices.
1. Why Recruit Freelancers and Part-Time Workers in Turkey?
Turkey is home to a young, tech-savvy, and highly educated workforce. Many professionals now seek freelance or flexible part-time roles, especially in creative, technical, and remote-friendly sectors.
Benefits of hiring freelancers and part-time staff in Turkey:
- Lower cost compared to full-time employment
- Access to niche skill sets (developers, designers, marketers, translators)
- Scalability—hire on-demand, based on workload
- No long-term commitment or severance obligations
- Remote-ready professionals familiar with global tools and workflows
For companies exploring remote operations or seeking project-based support, the ability to recruit freelancers Turkey provides both strategic flexibility and talent quality.
2. Top Industries for Freelancers and Part-Timers in Turkey
Freelancing is becoming increasingly common in several sectors:
| Industry | Common Freelance Roles |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | Developers, DevOps, testers, QA engineers |
| Design & Multimedia | UX/UI designers, graphic designers, animators |
| Digital Marketing | SEO experts, content writers, social media managers |
| Translation & Localization | Turkish-English translators, subtitlers |
| Admin & Support | Virtual assistants, data entry, customer support |
| Education & Training | Online tutors, curriculum developers |
Whether you need someone for a short-term design sprint or long-term part-time support, Turkey offers a broad pool of independent professionals.
3. Where to Find Freelancers and Part-Time Talent in Turkey
a. Global Freelance Platforms
Many Turkish professionals work on international platforms:
- Upwork – Popular among Turkish developers, marketers, and writers
- Fiverr – Ideal for creative and design services
- Toptal – For highly vetted freelance tech talent
- Freelancer.com – Wide range of categories, including translation and admin
b. Local Freelance Job Boards
To recruit freelancers with specific experience in Turkish markets or language:
- Bionluk.com – Turkey’s local version of Fiverr, with vetted professionals
- SadeceOn – Turkish microservices platform for creatives and marketers
- YeniBirIs.com – Job listings for part-time and freelance roles
- LinkedIn Turkey – Use job ads or direct outreach with freelance filter tags
c. University Job Centers
For part-time academic researchers, tutors, or junior roles, consider job boards and career portals from universities like:
- Boğaziçi University
- Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
- Middle East Technical University (METU)
- Koç and Sabancı Universities
4. Legal Considerations When Hiring Freelancers in Turkey
When you recruit freelancers in Turkey, you must follow Turkish commercial and tax law. Independent contractors are not protected under the Labor Law (No. 4857) but are governed by the Turkish Code of Obligations.
Key requirements for legal compliance:
- Written contract: Use a service agreement (hizmet sözleşmesi) outlining project scope, payment, IP rights, and timelines.
- Invoicing: Freelancers must issue invoices for payment. If they’re not registered with the tax office, the hiring party must withhold taxes.
- Tax registration: Legitimate freelancers are self-employed and must:
- Be registered with the tax office (Vergi Dairesi)
- Pay income tax, VAT, and Bağ-Kur (self-employed social security)
If the freelancer is not tax-registered, the client may need to report the income and deduct 15% withholding tax on payments.
5. How to Recruit Freelancers in Turkey Without Risk
To minimize legal and financial risks:
✅ Verify Freelancer Status
Before signing a contract, ensure the freelancer:
- Has a tax number and active tax registration
- Can issue a legal invoice (fatura)
- Is not economically dependent on your business (i.e., working exclusively and continuously for you)
✅ Avoid Employee-Like Relationships
If the freelancer works on set hours, uses your company tools, and is under your daily supervision, authorities may reclassify the relationship as employment.
This could lead to:
- Backdated social security contributions
- Tax penalties
- Legal disputes
Keep the working relationship project-based, flexible, and independent.
6. Hiring Part-Time Employees in Turkey
Part-time workers in Turkey fall under the Labor Law No. 4857, but with modified rights based on hours worked.
Legal requirements for part-time employment:
- Working hours: Less than 30 hours per week
- Written contract: Must specify hours, pay, duties, and benefits
- Social security registration: Employers must register part-time employees with SGK (Social Security Institution)
- Pro-rated benefits: Annual leave, public holidays, and bonuses are calculated based on working hours
Part-time workers are entitled to:
- Paid annual leave (starting at 14 days/year)
- Overtime pay if exceeding agreed hours
- Severance pay if employed over 1 year and terminated without cause
Tip: If you need fixed weekly hours or long-term help, part-time hiring through a legal employment contract may be safer than freelance arrangements.
7. Payroll and Taxation for Freelancers and Part-Timers
a. Freelancers
If the freelancer is tax-registered:
- You pay the full invoice amount
- Freelancer handles their taxes and SGK obligations
If not:
- You may need to deduct 15% withholding tax
- Provide payment documentation to the Turkish Revenue Administration
b. Part-Time Employees
As the employer, you’re responsible for:
- Paying gross monthly wage
- Withholding income tax and stamp duty
- Paying employer contributions to SGK (~22.5% of gross salary)
- Providing monthly payslips and paying salaries via bank transfer
8. Alternative: Hire Through an Employer of Record (EOR)
If you’re a foreign company without a Turkish entity, hiring freelancers or part-time workers directly can be legally risky. An Employer of Record (EOR) can help.
What an EOR does:
- Legally employs the worker on your behalf
- Handles payroll, tax, and social security registration
- Ensures full compliance with Turkish labor law
- Lets you work with Turkish professionals without opening a company
EORs are ideal for:
- Hiring part-time remote workers
- Managing freelance contracts with local oversight
- Scaling your team compliantly in Turkey
9. Best Practices for Recruiting Freelancers in Turkey
To succeed in freelance and part-time hiring:
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Write clear, detailed job briefs | Avoids misunderstandings and scope creep |
| Use milestone-based payments | Encourages delivery and reduces risk |
| Sign service agreements | Legally protects both parties |
| Set communication expectations | Aligns on tools, availability, and deadlines |
| Respect freelancer independence | Maintains compliance and motivation |
| Offer positive reviews or referrals | Builds goodwill and improves retention |
10. Conclusion: How to Recruit Freelancers and Part-Time Talent in Turkey
Recruiting freelancers and part-time workers in Turkey offers global companies a smart way to scale cost-effectively while accessing skilled professionals. Whether you’re hiring a freelance developer, a virtual assistant, or a part-time accountant, Turkey’s workforce is rich with qualified, motivated, and remote-ready talent.
Final checklist:
✅ Identify the right hiring model: freelance, part-time, or EOR
✅ Choose the best platforms for sourcing talent
✅ Use legal contracts and verify tax registration
✅ Avoid employer-like control over freelancers
✅ Consider an EOR for compliant remote hiring
Need help recruiting freelancers or part-time workers in Turkey?
We offer full-service support for sourcing, contracting, and managing freelancers and part-time professionals—safely and legally. Contact us today to access top Turkish talent without the compliance headaches.
