Institution opening and transfer
Joint review of the founder, building, program, capacity, work permits and transfer of the institution.
Review the scope
INSTITUTIONS, STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
Education and Private Schooling Law
Legal support for establishment and operating permits at educational institutions; student–parent contracts, fees, enrollment, discipline and employee relations.
Legal routes differ between public education and private schooling
A public school’s enrollment or disciplinary action and a refund of private school fees are not subject to the same legal route. Besides whether the institution is public or private, the nature of the contested act and the education level also matter in determining the competent authority. Foundation universities and other higher education institutions are not assessed under a single regime together with the private schools covered by Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions.
We support founders and operators in permit, contract and inspection processes, and students, parents and employees in determining their rights and obligations and in pursuing disputes. Joint representation is not undertaken for parties whose interests are opposed in the same matter; a check of the parties and of conflicts of interest is carried out at the initial assessment.
DEADLINE AND DOCUMENT CHECK
Do not wait on enrollment, defense or litigation deadlines
Keep the notification, the request for a defense statement, the enrollment calendar and the date on which the decision became known. Not every application made to the administration or the school suspends the time limit for filing an action. If there is an urgent situation concerning a student’s safety, do not postpone applying to the protection mechanisms of the school and of the competent public bodies until a legal consultation.
Telephone and contact informationWhat do you need legal support with?
You can select the heading that fits your need and review the scope of the service and the topics addressed in the initial assessment.
Fees and refunds
Tuition and additional service fees, enrollment cancellation, discounts and refund conditions.
Review the scopeEnrollment and discipline
Enrollment, transfer, defense and decision processes at public and private institutions.
Review the scopeStudent–parent contracts
Scope of services, fees, termination, information and review for unfair terms.
Review the scopeEmployee relations
Contracts, permits and rights of teachers, managers and other staff.
Review the scopeInspection and data protection
Procedures of the Ministry of National Education (MEB), institutional sanctions, student and employee data.
Review the scopeScope by type of institution and act
The application route is not chosen by looking only at the name of the institution.
| Institution / relationship | Main issue | Legal distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Public school | Enrollment, transfer, examinations and discipline | Administrative act, the relevant school regulations and the administrative courts |
| Private institution under Law No. 5580 | Opening, operation, transfer, inspection | MEB permits and administrative acts |
| Private school–parent relationship | Fees, services, enrollment cancellation and refund | Contract and, if its conditions are met, consumer law |
| Employee of a private institution | Employment contract and work permit | Law No. 5580, employment law and the nature of the duty |
| Higher education | Student and academic procedures | Law No. 2547 and the relevant special regulations |
The fact that an institution is private does not mean that all of its acts are private-law disputes. Public personnel, private school teachers and foundation university staff are not treated as having the same status.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Basic Law No. 1739 on National Education · Law No. 2547 on Higher Education · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK)
Service areas and legal processes
Advice, preparation of applications and follow-up of disputes are assessed together, according to the nature of the request, the position of the parties and the stage of the relevant procedure.
Establishment, operation and transfer of private educational institutions
Opening an institution and starting operations
The type of institution, the founder or the founder’s representative, building and layout conditions, the teaching program, capacity and staffing requirements are examined together. The legal preparation of the documents required for the institution opening permit and the business opening/operating license is carried out. Registration with the trade registry or a brand license alone does not confer the authority to start educational activity.
Transfer, relocation and change of activity
Transfer of an institution, change of founder, relocation of the building, change of program and capacity, and closure are assessed as separate acts. The closure terms in the contract, the administrative approval process and the existing student and employee relationships are arranged together. A transfer of company shares and an administrative transfer of the educational institution do not automatically produce the same consequences.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Student–parent contracts and the scope of the educational service
Enrollment contract and information
The educational period, program, place of instruction, fees, payment schedule, scholarship/discount and the scope of services are stated clearly. Meals, transport, books, clothing and other services are shown separately and in an understandable way. Terms making services mandatory, package sales and provisions affecting the parent’s right of choice are reviewed against mandatory rules.
Termination and the institution’s commitments
In the event of enrollment cancellation, transfer, closure of the institution or failure to provide the promised service, the contract and the special regulations are examined together. Unfair terms, unilateral powers to make changes and disproportionate penalties are assessed. The existence of a signed contract does not make all unlawful terms valid.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Tuition, additional services and refund requests
Announcement of fees and rules on increases
New enrollment, continuation in an intermediate grade and the start of an education level are examined separately. The announced fee, the corresponding fee of the previous year, the contract date, the student’s status and the current regulation are assessed together. It is not assumed that the same increase rule applies to meal, transport or other service fees as to tuition; a fixed annual percentage increase is not announced on this page.
