How to Register a Company in Turkey As a Foreign Investor, Step-by-step

Registering a company in Turkey as a foreign investor is a key step for international entrepreneurs and companies planning to enter the Turkish market. Turkey provides a well-established framework for foreign investment, allowing foreign nationals and foreign-owned companies to establish businesses in many sectors. However, company incorporation is only the beginning. Foreign investors must also consider tax registration, accounting, social security, payroll, banking and ongoing compliance requirements.

This guide explains the company registration process in Turkey step by step, covering entity selection, required documents, notarisation and translation, MERSİS and Trade Registry procedures, tax and social security registration, corporate banking and post-incorporation compliance.

Introduction, scope and quick summary

Company registration Turkey for non-residents follows a defined statutory pathway. In broad terms, you choose an entity, prepare and legalise founding documents, obtain a Turkish tax number for each foreign shareholder, draft the articles of association, submit the company data through MERSİS (the Central Registration System), complete registration at the relevant Trade Registry Office, and then handle tax and social security registration before you can trade. Many straightforward incorporations complete within one to three weeks, provided documents are correctly notarised, apostilled and translated in advance.

The sections below explain each stage and answer the questions foreign investors most commonly raise, including whether a residence permit is required, how much capital must be deposited, and what ongoing compliance looks like once the company is live.

1. Can foreigners register a company in Turkey?

Yes. Under Turkish law, foreign natural persons and foreign legal entities may incorporate and own companies in Turkey on broadly the same terms as Turkish nationals. The principle of equal treatment for foreign investors is a central feature of the country’s investment regime, reflected in the Foreign Direct Investment Law (Law No. 4875) and promoted by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office. In most sectors a foreign investor may hold up to 100% of the shares in a Turkish company without a local partner requirement.

Key restrictions and sectoral exceptions

While the general rule is open ownership, certain regulated activities carry sector-specific limitations or licensing requirements. Fields such as broadcasting, aviation, maritime transport, banking, insurance and defence-related activities are subject to specialised regulators and, in some cases, foreign shareholding caps or prior authorisation. Before you register company Turkey as foreign investor in a regulated field, confirm the applicable sectoral rules through the Investment Office and the relevant supervisory authority. For the vast majority of trading, services, technology and manufacturing businesses, no special foreign-ownership restriction applies.

2. Choosing the right entity, LLC vs JSC vs branch

Selecting the correct legal form is the first substantive decision when you register company Turkey as foreign investor. The Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102) governs the principal corporate vehicles. The two most common choices for foreign investors are the Limited Şirket (limited liability company) and the Anonim Şirket (joint stock company). Branches and liaison (representative) offices serve different purposes and are considered further below.

Limited Company (Limited Şirketi), overview

The Limited Şirket (Ltd. Şti.) is the workhorse entity for small and medium-sized businesses. It can be established by one or more shareholders (up to a statutory maximum number of shareholders), offers limited liability, and requires one or more managers (at least one shareholder must have management authority in practice). It is administratively lighter than a joint stock company, which makes it attractive for owner-managed operations and foreign investors testing the market. Share transfers are more restrictive and generally require notarised transfer documents and registration.

Joint Stock Company (Anonim Şirket), overview

The Anonim Şirket (A.Ş.) suits larger enterprises, businesses planning to raise capital, and companies that may eventually access capital markets. It is governed by a board of directors and carries more formal governance obligations. Shares are more freely transferable, and this structure is generally required or preferred for regulated activities and public offerings.

Branch and representative office, when to use

A foreign company that wants a presence in Turkey without forming a separate Turkish legal entity may register a branch. A branch is not a separate legal person; the parent bears liability for its activities. A liaison (representative) office is more limited still, it may conduct market research, promotion and coordination but generally may not carry out commercial, revenue-generating activity. Liaison offices are authorised by the Ministry of Industry and Technology (General Directorate of Incentive Implementation and Foreign Investment). Most foreign investors seeking to trade choose a Limited Şirket or Anonim Şirket rather than a branch.

