How To Set Up A Company In Turkey: 2026 Step-by-Step Legal Guide
Fast Facts: Turkish Company Setup Walkthrough
- Foreign Ownership: 100% foreign equity permitted under FDI Law No. 4875. No local partner required.
- Registration Platform: MERSİS (Central Registry System) & Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO).
- Remote Incorporation: 100% feasible via Power of Attorney (POA) executed at a Turkish Consulate or Apostilled.
- Formation Speed: 1 to 3 business days once foreign documents are translated and notarized.
- Need Cost Breakdown? For statutory fees, taxes, and accounting retainers, view our 2026 Company Formation Costs & Legal Framework Guide.
Establishing a corporate presence in Turkey offers international entrepreneurs a seamless gateway connecting European, Eurasian, and Middle Eastern commercial markets. Governed by the Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102), the registration framework provides rapid incorporation, digital processing through MERSİS, and equal legal protections for foreign investors.
This practical guide outlines the exact step-by-step legal procedure to set up a company in Turkey in 2026, detailing bureaucratic filings, MERSİS registration, tax office approvals, and remote representation protocols.
Step-by-Step Roadmap: How to Register a Business in Turkey
Incorporating a foreign-owned business in Istanbul follows a centralized legal walkthrough across statutory authorities:
Step 1: Obtain Potential Tax Numbers & Translate Passports
Every foreign shareholder and appointed corporate director must first obtain a Potential Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Turkish Tax Authority. Passports must undergo sworn translation and notary certification.
Step 2: Draft Articles of Association & Submit on MERSİS
Bilingual Articles of Association defining company activity scope, legal address, capital structure, and manager appointment rights are drafted and uploaded into the MERSİS portal to generate an official tracking number.
Step 3: Establish Legal Office Address (Physical or Virtual Office)
Before submitting filings to the Trade Registry, a verifiable registered office contract in Istanbul (either a physical commercial lease or a legal virtual office) must be executed for tax verification.
Step 4: File Dossiers at the Istanbul Trade Registry (İTO)
The complete legal dossier—including MERSİS submissions, statutory payments (such as the mandatory 0.04% Competition Authority fee), and legalized foreign documents—is submitted to the Trade Registry Directorate for legal registration and publication in the Commercial Gazette.
Step 5: Execute Signature Circulars & Complete Tax Office Audit
Upon registration, appointed company managers issue notarized Signature Circulars (İmza Sirküleri). The local Tax Office conducts a brief physical inspection at the registered office, after which full corporate tax certificates (Vergi Levhası) are issued.
Selecting the Entity Format: LTD vs. Joint Stock (A.Ş.)
Foreign investors primarily choose between two business entity types when incorporating in Turkey:
1. Limited Liability Company (LTD / LLC)
- • Minimum Share Capital: TRY 50,000 (No upfront deposit required prior to registration; paid within 24 months).
- • Shareholders: Min 1 / Max 50 (100% foreign ownership allowed).
- • Best Suited For: Small-to-medium enterprises, digital agencies, trading firms, and service providers.
2. Joint Stock Company (A.Ş. / JSC)
- • Minimum Share Capital: TRY 250,000 (25% deposited prior to registration; remaining 75% within 24 months).
- • Shareholders: Min 1 / No maximum limit.
- • Best Suited For: Large-scale industrial setups, holding companies, VC-funded ventures, or regulated sectors.
Looking for exact cost breakdowns, government fees, and SMMM accounting rates? Read our comprehensive analysis on how much it costs to open a company in Turkey.
Can You Set Up a Company in Turkey Remotely Without Visiting?
Yes, 100% remote incorporation is legally permitted. Foreign partners do not need to travel to Turkey during the formation phase. By executing a tailored Power of Attorney (POA) at a Turkish Consulate or through an Apostille notary in their home country, Legal Turkey corporate lawyers handle all MERSİS submissions, Trade Registry filings, and tax registrations on your behalf.
Required Documents for Foreign Shareholders
To initiate the step-by-step registration, foreign applicants must prepare:
For Individual Foreign Investors:
- • Passport copy and sworn notarized Turkish translation
- • Turkish Potential Tax Number
- • 4 biometric photographs
- • Power of Attorney (if incorporating remotely)
For Foreign Parent Companies (Corporate Shareholders):
- • Certificate of Incorporation / Activity Certificate: Apostilled extract from the home trade registry.
- • Articles of Association: Apostilled foreign corporate charter.
- • Board Resolution: Apostilled board decision authorizing company setup in Turkey and appointing a legal representative.
Post-Registration Steps: Banking & Work Permits
Once your company registration is finalized and published in the Commercial Gazette, two operational steps follow:
- 1. Corporate Bank Account Opening: Setting up a multi-currency corporate account (USD, EUR, TRY) to manage commercial transactions. Review our detailed guide on opening a corporate bank account in Turkey for non-residents.
- 2. Work Permits for Foreign Directors: Foreign company managers wishing to reside in Turkey can apply for a manager work permit under International Labor Law regulations. Read our guide on work permits for foreign partners.
Essential Resources for Setting Up a Business in Turkey:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Turkish company?
Yes. Under Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, foreign individuals and corporate entities can hold 100% equity ownership without appointing a Turkish citizen partner.
How long does the company formation process take in Turkey?
Once foreign documents are legalized, official Trade Registry registration at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is finalized within 1 to 3 business days.
Can I set up a company in Turkey remotely without visiting?
Yes. Foreign shareholders can execute a Power of Attorney (POA) to legal counsel at Legal Turkey to complete the entire registration process remotely.
What is the minimum share capital required to set up a business in Turkey?
The statutory minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for a Limited Liability Company (LTD) and TRY 250,000 for a Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.).
Start Your Company Registration Walkthrough Today
To receive a step-by-step checklist tailored to your planned business activity:
- 1. Specify shareholder structure (Individual or Foreign Holding)
- 2. Define target commercial activity scope
- 3. Choose between remote setup (POA) or in-person visit
Contact Legal Turkey today to consult with an English-speaking corporate attorney in Istanbul.