Elderly Caregiver Work Permit in Turkey 2026: Legal Home Care for Ageing or Sick Parents

Your mother can no longer stay home alone the way she used to, your father needs help with everyday tasks after a stroke, or you are looking for a constant companion for a relative with a disability, and on top of that you and your spouse both work full time. At a time like this, an elderly caregiver work permit in Turkey is how you put the care of your loved ones, safely and with dignity in their own home, on a legal footing. In this guide we explain step by step who can apply for a caregiver work permit for an elderly, sick or disabled person, the role of the medical report, the income requirement, the documents and the 2026 costs. Whether you are an expat or international family caring for a parent in Turkey (officially Türkiye), or a caregiver who wants to work here legally, you will find your side of the process below.

What is an elderly caregiver work permit?

An elderly caregiver work permit is a work permit in the domestic services (household employment) category, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS, known in Turkish as ÇSGB), that allows a foreign national to be legally employed to care at home for a person who needs care because of old age, illness or disability. The application can be made by the person in need of care, by their first- or second-degree relatives, or by their legal guardian.

The same framework applies to patient companion care and disability care; in every case the caregiver is paid at least the minimum wage and is registered with the Social Security Institution (SGK), Turkey's state social insurance body. For a general overview of the process, the fees and how we prepare files, see our caregiver work permit page. This article is written especially for adult children who work themselves and are looking for a caregiver for their parents.

When do you need a professional caregiver?

Every aging process is different, and care needs often grow gradually. Families usually come to the decision that "they shouldn't be left alone anymore" after a fall, a hospital stay or a new diagnosis. The situations below are the periods in which families most often need a professional caregiver.

Alzheimer's and dementia

Once forgetfulness increases and things like leaving the house and getting lost, leaving the stove on, mixing up medication or waking up and wandering at night begin, being left alone can become risky. In dementia, a steady caregiver who keeps the same routine and is patient and reassuring is a great support for the whole family.

After a stroke

After a stroke, a person may have limited mobility, difficulty speaking or weakness on one side of the body. They may need regular help with eating, dressing, bathing and the exercises their doctor has recommended.

Bedridden patients

A bedridden patient needs repositioning, personal hygiene, help with feeding and constant supervision. This is not a load that an adult child working full time can carry alone.

Recovery after surgery

After major surgery such as a hip or knee replacement, recovery can take weeks, sometimes months. During this time, help with daily tasks and supervision against the risk of falls may be needed. For short-term needs, you also have to factor in the time the work permit process takes for preparation and assessment.

Care for people with disabilities

A relative with a physical or intellectual disability, whether present from birth or acquired later in life, may need long-term, regular care. Disability care is also one of the areas for which domestic-services work permits are granted, so a disability caregiver work permit is assessed under the same rules.

Warning signs to watch for in the family

• Repeated falls in recent months, or a fear of falling
• Forgetting medication or taking it at the wrong time
• Skipped meals, weight loss, spoiled food in the fridge
• Difficulty with personal hygiene and getting dressed
• Restlessness at night, disorientation or leaving the house without telling anyone
• Growing anxiety when alone, and a need to call you often during the day

Nursing home, local caregiver or foreign caregiver?

When choosing a care option, look not only at the cost but also at the person's habits, their health and the family's daily routine. The comparison below offers a qualitative framework; we give an official figure only for a legal foreign caregiver.

Professional health services such as home healthcare or physiotherapy do not replace a caregiver, but used together with one, they noticeably improve the quality of care. If there are also young children in your home, you can find the different rules for childcare in our foreign nanny guide for working mothers.

Who can apply? "You can apply for your mother"

In elderly, sick and disabled care, the people who can be the applicant, that is, the employer, are:

• The person in need of care themselves (for example, a father applying with his own pension and savings)
• First-degree relatives of the person in need of care
• Second-degree relatives of the person in need of care
• The legal guardian, or relatives with the guardian's consent (if the person has been placed under legal restriction by a court decision)

Table of degrees of kinship

Who applies: examples

• For your mother's care: you or your sibling (first degree) can apply, and your mother can also apply in her own name. Your child, who is your mother's grandchild, also counts as a second-degree relative.
• For your mother-in-law's care: your spouse, as a blood relative, is the most natural applicant, but you can also be considered one of the relatives through kinship by marriage. Which of you is better placed to apply depends on income and address, and is decided case by case.
• For your grandmother's care: as a grandchild you are a second-degree relative and can apply.
• For your sibling with a disability: as a sibling you are a second-degree relative; if your sibling is under guardianship, the guardian must apply or give consent.
• For a relative with advanced dementia who has a court-appointed guardian: the guardian applies, or relatives apply with the guardian's consent.

