In a joint-stock company, at least 25% of the capital is paid in before registration, and the rest within 24 months. In a Ltd. Şti., nothing needs to be paid in before registration.
0.04% — to the Competition Authority
When a Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. is established, a contribution of 0.04% of the capital is paid to the Competition Authority. Without proof of payment, the trade registry will not register the company.
E-TUYS — by the end of May
Every year by the end of May, a foreign-capital company completes an activity form in E-TUYS. Share transfers are reported within a month.
Beneficial owners — a month for changes
The company files information on its ultimate beneficial owners with the tax office together with its returns. If the composition changes, this must be reported within a month.
Free zone: 85% for export
Salaries of a free zone manufacturer’s employees are exempt from income tax if at least 85% of the FOB value of the goods produced is exported.
Kermen Tserenkeeva
Company registration
We’ll set up a company in Turkey to fit your structure
A company in Turkey is for those with activity in the country: clients, suppliers, a team or production. A foreigner can own 100% of it and set it up mostly by power of attorney. The timeline is most often driven by legalisation and translation of documents — so that is where we start.
A Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. in Türkiye can be 100% foreign-owned, and most of the procedure runs by power of attorney, without a visit. Ltd. Şti. capital is from TRY 50,000, paid within 24 months; registration fees are TRY 10,000–18,000 and corporate tax is 25%; we quote our fee after reviewing the structure.
Checked 18 October 2026 · Kermen Tserenkeeva
Cost of a mistake
TRY 35,000
The fine for each tax return filed late (2026 amount) — and the VAT return is due every month, even in months with no sales.
A foreigner can own 100% of a Turkish company and set it up by power of attorney. But the documents go through legalisation, sworn translation and a notary, and bookkeeping and reporting are needed from the first month — even with no revenue.
Three forms to choose from
Ltd. Şti. — from TRY 50,000, A.Ş. — from TRY 250,000 of capital. A branch has no minimum, but the parent company is liable for it.
Documents — under Turkish rules
For Hague Convention countries — an apostille; for the UAE — consular legalisation, as the Emirates are not party to the convention. Then sworn translation into Turkish and a notary.
Registration — through MERSİS
The application is filed in MERSİS, goes through the trade registry and the chamber, and is published in the Trade Registry Gazette. Then come the tax formalities.
A company is not a visa
Owning a company does not by itself give either a residence permit or a work permit. The requirements depend on the person’s role: shareholder, manager or employee.
Expert tip
Before filing, we check whether the activity needs an industry licence or real premises. This determines whether a virtual office will work and how long the launch will take.
Kermen TserenkeevaSenior Lawyer · Company registration
Who it suits
Who it suits — and when to choose something else
A good fit if
01You have activity in Turkey: clients, suppliers, a team or production in the country.
02A foreign company is opening a subsidiary or a branch in Turkey.
03As an individual, you want a company with 100% ownership without having a business abroad.
04You manufacture for export and are considering a free zone for the profit exemption.
05You develop software, R&D or a design project and are applying to a technopark.
06You are ready for monthly bookkeeping and reporting — even in months with no revenue.
Consider something else if
01You only need an account with a Turkish bank, not a company in Turkey.Turkey
02You need a company only to hold shares and assets, with no operations in Turkey.Holding & SPV
03The main goal is a residence visa and an office in the UAE, and your clients are not in Turkey.Freezone
04The goal is a residence permit or the right to work in Turkey: company registration does not give these.
05You trade without your own production and are counting on zero tax in a free zone — a free zone trading licence does not give the profit exemption.
Company form
Ltd. Şti., A.Ş. or a branch: the real differences
The main difference is not the capital but who is liable for taxes that could not be collected from the company, and how a stake can later be sold. Fees are a guide for a simple business in Istanbul as of 5 October 2026, excluding VAT.
Ltd. Şti.
