Best Turkish Employer of Record Service Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 22 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our HR software advisors to find your match.
Are you interested in hiring employees in Turkey but feeling intimidated by all the legal requirements? Instead of registering a new legal entity with the Turkish Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicili) and the Turkish Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı), I recommend using an Employer of Record (EOR) service in Turkey to manage all the employment regulations on your behalf.
A Turkish EOR service can help you legally hire, manage, and pay employees based in Turkey with ease. This way, you can access Turkish talent without having to open a legal entity abroad. Your EOR employees will have local support, and your operations will stay in compliance with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı) and other Turkish legal bodies at all times. Sounds perfect, right? However, which Turkish EOR service is the best fit for your needs?
To help you narrow down your options, I’ve compiled my research into this list of the best Employer of Record services for hiring in Turkey. Keep reading to learn more about how an EOR service can support your business expansion into Turkey.
Market Details for Hiring in Turkey
- Capital City: Ankara
- Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Payroll Frequency: Monthly
- Official Language: Turkish
- Approx. Population: 85.3 Million
- Public Holidays: 9 holidays spread over 15.5 days
Why Hire Employees in Turkey?
Turkey is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a prime location for companies looking to tap into a diverse talent pool. The country has a strong educational system that produces skilled workers, particularly in fields like engineering, technology, and manufacturing. Additionally, the country has a strong tradition in textiles, automotive, and aerospace industries, making it an attractive location for companies in these sectors seeking specialized skills.
Turkey’s cost of labor is relatively lower than in Western Europe and North America, providing companies with the opportunity to reduce operational costs while still accessing top-tier talent. Moreover, Turkey's young, dynamic, and multilingual workforce adds to its appeal, particularly for companies targeting emerging markets in the Middle East and Europe. All these factors make Turkey an attractive market for international companies looking to hire remote talent.
What is an Employer of Record in Turkey?
An Employer of Record (EOR) in Turkey refers to a third-party service that legally employs workers in Turkey on behalf of your company. While your organization retains control over these employees’ daily tasks and workloads, the EOR takes on the full legal responsibility for employment. As the legal employer, the EOR assumes full legal responsibility for any new hires. This includes managing payroll, deducting taxes, ensuring compliance with local employment regulations, administering benefits, and handling any other employee-related requirements specific to Turkey.
Partnering with an EOR service is beneficial for companies wanting to hire skilled foreign workers or expand their operations into Turkey since it simplifies this process considerably. Instead of requiring your HR team to master Turkey’s employment laws and regulations, you can delegate these responsibilities to a local EOR in Turkey and gain peace of mind that your global operations will be compliant.
Why Trust Our Reviews
We've been testing and reviewing HR software + services since 2019. As HR professionals ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting a new HR service provider to work with.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better purchasing decisions. We've tested more than 2,000 tools and 200 service providers for different HR use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent, and take a look at our review methodology.
Best Employer of Record in Turkey: Pricing Comparison Chart
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top Employer of Record selections for hiring staff in Turkey to help you find the best EOR service for your budget and business needs.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Website |
Horizons | Pricing upon request | Website |
NNRoad | Pricing upon request | Website |
Velocity Global | Pricing upon request | Website |
Mercans | Pricing upon request | Website |
Globalization Partners | Pricing upon request | Website |
San Global | Pricing upon request | Website |
Remote | From $50/user/month | Website |
Multiplier | From $20/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Papaya Global | From $15/employee/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose an Employer of Record in Turkey
An EOR service can solve many different challenges and simplify the process of hiring and managing staff in Turkey. To help you figure out which EOR service best fits your business needs, you need to document your specific challenges first.
As you work through your own unique selection process, keep the following points in mind:
- What problem are you trying to solve? Start by identifying the challenges you're trying to overcome, whether that's managing compliance with Turkey’s employment laws and tax regulations, offering health benefits that are compliant with Turkish government requirements, or trying to secure staff strategically located between Europe and Asia to help you tap into new markets.
- Who will benefit from the service? Consider who will manage the EOR relationship (i.e., who will your main contact people be in-house?) and how having an employer of record will improve their day-to-day work tasks.
- What is your budget? To evaluate cost, estimate how many employees you anticipate hiring in Turkey. Since EOR providers typically charge a monthly fee for each new hire, this will help you anticipate your monthly costs.
- What outcomes are important? Review the capabilities you want to gain or improve, and how you will measure success. Being clear on your desired outcomes upfront is crucial to avoid wasting valuable time.