Where will the caregiver work? The address question

A work permit is tied to a specific employer and workplace; in domestic services, the workplace is the home where the care is given. If your mother lives with you, the caregiver works in your home; if she lives in her own home, the caregiver works there. For example, if you live in Istanbul and your mother lives in her own home in Bursa, you can be the applicant and show your mother's home as the address where care will be given; in that case the address and kinship documents need to be prepared with particular care. The same logic applies to expat families: what counts is the address in Turkey where your parent actually lives and receives care.

The role of the medical report and the disability report

In domestic-services applications, the Ministry takes into account the health and age of the person to be cared for. That is why a medical report documenting the need for care is the backbone of elderly and sick caregiver files.

Which documents strengthen the case for care?

• A specialist doctor's report showing the diagnosis and the need for care
• A medical board report (sağlık kurulu raporu)
• A disability medical board report (stating the disability rate and, where applicable, that the person is dependent on care)
• A hospital discharge summary (epikriz) or discharge report
• A doctor's note showing the need for post-operative care
• A list of regularly used medications, or the prescriptions

Can you apply without a medical report?

Advanced age is a factor the assessment also considers on its own. But a recent report that sets out the need for care in concrete terms makes the case for the file much stronger. Especially for people who are relatively young but need care because of illness or disability, the report becomes decisive.

Income requirement for an elderly caregiver work permit: is a pension enough?

This is what families most want to know: there is no fixed "minimum income" figure set in the legislation. The Ministry assesses the employer's socio-economic situation, assets and regular monthly income together. The person in need of care, or their blood relatives or relatives by marriage up to the second degree, are expected to document sufficient and regular income.

If the income of the person in need of care is not enough, the family member who supports them documents their own income and provides a notarized letter of undertaking (taahhütname). In other words, if the pension alone does not cover the caregiver's employer cost of at least 40,874.63 TL a month, the children's income and undertaking complete the file.

Example scenario: A retired mother living in Nilüfer, Bursa, has had a stroke, and her daughter, who works in Istanbul, becomes the applicant. Because the mother's pension does not cover the full cost of the caregiver, the daughter submits her own payslips and SGK statement and gives a notarized undertaking that she will cover the caregiver's wage and contributions. The mother's home in Bursa is shown as the address where care will be given.

What does the notarized letter of undertaking include?

• The identity and contact details of the person giving the undertaking
• Their degree of kinship to the person in need of care
• The caregiver's identity and passport details
• A clear statement that they will cover the caregiver's wage and SGK contributions
• The period covered by the undertaking

Required documents: checklists

The document list can vary with the Ministry's current practice and the specifics of the file, and it is normal for additional documents to be requested. You can obtain many of them, such as the civil registry record, the SGK service statement and pension details, through e-Devlet, Turkey's e-government portal. If you are an expat family, some of your documents (proof of kinship, for example) may have been issued abroad; we tell you which ones need translation or certification for your file.

For the person in need of care

• Identity details and a civil registry record (nüfus kayıt örneği)
• A recent medical report or disability medical board report
• Income documents: pension details, bank statement and, if there is rental income, the related documents
• Proof of address for the home where care will be given, plus the title deed or rental agreement
• The guardianship decision, if the person is under legal restriction

For the applicant relative or guardian

• Identity details and a civil registry record showing the kinship
• Income documents: payslips and SGK service statement; for the self-employed, the tax registration certificate and tax returns
• Bank statement and any asset documents
• A notarized letter of undertaking, where needed
• The guardianship decision, if you are the guardian
• The employment contract to be signed with the caregiver, showing elderly, patient or disability care as the job description

For the caregiver candidate

• A passport valid for longer than the permit period, and a biometric photo
• A diploma or education certificate; where needed, with an apostille or consular legalization and a sworn translation
• References and a CV showing experience in elderly or patient care
• Any patient care, first aid or companion care certificates
• For an application from inside Turkey, a residence permit valid for at least 6 months
• A recent medical report, if the family asks for one

How do you apply? From inside Turkey or from abroad

The person in need of care, a relative or a guardian applies as the employer, and the process runs through the e-İzin system, the online work permit platform of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The general Turkey work permit rules apply here too: the permit is tied to a specific employer and workplace, and a valid work permit also counts as a residence permit.

1. Choosing the application route

   If the caregiver is in Turkey and has a residence permit valid for at least 6 months, the application is made from inside Turkey. If they are in Turkey on a tourist visa, or in their home country, an application from abroad is needed.

2. Preparing the documents

   The medical report, income documents, letter of undertaking and the caregiver's documents are completed.

3. Filing the application

   For an application from abroad, the caregiver applies for a work visa at a Turkish consulate, and the employer uploads the documents to the e-İzin system within 10 days.

4. Assessment

   Complete applications are decided within 30 days; if additional documents are requested, it takes longer.

