The Turkish tech sector is booming. With thousands of skilled developers, engineers, designers, and IT consultants available at competitive rates, Turkey has become a go-to market for global companies seeking top tech talent. Many of these professionals start their careers as freelancers, offering services to international clients through platforms like Upwork, Toptal, or direct contracting.
But what happens when a company wants to convert a high-performing Turkish freelancer into a full-time employee? That’s where an Employer of Record in Turkey (EOR) comes in.
In this article, we’ll explore how EOR services help international companies seamlessly transition Turkish freelancers to full-time employment, enabling stronger retention, legal compliance, and operational control—all without setting up a local entity.
The Rise of Freelance Tech Talent in Turkey
Turkey’s youth-driven workforce and robust engineering education system have produced tens of thousands of tech professionals. Due to the flexibility and international earning potential, many of these talents choose to work as freelancers or contractors—especially in areas like:
- Web & mobile development
- DevOps and cybersecurity
- UI/UX and product design
- Data science and AI
- QA and automation testing
However, while freelancing offers freedom, it also comes with challenges like irregular income, limited social security, and legal grey areas when working with foreign clients.
The Challenge: When Freelance Isn’t Enough
For companies that rely heavily on Turkish freelancers, issues can arise over time:
- Lack of legal clarity: Working with independent contractors abroad can expose companies to misclassification risks.
- Limited engagement: Freelancers may juggle multiple clients and lack long-term commitment.
- No control over benefits: Clients can’t offer formal perks or stock options to freelancers.
- Operational friction: Coordinating time zones, taxes, invoices, and payments gets messy.
Eventually, many businesses decide they want to hire their freelancers full-time—but are unsure how to do so legally in Turkey without opening a branch or subsidiary.
Enter the Employer of Record in Turkey (EOR)
An Employer of Record Turkey acts as a legal intermediary between the hiring company and the Turkish employee. The EOR becomes the official employer on paper, while you retain full operational control of the worker’s tasks and schedule.
Here’s how the transition from freelancer to full-time typically works:
- You identify a freelancer in Turkey you’d like to hire as a full-time employee.
- You partner with a Turkish EOR provider.
- The EOR handles onboarding, creates a compliant labor contract, and registers the employee with the appropriate social security authorities.
- You manage the day-to-day work and communicate directly with the employee.
- You pay a monthly invoice to the EOR, covering salary, taxes, and service fees.
Benefits of Converting Freelancers with an EOR in Turkey
1. Full Compliance with Turkish Labor Laws
Misclassifying a full-time worker as a freelancer in Turkey can result in fines, back taxes, or legal disputes. An EOR ensures the employment relationship is legally sound and that all local obligations are met—social security (SGK), income taxes, severance rights, and more.
2. Stronger Loyalty and Retention
Freelancers who receive a formal employment offer—especially from a respected global brand—are far more likely to commit long-term. An EOR allows you to offer:
- Stable, monthly salaries in local currency (TRY)
- Access to social security and health coverage
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
- Performance bonuses and even stock options via side agreements
This makes your offer far more attractive than another short-term gig.
3. Simplified Payroll and Benefits
Managing international payments to freelancers can be time-consuming and expensive. With an EOR, you no longer need to worry about:
- Cross-border wire transfers
- Currency conversions
- Delays or invoice disputes
The EOR pays the employee locally, handles tax reporting, and gives you a single monthly invoice for your finance department.
4. Faster Time-to-Hire
Setting up a legal entity in Turkey can take months and involves legal, financial, and administrative hurdles. With an EOR, you can hire and onboard in days, not months—keeping your product development on track.
5. Scalable Growth Model
Whether you want to convert one freelancer or build a full tech team in Turkey, an EOR makes it easy to scale. Add or remove employees as needed, expand to different cities, and test the Turkish labor market before committing to a legal entity.
Real-World Scenario: Hiring a Turkish Front-End Developer
Let’s say you’ve been working with a freelance front-end developer in Ankara for the past year. She’s fast, skilled, and aligned with your company culture. You now want her as your full-time Lead Developer.
Instead of navigating Turkish employment law yourself or pushing her to move to your HQ abroad, you:
- Sign up with an EOR Turkey provider
- Provide the job details and salary range
- Let the EOR onboard her with a legal Turkish contract
- Start managing her day-to-day work as part of your in-house team
Now, she gets job security, healthcare, and local recognition, while you get stability and compliance. Win-win.
Why Turkish Freelancers Are Willing to Convert
The assumption that freelancers don’t want full-time roles is often false—especially in Turkey. Many independent tech workers are open to permanent jobs if the offer is fair and legally secure. What they seek includes:
- Social security (SGK) contributions
- Pension rights and retirement benefits
- Stable income rather than invoice-based payments
- Paid leave and workplace protections
- Career growth and mentorship opportunities
By using an EOR, you signal that you’re serious about investing in Turkish talent—not just outsourcing a project.
Choosing the Right EOR in Turkey
Not all EOR providers are created equal. When converting a freelancer to full-time, ensure your EOR offers:
- Expertise in Turkish tech industry norms
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- English-speaking account managers
- Familiarity with international contracts and IP protections
- Flexible service for growing teams
Look for providers that go beyond basic compliance and truly understand the Turkish tech landscape.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Tech Hiring in Turkey
In 2025 and beyond, hybrid and distributed teams are the new normal. Turkey, with its time zone alignment, growing tech ecosystem, and strong talent base, will remain a key market for global companies.
But relying solely on freelance arrangements may limit your ability to scale and retain your best people. With an Employer of Record in Turkey, you can bridge the gap between freelance agility and full-time stability—while staying 100% compliant.
If you’re ready to convert your best Turkish freelancers into long-term team members, now is the time to act.
Interested in hiring full-time tech talent in Turkey without the hassle?
Contact us today to learn how our EOR solutions can help you grow your team, reduce compliance risk, and build a stronger global workforce.
