Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country bridging Europe and Asia. It shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; the Black Sea to the north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; and the Aegean Sea to the west. Turks form the vast majority of the nation's population and Kurds are the largest minority. Turkey's capital is Ankara while its largest city and financial center is Istanbul.
Turkey is a regional power and a newly industrialized country, with a geopolitically strategic location. Its economy, which is classified among the emerging and growth-leading economies, is the twentieth-largest in the world by nominal GDP, and the eleventh-largest by PPP. It is a charter member of the United Nations, an early member of NATO, the IMF, and the World Bank, and a founding member of the OECD, OSCE, BSEC, OIC, and G20. After becoming one of the early members of the Council of Europe in 1950, Turkey became an associate member of the EEC in 1963, joined the EU Customs Union in 1995, and started accession negotiations with the European Union in 2005.
Turkey’s FDI Law is based on the principle of equal treatment, allowing international investors to have the same rights and liabilities as local investors.
The conditions for setting up a business and share transfer are the same as those applied to local investors. International investors may establish any form of the company set out in the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC), which offers a corporate governance approach that meets international standards, fosters private equity and public offering activities, creates transparency in managing operations, and aligns the Turkish business environment with EU legislation as well as with the EU accession process.
Turkey has introduced reforms with a view to making it easier to do business in order to enhance the investment environment, eliminating red tape in setting up a business, and minimizing costs and procedures. To this end, establishing a company is now only carried out at Trade Registry Offices located in Chambers of Commerce and designed to be a ‘one-stop shop’. The process is completed within the same day.
There are corporate and non-corporate forms for companies under the TCC, which states that companies may be established under the following types:
a.Corporate forms
Although some financial thresholds (i.e., minimum capital) and organs differ from each other, the procedures to be followed for establishing a JSC or an LLC are the same.
b.Non-corporate forms
Although companies may be established according to these five different types, JSC and LLC are the most common types chosen both in the global economy and Turkey.
Branch Office
Liaison Offices
Any company incorporated under the laws of a foreign country may establish a liaison office (aka representative office) in Turkey upon obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, provided that the company does not engage in any commercial activities in Turkey. To establish a liaison office, the following documents should be submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, General Directorate of Incentive Implementation and Foreign Investment (GDIIFI).
Application form*
Statement outlining the works to be conducted by the liaison office, an undertaking that the office shall not engage in any commercial activities*, and proof that the signatory to the statement is fully authorized by the company
A certificate of activity issued by the foreign country and verified by the relevant Turkish Consulate or in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention)
A certificate of activity issued to foreign companies or balance sheet and income statement
A certificate of authorization issued to the individual(s) appointed to conduct the activities of the liaison office
A power of attorney in the event that the procedures for establishing the liaison office are carried out by another representative
Turkey has a dynamic economy that attracts numerous foreign investors. It also has promising economic growth and the country is expected to have one of the fastest-growing economies among the OECD members. Moreover, Turkey encourages foreign direct investments and has a dynamic private sector.
Good infrastructure and a qualified and competitive workforce are two other key reasons why investors look towards Turkey to base their business. The country also has a favorable tax regime and the government offers incentives and tax benefits to those who open companies in certain free zones. Incentives are also applicable to research and development activities, strategic investments, or large-scale investments.
The following types of entities can be created in Turkey, regardless of any minimum share capital requirements:
The following steps need to be completed when registering a company in Turkey:
As mentioned above, tax registration is one of the company registration steps in Turkey. This step is very important because it will allow the company to account for all its commercial transactions. The following documents are required for tax registration as a company in Turkey:
We can help with the whole company formation procedure in Turkey. This process can include the registration of the company with the Trade Register, the opening of the bank account, and the tax registration procedure.
The business licensing phase must be completed if the Turkish company will undertake certain activities. In this case, specific business licenses and permits must be obtained with the authorities representing the industry the company will operate in. Among the industries in which special licenses and permits are necessary are trading, the financial industry, and manufacturing. These are also some of the most developed economic sectors in Turkey. We kindly invite you to get in touch with our company registration consultants in Turkey for personalized advice on how to start a business.
The Commercial Code introduces provisions regarding good management practices and requirements for an internal and independent audit. A company must base its economic and business activities on transparency, fairness, accountability, and responsibility. The Code contains guidelines regarding:
Istanbul is the largest seaport city in Turkey and home to a vast number of foreign companies that enjoy a proper business climate and relaxed company formation requirements. Our company formation agents in Istanbul can help international entrepreneurs start their activities in this city by taking care of all the formalities implicated in business registration. The limited liability company is the most popular business structure available, yet foreigners can decide on joint-stock companies, collective or commandite companies. A sole proprietorship is also a solution for entrepreneurs who want to do business on their own and be liable for losses in the firm. Small and medium entrepreneurs can enjoy the business climate in Istanbul, Turkey, and benefit from fast business incorporation, helped by one of our company formation specialists in Istanbul. If you are ready to start a business in Turkey, feel free to discuss all the aspects with our company formation agents in Istanbul.
Izmir is another solid and representative business center in Turkey, the third most populous in the country, with more than 3 million citizens. The industry of Izmir is quite representative, and the city hosts a large number of free zones and technological parks. Opening a company in Izmir is a straightforward process that can be entirely supervised by our specialists with experience in this field. Regardless of the selected business type in Turkey, we suggest foreigners get in touch with our team of company formation specialists in Izmir and find out more about the entire incorporation process of a firm. We can provide business advice to foreigners wanting to start a company in Izmir.
We have a dedicated team of specialists in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, the second-largest city in the country, with a population of more than 3,4 million citizens. Ankara is a representative financial and business center that accommodates a big number of thriving companies established with foreign capital. Having a free-market economy is a great advantage to foreigners wanting to start a limited liability company or any other type of business. We remind you that we have a dedicated team of company formation agents in Ankara who can provide comprehensive assistance to international entrepreneurs who want to start a company in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
1. What are the types of companies that can be incorporated in Turkey?
The joint-stock company, the limited liability company, the collective and commandite companies, the cooperative, or the branch are all options for a legal entity in Turkey.
2. Can a foreigner open a company in Turkey?
Yes. Foreigners have equal rights to open companies, just as nationals. Turkey welcomes foreign investments in various business fields.
3. How fast can you start a new business in Turkey?
A business can be incorporated in one week if all the documents are in order.
4. Does the company need to have an office in Turkey?
Yes. A registered office is necessary for a newly incorporated company in Turkey. This also applies to branches of foreign companies.
5. What are the steps for company incorporation in Turkey?
The business owner must draw up and submit the Articles of Association, notarize the company documents, deposit the minimum share capital and apply for registration at the Trade Registry Office.
6. What is the minimum share capital in Turkey?
The minimum share capital depends on the type of company. This amount is larger for joint-stock companies than for limited liability companies: 50,000 TRY as opposed to 10,000 TRY.
7. What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Turkey?
The bank account is mandatory for the company because the share capital is deposited upon incorporation. Banks will generally request the registration certificate of the company and other documents attesting to the identity of the founding members. Certain fees apply, as per the bank’s policy.
8. Do you need special permits and licenses in Turkey?
Yes. For example, import and export activities are regulated and business owners engaging in this activity based on certain permits obtained before starting the actual trading.
9. What are the taxes for companies in Turkey?
The corporate tax in Turkey is 20% but lower rates can apply. A payroll tax, real property tax, social security tax, and other taxes also apply.
10. What are the reasons to invest in Turkey?
A good location between two important markets, its own large domestic market, good economy, an open investment climate, and good infrastructure are good reasons why investors should choose to open a company in Turkey.