How Are Employment Entry and Termination Declarations Prepared?

One of the key legal obligations that businesses must fulfill when employing staff is the timely and accurate submission of employee entry and exit notifications to the Social Security Institution (SGK).
Date: 19 October 2026
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What Is an Employment Entry Declaration?

An employment entry declaration is an official document prepared to notify the Social Security Institution (SGK) that an employee will begin working as an insured employee. The employer must complete the employee’s insurance procedures before the employee starts work and submit the relevant declaration to the institution within the legally prescribed period. The employment entry declaration ensures that the employee’s insurance start date is officially recorded. This process is important for protecting the employee’s social security rights and ensuring that the employer fulfills their insurance obligations.

How Is an Employment Entry Declaration Prepared?

An employment entry declaration can be prepared through the SGK’s electronic services. The employer or an authorized representative enters the employee’s information into the system, creates the declaration, and approves it.

The following information is generally required when preparing an employment entry declaration:

  • The employee’s Turkish Republic identification number and identity details

  • The employment start date

  • The workplace’s SGK registration details

  • The insured employee’s employment and insurance information

  • The occupation code and other required notification details

It is important to ensure that all information is entered accurately and completely. In particular, reporting an incorrect employment start date may lead to problems with the employee’s insurance records.

When Must an Employment Entry Declaration Be Submitted?

Submitting the employment entry declaration to the SGK within the legally prescribed period is one of the fundamental obligations employers must fulfill. Under the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law, the general rule is that employment entry declarations for employees working under status 4/a must be submitted to the Social Security Institution (SGK) at least one day before the employee starts work. This practice ensures that the employee’s insurance start date is officially recorded and that the employer fulfills their insurance notification obligations on time. When determining the deadline for submitting the employment entry declaration, the date on which the employee will actually begin working is taken as the basis. It is important for employers to plan the recruitment process in advance, prepare the necessary information, and complete the declaration before the employee’s start date. Failure to submit the declaration on time may result in consequences for the employer, such as administrative fines. Therefore, human resources and accounting departments should regularly monitor employment start dates.

What Is an Employee Termination Notification?

An employee termination notification is an official document issued to inform the Social Security Institution (SGK) that an employee’s insured status has ended. When an employee’s employment contract is terminated, the employer must complete the termination procedures in accordance with the applicable legislation. The employee termination notification includes information such as the employee’s termination date and reason for leaving the job. This information is important for updating the employee’s social security records and, where necessary, assessing eligibility for benefits such as unemployment benefits.

How Is an Employee Termination Notification Prepared?

An employee termination notification is prepared through the SGK’s electronic systems. The employer or an authorized person checks the employee’s insurance details and enters the termination date and the appropriate reason for leaving the job into the system.

The following points should be considered when preparing an employee termination notification:

  • Ensuring that the employee’s identification and insurance information is accurate

  • Specifying the correct termination date

  • Selecting a termination reason that reflects the actual circumstances and complies with the applicable legislation

  • Submitting the notification within the statutory deadline

  • Checking the notification’s approval and registration details after submission

The reason for termination should be entered carefully, as selecting an incorrect reason may affect the employee’s rights and the employer’s legal position.

When Should an Employee Termination Notification Be Submitted?

As a general rule, the employee termination notification must be submitted to the SGK within 10 days following the employee’s termination date. The employee’s actual termination date is taken as the basis for calculating this period. Submitting the notification on time is important for ensuring that the employer fulfills its legal obligations. Late submission or failure to submit an employee termination notification may result in administrative penalties under the relevant legislation. Therefore, employers should regularly monitor employee termination procedures.

What Are the Employer’s Legal Obligations Regarding Employee Hiring and Termination Notifications?

Employers are responsible for carrying out employees’ social security procedures accurately and on time. In this context, preparing and submitting employment commencement and termination notifications, as well as retaining the relevant records, is important.

The main obligations of employers are as follows:

  • Submitting the employment commencement notification within the statutory deadline

  • Sending the employee termination notification within the specified period

  • Verifying the accuracy of employee information

  • Reporting the reason for termination truthfully

  • Ensuring consistency between SGK notifications, payroll records, and personnel records

  • Retaining the required documents in accordance with the applicable legislation

  • Making changes and corrections to notifications in accordance with the relevant rules

Fulfilling these obligations regularly helps businesses reduce the risk of administrative penalties and manage their personnel processes more effectively.

What Happens If Employment Start and Termination Notifications Are Submitted Late?

If employment start or termination notifications are not submitted within the legally prescribed period, are reported incompletely, or are not submitted at all, employers may be subject to administrative fines. The amount of the penalty may vary depending on the type of violation, whether it is repeated, the circumstances of the workplace, and the applicable legislation. In addition, incorrect notifications may require corrections to the employee’s social security records. Incorrectly reporting the reason for termination may also cause problems when assessing unemployment benefit eligibility or in employment disputes. To reduce these risks, businesses should regularly monitor personnel changes, check notification deadlines, and seek support from accounting or human resources professionals when necessary.

Key Considerations for Employment Start and Termination Notifications

Employers should pay attention to several key points to ensure that notification procedures are carried out correctly:

Track deadlines: Check the applicable submission deadlines for employment start and termination notifications.

Verify information: Ensure that details such as identification numbers, employment start dates, and termination dates are accurate.

Select the correct reason for termination: Make sure that the reported reason reflects the actual circumstances and complies with the applicable legislation.

Keep records: Retain submission and confirmation records for notifications together with the relevant employee documents.

Monitor legislative changes: Keep up to date with current regulations concerning notification deadlines, exceptions, and administrative fines.

Conclusion

Employment start and termination notifications are not merely a legal requirement; they are also essential documents that help protect employees’ social security rights and ensure that businesses manage their personnel processes systematically. These notifications are among the fundamental obligations that employers must fulfill toward the Social Security Institution (SGK). In general, the employment start notification must be submitted at least one day before the employee begins work, while the employment termination notification must be submitted within 10 days from the employee’s termination date. However, certain exceptions may apply under the relevant legislation. Submitting notifications accurately and on time helps businesses maintain employees’ social security records and avoid potential administrative penalties. Therefore, it is important for businesses to monitor personnel procedures regularly, verify the relevant documents, and take current SGK regulations into account.