Alimony Types in Turkey Explained (2026)

Updated 8 July 2026 · By Bayraktar Attorneys

Quick answer: Turkish law provides four kinds of alimony: interim support while the case runs, poverty alimony for a spouse who would face hardship after divorce, child support for a child's upbringing, and contribution support in limited situations. The court sets each amount from the parties' income and needs, and figures can be revised if circumstances change.

Alimony is one of the most misunderstood parts of a Turkish divorce, especially for foreign nationals who expect it to work the way it does back home. Turkish law does not use a single fixed formula. Instead it recognizes several distinct kinds of support, each with its own purpose, its own conditions, and its own end point. Knowing which one applies to your situation is the first step to a realistic expectation.

1. Interim Support During the Case

From the moment a divorce is filed, a court can order temporary support to keep a spouse, and any children, financially stable while the case is pending. This interim support is not a final decision. It bridges the gap until the judgment and can be adjusted as the case develops. It is common in contested divorces, which can run for a long time.

2. Poverty Alimony for a Spouse

After the divorce, a spouse who would fall into financial hardship may receive ongoing support from the other, provided that spouse is not more at fault for the breakdown. The aim is to prevent real hardship, not to equalize incomes. It can be paid as a monthly sum or, by agreement, as a lump sum. For a deeper look at post-divorce support, see spousal maintenance after divorce.

3. Child Support

A parent who does not have day-to-day custody usually contributes to the child's living and education costs. This support belongs to the child, not the other parent, and it continues until the child reaches adulthood or becomes financially independent. We explain the method in child support calculation in Turkey.

4. Contribution Support

In narrower situations, one spouse may be ordered to contribute to shared family expenses even outside a divorce. Most foreign clients will not deal with this type, but it is worth knowing it exists.

How the Court Sets the Amount

There is no automatic table. The judge looks at each party's income, assets, needs and the standard of living during the marriage, then sets a figure that is fair and sustainable. Because the numbers turn on evidence, presenting income and expenses clearly matters a great deal. Alimony is decided alongside the division of marital property, and the two questions often influence each other.

Key Points

There are four types of alimony; most foreigners meet interim, poverty and child support.
Poverty alimony targets hardship, not income equality, and it can end on remarriage.
Child support belongs to the child and runs until adulthood or independence.
Amounts follow the parties' income and needs and can be revised later.

Changing or Ending Alimony

Alimony is not necessarily permanent. If the payer's or receiver's situation changes in a real way, either side can ask the court to increase, reduce or end it. Poverty alimony also ends automatically on remarriage, on a relationship equivalent to marriage, or on the death of either party. A well-drafted settlement or prenuptial agreement can also shape how these questions are handled.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of alimony are there in Turkey?

Turkish law recognizes four: interim support during the case, poverty alimony for a spouse after divorce, child support for a child, and contribution support toward family expenses in some situations. The first two and child support are the ones most foreigners encounter.

Does alimony in Turkey last forever?

Poverty alimony can be open-ended, but it ends if the receiving spouse remarries, lives as if married, or no longer needs it, and it ends on the death of either party. Child support ends when the child reaches adulthood or becomes financially independent.

How is the alimony amount decided?

The court weighs each party's income, needs and standard of living. Amounts can be reviewed later if circumstances change materially, either up or down.

Can a foreigner claim or be ordered to pay alimony in Turkey?

Yes. Nationality does not change the right to claim or the duty to pay. What matters is the parties' circumstances and the law the court applies to the divorce.