5. Fee payment

   After the approval notice, the fee and card fee must be paid within 30 days; otherwise the application is refused or not processed.

6. SGK registration and the calendar

   When the caregiver starts work, they are registered with SGK. The first permit is for a maximum of 1 year; a renewal application can be filed starting 60 days before the permit expires and must be completed before it runs out.

If you are the caregiver, two points matter most here: you cannot start working until your permit is approved, and while your work permit is valid, it also counts as your residence permit.

Choosing the right caregiver

In elderly care, the right person is not just someone who knows the job, but someone who respects your loved one's dignity and habits. The qualities to look for depend on the type of care needed:

Turkish language and communication

Many older people in Turkey speak only Turkish, and even if your parent speaks English or another language, everyday life around them, from the emergency line to the pharmacy and the doctor's office, largely runs in Turkish. The caregiver's Turkish is considered in the Ministry's assessment, and it is vital in daily life too: communication is essential to understand a sentence describing pain, to call 112 (Turkey's emergency number) and give the address in an emergency, and to follow the doctor's instructions correctly.

Physical fitness, health and privacy

Caring for a bedridden patient takes physical strength. Asking the caregiver for a recent medical report is the family's natural right. For intimate matters such as bathing and personal care, the preferences of the person being cared for, and of the family, regarding the caregiver's gender should also be discussed from the start.

The first weeks: settling in and building a routine

It is not easy for older people when someone new comes into their home. In the first weeks, share the daily routine (waking up, medication, meals, walks, bedtime) with the caregiver in writing, and tell them about your relative's favorite foods, habits and sensitivities. If possible, have a family member at home during the first days, then make visits and phone check-ins a regular habit. Talking about small problems before they grow is the key to a long-lasting care relationship.

Questions you can ask in the interview

• What illnesses or care needs did the people you cared for have, and for how long did you care for them?
• How do you move a bedridden patient?
• How do you work in a routine where you need to get up several times a night?
• Have you ever stayed with a patient in hospital as a companion?
• What is the first thing you do when you notice a fall or confusion?

If you are the caregiver, expect questions like these and have your references, certificates and concrete examples from your previous care work ready. It is equally reasonable for you to ask the family about night duties, your weekly day off and your room.

Home setup for a live-in caregiver

In elderly care, a live-in caregiver is often the most realistic option, but no single person can work 24 hours a day, every day, without a break. How night care will work, the caregiver's rest hours and who takes over the care on the weekly day off should be planned in advance. The Turkish Code of Obligations provides that, as a rule, an employee must be given at least one full day of weekly rest each week.

• A separate room for the caregiver, with privacy
• A hospital bed and the necessary assistive equipment, as recommended by the doctor
• Grab bars in the bathroom, a non-slip floor and a night light
• A weekly pill organizer and a written medication schedule
• A communication notebook in which the caregiver and the family leave notes for each other
• A written list with emergency numbers, the doctor's contact details and the home address
• If you use cameras, tell the caregiver openly and never use them in the caregiver's private spaces

Contract, SGK and salary (2026)

The caregiver's wage cannot be lower than the minimum wage. In 2026 the gross minimum wage is 33,030.00 TL, and the net amount the caregiver takes home is 28,075.50 TL. To see the wage criterion and different gross-to-net scenarios, use our foreign employee salary calculator.

Whoever is the employer also carries the SGK obligation: if your retired mother applied, she is the employer; if you applied, you are. Because domestic services fall outside the scope of the Labour Law (No. 4857), the relationship is governed mainly by the service contract provisions of the Turkish Code of Obligations and by the contract you sign.

SGK registration also gives the caregiver health coverage. This is not only a legal obligation but also a safeguard for the family: if the caregiver falls ill or has an accident, they can access healthcare through legal channels, and you, as the employer, are not left alone with an unexpected cost and liability. Paying the wage into a bank account every month is the soundest way to document payments. If you are the caregiver, a written contract, SGK registration and payment into your own bank account are what document and protect your rights.

Contract clauses specific to elderly care

• Job description: personal care, feeding support, medication reminders, companionship
• The night routine, and how night wake-ups affect rest time
• Companion arrangements if the person is admitted to hospital
• The weekly rest day, annual leave, and who provides care during these periods
• Wage, payment day and payment into a bank account
• Confidentiality, patient privacy and the emergency procedure

Elderly caregiver work permit cost: 2026 table

The calculation below shows the employer cost without incentives, the most cautious scenario, for an elderly or sick caregiver working full time on the minimum wage.

Fees by permit period (2026 tariff)

The fees shown for renewal years are based on the 2026 tariff; in later years both the fees and the minimum wage are updated. On top of these, budget for the caregiver's meals and accommodation, travel costs from abroad, translation, notary and undertaking costs, and any backup care you may need on weekly rest days. For your own scenario, use the foreign caregiver cost calculator.