Exact minimum capital amounts and audit thresholds are set by legislation and are periodically updated. The Turkish Commercial Code minimum capital figures for both entity types were revised upward with effect from 2024, and independent-audit thresholds are set by Presidential Decree and updated from time to time. Confirm the current statutory figures against the primary sources before you file.

3. Step-by-step incorporation process

The following high-level flow shows the sequence to register company Turkey as foreign investor. Individual steps can overlap, and preparation of legalised documents abroad often runs in parallel with in-country tasks.

Quick 10-step checklist

1. Choose the entity type (Limited Şirket, Anonim Şirket, or branch).
2. Reserve and confirm the company name.
3. Obtain a Turkish tax number for each foreign shareholder and director.
4. Prepare foreign founding documents, then notarise, apostille or legalise, and translate them.
5. Draft the articles of association in Turkish.
6. Enter the company data into MERSİS and generate the draft articles.
7. Deposit capital where required and obtain bank evidence.
8. Submit the application to the relevant Trade Registry Office.
9. Obtain the registration and publication in the Trade Registry Gazette.
10. Complete tax office and social security (SGK) registration and open the corporate bank account.

Timeline and typical durations

Name reservation and MERSİS data entry can be completed within a few days. Notarisation and legalisation of foreign documents is often the longest variable, particularly where consular legalisation rather than apostille is required. Once the file is complete, Trade Registry registration and Gazette publication typically follow quickly. For a clean case, expect the full process from a prepared file to trading readiness to fall within roughly one to three weeks. Complex shareholder structures, corporate shareholders based abroad, or banking KYC delays can extend this.

4. Required documents, notarisation and certified translations

Getting the paperwork right is where many applications stall. When you register company Turkey as foreign investor, foreign-origin documents must generally be notarised, legalised (by apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the country of origin), and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator, with the translations certified by a Turkish notary.

Documents for individual shareholders

• Passport. A notarised Turkish translation of the passport is typically required.
• Turkish tax number. Each foreign shareholder and director must obtain a tax number from the Revenue Administration.
• Signature declaration or power of attorney. A signature declaration for those signing in Turkey, or a power of attorney where the process is handled by a local representative.
• Photographs and address information as required by the registry.

Documents for corporate shareholders

• Certificate of activity / good standing for the foreign parent company, notarised and apostilled or consular-legalised.
• Board or shareholder resolution authorising the Turkish incorporation and appointing representatives.
• Articles of association of the parent, where requested.
• Power of attorney to the person or firm handling the Turkish filing.
• Certified Turkish translations of all of the above.

Powers of attorney, translation and legalisation steps

A power of attorney is central to remote incorporation. It allows a Turkish representative to sign documents, submit filings and handle registrations on the investor’s behalf, meaning the founder does not need to travel to Turkey to complete the process. The power of attorney is executed before a notary in the investor’s home country, then apostilled or consular-legalised, and finally translated and certified in Turkey. Countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention use apostille; other countries require consular legalisation through the relevant Turkish mission. Notarisation and signature-authentication procedures for these documents fall within the remit of the Turkish notary system.

5. MERSİS and Trade Registry filing

MERSİS (Merkezi Sicil Kayıt Sistemi) is Turkey’s Central Registration System, operated under the Ministry of Trade. It is the electronic backbone of company formation: incorporation data is entered into MERSİS, which generates a unique MERSİS number for the company and produces the draft articles of association used for registration.

How to obtain a MERSİS number

The company’s details, proposed name, entity type, capital, shareholders, managers or directors, share distribution and registered address, are entered into the MERSİS portal. The system then generates the draft articles and a MERSİS reference. Electronic filing may require an electronic signature or mobile signature, and in practice this stage is frequently handled by a local representative acting under power of attorney. This is the core of MERSİS registration for foreign investors.

