Guide to Company Formation in Turkey for Foreign Investors (2025)
- Pan & Partners
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Why Turkey for Your Business?
Turkey, with its unique geographical position bridging Europe and Asia, robust infrastructure, free-market economy, and increasing trade volume, has emerged as an exceptionally attractive business hub for foreign investors. In recent years, investors from diverse nationalities have particularly excelled in establishing companies in the textile, food, tourism, e-commerce, and logistics sectors. This guide to company formation in Turkey for foreign investors will help you transform your investment plans into reality in a highly practical manner.
What This Article Covers
Choosing the most suitable company type is crucial before initiating the incorporation process.
Limited Company (LTD): Established with a minimum capital of TRY 50,000. This model is the most preferred due to its corporate yet flexible structure.
Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.): Requires a minimum capital of TRY 250,000. Ideal for larger investments and public offerings.
Sole Proprietorship: Can be established individually with lower costs. Suitable for those practicing liberal professions.
Company Establishment Process (Step-by-Step)
Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN): For foreign real persons, this is obtained from the tax office.
Notarized Passport Translation: A certified translation of your passport is required.
MERSİS System Contract Creation: Your company's articles of association are drafted and submitted via the Central Registry System (MERSİS).
Signature Declaration: Obtained from a public notary.
Trade Registry Application and Registration: Application to the relevant Trade Registry Office for registration.
Tax Office Inspection and Official Activation: The tax office conducts an inspection, and your company is officially activated.
Bank Account Opening and E-Ledger System Registration: Opening a corporate bank account and registering with the e-ledger systems.
2025 Updated Capital Requirements
Limited Company: TRY 50,000
Joint Stock Company: TRY 250,000
It's important to note that you are not required to pay the full amount of this capital upon initial establishment. A certain percentage can be paid upfront, with the remaining balance to be settled within 24 months.
What Documents Do Foreign Investors Need to Establish a Company in Turkey?
Passport and notarized translation
Tax Identification Number
Local address notification (residence permit is not a prerequisite)
MERSİS contract
Notary signature declaration
Contract with an accountant
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a residence permit required? No. A foreign individual can own a company without a residence permit. However, if you plan to be an active manager of the company, obtaining a work permit is advisable.
Is a work permit required to establish a company in Turkey? It's not required for the founding partner, but if you will be actively working in the company, a work permit is necessary.
Can a company be established online? Yes, most of the process can be conducted digitally, except for notary and power of attorney procedures.
Attorney's Advice for Foreign Investors
Determine your capital amount based on your genuine needs.
Ensure share and authority distribution among partners is clearly defined in writing.
Proceeding with bilingual documents (Turkish - your native language) can simplify procedures.
There might be different procedural nuances for citizens coming from various countries; seeking expert consultancy is highly beneficial.
How Can Pan & Partners Help You?
If you are looking to establish a company in Turkey safely and efficiently, consulting with a lawyer regarding the legal processes is paramount.
At Pan & Partners, we manage all aspects of the company formation process in Turkey on your behalf, ensuring your legal infrastructure is soundly established.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended to consult with an attorney to obtain information regarding legal regulations and your rights on this subject.
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