The result is not an exact date but a cautious estimate: the real period depends on the date of service, on whether the period has been suspended or interrupted, and on the specifics of your file. There are claims where even a single day can matter; for this reason the tool points you toward consulting a lawyer without delay.
What is the difference between a limitation period and a forfeiture period?
A limitation period (zamanaşımı) restricts not the right itself but its enforceability through the courts; if the other side does not raise it, the court will not take it into account on its own motion, and in certain cases the period is suspended or interrupted (for example, by filing suit, commencing enforcement proceedings, or the debtor acknowledging the debt).
A forfeiture period (hak düşürücü süre), by contrast, is stricter: once the period expires, the right ends entirely, the judge takes it into account of their own motion, and as a rule the period is not suspended or interrupted. Deadlines to challenge administrative acts (for example, an objection to a deportation order) are most often of this nature — which is why they are far riskier.
How does this tool work?
You enter three pieces of information: the type of claim, the date of the event or service, and, if applicable, the date on which you learned of the harm. The tool calculates the period(s) applicable to that type, shows the final date and the days remaining, and then gives an assessment:
- You have time — the nearest deadline appears to be more than a year away (still have it confirmed).
- Deadline approaching — less than a year is left.
- Urgent — the period is very short or critical (some periods are as short as 7 days).
- May have expired — at least one of the periods appears to have passed; exceptions may apply, so still seek advice.
Where several periods exist (for example, 2 years and 10 years), the tool errs on the side of caution and takes the shortest/nearest period as its basis.
Which periods does it check? (overview)
The tool covers the types of claim Lexin Legal encounters most often. The periods and their legal bases:
- Traffic accident compensation — 2 years (from learning) / 10 years (from the event); if the criminal limitation period is longer, that applies instead (Highway Traffic Code, Law No. 2918, Art. 109).
- Work accident / occupational disease — as a rule 10 years (Code of Obligations, Law No. 6098, settled case law).
- Tort / personal injury / malpractice — 2 years (from learning) / 10 years (from the act) (Code of Obligations, Law No. 6098, Art. 72).
- Employment claims (severance, notice pay, overtime, annual leave) — 5 years (Labour Law / Law No. 7036).
- Contract / receivable — 10 years as a general rule; certain receivables are 5 years (Code of Obligations, Law No. 6098, Arts. 146/147).
- Insurance indemnity — as a rule 2 / 6 years (Turkish Commercial Code, Law No. 6102, Art. 1420).
- Consumer / defective goods — 2 years (Consumer Protection Law, TKHK 6502 m.12/16).
- Criminal complaint (offence subject to complaint) — 6 months (Turkish Criminal Code, Art. 73).
- Objection to deportation / removal — 7 days (Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, Art. 53).
- Action against an administrative act — 60 days (Code of Administrative Procedure, İYUK, Art. 7).
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Once a limitation period expires, a lawsuit can still be filed, but if the other side raises the limitation defence, your claim will most likely be dismissed. With a forfeiture period, the claim is dismissed outright on the ground of time. Even so, there are exceptions: the criminal limitation period being longer, the period being suspended or interrupted, or periods that do not run against a minor or a person under guardianship. For this reason, even a "period expired" result does not necessarily mean the door is firmly closed — have a lawyer assess your situation.
What should I do if I am outside Turkey or a foreign national?
You do not need to be in Turkey or to speak Turkish. Most foreign clients handle the process by granting a power of attorney to a Turkish lawyer; the lawyer makes the application on your behalf, files the lawsuit, and attends the hearings. Because the periods keep running, especially with short-deadline claims, tell us about your situation without delay.
