Maternity Leave Expansion: Historic Increase Becomes Law

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş confirmed that the landmark law extending maternity leave expansion in Türkiye is expected to be published in the Official Gazette tonight, April 29, 2026. Once published, the regulations will take immediate effect, allowing eligible mothers and families to begin submitting applications within 10 days.

The new law, part of a broader amendment to the Social Services Law, fundamentally restructures parental leave for both public- and private-sector employees.

The 5 Key Pillars of the New Regulation

1. 24-Week Total Maternity Leave

Maternity leave has been extended from 16 to 24 weeks. This is divided into:

• 8 weeks before birth.

• 16 weeks after birth.

2. Shift in Pre-Birth Working Flexibility

Previously, mothers could work until 3 weeks before the expected date of birth. The new regulation allows mothers (with a doctor’s report) to continue working until 2 weeks before birth. This allows an extra week to be added to the post-birth period, maximizing time spent with the newborn.

3. Retroactive Eligibility for Current Mothers

A crucial provision allows mothers who are currently on leave to benefit from the extension:

• If a mother has completed her original maternity leave but has not yet reached the 24-week mark as of April 1, 2026, she can request an additional 8 weeks of maternity leave.

4. Equalized Paternity Leave

The law eliminates the discrepancy between public- and private-sector fathers. Paternity leave for private-sector employees has been increased to 10 days, matching the duration previously reserved only for civil servants.

5. Support for Foster Families

To encourage and support foster care, a new leave category has been introduced. Individuals or couples who become foster parents will now be entitled to 10 days of leave starting on the date the child is placed in their care, to support the initial adjustment period.

A Shield Against Social Risks

Beyond parental leave, Minister Göktaş highlighted that the law includes urgent legal measures following recent school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. These measures focus on:

• Social Risk Mapping: Using data to identify and intervene in high-risk family situations before a crisis occurs.

• Child Protection Mechanisms: Strengthening the legal framework to ensure faster state intervention for children in danger.

The Ministry will publish full application details and technical guidelines on its official website immediately following the publication in the Official Gazette.

Source: bigpara