- Would the EOR platform work with your technical requirements? Consider how the service provider's software ecosystem would work alongside your existing workflows and systems. Does their software framework integrate with your existing HR software, or would you face data management roadblocks?
Remember every business is different — don’t assume that a Turkish employer of record service will work for your organization just because it's popular.
-
Deel
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Rippling
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
ClearCompany
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Reviews of the Best Employer of Record Services in Turkey
To help you find the best EOR service for hiring employees in Turkey, I’ve described my top 10 selections in detail, including the specific services each provider offers and how HR teams can use them effectively. I’ve also included 10 more EOR service providers for Turkey below in case you’d like more options to consider.
Deel is a well-established employer of record platform that helps companies rapidly employ workers in 150+ countries, including Turkey.
Deel owns a local entity in Turkey staffed with legal experts to keep track of regulatory changes and ensure all legal obligations are met on your behalf. To hire an employee in Turkey with Deel, the average onboarding time frame is 3 days.
Why I picked Deel: Deel excels as an EOR service provider in Turkey by offering streamlined contract management, and ensuring compliance with Turkish employment laws. Deel also helps organizations offer localized employee benefits for Turkish staff, including private health insurance, life insurance, a private pension plan, a minimum living allowance, and social security contributions.
In addition, Deel has launched several new offerings over the past year, including global payroll, global mobility support, integrated Slack tools, and advanced integrations. These services, all combined, facilitate efficient and compliant hiring processes within the Turkish talent market.
Deel Key Services:
Deel offers end-to-end management for your employees based in Turkey, covering everything from hiring and onboarding to termination. Their web app is user-friendly and provides a range of features to help businesses manage their remote teams effectively, including contract management and expense tracking.
Their integrated contract management function supports advanced customizations such as stipends, signing bonuses, and stock options. You can also use Deel for visa and immigration support if you want to relocate existing employees to Turkey, with Deel managing the entire visa process for your organization in-house.
Deel offers 24/7 customer support and live chat and is known for its fast support.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive employee benefits
- Local compliance expertise
- Fast onboarding process
Cons:
- Potential complexity for first-time users
- Limited customization options
Horizons offers streamlined global HR solutions including EOR and PEO services, international payroll and recruitment, and global mobility & immigration support.
Why I picked Horizons: I included Horizons in this list because their EOR service is cost-effective compared to others, and they offer flexible contract terms. You can end your EOR relationship with them at any time without worrying about costly termination fees or other penalties.
Their Turkey-based EOR services are administered by their local experts who are well-versed in Turkey’s employment laws, including statutory benefits such as vacation leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave. Their onboarding process for new employees in Turkey is also very quick, with a minimum onboarding time of just 24 hours.
Horizons Key Services:
In addition to their standard EOR services, they offer additional niche service offerings such as tips for doing business in Turkey, guides to help with global expansion, resources for strategic mergers & acquisitions, and advice on accessing new and emerging markets.
Horizons also provides cultural training and support to help employees integrate seamlessly into their new work environment. This service enhances employee satisfaction and retention by addressing cultural nuances and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cultural integration support
- Strong focus on compliance
- Deep knowledge of Turkish labor laws
Cons:
- Service offerings may vary by region
- Dependence on local partners for some services
NNRoad is a prominent EOR service provider in Turkey, offering a wide range of services to facilitate international hiring with an emphasis on tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of companies entering the Turkish market.
Why I picked NNRoad: In addition to NNRoad’s standard EOR capabilities, they are also able to help client companies hire foreign expats who already reside in Turkey, or relocate foreign workers to Turkey, if needed.
Each client receives personalized attention from a dedicated account manager, ensuring consistent and responsive support. This personalized service enhances the overall client experience, providing a reliable point of contact for all EOR-related inquiries.
NNRoad Key Services:
NNRoad offers in-depth knowledge of Turkish labor laws and regulations, ensuring that all employment practices are fully compliant. This expertise helps businesses avoid legal pitfalls and maintain smooth operations in Turkey.
Their payroll services are adaptable to the specific needs of each client, including handling complex payroll calculations and tax filings. In addition, you can use NNRoad to offer employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks, to your Turkish EOR employees.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Dedicated account management
- Comprehensive employee benefits management
- In-depth knowledge of Turkish labor laws
Cons:
- May require time to fully understand unique client needs
- Limited presence outside major Turkish cities
Velocity Global is a well-known employer of record (EOR) and professional employer organization (PEO) provider that simplifies global hiring thanks to its network of on-the-ground experts in 185+ countries, including Turkey.