Trade Registry submission and fees

Once the MERSİS data is finalised, the application is submitted to the competent Trade Registry Office (typically the one covering the company’s registered address, usually operated within the local chamber of commerce). The registry reviews the file, and applicable registration and gazette fees are paid. Where capital deposit is required, evidence from the bank must accompany the application.

After registration, the trade registry extract and Gazette

On approval, the company is entered in the Trade Registry and the incorporation is published in the Trade Registry Gazette (Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi). The Gazette publication is the official public notice of the company’s existence, and the trade registry extract serves as primary proof of registration for banks, counterparties and authorities. Keep certified copies of both to hand for downstream steps such as opening a bank account.

6. Capital requirements and banking

Capital rules depend on entity type. Both the Limited Şirket and the Anonim Şirket are subject to statutory minimum capital figures under the Turkish Commercial Code, with the joint stock company carrying the higher threshold. Because these figures are updated from time to time (and were increased with effect from 2024), verify the current minimum capital in Turkey against the primary legislation before committing to a structure.

Evidence of paid capital

Rules on paying in capital differ by entity type. For the Anonim Şirket, a proportion of the cash capital committed must generally be deposited in a bank before registration, with the balance payable within the period fixed by law, and the bank issues confirmation that is filed with the registry. For the Limited Şirket, cash capital is generally payable within the period set out in the Turkish Commercial Code following registration. Confirm the specific requirement and current timing rules for your chosen form.

Opening a bank account, practical tips

Opening a bank account in Turkey for a foreign company involves KYC and anti-money-laundering checks. Banks typically require the trade registry extract, the Gazette publication, the tax number, the company’s articles, and identification and authorisation documents for the signatories. Foreign beneficial owners should expect enhanced due diligence and additional documentation. Because bank onboarding timelines vary between institutions, start the process early and prepare complete, certified documents to avoid delays.

7. Tax registration, VAT and social security

Incorporation is only the start. Before trading, the company must complete tax registration in Turkey and, where it employs staff, register as an employer with the Social Security Institution.

Registering with the Revenue Administration

The company registers with the local tax office under the Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı). A tax number is issued for the company, and foreign shareholders and directors also require individual tax numbers, which are obtained from the Revenue Administration. Registration establishes the company’s obligations for corporate income tax, VAT and, where relevant, withholding taxes. In many cases a tax office inspection or confirmation of the registered premises forms part of activation.

Social security registration (SGK)

Once the company intends to employ personnel, it must register as an employer with the Social Security Institution (SGK). Employer registration triggers monthly payroll declarations and social security contribution obligations for employees. Registration and contribution procedures are administered by SGK.

Ongoing tax compliance

A Turkish-resident company is subject to Turkish corporate tax on its income, with periodic filings for corporate tax and VAT. Corporate tax rates and VAT rates are set by legislation and change periodically, so confirm the current rates with the Revenue Administration. Tax residency and the scope of taxation depend on management and legal-seat rules set out in Turkish law. Companies should establish bookkeeping and filing routines from day one to meet declaration deadlines, since penalties for late or incorrect filings can accrue quickly.

8. Do founders need residence or work permits?

A common misconception is that forming a company automatically grants the founder the right to live or work in Turkey. It does not. Incorporation and immigration status are separate matters governed by different authorities.

When to apply for residence or work permits

Founders who intend to reside in Turkey or take an active working role in the company generally need the appropriate residence or work permit. Residence permits are handled by the Presidency of Migration Management, while work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. A shareholder who simply owns shares and manages the business from abroad may not need a Turkish permit, but a founder relocating to run the company will typically require one. Work permits for company directors and employees are subject to their own eligibility conditions, which may include minimum capital and employment ratios.

Practical tips for founders

Plan immigration in parallel with, not after, incorporation if you intend to relocate. Establishing the company first can support certain permit applications, but the two processes should be coordinated so that trading readiness and the founder’s legal presence align. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant authorities before making travel or relocation commitments.

