How to Find a Nanny, Caregiver, or Maid in Turkey: A Complete Guide (2026)
Finding the right domestic helper in Turkey requires more than a quick search. This guide walks you through every decision you need to make — from figuring out what type of help you need to understanding costs, legal obligations (ÇSGB work permits & SGK), and how to screen candidates properly.
Whether you are considering a full-time maid, a part-time helper, or looking to hire a nanny in Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir, we hope this information will demystify the process and help you make the right decision for your family.
To learn all the details, keep reading below. Or for a quicker way to get information, contact our support team.
Decide What Type of Help You Need
Start by choosing the arrangement that best fits your household in Turkey:
- Full-time Caregiver / Maid: 8–10 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week. Ideal for busy families requiring regular daily cleaning, cooking, and childcare.
- Part-time Helper: A few hours per day or on specific days of the week. Ideal if you need routine light household help without full-time commitment.
- Live-in Nanny / Helper: Resides in your home. You provide private accommodation, meals, and sponsor their official Work Permit (Çalışma İzni).
- Live-out Caregiver: Works daily during set hours and returns to her own residence. Must hold a valid Turkish Residence Permit (İkamet İzni) or sponsored work permit.
Not sure which suits your household? Read our full Live-in vs. Live-out Comparison Guide for Turkey.
Understand the Costs and Your Legal Obligations
- Monthly Salary Ranges: Monthly salaries start from 28,075 TL (the statutory net minimum wage in Turkey for 2026) depending on experience, languages spoken (English/Turkish), and specialized skills (newborn or elderly care).
- Work Permit & Social Security (SGK): Under Turkish International Labour Law No. 6735, employers hiring foreign domestic workers must obtain an official work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) and register the employee with SGK (Social Security Institution) for healthcare and pension contributions.
- Employer Obligations: Providing a formal employment contract, mandatory weekly rest days, public holiday pay, and registering social security premiums ensures full legal compliance and protects your household from unauthorized employment fines.
Where to Find a Nanny or Maid in Turkey
- Traditional Recruitment Agencies: Handles matching for you, but often charges upfront agency placement fees equal to 1–2 months of salary.
- Online Matching Platforms: Browse verified profiles, filter candidates by skills, nationality (Filipino, Indonesian, Nepalese, Ethiopian, etc.), current residence status, and availability. Direct hiring is faster, more transparent, and significantly cost-effective.
Screen, Trial, and Hire
Before agreeing to a final hire, verify how many years of domestic or childcare experience the candidate has in Turkey or abroad:
- Key Screening Questions: Ask about previous employer references, cooking abilities, emergency training, legal status (valid Ikamet / consular reference code), and wage expectations.
- Trial Period: Once shortlisted, run a paid 2 to 3-day trial to assess chemistry, work quality, and handling of routine tasks.
- Final Agreement: Confirm monthly salary, working hours, day-off arrangements, and work permit sponsorship responsibility in writing before full-time work begins.