Source: Statistics Netherlands
Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Source: Statistics Netherlands (CBS)
Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Source: Statistics Netherlands (CBS)
Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

The seasonally adjusted ILO unemployment rate for those between the ages of 15 and 75 increased from 3.5 percent in December to 3.6 percent in January.

The jobless rate was likewise 3.6 percent in the same month last year.

In January, there were 360,000 unemployed people, up from 352,000 the previous month.

The rate of unemployment for young people, defined as those between the ages of 15 and 25, increased from 7.5 percent to 7.8 percent in January.

Source: RTT News
Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

I have a refund regarding participation to exposition, exhibition and fair:
– If your domicile, workplace, legal center or work center is not located in Turkey,
– If you are a resident of  a country providing reciprocity between Turkey on VAT refund, ( Bosnia- Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia) ( VAT Law – Circular numbered 60)
– If the delivery of goods and the execution of services regarding the participation to exposition, exhibition and fair are exclusively related to these jobs (accommodation included),
– If the cost of the purchased goods/services, including VAT, is over the limit of invoicing within the related period. (900 TL for 2016 and 2017)
– You can get your VAT refund by applying to the tax office determined by the Tax Office Directorate/ Defterdarlık at the province where the exposition, exhibition and fair activities are executed with a petition.

I have a refund resulting from the touristic shopping:

You cannot get VAT refund in case you bought a touristic service.
– If you are a foreign national individual not residing in Turkey,

You can get refund of VAT providing that you get the goods out of Turkey within 3 months beginning from the date of the invoice or similar documents and if:

each invoice for the goods you purchased is over 100 TL (VAT exclusive),

the goods you purchased are not among the goods listed in Special Compsumtion Tax Law Annex I,

the seller from whom you purchase goods is a taxpayer who has the License of VAT Export Exception or is eligible to prepare the special invoicing.

The special invoice which is prepared by the seller for the sales under exception needs to involve the following information;
– Type and number of your passport,
– The branch of your bank and your account number in that bank.

The seller has to prepare the invoice as 4 copies and submit 3 of them to you.

If you want to get your refund from the bank branch at customs;

The salesperson should give you a cheque belong to a bank he has contract; indicating the date and number of the invoice and the total amount of VAT as TRY (Turkish Lira)

You may get your VAT refund from the bank branch at the customs after you get the cheque and the invoice approved by the customs officer.

If you want your refund to be paid to your bank account;

In case you sent your invoice; which is approved as you carry the goods with you, within 3 months following the date of your departure; your refund might be deposited to your bank account or might be sent to your address within 10 days after the salesperson receives the invoice indicates your refund amount.

If you want your refund to be paid in cash;

The salesperson may pay your refund in cash in case you bring the approved copy of your invoice to the salesperson within 3 months following the date of your departure.

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

However, the provisions on healthcare insurance in the agreements signed between Azerbaijan and Albania cannot be implemented due to the reasons stemming from their legislations.

Which persons can receive healthcare services abroad according to the social security agreements?
Unless otherwise provided in the agreement on social security, the following persons have the right to receive healthcare benefits on behalf of our Institution;

1. Insured persons (banks, insurance and reassurance companies, chambers of commerce, chambers of industry, stock markets and the workers employed in the unions constituted by them) under the scope of letter (a) of the first paragraph of Article 4 of the Law No. 5510 and of transitional Article 20 of the Law No. 506 and their dependent family members. Of the persons specified in this scope, the following can receive healthcare benefits while staying or residing in a foreign country:

• Insured persons temporarily posted to a foreign country,
• Persons who are permanently posted to a foreign country and their dependent family members,,
• Dependent family members of the insured and retired persons staying abroad for educational reasons,,
• Insured and retired persons staying abroad for touristic purposes and their dependent family members,,
• Dependent family members of the insured persons who are permanently residing abroad and retired persons and their dependent family members,,
• Members of universal health insurance who are sent to another country for treatment and their dependent family members.,

2. Apart from this; according to the legislation of our Institution, the following persons can avail themselves from the right to receive healthcare benefits provided by our Institution under the scope of universal health insurance on behalf of the contracted countries;

• For temporary stay; all the persons registered on the document (formulary) of right to healthcare benefits, only in cases of emergency,
• For permanent residence; persons specified in the social security agreements.

In this context, in order to receive healthcare benefits in our country, respective persons are required to be an insured member of universal health insurance or dependent of the insured in question.

