Prostitution Prostitution laws in TurkmenistanTürkmenistan
Turkmenistan penalises both parties. Engaging in prostitution is fined 10 to 20 times the base amount. Having sexual relations with a person engaged in prostitution for payment is fined 5 to 10 times the base amount (Articles 360 and 361 of the Code of Administrative Offences). People suspected of either offence may be detained for up to 24 hours pending the case. Repeating prostitution within a year of an administrative penalty is a crime punishable by a fine, up to two years' corrective labour or up to two years' imprisonment (Article 138 of the Criminal Code). Organising or keeping a brothel and procuring each carry up to five years, and pimping two to six years. These figures come from texts consolidated to 2013-2014, the latest available.
Legal model
Selling and buying prohibited. Selling sex is an offence (criminal or administrative), whether or not buying is.
Both selling and buying sex are offences. Engaging in prostitution and paying for sex with a person engaged in prostitution are administrative offences (Articles 360-361 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Prostitution repeated within a year of an administrative penalty becomes a crime carrying up to two years' imprisonment (Article 138 of the Criminal Code). Brothels, procuring and pimping are separate crimes.[1][2]
At a glance
| Question | Status | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Selling sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | Engaging in prostitution is an administrative offence fined at 10 to 20 times the base amount. A repeat within a year after an administrative penalty is a crime punishable by a fine of 20 to 40 average monthly wages, up to two years' corrective labour or up to two years' imprisonment.[1][2] |
| Buying sexual services | Illegal Administrative offence | Having sexual relations with a person engaged in prostitution, with payment of remuneration, is an administrative offence fined at 5 to 10 times the base amount. Persons suspected of it may be detained for up to 24 hours pending the case.[1] |
| Brothels and managed venues | Illegal Criminal offence | Organising or keeping a brothel for debauchery or prostitution is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property and an obligation to live in a designated locality for two to five years; three to eight years for a repeat.[2] |
| Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping) | Illegal Criminal offence | Procuring (сводничество) for debauchery or prostitution carries up to five years' imprisonment. Pimping, defined as using a person engaged in prostitution for sexual exploitation for mercenary motives, carries two to six years. Drawing a person into prostitution carries up to two years, and three to eight years with violence, blackmail, deception or a minor.[2] |
| Advertising sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | No provision specifically on advertising sexual services was found. Because both selling and buying are offences, an advertisement offers an unlawful act. A third party who arranges contacts between clients and sex workers commits procuring, which carries up to five years.[1][2] |
The law in detail
Selling sexual services
Engaging in prostitution is an administrative offence fined at 10 to 20 times the base amount. A repeat within a year after an administrative penalty is a crime punishable by a fine of 20 to 40 average monthly wages, up to two years' corrective labour or up to two years' imprisonment.[1][2]
Confidence: medium. Read in Russian texts hosted by WIPO Lex: the Administrative Code as published around 2014, the Criminal Code as amended to 9 November 2013. The Ministry of Justice's online database (law.minjust.gov.tm) requires registration with a Turkmen phone number and could not be checked, so later amendments may be missing.
Checked 30 October 2026
Buying sexual services
Having sexual relations with a person engaged in prostitution, with payment of remuneration, is an administrative offence fined at 5 to 10 times the base amount. Persons suspected of it may be detained for up to 24 hours pending the case.[1]
Confidence: medium. As for selling: text consolidated around 2014; later amendments could not be checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Brothels and managed venues
Organising or keeping a brothel for debauchery or prostitution is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property and an obligation to live in a designated locality for two to five years; three to eight years for a repeat.[2]
Confidence: medium. Criminal Code as amended to 9 November 2013.
Checked 30 October 2026
Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping)
Procuring (сводничество) for debauchery or prostitution carries up to five years' imprisonment. Pimping, defined as using a person engaged in prostitution for sexual exploitation for mercenary motives, carries two to six years. Drawing a person into prostitution carries up to two years, and three to eight years with violence, blackmail, deception or a minor.[2]
Confidence: medium. Criminal Code as amended to 9 November 2013.
Checked 30 October 2026
Advertising sexual services
No provision specifically on advertising sexual services was found. Because both selling and buying are offences, an advertisement offers an unlawful act. A third party who arranges contacts between clients and sex workers commits procuring, which carries up to five years.[1][2]
Confidence: low. The Law on Advertising and internet regulation were not checked. Applying the procuring offence to advertisers is an inference from the text.
Checked 30 October 2026
Key legislation
| Law | What it does here | In force |
|---|---|---|
| Кодекс Туркменистана об административных правонарушениях Code of Administrative Offences of Turkmenistan (text as hosted by WIPO Lex, c. 2014) ст. 360 · ст. 361 | Engaging in prostitution (Art. 360) and paying for sex with a person engaged in prostitution (Art. 361) are administrative offences; suspects may be detained for up to 24 hours.[1] | |
| Уголовный Кодекс Туркменистана № 222-I от 12.06.1997 г. (по состоянию на 09.11.2013 г.) Criminal Code of Turkmenistan No. 222-I of 12 June 1997 (as amended to 9 November 2013) ст. 138 · ст. 139 · ст. 140 · ст. 141 · ст. 142 | Repeated prostitution (Art. 138), drawing into prostitution (Art. 139), brothels (Art. 140), procuring (Art. 141) and pimping (Art. 142).[2] |
Sources
- Кодекс Туркменистана об административных правонарушениях (Code of Administrative Offences of Turkmenistan). WIPO Lex (copy of the official text). legislation · accessed 30 October 2026
- Уголовный Кодекс Туркменистана № 222-I от 12.06.1997 г. (по состоянию на 09.11.2013 г.) (Criminal Code of Turkmenistan (as of 9 November 2013)). WIPO Lex (copy of the official text), 12 June 1997. legislation · accessed 30 October 2026