9. Post-incorporation compliance checklist

Once you register company Turkey as foreign investor, an ongoing compliance calendar begins. Meeting these obligations protects the company’s standing and avoids penalties.

First-year checklist

• Complete tax office and SGK registration and activate the corporate bank account.
• Set up statutory books and bookkeeping in line with Turkish accounting rules.
• Confirm whether the company falls within statutory audit thresholds.
• Obtain any sector-specific licences or permits before commencing regulated activity.
• Establish payroll and social security reporting if employing staff.
• File beneficial-ownership information with the tax authority as required.

Ongoing compliance calendar

• Corporate books. Maintain and, where required, certify statutory corporate books.
• Tax returns. File periodic corporate tax and advance/provisional tax returns as required by the Revenue Administration.
• VAT filings. Submit VAT declarations on the prescribed cycle.
• Annual financial statements. Prepare and, where applicable, have them audited.
• General meetings. Hold shareholder or general meetings and register relevant resolutions.
• Registry updates. Notify the Trade Registry of changes to directors, address, capital or articles, with Gazette publication where required.

10. Common pitfalls and practical tips for foreign investors

• Translation errors. Inconsistent names or terms between the original documents and Turkish translations cause registry rejections, use sworn translators and check for consistency.
• Defective powers of attorney. A power of attorney that omits the specific authorities needed for filing, banking and tax registration will require re-execution abroad. Draft it broadly and correctly the first time.
• Legalisation delays. Confirm whether apostille or consular legalisation applies to your country before starting, and build in time accordingly.
• Capital deposit evidence. Incorrect or missing bank confirmation of capital can stall registration, coordinate with the bank early.
• Skipping tax and permit steps. The company cannot trade until tax registration is complete; regulated activities require sector permits before launch.
• Bank KYC delays. Enhanced due diligence on foreign owners takes time, prepare complete, certified documents in advance.

11. Costs and timelines, sample budget

Actual costs vary with entity type, capital, sector and professional fees. The table below is illustrative and should be confirmed against current tariffs.

Indicative timeline: document preparation and legalisation abroad (variable), MERSİS data entry and name reservation (a few days), Trade Registry registration and Gazette publication (short), followed by tax and SGK registration and bank onboarding. A prepared, uncomplicated file often reaches trading readiness within one to three weeks.

12. Getting Professional Support to Register a Company in Turkey

The company registration process in Turkey involves several stages, including document preparation, notarisation and legalisation, MERSİS registration, Trade Registry filing, tax registration, social security procedures and corporate banking.

Foreign investors may therefore benefit from working with an experienced local accounting and business advisory firm that can coordinate these administrative and compliance requirements.

A&M Consulting Co. provides professional support for company registration in Turkey, together with tax registration, accounting and bookkeeping, corporate bank account onboarding, payroll and Social Security (SGK) compliance, work permit support and ongoing tax and corporate compliance.

Where appropriate, A&M can also coordinate post-incorporation procedures such as capital increases, share transfers, company name changes, registered address changes and director or manager changes.

Conclusion and next steps

To register company Turkey as foreign investor is a well-defined, largely digital process, but it rewards careful preparation. Choose the right entity, get foreign documents notarised, legalised and translated correctly, obtain tax numbers, file through MERSİS and the Trade Registry, and then complete tax, social security and banking steps before you trade. Build the post-incorporation compliance calendar into your first-year plan, and coordinate any residence or work permit needs in parallel. Because statutory figures such as minimum capital, tax rates and audit thresholds are periodically revised, verify current numbers against the primary sources below before you file, and seek local legal sign-off on jurisdiction-specific steps.

Sources

1. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade (Ticaret Bakanlığı)
2. Central Registration System (MERSİS)
3. Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102), Mevzuat.gov.tr
4. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office
5. Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı)
6. Presidency of Migration Management (Türkiye)
7. Social Security Institution (SGK)
8. Union of Turkish Notaries (Türkiye Noterler Birliği)
9. Trade Registry Gazette (Türkiye Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi)