Register a new legal entity in Turkey with full compliance. We manage every step — from name reservation to your first invoice.
Turkish commercial law offers two primary structures for foreign and domestic investors. We'll help you choose the right one.
Limited Şirketi (Ltd. Şti.)
The most common structure for small and medium-sized businesses. Flexible, fast to set up, and suitable for most commercial activities.
Anonim Şirketi (A.Ş.)
Ideal for larger businesses, those seeking investment, or companies that may issue shares. Preferred by multinationals and IPO candidates.
Turkey's investment regime is governed by international treaty obligations and domestic statutes that guarantee equal treatment for foreign investors.
Foreign investors enjoy the same rights as domestic investors to establish companies, acquire shares, and open branches in Turkey. No prior approval or minimum capital threshold above domestic levels applies.
Law No. 4875 — Doğrudan Yabancı Yatırımlar KanunuForeign investments cannot be expropriated or nationalized unless it is for public interest, carried out under due process of law, is non-discriminatory, and provides fair and timely compensation.
Law No. 4875 — Art. 3/bForeign investors may freely transfer profits, dividends, capital proceeds, sale proceeds, compensation, and all other commercial revenues abroad through banks or authorized financial institutions.
Law No. 4875 — Art. 3/cTurkey is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). MIGA insures eligible investments against non-commercial risks including currency transfer restrictions, expropriation, contract breach by the host government, and war or civil disturbance.
MIGA Convention — ICSID (World Bank Group)Under Article 3/a-2 of DYYK (Law No. 4875), foreign investors are afforded milli muamele — national treatment identical to Turkish investors. This principle, reinforced by Turkey's bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over 80 countries, means no sector is closed to foreign capital by default, and no additional burdens are imposed solely on the basis of foreign nationality.
Law No. 4875 defines four categories of eligible foreign investor (DYYK Art. 2/a):
Non-Turkish citizens residing abroad who wish to establish or invest in a Turkish company. Requires a notarized passport copy and Turkish tax identification number (vergi kimlik numarası).
Turkish nationals permanently domiciled outside Turkey who invest in Turkey are treated as foreign investors and benefit from the same protections under DYYK.
Companies, associations, and other legal entities incorporated abroad. Must provide an apostilled Certificate of Incorporation (faaliyet belgesi), Trade Registry excerpt (sicil özeti), and a duly authorized power of attorney (vekaletname).
Multilateral institutions and international bodies investing in Turkey under their governing statutes. Subject to the same national treatment guarantee as other eligible investors.
A clear, step-by-step process. We handle all paperwork, filings, and registrations on your behalf.
We check availability and reserve your chosen company name with the Turkish Trade Registry. The name must be unique and comply with Turkish Commercial Code naming rules.
We draft the Articles of Association (Ana Sözleşme) tailored to your business activity, ownership structure, and capital requirements. Documents are prepared in Turkish with a certified English translation.
The required minimum share capital is deposited into a temporary bank account. For A.Ş. companies, 25% must be deposited upfront; the remainder within 24 months.
We file all documents with the local Trade Registry Office (Ticaret Sicili Müdürlüğü). Upon approval, your company is officially registered and a legal entity number is assigned.
We register your company with the relevant Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi), obtaining your Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) required for all commercial activities.
Registration with the Social Security Institution (SGK) and the relevant Chamber of Commerce. Your company is now fully operational and ready to hire and invoice.
The exact documents depend on whether the shareholders are individuals or corporate entities, and their nationality.
▸ Foreign Natural Person (Individual Investor)
A notarized copy of your valid passport. If the document is issued abroad, it must bear an apostille under the Hague Convention or be legalized by the Turkish consulate.
Foreign natural persons must obtain a Turkish tax identification number from the local Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi) before MERSİS registration. We assist with this step.
Notarized signature declaration (İmza Beyannamesi) for all authorized signatories. Can be executed at a Turkish notary or a Turkish consulate abroad.
▸ Foreign Legal Entity (Corporate Investor)
Apostilled certificate showing the foreign company is in good standing in its home jurisdiction. Must be dated within the last 6 months and accompanied by a certified Turkish translation.
Current extract from the foreign company's trade registry, showing registered address, directors, and shareholding structure. Apostilled and translated into Turkish.
A duly executed and apostilled power of attorney authorizing the representative to sign all incorporation documents on behalf of the foreign parent company.
Board or shareholder resolution of the foreign parent company authorizing the establishment of the Turkish entity. Apostilled and translated into Turkish.
Proof of a registered office address in Turkey. We can assist with virtual office arrangements for companies without a physical presence at formation.
Bank letter confirming deposit of minimum share capital (₺50,000 for Ltd. Şti.; ₺250,000 for A.Ş., with 25% upfront per TTK Art. 344). Required before Trade Registry filing.
Each stage of incorporation has its own requirements and nuances. Explore our dedicated guides for a full breakdown.
Understand the mandatory clauses, how to tailor the Ana Sözleşme to your structure, and what the notarization process involves.
Read the guide →Learn how MERSİS works, what documents to submit, and what official registrations are automatically triggered upon approval.
Read the guide →Find out which accounts you need before and after Trade Registry registration, what documents banks require, and which banks work best.
Read the guide →Send us a message and we'll prepare a custom checklist for your specific situation.
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