Turkey May Change the Rules on Alimony Payments After Divorce

Could indefinite alimony become a thing of the past in Turkey? Turkey’s Constitutional Court has issued a ruling that could change the rules governing financial support for former spouses after divorce. The development concerns one of the most widely debated issues in Turkish family law.

What has changed in Turkish legislation?

On June 4, 2026, Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that the provision allowing alimony to be awarded to a former spouse without a time limit was unconstitutional. Parliament was given nine months to introduce new legislation.

Will alimony payments be limited to a specific period?

One of the approaches under discussion is setting the duration of alimony payments based on the length of the marriage. However, the final terms of the new system must be established by law. Therefore, it is too early to say that indefinite alimony has been completely abolished or that fixed payment periods will apply to every case.

Who could be affected by the potential changes?

The issue concerns alimony paid to support a former spouse after divorce. Child support for minors is governed by separate rules, so the proposed reform does not mean that child support payments will automatically be abolished.

What should residents of Turkey and foreign nationals living in the country know?

Changes to family law may be relevant to people married to Turkish citizens, those considering divorce, and those already involved in divorce proceedings. Each case must be assessed in light of the legislation in force and the specific circumstances.

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