Why I picked Velocity Global: I included Velocity Global in this list because of their well-known reputation for global EOR services and their expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments. They stand out with their ability to handle intricate regulatory landscapes, ensuring companies can expand efficiently without legal hurdles.
Velocity Global Key Services:
Velocity Global offers comprehensive support for their EOR clients, including everything from onboarding to ongoing HR management, backed by a deep understanding of local employment laws. Key services include payroll, compliance, benefits management, employee training, and risk management for your Turkish employee operations.
In addition to its EOR services, Velocity Global can also help you simplify your plans for global expansion or offer additional global immigration services in case you want to move international employees to another location.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong understanding of the Turkish regulatory environment
- Localized payroll management
- Efficient and thorough onboarding process
Cons:
- Pricing details are not transparent
- Limited customization options
Mercans is a global EOR provider that offers services in Turkey, including global payroll and other HR solutions. Their services emphasize compliance, local expertise, and seamless integration for businesses expanding into the Turkish market.
Why I picked Mercans: EOR services via Mercans include compliance management and extensive local knowledge, a commitment to personalized service, and access to an advanced technology platform to streamline payroll and HR processes. They stand out for their ability to handle complex employment scenarios, making them a top choice for companies seeking reliable EOR services in Turkey.
Mercans Key Services:
Mercans provides tailored HR solutions to support the diverse needs of each client. This customization ensures that businesses receive support aligned with their unique requirements, enhancing overall employee satisfaction.
Mercans also runs its EOR services from an advanced technology platform that includes real-time reporting and analytics features, giving client companies valuable insights into their global HR operations. This level of data also helps client companies make informed decisions and improve strategic planning.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive local expertise
- Personalized service
- Advanced technology platform
Cons:
- Integration challenges with some existing systems
- Limited physical presence in some regions
Globalization Partners (or G-P) is a leading EOR service provider that assists companies looking to hire and manage employees in Turkey. Their global HR platform streamlines international hiring, compliance, payroll, and benefits administration, ensuring a smooth onboarding process for Turkish employees.
Why I picked Globalization Partners: G-P’s sophisticated global EOR platform is designed to handle complex regulatory environments, making it easy for businesses to hire and manage employees in numerous countries, including Turkey.
New hires can be onboarded in days, with locally-compliant contracts according to Turkish laws. Using G-P, you can also pay your EOR employees in over 180+ currencies (including cryptocurrencies) using Venmo or bank transfers.
Globalization Partners Key Services:
G-P offers automated onboarding processes, real-time expense reporting, and a dedicated support team, all of which contribute to its reputation as one of the best EOR services in Turkey.
Their team includes local HR experts who understand the intricacies of Turkish labor laws and cultural nuances and can also assist with global expansion plans and executing global transactions as needed.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy and quick international hiring and onboarding process
- Strong compliance and risk management
- Comprehensive global employment platform
Cons:
- Dependence on the platform for all HR functions
- Limited customization options
San Global is a well-known EOR service provider that offers EOR and payroll processing services dedicated to hiring talent in Turkey.
Why I picked San Global: San Global is an EOR service provider that only offers specialized services within Turkey, making them hyper-focused on helping international companies hire employees in the region. The company stands out for its deep understanding of the Turkish market and its ability to navigate complex employment regulations.
San Global Key Services:
Their EOR services ensure compliance with Turkish labor laws and include managing payroll, benefits, and other HR tasks on behalf of their clients. They’re known for their meticulous attention to local compliance, ensuring that companies can confidently hire and manage employees without worrying about regulatory pitfalls.
In addition, their expertise in Turkish labor laws and their commitment to providing comprehensive HR support make them a top choice for businesses looking to expand into Turkey.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong focus on compliance and risk management
- Comprehensive payroll and tax management services
- Extensive knowledge of Turkish labor laws
Cons:
- Limited online presence and client reviews
- EOR services are limited to Turkey
Remote’s global HR solution offers EOR services that simplify payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance for international workers. You can use their services to hire full-time employees or contractors and gain local market insights.
Once you’re ready to hire an employee in Turkey, Remote can complete their onboarding process within 10 days.
Why I picked Remote: Remote helps companies compete for talent effectively in the global market by lending access to competitive benefits packages. They can help you offer health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, disability and life insurance, and mental health support services for your Turkish employees. Remote also doesn’t add any markup to their benefits premiums or administration costs, making them a cost-effective choice.
