Turkey has introduced new rules concerning the employment conditions, financial rights and international assignments of academic personnel.
Law No. 7592 on Amendments to the Higher Education Law and Certain Laws was published in the Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete) No. 33335 on 9 August 2026.
The legislation introduces several changes to Higher Education Law No. 2547, particularly affecting contracted academic staff, employment periods, financial entitlements and assignments abroad.
Longer Contract Periods for Academic Staff
One of the main changes concerns academic staff members who continue working on a contractual basis under Article 30 of the Higher Education Law.
Under the previous framework, eligible academic staff could be employed for successive periods of one year.
Law No. 7592 increases these periods from one year to two years.
This provides a longer contractual framework for academic personnel continuing their professional activities under these specific provisions.
The Higher Education Council (YÖK) is also authorised to limit the number of contracted academic staff by department, program or higher education institution and to establish additional criteria according to academic and operational requirements.
Changes to Financial Rights
The legislation also clarifies the financial rights available to academic personnel employed under these contractual arrangements.
Eligible academic staff may benefit from additional payments associated with their academic activities, including:
- Additional payments linked to university activities
- Additional teaching remuneration
- Development allowances
- Academic incentive allowances
The applicable amounts and eligibility conditions depend on the individual’s position and the relevant provisions of Turkish higher education legislation.
These changes provide greater clarity regarding the financial treatment of academic personnel continuing to work under contractual arrangements.
International Academic Assignments
Law No. 7592 also introduces changes concerning assignments of academic personnel abroad.
The scope of certain international assignments has been expanded to include programs established abroad within higher education institutions under bilateral agreements concluded pursuant to protocols involving the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK).
This provision facilitates the assignment of Turkish academic personnel to certain educational programs operated outside Turkey.
For universities and other institutions involved in international academic cooperation, the amendment provides a clearer legal framework for overseas academic assignments.
Career and Retirement-Related Provisions
The legislation also introduces changes affecting certain members of the Higher Education Council.
Time spent serving on the Council may, under the applicable conditions, be considered as time effectively spent in the individual’s original profession for purposes such as career progression.
The applicable retirement age is also determined according to the position held before appointment to the Council.
Although these provisions concern a relatively specific category of personnel, they form part of the broader changes introduced by Law No. 7592 regarding employment and professional rights within Turkey’s higher education system.
What Does This Mean for Employers and Higher Education Institutions?
The changes introduced by Law No. 7592 are primarily relevant to universities, higher education institutions and organisations employing or working with academic personnel in Turkey.
Institutions concerned by the legislation should review:
- Contract durations for eligible academic personnel
- Financial and additional payment entitlements
- Internal procedures concerning contracted academic staff
- International assignment arrangements
- Applicable YÖK requirements
- Payroll treatment of additional academic payments
The extension of certain contractual employment periods from one to two years is particularly important for workforce planning and contract administration.
Employment Compliance in Turkey
Although Law No. 7592 specifically targets Turkey’s higher education sector, it illustrates the importance of monitoring sector-specific employment regulations in addition to general Turkish labour legislation.
Companies and organisations employing personnel in Turkey may be subject to different employment, payroll and social security requirements depending on their activities and the status of their employees.
Azkan Group supports international organisations with employment administration, payroll, HR and Employer of Record (EOR) services in Turkey.
Understanding the applicable employment framework is particularly important for international organisations employing personnel in Turkey or managing cross-border employment arrangements.
