Türkiye plans to extend maternity leave to 24 weeks

A major legislative change is being prepared in Türkiye that will affect millions of citizens. Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) are expected to submit a bill to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly in the coming days. The proposal предусматривает an extension of maternity leave and the introduction of new restrictions for children on social media.

Maternity leave to be extended to 24 weeks

According to the draft proposal, maternity leave is planned to be increased from 16 to 24 weeks. The new rules will apply to women employed in all sectors:

• civil servants

• private sector employees

• military personnel

• judges and prosecutors

• employees of state-owned enterprises

• academic staff

Of the total leave period:

• 8 weeks will be granted before childbirth

• 16 weeks — after the birth of the child

To implement the initiative, amendments will be made to the Law on Civil Servants, Labor Law, and the Law on the Personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces.

How Türkiye compares with the EU

Maternity leave conditions across the European Union vary, but overall they are considered among the most socially protective worldwide:

• In most EU countries, maternity leave ranges from 14 to 26 weeks, depending on the country

• In France, maternity leave is around 16 weeks, in Germany — 14 weeks, followed by extended parental leave

• In Scandinavian countries, the focus is on long, paid parental leave, which can exceed 40–50 weeks and is shared between both parents

Against this background, extending maternity leave in Turkey to 24 weeks brings the country closer to the upper range of European standards specifically for maternity leave.

Situation in the United States: a sharp contrast

Compared to Türkiye and the EU, the United States offers significantly lower social protection:

• There is no mandatory paid maternity leave at the federal level

• Federal law guarantees only up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave (FMLA), and only for certain employees

• Paid leave programs exist only in some states (such as California and New York) and depend on local legislation

Thus, even Türkiye’s current 16-week maternity leave already exceeds federal guarantees in the United States, while 24 weeks positions Türkiye as a more socially oriented model compared to the U.S. system.

Support for working women

The authorities emphasize that the initiative aims to support working women, improve work–life balance, and enhance social protection for families. The bill is viewed as part of a broader reform of social policy and child protection.