Remote Key Services:
Services include global payroll processing, intellectual property and invention rights protection, and benefits packages that are tailored for the Turkish market. Their software platform also covers expense reimbursement and time-off requests, which are quick and easy to approve through their online portal.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong local expertise
- User-friendly platform
- Comprehensive compliance support
Cons:
- High cost per employee
- Limited customization options
Multiplier is an employer of record company that provides HR and global payroll services to businesses, allowing them to outsource these responsibilities to a single provider. You can use their services to hire and manage employees based in Turkey and comply with changing labor laws and tax policies.
Why I picked Multiplier: Multiplier helps businesses quickly and easily onboard new employees, manage their payroll and benefits, and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. Their EOR services are very fast, with the ability to employ new talent in some countries in less than 24 hours once you've decided which candidate you'd like to hire. Their 4-step onboarding process is also user-friendly, providing a good experience for your new employees.
Multiplier Key Services:
Their EOR services include payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and worker's compensation. Their team of local experts can also offer support with employee benefits management, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks that are specifically tailored to the Turkish market. This service helps attract and retain top talent by offering competitive benefits packages.
By outsourcing your core HR responsibilities to Multiplier, you can reduce your exposure to the legal and financial risks associated with employing workers in Turkey.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent customer service
- User-friendly platform
- Comprehensive compliance support
Cons:
- Dependence on third-party benefits providers
- Limited customization options
Papaya Global is a leading Employer of Record (EOR) service provider with a presence in Turkey. Their platform simplifies the complexities of global payroll, hiring, and compliance, allowing businesses to manage their international workforce efficiently. They offer tailored services for the Turkish market, ensuring compliance with local regulations and employment laws.
Why I picked Papaya Global: I included Papaya Global in this list because their platform integrates payroll, HR, and compliance into a single, easy-to-use interface, making it simple for businesses to manage their international employees. Additionally, their focus on local compliance ensures that businesses can operate in Turkey without worrying about legal complications.
Papaya’s platform includes a self-guided tour that demonstrates how payroll professionals can use their technology to automate and manage their global payroll quickly and compliantly.
Papaya Global Key Services:
Papaya Global's services include advanced compliance, liability coverage, employee contract lifecycle management, immigration and visa assistance, data security monitoring, and enterprise-grade global payroll processing using an AI-based payroll engine.
Their EOR team also offers additional HR services such as onboarding, benefits management, and employee support. This holistic approach helps businesses provide a consistent and supportive experience for their employees in Turkey, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrated HR services
- Strong compliance management tools
- Comprehensive global payroll solution
Cons:
- Potential delays in customer support responses
- Limited customization options
Other Turkish Employer of Record Services
Here are some other EOR service providers in Turkey that didn’t make it into my top 10 shortlist, but are still worth considering:
- Skuad
Best EOR for intellectual property protection
- Remofirst
Best for 24/7 customer support and a dedicated account manager
- Rippling
Best for managing IT requirements for EOR employees
- Atlas HXM
Best EOR partner for enterprise organizations
- Rivermate
Best EOR service for European client companies
- INSGlobal
Best EOR for fast market entry into Turkey
- Leap29
Best for hiring experts in the technology and engineering sectors
- Bradford Jacobs
Best EOR service for assistance with business expansion in Turkey
- Express Global Employment
Best for combined EOR and PEO services in Turkey
- Manpower Turkey
Best for a service provider specifically focused on Turkey
- Gloroots
Best EOR service for small businesses or startups
- Safeguard Global
Best EOR service for NGOs and non-profit organizations
Hiring in Turkey: Important Details
Here are some key details to note if this is your first time hiring staff located in Turkey. Your EOR provider will manage these compliance details on your behalf. However, proactively informing yourself of these details is always recommended before you invest your resources into sourcing staff based in Turkey.
In Turkey:
- Employment laws in Turkey are set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, along with regulations from the Turkish Labor Law (Law No. 4857), which governs employment practices in the country.
- You can hire employees (full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, or on-call) or contractors, in certain situations. Your Turkish EOR provider can help you determine the best hiring option depending on your needs while ensuring you avoid employee misclassification errors.
- Turkey has both mandatory payroll deductions and other employment or social security contributions that must be collected, including the following:
- Social Security Premiums (SGK),
- Income Tax,
- Unemployment Insurance (İşsizlik Sigortası), and
- Stamp Tax.
- Turkish is the official language in Turkey. However, other languages are spoken in different regions, including Kurdish, Arabic, Zaza, and English.
- The standard working week in Turkey is 45 hours per week spread over a 6-day work week (7.5 hours per day), or spread over 5 days (9 hours per day).
- Overtime is allowed under the Turkish Labor Law (Law No. 4857) and is calculated at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for weekdays and 2 times the regular rate if worked on weekends or public holidays.