Conditions for Receiving Healthcare Benefits for the Persons Having Foreign Insurance
Persons having foreign insurance, who either temporarily stay or permanently reside in our country, are required to get a formulary from the institution to which they are registered and submit it to the Departments of Foreign Services operating within the scope of Social Security Provincial Directorates/Social Security Centers in their place of stay or residence; or to the Social Security Centers designated by Social Security Provincial Directorates.

Through the Document of Healthcare Benefits under Social Security Agreement, they can avail themselves from right to healthcare benefits in contracted health facilities, like other insured members of universal health insurance, free of charge excluding the rates of contribution and share which have to be paid legally by the insured himself/herself.

In cases of emergency, the insured persons, coming from countries with whom a social security agreement including healthcare insurance applications has been concluded and who are temporarily staying in our country, can receive the formulary for the right to healthcare services from the “Department of Foreign Services” in their place of stay in Turkey by submitting the document issued by the social security institution in their country. Besides, these documents can be confirmed through Social Security Centers designated by Social Security Provincial Directorates.

Benefiting from Emergency Healthcare Services for the People Having Foreign Insurance
In order to receive healthcare services, foreign insured people are required to make an application to the contracted health facilities of the Ministry of Health or to the private or training health facilities with the “Document of Healthcare Benefits under Social Security Agreement.”
Only through the referral of our contracted units, services can be provided from the non-contracted health facilities. When a person applies directly to a non-contracted health facility, regardless of this regulation, his/her expenses of treatment can be covered by the Institution on condition that it is an emergency situation.

Whether the treatment is an emergency or not is determined through the inspection of the relevant submitted medical documents by the contracted health facilities.

In such a case, the insured person shall apply to the Social Security Provincial Directorate/Social Security Center together with the reports regarding his/her treatment and invoices if he/she has made the payment. If the treatment is accepted as an emergency, a reimbursement shall be made to the insured in accordance with the provisions set forth in Medical Enforcement Declaration (SUT).

Duration of Benefiting from Healthcare Services for Foreign Insured People who are Temporarily Staying in our Country and Determination of the Family Members to Receive Healthcare Benefits
People, who are temporarily staying in our country, have the right to healthcare benefits for the period specified in the documents that they brought with them. For temporary stay, people to receive healthcare benefits are determined according to the legislation of the country issuing the document.

In case healthcare benefit is needed after the expiration of the document;

• A new document for treatment period shall be requested from the contracted country by applying to the relevant unit of the Institution.
• Insured person shall directly contact with the insurance institution of the country to which he/she is subject and request a new document for treatment period. The healthcare services provided meanwhile have to be paid for.
• After the document for the extension of the period is received from the contracted country, a “Document of Healthcare Benefits under Social Security Agreement” shall be issued retrospectively and the expenses shall be reimbursed to the respective people pursuant to the provisions of Medical Enforcement Declaration (SUT).

Duration of Benefiting from Healthcare Services for Foreign Retired People who are Permanently Residing in our Country and Determination of the Family Members to Receive Healthcare Benefits
People, who are permanently residing in our country, have the right to receive healthcare benefits for the period specified in the documents issued by the institutions of the contracted countries until a notification regarding the termination of the right to healthcare benefits is received.

For the permanent residences, the people to receive healthcare benefits subject to the agreement.

In our agreements with Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, T.R.N.C., Luxemburg and Croatia, family members are determined pursuant to the legislation of our Institution; while in our agreements with Macedonia, Romania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania they are determined according to the legislation of the relevant country.

Documents of right to healthcare benefits in cases of permanent residence are sent to our Institution by the insurance institutions of contracted countries either for a long time or without specifying the date of termination of the right.

However, the rights of foreign insured people in order to receive healthcare benefits are sometimes terminated by the relevant sickness funds for various reasons.

For the purpose of checking whether foreign insured people’s rights to healthcare benefits are continuing or not, the mentioned documents are issued in every six months’ period and given to the relevant persons.

Where the Costs of Treatment can be reimbursed by Foreign Insured Persons who pay for Their Treatment without a Document of Right to Healthcare Benefits?
Foreign insured persons who pay for their treatment in our country without obtaining the document (formulary) for receiving healthcare benefits from the insurance institution to which he/she is registered shall keep their reports and invoices regarding the treatment. After returning to his/her country to which he/she is registered, he/she shall request a reimbursement by submitting the relevant reports and invoices indicating the healthcare expenses to the institution to which he/she is affiliated. In this case, if it is set forth in the agreement, the insurance institution receiving the application shall request information from our Institution on the specified cost of the treatment provided in our country by sending the relevant reports and invoices. Following the receipt of the notification on the specified cost of that treatment, institution shall reimburse the notified amount to relevant person.

