Guide to SGK Premium Calculation for Domestic Workers

The SGK premium for domestic workers is calculated based on the number of days the employee works in a month. If the employee works less than 10 days in a month, a different insurance system is applied if they work more than 10 days. When calculating the SGK premium for domestic services, daily earnings, the number of working days, and the premium rates determined by SGK are taken into account. This way, a legal and secure working system is established for caregivers, cleaning staff, or domestic helpers.

What is Domestic Services Insurance?

Domestic services insurance is a special social security system that ensures the insurance of workers such as caregivers, cleaning staff, elderly caregivers, or domestic helpers under the Social Security Institution (SGK).

In Turkey, the insurance of individuals working in domestic services has been made mandatory under the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510.

Domestic services insurance covers the following workers:

• child caregiver

• baby caregiver

• elderly caregiver

• patient caregiver

• domestic helper

• cleaning staff

With this system, workers can benefit from:

• occupational accident insurance

• health insurance

• retirement premium

• social security rights

and other rights.

Employing a person working in domestic services without insurance poses serious risks for both the employee and the employer.

How Does the SGK System Work in Domestic Services?

The SGK system in domestic services is divided into two different categories based on the number of days the employee works in a month.

In this system, the employer, i.e., the family employing the caregiver:

• reports the employee to SGK

• makes premium payments

• specifies the number of working days

The key determining factor in the SGK system is the number of working days in a month.

Therefore, the domestic services insurance system is classified as follows:

• less than 10 days of work

• more than 10 days of work

This distinction directly affects the premium calculation method and the scope of insurance.

What is the 10-Day Rule in Domestic Services?

The most important point of the SGK system in domestic services is known as the "10-day rule".

According to this rule, the number of days the employee works for the same employer in a month is decisive.

Employees Working Less Than 10 Days

If a person working in domestic services works less than 10 days in a month, they are only covered by occupational accident and disease insurance.

This system is generally used for the following workers:

• cleaning staff working 1 day a week

• helpers coming a few days a week

• intermittent domestic staff

In this case, the employer only pays the occupational accident premium.

Advantages:

• low premium cost

• easy notification process

• suitable for short-term workers

However, in this system, the employee does not have:

• retirement premium

• health insurance

rights.

Employees Working More Than 10 Days

If a person working in domestic services works 10 days or more in a month, full insurance must be provided.

In this case, the employee:

• receives retirement premium

• health insurance

• occupational accident insurance

• disability and death insurance

and all social security rights.

This system is generally applied for the following workers:

• live-in caregivers

• caregivers working 5 days a week

• full-time domestic helpers

• elderly caregivers

In this case, the family enters the official employer status.

How is the SGK Premium for Domestic Services Calculated?

When calculating the SGK premium for domestic services, the following factors are taken into account:

1. the employee's daily earnings

2. the number of working days

3. SGK premium rate

4. calculation based on minimum wage

The SGK system generally relies on calculating based on minimum wage.

The premium calculation logic is as follows:

Daily gross wage × number of working days × SGK premium rate

For example:

• if the employee works 26 days in a month

• the daily earnings are determined

• the premium rate is applied

This way, the monthly SGK premium is calculated.

Domestic services insurance calculations can be made through SGK's official systems or e-government.

2026 SGK Premium Amounts for Domestic Services

In 2026, SGK premiums for domestic workers vary based on minimum wage and premium rates.

Factors affecting the premium amount:

• gross minimum wage

• number of working days

• insurance coverage

• incentive applications

The average premium calculation logic is as follows.

Employees Working Less Than 10 Days

• only occupational accident insurance

• low daily premium payment

Employees Working More Than 10 Days

• retirement premium

• general health insurance

• occupational accident premium

Therefore, the monthly insurance cost for a full-time caregiver will be higher.

It is recommended to obtain SGK calculation system or consultancy support for the most accurate premium amount.

How to Insure a Caregiver?

To insure a caregiver, families must notify SGK as employers.

The insurance process consists of the following steps:

1. SGK Domestic Services Employer Registration

The family registers as a domestic services employer in the SGK system.

2. Reporting Employee Information

The following information is submitted to SGK:

• employee identification information

• number of working days

• start date of work

3. Premium Payment

Premiums are paid regularly every month.

Payments can be made through:

• e-government

• SGK system

• banks

.

What Happens If Domestic Services Insurance Is Not Done?

Employing a person working in domestic services without insurance is subject to legal penalties.

In the case of uninsured work, the employer may face:

• administrative fines

• back premium debt

• late fees

.

Additionally, if an employee suffers an occupational accident, the employer may face serious legal responsibilities.

Therefore, families employing caregivers or domestic helpers must ensure that insurance procedures are carried out.

Advantages of Employing Insured Caregivers

Employing insured caregivers provides significant advantages for both the employee and the employer.

Main advantages:

For the Employee

• health insurance

• retirement rights

• social security protection

For the Employer

• legal security

• reduced risk of occupational accidents

• secure working system

Insured employment also increases employee motivation and job continuity.

Advantages of Employing Caregivers with Professional Consultancy

Finding workers in domestic services and managing insurance processes can sometimes be complex for families.

At this point, professional consultancy services facilitate the process.

Damla Consultancy is a human resources consultancy company that has been supporting families in the field of domestic services for many years.

Services offered:

• provision of child caregivers

• baby caregivers

• elderly caregivers

• patient caregivers

• domestic helpers

For each family:

• a detailed needs analysis is conducted

• suitable candidates are identified

• reference checks are conducted

• candidate backgrounds are reviewed

• the family and caregiver compatibility process is planned

This way, families can create a secure working process with reliable and referenced caregiver candidates.

Additionally, Damla Consultancy also provides families with consultancy on legal processes and insurance procedures in domestic services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is domestic services insurance mandatory?

Yes. If a person working in domestic services works more than 10 days in a month, it is mandatory to have SGK insurance. Otherwise, the employer may face administrative fines.

How is caregiver insurance done?

To insure a caregiver, the employer must notify SGK of domestic services. The employee's identification information is entered into the system, and monthly premium payments are made.

How much is the SGK premium for domestic services?

The premium amount is calculated based on the employee's number of working days and minimum wage. A lower premium is applied for those working less than 10 days, while full insurance premium is paid for those working more than 10 days.

What is the 10-day rule in domestic services?

It is the application of different insurance systems based on whether the employee works less than or more than 10 days for the same employer in a month.

How is domestic helper insurance calculated?

When calculating the insurance premium, daily earnings, number of working days, and SGK premium rate are taken into account.

What is the cost of caregiver insurance?

The cost of caregiver insurance varies based on the employee's working duration and premium rate. The monthly premium cost is higher for full-time caregivers.

Can domestic service workers be employed without insurance?

No. It is illegal to employ a long-term worker without insurance, and the employer may face fines.

What are the advantages of employing insured caregivers?

Insured employment provides security for both the employer and the employee. Additionally, the employee gains health insurance and retirement rights.

Conclusion

Obtaining SGK insurance for caregivers, cleaning staff, or domestic helpers is both a legal obligation and the foundation of a secure working system. The insured working system protects the social security rights of employees while reducing the legal risks for employers.

Proper management of the caregiver employment process and complete implementation of legal procedures provide significant advantages. Damla Consultancy supports families in finding reliable caregivers while also helping to create a legal and secure working environment in domestic services.