Refund calculation and application
Whether the education has started, the reason for leaving, the period for which the service was provided, the type of institution and the payment made are determined. The special refund provisions in the regulation, the contract and consumer law are applied together. It cannot be said that the same deduction will be made in every enrollment cancellation or that a full refund will be obtained in every case; the calculation and the request are prepared according to the relevant documents.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions · MEB
Enrollment, examinations and discipline at public educational institutions
Enrollment, transfer and the right to education
In state schools, acts relating to enrollment, transfer, examination assessment, absenteeism and student status, and the underlying legislation, are examined. Directing the application to the competent administration, reasoned replies and notification records are followed. The student’s age, education level and special needs are taken into account in the legal assessment of the request.
Defense and the administrative courts
The disciplinary allegation, investigation procedure, access to evidence, the right of defense, the reasoning of the decision and proportionality are examined. An objection or an annulment action and, under the necessary conditions, a stay of execution are assessed. Filing an action does not by itself stop the implementation of the decision; the objection period specific to the type of school is checked separately.
Legal basis: Basic Law No. 1739 on National Education · Law No. 2547 on Higher Education · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK)
Enrollment, transfer and disciplinary procedures at private institutions
Educational obligations of the private institution
Enrollment and student procedures at a private school do not consist solely of a commercial contract between the parties. The relevant school regulations, student rights and MEB inspection are also assessed. A non-renewal of enrollment, a transfer or a departure from the institution is examined in terms of its basis, reasons, procedure and effect on the student’s education.
Separating multiple application routes
A request for a fee refund or for a defective service and an objection concerning discipline or administrative approval are prepared separately. It is explained that a complaint filed with MEB will not by itself collect a private-law receivable. Communication records between the institution, the student and the parent are assessed in a controlled manner in terms of evidence and personal data.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Relations with teachers, managers and other employees
Contracts and permits at private institutions
The work permit, job description, contract term, teaching load, wage and extra lesson conditions of private education personnel are examined. The special provisions under Law No. 5580 and employment law are assessed together. The effect of a transfer or closure of the institution on employee rights is determined from payroll, contract and actual work records.
Status of public personnel and in higher education
The appointment, duty, disciplinary and personnel-file procedures of public education personnel are handled according to their administrative status. For academic and administrative staff at universities, the rules specific to the institution and the type of duty are examined separately. A private school employee’s receivable and a public official’s claim against an administrative act are not presented under the same judicial route.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Labor Law No. 4857 · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK)
Institutional inspections, administrative sanctions and personal data
Inspection and institutional procedures
In MEB inspections, records, defense statements, the remedying of deficiencies, administrative fines and permit-related procedures are examined. The protection of the rights of students, parents and employees is assessed together with the continuity of operations. The application route and the conditions of application of each sanction are determined separately; it is not assumed that an objection causes an automatic postponement.
Student and employee data
In enrollment forms, health/special-needs information, cameras, photographs, distance education and parent communication applications, the purpose of data processing, the legal basis, access and the retention arrangements are examined. The obligation to provide a privacy notice and explicit consent are distinguished from each other. A child’s data and images are not treated as usable without limit through a general contract clause.
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions · Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data
The limits of higher education and dispute resolution
Assessment specific to higher education
A request concerning student status, examinations, discipline, lateral transfer, fees or academic status at a state or foundation university is examined on the basis of its own legislation and the nature of the act. The duties of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the university and other competent units are separated. The MEB fee rules for private schools are not carried over directly to higher education.
Consumer, employment and administrative applications
In a fee/service dispute of a consumer nature, the current monetary threshold for subject-matter jurisdiction, the route of the consumer arbitration committee (tüketici hakem heyeti) and, if required, mediation as a condition precedent to litigation are checked. In an employment dispute, the relevant mediation conditions are examined; in an administrative act, the special objection and filing time limits. A calendar is prepared for applications that cannot substitute for one another for the same event.
Legal basis: Law No. 2547 on Higher Education · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) · Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes
A practical guide for the initial assessment
The checks below help you prepare for the consultation and identify the priorities in your file.
Opening review for the founder and investor
Clarify the order of steps under education legislation before the closing of the commercial investment.
| Item | Initial check |
|---|---|
| Type of institution | Which permit is required for which program and age group? |
| Building and use | Are the lease, construction and layout conditions suitable? |
| Founder / representation | Who holds the authority for the application and the transfer? |
| Program / staff | Are the approval, capacity and work permits ready? |
| Students and employees | How will existing rights be protected in a transfer or closure? |
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Fee and refund file for parents
The request is prepared by comparing the announced fee with the fee paid.