Who can Receive Healthcare Benefits in Germany in Accordance with the Social Security Agreement between Germany and our Country?
Only our workers and retired workers were to avail themselves of the healthcare provisions of the Social Security Agreement signed with Germany.

By way of reaching a consensus with German liaison body, craftsmen and civil servants and people who are retired in this context and also their dependants are covered by the healthcare provisions of the Social Security Agreement between Turkey and Germany.

As a result of this regulation, all the insured and retired persons and their dependants going to Germany, have the opportunity to avail themselves of healthcare benefits.

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Female life expectancy at birth is 80.7 years
According to life tables, 2015 results; life expectancy at birth is 78 years at total, 75.3 years for males and 80.7 years for females. In general, females live longer than males and the difference in life expectancy at birth is 5.4 years.

Illiterate female population is 5 times more than illiterate male population
In Turkey, while the proportion of total illiterate population in 25 and over age groups is 5.4%, this proportion is 1.8% for male population and 9% for female population in 2015.

While the proportion of high school and equivalent graduates in 25 and over age groups is 19.5%, this proportion is 23.5% for males and 15.6% for females. The proportion of total higher education graduates is 15.5%, this proportion is 17.9% for males and 13.1% for females.

Selected indicators by sex, 2015 

Female employment rate was less than half of male employment rate
According to household labor force survey results; in Turkey the employment rate of population aged 15 and over was 46%; this rate was 65% for males and 27.5% for females in 2015.

When the employment rates in member countries of the European Union were analyzed, it was seen that Sweden had the highest employment rate for females with 74% and Greece had the lowest employment rate for females with 42.5% in 2015. The average employment rate for females in European Union countries (28 countries) was 60.4%.

In member countries of the European Union, Netherlands had the highest employment rate for males with 79% and Greece had the lowest employment rate for males with 59.3% in 2015. The average employment rate for males in European Union countries was 70.8%.

Labor force participation rate of educated females is higher
According to household labor force survey results; in Turkey, labor force participation rate of population aged 15 and over was 51.3%, this rate was 71.6% for males and 31.5% for females in 2015.

When labor force participation rate by education status was investigated, it was seen that the higher education status of females, females participated more to labor force. The labor force participation rate was 16.1% for illiterate females, 26.6% for females who graduated from school less than high school, 32.7% for females who graduated from high school, 40.8% for females who graduated from vocational high school and 71.6% for females who graduated from higher education.

Every 4 out of 5 males found it appropriate for females to work
According to family structure survey, 2016 results; the proportion of individuals who approved females’ working was totally 84.9%, the proportion of males who approved it was 78.1% and the proportion of females who approved females’ working was 91.5%.

When the proportions of individuals who approved females’ working was analyzed by Statistical Regions (SR) Level 1, the highest proportion was in TR3 Aegean (İzmir, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Manisa, Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak) with 90.6% and the lowest was in TRC South East Anatolia (Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Şırnak, Siirt) with 71.5%.

Females who graduated from higher education earned more income
According to income and living conditions survey results; while working females who graduated from higher education had average annual main job income as 29 thousand 238 TL, working females who graduated from high school had average annual main job income as 16 thousand 124 TL in 2015. Females who didn’t complete any school had average annual main job income as 8 thousand 528 TL.

34.3% of the first marriages was realized between the ages of 20-24 in females
According to family structure survey, 2016 results; when the first marriage ages declared in the survey by individuals aged 15 and older and who experienced marriage was analysed, it was seen that first marriages mostly took place between the ages of 20-24 with 37.5% in Turkey. While the proportion of males who married for the first time in the 20-24 age group was 41.3%, this proportion was 34.3% for females.

In the case of conflict, spouses reacted with shouting to each other mostly
According to family structure survey, 2016 results; in the case of conflict between the spouses, 75.3% of males and 66.2% of females reacted with shouting/raising their voices to their spouses mostly. 55.1% of males and 64.2% of females remained silent in the case of conflict. 3.6% of males and 2.4% of females used physical violence to their spouses when they were in conflict.

According to Statistical Regions (SR) Level 1, the highest proportion of using physical violence to spouses was highest in TRC South East Anatolia (Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Şırnak, Siirt). In this region 8.6% of males, 7.5% of females used physical violence to their spouses.

