Turkey unemployment benefit requirements and calculation rules

To qualify for unemployment benefits in Turkey, workers must meet specific criteria under the Unemployment Insurance Law. Key requirements include being unemployed through no fault of their own, having been insured for the last 120 days, and having paid at least 600 days of unemployment insurance premiums within the last three years.

The duration of benefits depends on the number of premium days paid in the last three years: 600 days grants 6 months of benefits, 900 days grants 8 months, and 1,080 days grants 10 months.

Benefit amounts are calculated as 40% of the average daily gross earnings from the last four months, capped at 80% of the gross minimum wage. For example, a worker earning the minimum wage would receive approximately 13,111.72 TL monthly. For those with a monthly gross earnings of 66,060 TL or more, the benefit reaches 26,223.44 TL.

Crucially, applicants must apply to İŞKUR within 30 days of their contract termination. Applications can be made in person or electronically, but applications via power of attorney through lawyers or third parties are not accepted.