- The maximum overtime permitted is 270 hours per year and employees cannot work more than 11 hours in one day.
- In Turkey, employees are paid monthly, typically at the end of each month. There is no legal requirement for a 13th or 14th-month payment system.
- Paid vacation in Turkey starts at 14 days of annual leave per year for employees who have worked between 1 and 5 years. It increases to 20 days for those with 5 to 15 years of service and 26 days for those with over 15 years of service.
- There are 9 national public holidays (spread over 15.5 days) plus several regional holidays that are celebrated in Turkey which employees are paid for. Understanding and complying with employment norms and legal requirements surrounding Turkish public holidays is one area where your EOR service will shine, managing these occurrences hassle-free on your behalf.
- National public holidays in Turkey include:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr) (variable dates in April, 3.5 days long)
- National Sovereignty and Children's Day (April 23)
- Labor and Solidarity Day (May 1)
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (May 19)
- Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) (variable dates in June, 4.5 days long)
- Democracy and National Unity Day (July 15)
- Victory Day (August 30)
- Republic Day (October 28 & 29, 1.5 days long)
- Turkey offers maternity leave and paternity leave.
- The maternity leave entitlement is 16 weeks (8 weeks before the birth and 8 weeks after).
- The paternity leave entitlement for fathers is 5 days.
- During these leaves, employees receive their full salary payments from Turkey’s Social Security Institution.
- Paid sick leave in Turkey is 5 days. After 3 consecutive days of illness, employees can receive salary reimbursement from Turkey’s Social Security Institution.
- The probationary period in Turkey is up to 2 months, but it can be extended to 4 months if specified in a collective bargaining agreement.
- The termination terms in Turkey are mandated by the Turkish Labor Law (Law No. 4857). The required notice period varies between 2 to 8 weeks based on the employee’s length of service. This is another area where a local Turkish EOR can provide assistance to ensure the probation period and related severance are handled correctly.
- Severance pay is offered and typically calculated as one month’s gross salary for each year of service.
Selection Criteria for Employer of Record Turkey
Uncovering the best EOR services for this list required a deep understanding of how these services can alleviate common challenges, such as legally hiring employees abroad, managing international payments, ensuring compliance with local labor laws, providing competitive benefits, and facilitating smooth onboarding.
My approach to choosing the best EOR services is grounded in thorough research into recently published employer of record market data and an understanding of which partnerships would add the most value for organizations hoping to access the global talent market.
Here are the specific criteria I used to carefully compare the service offerings for each provider in this list:
Core Employer of Record Services (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in this list, each EOR provider had to offer the following basic services first:
- The corporate structure to legally and compliantly hire employees in multiple countries without a local entity
- The ability to manage global payroll and taxes in compliance with local regulations
- Assistance with offering competitive and locally compliant benefits packages
- Assistance with navigating visa and work permit processes for expatriate employees
- Robust procedures to ensure data privacy and security that comply with international standards, including GDPR and other requirements
Additional Standout Services (25% of total score): To help me narrow in on the best EOR services out of the numerous options available, I also took note of any unique or less common services, including:
- Advanced technology platforms that streamlined payroll and HR processes while still offering ease of use
- Specialized experience in hiring employees within specific new countries or key industries
- Services that enhance remote work compliance and global mobility needs
- Specialized customer support for complex immigration cases
- Assistance with international IT requirements, including managing computer equipment, software licenses, and other asset-tracking requirements
- A focus on eco-friendly and sustainable employment practices
Industry Experience (10% of total score): To evaluate the industry experience of each EOR service provider, I considered the following:
- How many years their business has operated in the EOR space
- Any industry recognitions or certifications the provider may hold in international HR and payroll
- Their depth of knowledge in local labor laws across multiple jurisdictions
- Their expertise in new markets, including how many different countries they offer local expertise in
- Evidence of a strong track record managing global expansion processes
- The combined experience and credentials of their team members, if available
Customer Onboarding (10% of total score): To get a sense of each provider's customer onboarding process, I considered the following factors:
- The availability of comprehensive onboarding materials, such as fact sheets, guides, FAQ repositories, or other training resources
- Support for integrating the EOR provider's software with existing HR systems
- Direct access to onboarding specialists, customer support, or a dedicated account manager during the setup phase
Customer Support (10% of total score): Since the EOR provider will act as your remote workers' legal employer, it's important to ensure you'll receive timely communications and top-level support. To evaluate the level of customer support each company offered, I considered the following:
- The availability of a multilingual support team that covers different time zones
- Multiple support channels, including phone, email, and live chat
- Evidence of responsiveness and effectiveness in resolving issues, as inferred from customer reviews
- The existence of dedicated account managers to provide assistance as needed
Value for Price (10% of total score): To gauge the overall value of each service, I considered the following factors:
- Transparent pricing models without hidden fees
- Comparative analysis of service offerings versus cost
- Flexibility in service packages to suit different business sizes and needs
Keep in mind that EOR services are complicated, and because of that the price tag can sometimes be high. However, the prices for their services still offer a good ROI considering the complexity of the premium-grade services you're gaining.