The proportion of males’ using physical violence was lowest in TR3 Aegean (İzmir, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Manisa, Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak) with 1.7%, this proportion for females was lowest in TR4 East Marmara (Bursa, Eskişehir, Bilecik, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Yalova) with 0.7%.

Household chores and responsibilities were shared with paying regard to sex
According to family structure survey, 2016 results; it was observed that while females did continuous house works like cooking, dishwashing, laundering, cleaning the house and ironing, males did works which had apparency and definite beginning and ending like repairing, painting the house, paying the bills.

Throughout Turkey, cooking was done by females with the proportion of 91.2%, by males with 8.8%. Painting the house was done by males with the proportion of 80.4%, this proportion was 19.6% for females.

Married males and females are happier
According to life satisfaction survey results; the proportion of individuals who declared themselves as happy was 61.3% in 2016. While the level of happiness was 58.1% for males, it was 64.5% for females. It was seen that 64.7% of married individuals, 57.3% of individuals who never married, 50.9% of widowed individuals and 32.5% of divorced individuals were happy.

60.8% of married males, 68.3% of married females declared themselves as happy. While 54.5% of males who never married and 62.1% of females who never married were happy, 29% of divorced males and 35.5% of divorced females were happy. It was seen that 53.1% of widowed males and 50.5% of widowed females were happy.

Level of happiness by marital status, 2016

About 4 out of every 10 females felt insecure in their own neighborhood
According to life satisfaction survey results; while the proportion of the individuals who felt insecure when they were walking alone at night in their own neighborhood was 26.2% totally, this proportion was 15.2% for males and 37% for females in 2016. 71% of males and 47.5% of females felt themselves secure in their own neighborhood.

The proportion of the individuals who felt insecure when they were alone at home was 7.9% in total, this proportion was 4.5% for males, 11.2% for females. 86.7% of males, 76% of females felt themselves secure when they were alone at home in 2016.

Deaths caused by diseases of the circulatory system took first place
According to causes of death statistics results; among the causes of death cases in 2015, diseases of the circulatory system were in the first place with 40.3%, neoplasms were in the second order with 20% and diseases of the respiratory system were in the third order with 11.1%.

When the causes of death cases were examined by sex, for females diseases of the circulatory system were in the first place with 44.3%, neoplasms were in the second order with 15.5% and diseases of the respiratory system were in the third order with 10.1%. For males the sequence of the death causes is similar with the females, diseases of the circulatory system were in the first place with 36.8%, neoplasms were in the second order with 23.9% and diseases of the respiratory system were in the third order with 11.9%.

Females participated less in political life than males
While the proportion of female deputies was 4.5% in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1935, this proportion has increased to 14.7% after 81 years. The total number of ministers in 2016 in Turkey is 27 and the number of female ministers is only 1. While the proportion of female mayors in local governments was 0.9% in 2009 local elections, this proportion was 2.9% in 2014 local elections. While the proportion of female head of quarters was 2.3% in 2009 local elections, this proportion was 2% in 2014 local elections.

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

The institution which determines the amount of minimum wage is titled “Minimum Wage Determination Commission”.

Members of the Commission are listed below:
– 5 people – Representatives on behalf of the Government
– 5 people – Representatives from Turkish Company Union (on behalf of workers)
– 5 people – Turkey’s Employers’ Association

The amount of minimum wage in 2017 is supposed to be declared before the year ends.

1- What were the Amounts of Minimum Wages in Turkey for the Last Years?
The gross amounts of Minimum wages for 13 years between 2005 and 2017 are shown in the table below.

In the last column of the table, one may see the increase rate of minimum wages in comparison with the previous year.

The increase rate of minimum wage in 2016 is higher compared to the previous years. As minimum living allowance was included in minimum wage. In the previous years, minimum living allowance was not included in minimum wage.

2- How much is the Minimum Wage in 2016?
Minimum wage in 2016 including minimum living allowance;
Gross:                              1.647,00 TL
Net:                                 1.176,47 TL
Minimum Living Allowance: 123,53 TL (minimum)
Net Paid:                          1.300,00 TL (including minimum living allowance)

3- How much is the Minimum Wage in 2017?
The gross amount of minimum wage in 2017 is 1.777,50 TL and the minimum amount for an employee is 1.404,06 TL including minimum living allowance. Minimum living allowance is included in that amount. There will not be added minimum living allowance to the expounded amount.