| Document / information | Function |
|---|---|
| Enrollment contract | Shows the term, service and termination provisions |
| Fee announcement | Separates tuition from other service fees |
| Payment records | Determine the collection and the balance calculation |
| Enrollment / departure date | Shows the legal and factual basis of the refund |
| Correspondence and request | Serves to document the content of the objection and the institution’s reply |
Legal basis: Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Rules on departure and fee refund in private education
The ordinary departure rules under Article 56 of the MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions are summarized below. The institution’s failure to provide the service, a defective service or a different ground for termination is assessed separately.
| Situation | Rule in the regulation |
|---|---|
| Annual-fee school — before the academic year | The portion of the annual fee stated in the enrollment contract other than 10% of it is refunded. |
| Annual-fee school — after the academic year has started | 10% of the annual fee and the amount calculated according to the days of schooling attended are deducted; the remaining portion is refunded. |
| Enrollment in grade 9 of a public school before the academic year | When enrollment in grade 9 of a public school that admits students by examination is documented, the entire annual fee is refunded. |
| Institution charging by lesson hour — before the term | The portion of the tuition stated in the enrollment contract other than 10% of it is refunded. |
| Institution charging by lesson hour — after the term has started | 10% of the fee and the amount calculated according to the lesson hours taken are deducted; the remaining portion is refunded. |
| Upper limit and time of payment | The fee to be charged to the person leaving cannot exceed the institution’s tuition. The refund is made within one month at the latest from the departure. |
The annual-fee school rule applies to the preschool, primary school, middle school, special education and secondary education institutions listed in the regulation. The same calculation does not apply directly to university fees or to all additional services. A specific calculation must be made with the payment, scholarship and contract documents.
Legal basis: Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions
Which application resolves what?
Inspection by the competent institution and collection of a money receivable are not the same act.
| Need | Route to be assessed |
|---|---|
| Private school fee refund | Consumer status, consumer arbitration committee/court and preconditions |
| Public school disciplinary decision | Special objection and the administrative courts |
| Sanction on a private institution’s permit | Administrative or private application appropriate to the nature of the decision |
| Private school employee receivable | Employment law and mediation conditions |
| University act | Law No. 2547 and the competent authority according to the nature of the act |
Legal basis: Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions · Law No. 2547 on Higher Education · Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection · Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) · Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes
Related areas in education activity
The legal structure of the institution is addressed together with the building, technology and regulated services.
Real Estate and Construction
Leasing of the school or course building, facility investment and conditions of use.
Review the related areaTechnology, Software and Digital Services
Distance teaching, school management systems and applications that process student data.
Review the related areaHealth, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
Limits of activity in connection with special needs, rehabilitation and health data.
Review the related area
How do we handle your file?
At the first consultation, we identify the legal nature of the request, the existing documents, the missing information and the need for priority action. The scope of the consultation and of the work that follows are agreed separately.
Distinguishing the institution and the act
The public or private institution, the education level, the status of the party and whether the request is administrative or contractual in nature are determined.
Calendar and document review
An application calendar is drawn up with the notification, enrollment period, contract, payment and defense documents.
Preparing the application
The institutional application, defense statement, fee calculation, mediation or litigation scope is clarified with its grounds.
Following the process
Developments are communicated, also taking into account the effects on the student’s continued education and on the relationship with the institution and its employees.
Work based in Antalya and follow-up across Türkiye
Güneş & Güneş Law Firm, founded in Kemer on March 18, 1999, provides advisory and representation services for legal needs in all 81 provinces of Türkiye from its Antalya headquarters. Depending on the location and nature of the file, a work plan is created through an in-person or online consultation.
In matters involving a foreign element, transactions under Turkish law are assessed. Where a transaction is needed in another country, the appointment, authority and fee scope of a local legal adviser are determined separately.
What should you prepare before the consultation?
For a start, a short summary showing the subject and the time limit is sufficient. Documents you do not have can be identified after the initial assessment.
In the first application
- The type of institution (public school, private school, course or university) and your status as student/parent, employee or founder.
- The subject of the dispute, the relevant education period and, if any, the notification, defense or enrollment date.
- The approximate amount in a fee/refund request; a short description of the decision in an administrative act.
Documents that may be reviewed as needed
- Enrollment contract, fee announcement, scholarship/discount terms, invoices and payment documents.
- Enrollment, transfer, examination, disciplinary and defense documents; notifications.
- Permit documents for institution opening, operation, transfer, building, program and staff.
- Employee contract, payroll, duty/leave records and related correspondence.
- The institution’s replies to the request and, to the extent necessary, records from the student file.
You do not need to send an identity number, a medical report, records relating to children or your entire file in the first application. The information shared is handled only for the purpose of legal assessment and only to the extent necessary. Detailed documents are requested after the need and a secure method of sharing have been determined. Review our approach to confidentiality and information security. Learn about secure document sharing.
