Unpaid Leave After Maternity Leave in Turkey: Up to 6 Months
After maternity leave ends you can spend more time with your baby through unpaid leave. It lasts up to six months.
The rule
Under the law, on request a female employee is granted unpaid leave of up to six months after the 24-week period (26 weeks for multiple pregnancy) is completed.
Key points
- This leave is unpaid; you do not receive salary from your employer.
- It is optional; you have to request it.
- It starts when paid leave ends: first find the last day of maternity leave.
Example
Due date 15 January 2027, birth on that day, leave ends on 6 May 2027. You can request unpaid leave starting on 7 May 2027 and ending at the latest on 6 November 2027.
See the last day of maternity leave and the latest end of unpaid leave with the maternity leave calculator.
Source: Labour Law No. 4857 Article 74 (as amended, Official Gazette of 1 May 2026). For information only; check with your employer and SGK.