Solutions
Company Formation in Turkey for Foreign Investors
Tercan Legal is an Istanbul law firm registered with the Istanbul Bar (No. 45421). We set up Turkish companies for foreign individuals and companies — usually without the founder travelling to Turkey — and stay with the company after registration: bank account, accounting, permits and the first contracts.
Company formation in Turkey at a glance
| Company type | Limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.). Joint stock company (A.Ş.), branch, liaison office and free zone companies are also available. |
| Travel needed? | No — an apostilled power of attorney is enough |
| Languages | English, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Persian, French, Turkish |
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Turkey?
Yes. Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 foreign investors are treated the same as Turkish investors. No Turkish partner, no Turkish director and no local sponsor is required. A small number of regulated sectors (banking, insurance, energy, aviation and similar) need a separate licence, for Turkish and foreign founders alike.
Which company structure should you choose?
- Limited company (Ltd. Şti.) — the default for trading, services, e-commerce and as a base for a work permit. One shareholder is enough.
- Joint stock company (A.Ş.) — for investors planning outside capital, easier share transfers or a future IPO.
- Branch or liaison office — when the foreign parent wants to operate or represent itself directly.
- Free zone company — for re-export, warehousing and transit trade with customs and tax advantages.
We recommend the structure after a short call about what the company will actually do, who will sign, and where the money will come from and go to.
How to register a company in Turkey: step by step
- Scoping call and fixed-fee engagement letter.
- Tax numbers for the shareholders and directors.
- Power of attorney, signed and apostilled in your country (we send the Turkish/English text).
- Articles of association drafted for your business, not a template.
- Registered address (virtual office if needed).
- Trade Registry filing through MERSIS.
- Company tax registration and tax office address inspection.
- Corporate bank account and accountant (CPA) appointment.
Opening the corporate bank account
This is where most foreign-owned companies get stuck. Our founding partner previously acted as counsel to Türkiye Finans (NCB/SNB group) and Kuveyt Türk (KFH group) and advises on payment systems; the firm has opened corporate accounts for dozens of companies with shareholders from Russia, the CIS, the Gulf and Asia. We prepare the bank’s KYC file before the meeting so the account is opened on the first attempt, not the third.
Documents we need
- Passport copy of each shareholder and director (notarised/apostilled where required)
- Apostilled power of attorney
- For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, articles and board resolution, apostilled and translated
- Proof of address
Work and residence permit through your company
A company owner can obtain a work permit based on the company and move on to residence. We quote this separately so the formation fee stays clear. See also Work Permit in Turkey.
After registration — what you must not miss
Monthly VAT and withholding filings, SGK registration if you hire, e-invoice (e-Fatura) thresholds, the annual general assembly and ledger certification. Our English-speaking in-house CPA handles these for our clients. See Business Setup in Turkey.
Why Tercan Legal
- A law firm, not an agency: you sign an engagement with a bar-registered lawyer and receive a Turkish invoice.
- Banking background: former counsel to NCB and KFH group banks in Turkey.
- Desks in Russian, Arabic and Chinese; clients from more than 40 countries; references on request.
- Free zone, sanctions and compliance experience for trade and transit structures.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to come to Turkey?
No. An apostilled power of attorney lets us complete registration. Some banks may ask for one meeting, which can usually be arranged in a single short visit.
Can the only shareholder also be the director?
Yes.
Do I need a Turkish partner?
No.
Does owning a company give me residence?
Not automatically — a work permit based on the company is the usual route.
Can you set up a free zone company?
Yes, in all Turkish free zones. See our free zone company guide.
Talk to a company formation lawyer
WhatsApp +90 506 689 97 22 · info@tercanlegal.com · Hikaye Sokak No 7, Office: 6, 34394 Esentepe, Şişli – Istanbul, Türkiye. Tell us in two lines what the company will do — we reply with a written roadmap within 24 hours.