Fees, scope and contact
The attorney’s fee is determined by taking into account the scope of the advisory work, application, contract work or litigation and the effort the matter requires. The fee, expenses and, where applicable, expert, translation, notary or external adviser costs are explained before the engagement; the work undertaken is defined in writing.
A first response to your consultation request is given within 48 hours. This response does not mean that the file has been reviewed in full or that a representation relationship has been established. If there is an approaching objection or litigation deadline, state this at the start of your application; do not wait for a reply for time-limited steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is the same application made for a state school and a private school?
No. In addition to the nature of the institution, it matters whether the act concerns enrollment, discipline, fees or an employment relationship. Administrative applications and private-law claims are assessed separately.
Is there a single percentage for private school fee increases?
The limit that applies depends on the period, whether the student is continuing or newly enrolling, the start of an education level and the nature of the fee. A single rate should not be stated without seeing the current regulation and the fee announcement.
Can I definitely get a full refund if I cancel the enrollment?
The refund is calculated according to the type of institution, the start of education, the reason for leaving, the service provided and the special regulation. The assumption of a full refund or of the same deduction is not correct in every file.
Can meal and transport fees be added to tuition?
The separate announcement of the fees and clarity in the contract, whether the service can be chosen and the current fee rules are examined. It is not accepted that every additional fee is valid merely because it is written in the contract.
If I complain to MEB, will my fee be refunded?
An application to MEB may have consequences in terms of inspection and administrative action. A consumer or other private-law route may additionally be needed to obtain a refund of money.
Is a transfer of company shares sufficient in the transfer of a private school?
The institution’s permit and transfer procedures must be assessed separately. A transfer of company shares does not by itself complete the administrative requirements relating to the institution opening and operating permits.
Does a lawsuit against a disciplinary decision stop the decision?
Filing an action alone does not stop implementation. According to the nature of the act and the statutory conditions, a stay of execution or another suitable protective request is assessed.
Can any type of employment contract be made with teachers?
The special provisions under Law No. 5580, the work permit, the contract term and the actual duty must be taken into account. Using a general employment contract template without determining the personnel’s status is not sufficient.
Is a foundation university considered a private school?
Higher education institutions are assessed separately under Law No. 2547 and the related regulations. The MEB fee, permit and personnel rules for private schools do not apply to them directly in the same way.
Is the clause in the enrollment contract sufficient for a student’s photograph?
The purpose of use of the data, the legal basis, the information provided, the situations requiring consent and the protection of children are examined separately. A general clause does not permit unlimited use of images.
Can you serve the institution and the parent together in the same matter?
Parties with conflicting interests are not represented together in the same dispute. A check of the parties and of conflicts of interest is carried out at the initial application.
Should I send all of the child’s documents at the first meeting?
No. First, a short summary showing the type of institution, the subject and the time limit is sufficient. The child’s identity, health and education records are requested by a secure method only when necessary.
Related legal services
Consumer Law
Consumer applications in education service fee and refund requests.
Administrative Law and Courts
Administrative disputes concerning public education acts and institutional permits.
Employment Law
Contract and receivable relationships of private institution employees.
Data Protection and Privacy
Lawful processing of student, parent and employee data.
Other related sectors
Legislation and information
This page has been prepared for general information purposes. The official sources below were checked on October 4, 2026 as part of content preparation. The rule to be applied, transitional provisions, competent authority and time limit are assessed separately according to the date of the transaction and the specific features of the case. The text is not a legal opinion or a commitment as to the outcome in any particular file.
- Law No. 5580 on Private Educational Institutions (opens in a new tab)
Statutory basis of the provisions on establishment, permits, personnel, inspection and fees.
- Basic Law No. 1739 on National Education (opens in a new tab)
Basic principles of the education system; the legislation specific to the type of school applies separately.
- Law No. 2547 on Higher Education (opens in a new tab)
The separate legal framework for higher education institutions and for student and personnel procedures.
- Law No. 6502 on Consumer Protection (opens in a new tab)
Consumer transactions, unfair terms, services and application routes.
- Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK) (opens in a new tab)
Administrative application, action and stay of execution.
- MEB Regulation on Private Educational Institutions (opens in a new tab)
Institution permits, fee announcement, refund and personnel procedures; the version in force on the date of the act is checked.
- MEB — Amendment to the private education regulation, September 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Explanation of the changes concerning fee categories, institution types and the link between transfer and brand license. Read together with the consolidated regulation.
- Labor Law No. 4857 (opens in a new tab)
Employment relations of private institutions; the special provisions under Law No. 5580 are reserved.
- Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data (opens in a new tab)
Student, parent and employee data; privacy notice and data security.
- Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes (opens in a new tab)
Mediation procedure; the specific statutory basis of the procedural prerequisite is checked according to the request.
Share your education matter and the relevant date
You can request a consultation by stating the type of institution, your request and, if any, the enrollment, defense or notification date.