Turkish claim deadlines at a glance
| Type of claim | Deadline | Counted from | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic accident (injury / damage) | 2 yr · 10 yr | from discovery · from incident | KTK 2918 m.109 |
| Work accident / occupational disease | 10 yr | from incident | TBK 6098 m.146 (içtihat) |
| Tort / personal injury / malpractice | 2 yr · 10 yr | from discovery · from incident | TBK 6098 m.72 |
| Employment claims (severance/notice/overtime) | 5 yr | from incident | İş K. Ek m.3 (7036 s.K.) |
| Contract / debt (general) | 10 yr | from incident | TBK 6098 m.146 (bazıları m.147 = 5 yıl) |
| Insurance compensation claim | 2 yr · 6 yr | from discovery · from incident | TTK 6102 m.1420 |
| Consumer / defective goods-services | 2 yr | from incident | TKHK 6502 m.12/16 |
| Criminal complaint (complaint-based offence) | 6 mo | from discovery | TCK m.73 |
| Appeal against deportation / entry-ban | 7 days | from incident | 6458 s.K. m.53 |
| Action against an administrative act (general) | 60 days | from incident | İYUK m.7 |
Procedural deadlines that are easy to miss
| Step | Deadline | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Object to a payment order (ordinary enforcement) | 7 days | İİK m.62 |
| Cheque / bill-of-exchange enforcement — pay | 10 days | İİK m.168 |
| Cheque / bill-of-exchange enforcement — dispute the instrument or the signature | 5 days | İİK m.168 |
| Complain to the enforcement court about an act of the enforcement office | 7 days | İİK m.16 |
| Sue to set aside the debtor's objection (itirazın iptali) | 1 year | İİK m.67 |
| After a precautionary attachment — open proceedings or sue | 7 days | İİK m.264 |
| Appeal to the regional court of appeal (istinaf) | 2 weeks | HMK m.345 |
| Appeal on a point of law (temyiz) | 2 weeks | HMK m.361 |
| Challenge a deportation decision before the administrative court | 7 days | YUKK 6458 m.53/3 |
These figures are set by statute or regulation and change. Deadlines run from service or from the day you learned of the harm, and can be suspended or interrupted — the table is a map, not a calculation of your own deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool give legal advice?
No. This tool is an informational estimate; it is not legal advice, an opinion, or a guarantee. Your actual period depends on the date of service, on whether the period is suspended or interrupted, and on the details of your file. To avoid missing a deadline, you should always consult a lawyer.
Can a limitation period be suspended or interrupted?
Yes, suspension and interruption of a limitation period are possible; for example, filing a lawsuit, commencing enforcement proceedings, or the debtor acknowledging the debt interrupts the period, and it then begins to run anew. With forfeiture periods, as a rule there is no suspension or interruption. This tool does not account for these exceptions; for that reason, have the result confirmed by a lawyer.
If there is more than one period, which one applies?
In claims such as traffic accidents and tort, there is both a short period (running from when you learn of the harm) and a long period (running from the event); which one is decisive in a specific case depends on the circumstances. The tool acts cautiously and bases itself on the nearest/shortest period, but the binding assessment belongs to your lawyer.
In a traffic accident, how does the criminal limitation period affect the deadline?
Under the Highway Traffic Code, if the act also constitutes an offence and the criminal limitation period prescribed for that offence is longer, that longer period applies to the compensation claim. This can mean that claims which appear to have lapsed in fatal or injury accidents may still be brought; for this reason, seek advice even with a 'period expired' result.
How long do I have to object to a deportation or removal decision?
The period to challenge a deportation decision is very short, and missing it has serious consequences. With decisions of this kind you have to act on a day-by-day basis; the moment you receive the decision, contact a lawyer without losing time. The period the tool gives is approximate and not binding.
If the period appears to have expired, can I still do anything?
Perhaps. Because of suspension or interruption of the period, the application of the criminal limitation period, or the circumstances of the event, your claim may still be capable of being brought. A 'may have expired' result is not a definitive rejection; do not give up before having a lawyer review your file.
I am abroad — can I file the lawsuit in Turkey?
Yes. Most foreign clients give instructions remotely and, through a Turkish power of attorney, authorise their lawyer to carry out the steps; in this way the application, the lawsuit, and the follow-up are handled on your behalf without your having to travel. Evidence can also usually be gathered and submitted on your behalf.