Customer Reviews (10% of total score): Evaluating customer reviews is the final element of my selection process, which helps me understand how happy real users are with a service. To determine this, I considered the following factors:
- Consistently high ratings across various consumer review platforms
- Specific feedback on the ease of use of the EOR services
- Testimonials highlighting exceptional customer support and problem resolution
Using this assessment framework helped me identify the employer of record services that go beyond basic requirements to offer additional value through unique services, deep industry experience, smooth onboarding, effective support, and overall value for price.
Trends in Employer of Record Services
As more businesses expand across borders, the need for efficient, compliant, and user-friendly solutions for hiring employees abroad, and managing international payments, compliance, benefits, and onboarding has never been more critical. As a result, employer of record services have continued to evolve, with an emphasis on technology-driven solutions that offer flexibility, comprehensive support, and innovative features to facilitate global operations.
Here are the most recent trends affecting EOR services and the HR software systems that are used to offer them:
- Immigration Support: There is a growing demand for assistance with immigration services like visa and work permit sponsorships, simplifying global talent acquisition processes for client companies immensely.
- Specialized Services for Diverse Needs: Several EOR providers have begun to offer IP and invention rights protection and equity incentive planning services, to cater to the specific needs of their client companies.
- Enhanced Employee Benefits Packages: There's a growing trend in EOR providers going beyond standard healthcare coverage to offer a full spread of enterprise-level medical and health benefits, stock options, and even one-time benefits like moving bonuses. This trend demonstrates an understanding of the importance of attracting and retaining top talent globally.
- AI-Backed Knowledge Bases: Some EOR providers (including Deel) are beginning to offer legally vetted knowledge bases or information wikis that use artificial intelligence to surface answers to common questions quickly. This helps customers source details on hiring within a specific country fast, without relying on human-run support systems.
As the market continues to evolve, these trends are likely to shape the future of international employment, making it easier for businesses to navigate the challenges of global expansion. For a closer look at specific EOR providers that are capitalizing on these trends, I recommend reading our in-depth reviews of Velocity Global, Skuad, and Oyster HR.
Key Employer of Record Services
By leveraging an EOR service, companies can manage international payments, ensure compliance with local labor laws, provide competitive benefits, and optimize their new hire onboarding process. Here are the most important services to look for in an EOR service provider:
- Global Payroll Management: Arguably one of their most important tasks, an EOR service will ensure your employees are paid accurately and on time in their local currency. This service is essential for maintaining employee satisfaction and financial stability in diverse geographic locations.
- Tax Compliance and Withholding: An EOR service will also manage employee income tax withholdings and employer tax obligations per local laws, preventing legal issues and ensuring smooth operations across different tax jurisdictions.
- Local Labor Law Compliance: EOR service providers offer country-specific knowledge of employment laws and regulations. This knowledge protects businesses from legal disputes and fines, ensuring a respectful and lawful work environment for all employees. Knowledge of these laws also applies to monitoring employee work hours, including timesheets and time-off requests.
- International Talent Acquisition & Background Checks: An EOR service will work with their client company to source additional talent from the global market as needed. As part of this process, many EOR services include background checks for potential new hires to confirm their credentials and ensure they're suitable for their role. Once approved, an EOR will also manage your country-specific employment contracts as well.
- Visa and Work Permit Sponsorship: Many EOR providers offer assistance with obtaining necessary visas and work permits for expatriate employees. This service is critical for facilitating the legal employment of foreign nationals and ensuring a seamless relocation process.
- Onboarding and Offboarding: An EOR will also manage the processes of integrating new hires into their client's company or managing their departure. This ensures a smooth transition for both employees and the organization and gives peace of mind that employee terminations are handled as per the labor laws of each jurisdiction.
- Benefits Administration: By leveraging economies of scale, EOR service providers can access competitive, region-specific health insurance benefits packages to cover your international employees. Tailored employee benefits are crucial for attracting and retaining top talent, enhancing job satisfaction, and meeting legal requirements for employee welfare.
