Company Establishment in Turkey: Steps, Documents and Costs (2026)
Tercan Legal — Turkish corporate lawyers for foreign investors, Istanbul, since 2011
Author: Av. Mithat Tercan · Istanbul Bar Association No. 1, Reg. No. 45421 · Verify at the official Bar roster: istanbulbarosu.org.tr/levha
Opening a company in Turkey as a foreigner is straightforward when the file is prepared correctly: 100% foreign ownership is allowed, registration takes 3–7 business days once documents are complete, and with a power of attorney you never need to travel. Tercan Legal has been registering companies for foreign shareholders since 2011. This page gives you the whole process — choose your company type, collect the documents below, sign one POA, done.
Step 0: Choose the Right Company Type
Both forms live under the Turkish Commercial Code (TTK, Law No. 6102), and nearly every foreign investor uses one of the two. The choice affects your personal liability and your exit — decide it before anything else:
| Limited (Ltd. Şti.) | Joint Stock (A.Ş.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | TRY 50,000 | TRY 250,000 |
| Capital payment | Within 24 months of registration | 25% of cash capital blocked in bank before registration; rest within 24 months |
| Shareholders | 1–50 | 1 or more, no limit |
| Share transfer | Notary + registry; slower, can be restricted | Free in principle — investors and buyers prefer it |
| Personal liability for company tax/SGK debts | Yes — can reach shareholders | No — limited to capital |
| Board / manager | At least one manager (can be foreign, can be you) | At least one board member (can be foreign) |
| Best for | Small trade, holding one property, single owner | Partnerships, growth, anything you may sell |
Our default advice: if partners, investors or a future sale are anywhere in your plan, pay the higher capital and take the A.Ş. The personal-liability difference alone has decided this question for most of our clients.
Other forms exist — a branch office of your foreign company (operates commercially, parent fully liable) and a liaison office (market research only, no commercial activity, initial permit up to 3 years). Ask us if either fits; for 9 out of 10 investors the answer is a Turkish company.
The Registration Process, Step by Step
- Send us your passport copy and your planned activity. We send back the POA text — you sign it at the Turkish consulate nearest to you (or local notary + apostille).
- We obtain your Turkish tax number — same day, online.
- We draft the articles of association (share structure, management powers, your protections) and clear the trade name.
- For an A.Ş.: 25% of cash capital is deposited and blocked at the bank.
- Filing through MERSİS and registration at the Trade Registry — the company legally exists. Typical time from complete file: 3–7 business days.
- Post-registration package: tax office registration, signature circular, statutory books, SGK employer file if you will hire.
- Corporate bank account opening. Honest warning: this is the slowest step in Türkiye today — banks run their own compliance checks on foreign shareholders. We prepare the file the way banks want to see it.
- Optional: work permit application for you or foreign staff via the e-İzin system; residence permits for family.
📋 Documents — foreign individual shareholder
☐ Power of attorney (photo not required for company POA)
☐ Turkish tax number (we obtain it)
☐ Registered office address (we can provide one at start-up)
☐ Proposed trade name + field of activity
☐ Capital amount and share split (if partners)
📋 Documents — foreign corporate shareholder (add these)
☐ Board resolution to establish the Turkish company — apostilled
☐ Signature authority documents of signing officers — apostilled
☐ Sworn Turkish translations of all of the above
Costs to Budget
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Share capital | TRY 50,000 (Ltd.) / TRY 250,000 (A.Ş.) — stays in your company, it is not a fee |
| Notary, registry, translation fees | Official tariffs, change yearly — we give you the exact current figure in our quote |
| Registered office | From virtual office level up — depends on your needs |
| Accounting (mandatory, monthly) | Every Turkish company files monthly — budget a monthly accountant from day one |
| Legal fee | Fixed, in writing, before we start |
Rough budget guidance so you can plan before asking anyone for a quote: for a standard single-shareholder company, third-party official costs (notary, trade registry, sworn translations, POA) typically land in the low four figures in USD terms — they scale with capital and document volume, and official tariffs change every January. We put the exact current figure in your written quote, itemised, before you commit to anything.
After Registration — the Part Nobody Tells You
- Monthly filings start immediately — VAT and withholding declarations run even at zero revenue. A company without an accountant collects penalties, not customers.
- The 24-month capital clock is real — unpaid capital past the deadline creates director liability.
- Your signature circular is your company’s key — banks, customs and counterparties all ask for it. Keep the notarised originals.
- Hiring? Employment contracts, SGK registration and workplace notifications must exist before the first working day, not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Turkey without a Turkish partner?
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is allowed in almost every sector. No local partner, no local director requirement.
How long does company registration in Turkey take?
3–7 business days from a complete document file. Add consulate POA time on your side and bank account time after.
Do I need to come to Türkiye to open a company?
No. One POA signed at a Turkish consulate covers the entire registration, tax and bank file.
Can the company sponsor my work permit?
Yes — shareholders and directors can obtain work permits through the company, and it supports residence permits for family.
Ltd. or A.Ş. — which is cheaper?
Ltd. needs less capital on day one. A.Ş. is usually cheaper over the life of the company: cleaner share transfers and no personal exposure to company tax and SGK debts.
Related Guides (Internal Links)
- Investing in Türkiye: Steps, Documents and Costs — Main Guide
- Türkiye Tax Guide for Foreign Investors
- Buying a Company in Türkiye: Share Purchase & Due Diligence
- Work Permits in Türkiye for Foreign Shareholders
One POA. One Team. Done.
Tell us what your company will do and who the shareholders are. Within 48 hours you get the document list, the timeline and a fixed fee — in writing. One POA at your consulate and we handle the rest.
📩 info@tercanlegal.com · 🌐 www.tercanlegal.com · 📍 Istanbul, Türkiye
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Turkish legislation, thresholds and official fees change frequently; figures cited reflect the position at the date of publication and should be verified for your specific transaction. No attorney–client relationship is created by reading this material. For advice on your particular situation, please contact Tercan Legal directly. © 2026 Tercan Legal. All rights reserved.
