Turkey's Eastern Black Sea marriage loan scheme reaches 1,339 couples

The Ministry of Family and Social Services' "Support for Young Couples" project, part of the Family and Youth Fund, offers interest‑free loans to couples aged 18‑29 in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region. A total of 1,339 eligible couples have received financing: 561 in Trabzon, 286 in Rize, 263 in Giresun, 120 in Artvin and 109 in Gümüşhane. Loans are 200,000 TL for couples where both partners are 18‑25 and 250,000 TL when at least one partner is 26‑29, with a two‑year interest‑free period and a four‑year repayment term. The income threshold was recently raised to 2.5 times the minimum wage.

Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced plans to increase the age eligibility ceiling from 28 to 40, sparking public debate. Some residents argue the upper limit should be raised to 35 or removed entirely, citing rising marriage ages and living costs, while others support the proposed change as a way to encourage family formation.