Minimum wage in 2017 including minimum living allowance;
Gross:                              1.777,50 TL
Net:                                 1.270,75 TL
Minimum Living Allowance: 133,31 TL (minimum)
Net paid:                          1.404,06 TL (including minimum living allowance)

4- Where Would You Like to Live?
If minimum wage is taken into consideration while giving an answer to this question, the answer will be Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Australia or Belgium. For those countries have the maximum amount of minimum wage, according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Below, one may find the amount of annual minimum wages of some countries in the World in line with the data given by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Turkey ranks number 20 in the list.

Date: 20 March 2017

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.

Legal Framework of Foreign Direct Investment
1. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Law No. 4875

The aim of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Law No. 4875 is:

• to encourage FDI in the country
• to protect the rights of investors
• to align the definitions of an investor and investment with international standards
• to establish a notification-based system rather than an approval-based one for FDI
• to increase the volume of FDI through streamlined policies and procedures

The FDI Law provides a definition of foreign investors and foreign direct investments. In addition, it explains important principles of FDI, such as;

• freedom to invest,
• national treatment,
• expropriation and nationalization,
• freedom of transfer,
• national and international arbitration and alternative dispute settlement methods,
• valuation of non-cash capital,
• employment of foreign personnel,
• liaison offices.

The Regulation on the Implementation of the FDI Law consists of specifying the procedures and principles set forth in the FDI Law. The aim of the FDI Law with regard to the work permits for foreigners is:

• to regulate the work carried out by foreigners
• to stipulate the provisions and rules on work permits given to foreigners

  2. Bilateral Agreements
  2.a. Bilateral Agreements for the Promotion and Protection of Investments
  Bilateral Agreements for the Promotion and Protection of Investments were signed from 1962 onwards with countries that show the potential to improve bilateral investment relations. The basic aim of bilateral investment agreements is to establish a favorable environment for economic cooperation between the contracting parties by defining standards of treatment for investors and their investments within the boundaries of the countries concerned. The aim of these agreements is to increase the flow of capital between the contracting parties, while ensuring a stable investment environment. In addition, by having provisions on international arbitration, they aim to prescribe ways to successfully settle disputes that might occur among investors and the host state. Turkey has signed Bilateral Investment Treaties with 94 countries. However, Turkey is a dualist country, where an international treaty has to be ratified and promulgated in order to become part of the national legal system. Within this regard, 75 Bilateral Investment Treaties out of these 94 have gone into effect so far.

75 countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium-Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Source: Ministry of Economy

2. b. Double Taxation Prevention Treaties
Turkey has signed Double Taxation Prevention Treaties with 80 countries. This enables tax paid in one of two countries to be offset against tax payable in the other, thus preventing double taxation.

80 countries
Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Source: Revenue Administration

Turkey is continuing to expand the area covered by the Double Taxation Prevention Treaty by adding more countries on an ongoing basis.

2. c. Social Security Agreements
Turkey has signed Social Security Agreements with 26 countries. These agreements make it easier for expatriates to move between countries. The number of these countries will increase in line with the increased sources of FDI.

26 countries
Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada and the Province of Quebec, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, United Kingdom
Source: Social Security Institution (SSI)

3. Customs Union and Free Trade Agreements (FTA)
A Customs Union Agreement between Turkey and the European Union has been in effect since 1996. The agreement allows trade between Turkey and the EU countries without any customs restrictions. The EU-Turkey Customs Union is one of the steps toward full Turkish membership of the EU itself.

Turkey has FTAs with 37 countries, creating a free trade area in which the countries agree to eliminate tariffs, quotas and preferences on most goods and services traded between them. This framework explains why many global companies are now using Turkey as a second supply source and manufacturing base, not only for the EU and rapidly growing Turkish markets, but also for the Middle East, Black Sea and North African markets, with the added advantage of a relatively low-cost but well-educated labor force, coupled with cost-effective transportation.

37 countries
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, EFTA, Israel, South Korea, Macedonia, Morocco, Malaysia, Mauritius, Palestine, Jordan, Syria*, Tunisia, Montenegro, Serbia, Chile
Countries that have finalized the negotiation process: Faroe Islands, Ghana, Kosovo, Lebanon, Moldova, Singapore
Countries in the negotiation process: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Gulf Cooperation Council, Japan, Libya, Mexico, Mercosur, Peru, Seychelles, Ukraine *suspended
Source: Ministry of Economy

 Date: 13 March 2017

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.