Amounts are valid for 2026 and are updated when the legislation changes.

Free calculatorForeign Caregiver Cost in Turkey: 2026 CalculatorCalculate a foreign caregiver's net salary, the SGK employer share, the monthly employer cost and the first-year total…

What happens to the permit after a hospital stay, a move to a nursing home or a death?

This is not easy to think about, but knowing in advance lightens the family's load at a difficult time. The basic principle is this: the work permit is tied to a specific employer and a specific care need. If the employer or the care need no longer exists, a notification must be made and, if necessary, a new application filed.

What happens to the caregiver's status in Turkey?

A valid work permit counts as a residence permit. When the employment ends, for the caregiver to stay in Turkey legally, either a work permit application with a new employer or a suitable type of residence permit should be considered. For caregivers who came from abroad and have not completed 6 months, a move to another employer is usually refused; however, extraordinary situations such as the employer's death may be treated as force majeure. We explain what to do if the caregiver's residence application is refused in our article on what to do if your residence permit is rejected.

How do you change caregivers?

In elderly care, a change of caregiver may come up because of a poor fit, the caregiver returning to their home country or care needs becoming heavier. Because the work permit is tied to that employment relationship, a new caregiver needs a new application; the departing caregiver is deregistered from SGK and the Ministry is notified.

• Check the 6-month rule: if a caregiver who came through an application from abroad applies to move to another employer within 6 months of starting work, the application is usually refused unless there is force majeure.
• Plan the transition period: a new caregiver cannot start work before their permit is approved. For this period, consider an interim solution such as support from the family or short-term care in an institution.
• A gentle transition for people with dementia: getting used to a new face can be hard for people with dementia; if possible, have the outgoing and the new caregiver hand over the routine to each other.

The risks of employing a caregiver illegally

In elderly care, the risks of off-the-books employment can be even heavier than in childcare, because the person being cared for often cannot speak up for themselves and is completely dependent on the caregiver.

• Administrative fines: a high administrative fine per foreigner is imposed separately on the employer and on the foreigner; the amounts rise every year by the revaluation rate.
• Left without care overnight: a caregiver working without a permit can be deported and may face an entry ban; for a bedridden patient, that means a sudden and dangerous gap in care.
• Return costs and SGK penalties: the employer may have to cover the foreigner's costs of returning home, and uninsured employment also leads to SGK penalties.
• Accidents and liability: if there is a fall during a transfer, or the caregiver is injured, an uninsured arrangement leaves both the caregiver and the family unprotected.
• Exposure to abuse: leaving a vulnerable relative alone with someone whose identity and background have not been verified through a legal process is a serious risk.

If you are the caregiver, the same risks apply to you from the other side: a fine, deportation, an entry ban, and no health coverage if you are injured while lifting or moving a patient.

How does the process work with Fast Danışmanlık?

Fast Danışmanlık has been supporting families with foreign work permits and residence procedures since 2010. With 16 years of experience, we understand what adult children need when they are looking for a caregiver for their parents while trying to find time between work and family.

1. Initial consultation

   On our phone or WhatsApp line, +90 542 392 90 92, we listen to your relative's care needs, your family structure and the caregiver candidate's situation.

2. Choosing the applicant and the route

   We clarify who will be the employer, how income will be documented, whether a letter of undertaking is needed, and whether to apply from inside Turkey or from abroad.

3. Preparing the health and income file

   We make sure the medical reports, income documents and caregiver documents are complete and consistent.

4. Application and follow-up

   We prepare the application through the e-İzin system, respond quickly to requests for additional documents, and plan the fee and SGK steps with you after approval.

5. Continuity

   We stand by you through notifications and new applications in situations such as a renewal, a change of caregiver, a hospital stay or a death.

Alongside elderly caregiver work permit applications in Istanbul and caregiver work permit support in Bursa, we serve Kocaeli, Tekirdağ, Sakarya and the other Marmara provinces, and we run applications online from anywhere in Turkey. If an application is refused, objections and lawsuits are followed up through our partner attorneys as part of our legal support.

Summary: why Fast Danışmanlık?

Your parents' care is a decision that should not be rushed, yet it cannot be put off. In the elderly caregiver work permit process, choosing the right applicant, preparing strong health and income documents and managing the permit on schedule bring your family peace of mind.

• 16 years of experience in foreign work permits and residence procedures since 2010
• Document and income planning specific to elderly, sick and disabled care files
• An approach focused on maximizing the chance of approval with a complete file
• Continuity through renewals, changes of caregiver and difficult times
• Marmara Region first, with remote service across Turkey

For a roadmap tailored to your relative, take a look at our elderly and sick caregiver work permit service, or call us right away.