Setting Up a Company in Turkey as a Foreign Investor

Foreign investors can set up a company in Turkey on broadly the same terms as Turkish citizens. A foreign individual or a foreign company can be the sole shareholder. The two most common forms are the limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.) and the joint stock company (A.Ş.).

Which form fits

• Ltd. Şti.: simpler structure, suitable for small and medium businesses, trading companies and service providers
• A.Ş.: more flexible for larger projects, several investors, share transfers and a later capital increase

Both forms require a minimum share capital set by law. These amounts have been raised in the past, so confirm the current figure before you plan your budget.

The main steps

First, choose a company name and the business activities, and prepare the articles of association. The application is entered in MERSIS, the central registration system of the trade registry.

Second, foreign shareholders and managers need a Turkish tax number and documents from abroad, for example passport copies or, for corporate shareholders, an apostilled or legalised extract from the home register with a sworn translation.

Third, the founders sign the articles and the signature declarations before the trade registry or a notary. If you cannot travel, a power of attorney signed at a Turkish consulate or apostilled abroad can be used.

Fourth, the company is registered and announced in the Trade Registry Gazette. The tax office then registers the company, and an office address in Turkey is needed.

Accountant (mali müşavir)

Turkish companies have regular bookkeeping, tax and social security filings. In practice almost every company works with a licensed accountant, a mali müşavir, from the start. Choose one before registration, because many steps are linked to their work.

Bank account and capital

The company needs a Turkish bank account. Banks carry out their own checks on shareholders and the source of funds, so expect questions and allow time.

Work permit link

Owning shares does not automatically give you the right to work in Turkey. If you want to manage the company in person or be employed by it, a work permit is usually required. Conditions such as the number of Turkish employees or the company's capital may apply.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules as of 2026 – always check the current requirements before applying.

How Turkeyy App helps: book a Turkish lawyer in the app and plan your company structure by video call from anywhere in the world, or ask the AI assistant to explain the difference between Ltd. Şti. and A.Ş.