- HR Support and Consultation: EOR specialists are a valuable resource as they can provide ongoing human resources support and expertise on international employment practices. This support ensures that businesses can navigate complex HR issues, deal with grievances effectively, and maintain positive employee relations without affecting their employer brand.
- Risk Management and Insurance: Since EOR providers assume legal responsibility for your foreign staff, this also includes managing employment-related risks, handling workers' compensation matters, and maintaining certificates of insurance, including both professional indemnity and public liability. This coverage is vital for protecting businesses and employees against unforeseen circumstances.
- Multi-Language Support: EOR providers offer services in multiple languages to help organizations operate efficiently in a global marketplace and serve the needs of a diverse workforce. This can include translation services for your corporate policy documents, as well as localized assistance in your international employees' native language, to prevent possible miscommunications.
As you can see, EOR service providers offer a full set of comprehensive services to help businesses expand their operations globally without the burden of navigating international employment laws and practices on their own. By securing an EOR partner to cover these critical services, you'll gain peace of mind, and more time to concentrate on your core business objectives.
Benefits of an Employer of Record Service
EOR services are a savvy option for organizations looking to expand their global footprint without the complexities and liabilities associated with international employment laws and practices. For companies contemplating global expansion, understanding the benefits of partnering with an EOR can provide the clarity and confidence you need to move forward.
Here are several benefits you’ll gain by using an EOR service:
- Quick Market Entry: For organizations aiming to test new markets or hire talent in new countries where they have no legal presence, an EOR offers a swift and efficient solution to initiate operations, saving time and resources.
- Simplified Global Payroll: Using an EOR service simplifies the complex process of managing international payroll, including tax deductions, withholdings, and currency conversions for your employees worldwide.
- Global Compliance & Risk Mitigation: By managing compliance, an EOR service provides expertise in navigating the intricacies of employment laws, tax regulations, and insurance requirements in multiple jurisdictions, helping businesses safeguard their operations against compliance-related risks.
- Enhanced Benefits Negotiation: By leveraging their extensive networks and purchasing power, EORs can negotiate better international insurance rates and secure competitive benefit packages on your behalf, enhancing your ability to attract and retain top talent worldwide.
- Improved Cost Effectiveness: Using an EOR service is a cost-effective way for businesses to enter new markets, compared to the significant costs of establishing a new foreign entity. The latter option involves significant upfront legal fees, plus other costs related to office infrastructure, staffing, and local benefits and insurance coverage.
Understanding the benefits of an EOR service is crucial for strategic planning and operational efficiency. As businesses look towards international markets for growth opportunities, partnering with an EOR provider offers a streamlined, cost-effective, and compliant pathway to global expansion.
Need a bit more firepower to convince your upper management to partner with an EOR service? Focusing on the costs of hiring a foreign employee and how an EOR can simplify the hiring process might just be the winning strategy you need.
Costs & Pricing for Employer of Record Services
Typically, the cost of an EOR service follows a fee per-employee, per-month pricing model, which can vary widely depending on a range of factors. This model allows for scalability and predictability in budgeting for international expansion efforts.
In general, EOR services in Turkey cost between $599 to $1,500 per employee, per month.
Key factors that can influence the pricing of an employer of record service include:
- Geographic Location: Costs can vary significantly based on the country or countries you're hiring in. This is due to local economic conditions, labor laws, and the complexity of compliance requirements.
- Employee Seniority and Role Complexity: The level and nature of the roles being filled can also impact the monthly cost. Senior positions or roles requiring special qualifications may increase the price due to higher benefits and compensation management costs.
- Number of Employees: The total number of employees being managed can also impact the cost. In some cases, higher volumes may lead to volume discounts, making per-employee costs more economical.
- Custom Requirements: Any specific needs beyond the standard service offering may also contribute to the monthly cost. This may include customized solutions for recruitment, specialized employee onboarding, or unique compliance requirements, all of which can affect pricing.
Some EORs also operate under different pricing models, including a percentage of employee salary model, a fixed pricing model, and custom pricing models. If you'd like to delve deeper into the different factors that influence prices, my article explaining the intricacies of different EOR pricing models is a natural next step.
When considering an EOR service, it is crucial to understand how these factors impact the overall cost to ensure that the service aligns with your business's needs and budget constraints. Anticipating the specific requirements of your international expansion strategy will help you choose the most cost-effective and efficient EOR solution for your needs.
FAQs about EOR Services in Turkey
If you’ve got specific questions about the requirements to hire Turkish employees or how EOR services work, these answers to frequently asked questions are a good place to start:
What does an Employer of Record do?
An Employer of Record (EOR) service provider is a third-party entity that can help an organization hire a new employee in a country where it has no physical presence. It’s a useful service for businesses that are expanding internationally but don’t have physical offices established yet, or don’t ever plan to establish them. In these situations, the EOR provider becomes the legal employer of your remote staff on your behalf.
In this type of partnership, the EOR service provider deals with local employee-related matters such as managing payroll, deducting taxes, and administering the onboarding process for new employees. This allows organizations to access global talent while reducing their legal liabilities and compliance risks. This is because the EOR company assumes the legal responsibility for your international new hires on your behalf.
What are the minimum wage requirements in Turkey?
As of 2024, the minimum wage in Turkey is 20,002.50 TRY gross per month, which translates to approximately 17,002.12 TRY net per month after deductions. This minimum wage applies to all workers in the country, regardless of their industry or occupation. The minimum wage is reviewed annually by the government, and adjustments are made based on inflation and the cost of living.
The gross minimum wage includes various mandatory deductions, such as income tax, social security contributions, and unemployment insurance. These deductions account for the difference between the gross and net amounts that employees receive.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult local government sources or work directly with an employer of record in Turkey.
Do EOR providers offer other types of global HR services?
Yes, most of the time they do. Many service providers in this space also offer professional employer organization services (also known as PEO services), as well as global payroll services.
PEO services are a way of outsourcing your HR function to support your international teams. PEO companies can help you with international compliance issues, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, and other HR administrative tasks.
Global payroll services allow you to easily pay remote employees or independent contractors within a unified payroll run. They manage in-country compliance requirements and juggle payments in multiple local currencies on your behalf.
To dive even deeper into this topic, read our article covering other types of global HR services to figure out the best fit for you.
What are some of the consequences of non-compliance?
As an organization, you never want to be deemed as non-compliant in the eyes of any government body. The exact rules and regulations will vary according to the jurisdiction you’re operating in, which is one of the main benefits of using an EOR service provider.
If you don’t use an EOR and you do hire international workers, you may quickly find yourself in non-compliance. The consequences of doing so will depend on the severity of the violation, but they could include all of the following:
- Fines and penalties
- Legal actions such as lawsuits or other litigation proceedings
- Corrective measures and compliance orders
- Revocation of business licenses or operating permits
- Reputational damage if the news becomes public (loss of public trust and loss of internal employee respect)
- Increased monitoring and additional government scrutiny
Companies who fail to follow international labor laws cannot simply say they were unaware of the legalities, and hence, didn’t follow them. That’s where an EOR service can really remove a lot of potential risk and liability from the international hiring process.
To brush up on your compliance best practices, have a quick read through our 2024 HR Compliance Guide.
Are there any risks to using an Employer of Record service?
In the world of business, nothing is ever 100% risk-free, and that is true for EOR services as well. While EOR services do offer substantial advantages, here are some of the risks you should also be mindful of as you choose the right partner for you:
Financial risks:
- Hidden costs and service fees: Some EOR providers may charge additional service fees for specific tasks, such as processing documents, onboarding or offboarding employees, or providing additional HR advice.
- Mandatory benefits: Some countries require mandatory benefits for employees. In that case, the EOR will charge you for those benefits in addition to the employee salary and their service percentage, which can add up.
- Currency fluctuations: Exchange fluctuations can impact the cost of payroll and other financial transactions as the strength of a currency you’re using goes up or down.
Operational risks:
- Data security: Since you’re entrusting sensitive employee data to your EOR, you’ll want to consider the strength of their data protection practices and policies, including their incident response plans, IT penetration testing, and data management certifications, such as ISO 27001.
Strategic risks:
- Loss of control: You will need to relinquish some degree of control over the workforce management processes of your EOR employees, which may impact your organization’s strategic decision-making capabilities.
- Brand reputation: Any negative actions, incidents, or practices of your chosen EOR can directly impact your organization’s brand reputation and create a negative employee experience if not handled properly.
For a deeper dive into this topic, read our comprehensive guide to EOR risks, including strategies to mitigate each potential issue upfront.
Gain Access to the Best Talent with an EOR in Turkey
If you made it this far, I hope you have a better sense of how EOR services can simplify the process of hiring Turkish employees. They're truly a valuable resource, whether you're an enterprise organization looking to snap up the top talent in Turkey, or a small business or startup trying to break into the Turkish talent marketplace without launching your own entity.
If you found this article helpful, I recommend signing up for our weekly People Managing People newsletter too. You'll get access to the latest insights from thought leaders, as well as our latest podcasts, and more software and service recommendations.