Limited liability company
Who owns it
1 to 50 participants — individuals or companies
Who manages it
Managers — participants or third parties; at least one participant holds the right of management and representation
What it can do
Any lawful activity except banking and insurance — these require a different form
Selling a stake
A contract with signatures at a notary and the general meeting’s consent, unless the articles provide otherwise. Tax debts from before the sale that could not be collected from the company are covered jointly by the seller and the buyer — up to their share
If tax can’t be collected from the company
Unpaid tax is recovered from the participants, in proportion to their shares, and from the managers
Registration fees
TRY 10,000–18,000 one-off
A.Ş.
Joint-stock company
Who owns it
One or more shareholders — individuals or companies
Who manages it
A board of directors of one or more members; Turkish citizenship and residence are not required
What it can do
Any lawful activity, including banking and insurance
Selling a stake
Registered shares — freely, unless the articles restrict it; shares not fully paid up — only with the company’s consent
If tax can’t be collected from the company
Unpaid tax is recovered from board members; shareholders risk only their contribution
Registration fees
TRY 10,000–18,000 one-off
Branch
Part of a foreign company, with no legal personality of its own
Who owns it
The parent company; no participants of its own
Who manages it
A fully authorised representative residing in Turkey
What it can do
Only within the parent company’s registered activities
Selling a stake
Not applicable — a branch has no shares
If tax can’t be collected from the company
The parent company is liable, and for taxes, the representative in Turkey as well
Registration fees
TRY 50,000–70,000 one-off
Minimum capital
Ltd. Şti.
TRY 50,000
Nothing needs to be paid in before registration; payment within 24 months
A.Ş.
TRY 250,000
At least 25% before registration, the rest within 24 months
Non-public A.Ş.
TRY 500,000
Initial capital under the registered capital system
Branch
No minimum
The capital allocated to the branch is declared
Benefits
What you get
1
A structure to fit the task
We compare a subsidiary, a branch and a company owned by an individual: who is liable for debts, what capital is needed, who manages and signs.
2
Documents the registry will accept
Apostille or consular legalisation, sworn translation and a notary — in the right order. We confirm in advance whether notarisation is needed before signing.
3
One point of contact
Incorporation, a corporate account, online bookkeeping with Turkish accountants and a registered address — through one contact.
4
An honest check on incentives
Before applying, we tell you whether the project qualifies for a free zone or technopark. If an incentive isn’t available, you’ll learn this before spending on premises.
5
Reporting without gaps
E-TUYS, beneficial owner declarations, e-ledgers, chamber fees — we track the deadlines together with the accountant.
6
Status in the client portal
What’s at legalisation, what’s with the translator, what’s already at the registry — all visible in your client portal.
Comparison
Standard company, free zone or technopark
A general picture as of October 2026. We check the terms of a specific zone or park against your project — operators have their own requirements and fees.
What we compareStandard companyFree zoneTechnopark
Who it suitsStandard companyTrading, services, consulting, IT — any lawful activity in TurkeyFree zoneExport manufacturing, international trade in goods and certain goods-related servicesTechnoparkSoftware development, R&D and qualifying design projects
Legal basisStandard companyTurkish Commercial Code, registration through MERSİSFree zoneFree Zones Law No. 3218TechnoparkTechnology Development Zones Law No. 4691
AdmissionStandard companyTrade registry registration; industry licences — if the activity requires themFree zoneA Ministry of Trade operating licence for the activity and premises — usually for 20 years for manufacturers and 15 years for others; applied for through the Zone DirectorateTechnoparkProject approval by the park operator: technical work, team, budget, schedule, commercial potential
Main incentiveStandard companyNone specifically — the general tax regimeFree zoneExemption of manufacturing profit on sales abroad, within the zone and to other free zonesTechnoparkExemption of profit from qualifying projects until 31 December 2028, and of VAT on eligible software; payroll incentives
PremisesStandard companyAn address in Turkey; a virtual office — if it suits the activityFree zonePremises in the zone: a lease or purchase is arranged within 30 days of application approvalTechnoparkAn office or lab in the park; the presence arrangement is agreed with the operator
Key conditionStandard companyBookkeeping and reporting even with no revenueFree zoneThe incentive applies only to manufacturers; sales into the Turkish market are taxed, and a trading licence does not give the general exemptionTechnoparkTracking of projects, staff and working hours, reports to the operator; selling third-party goods does not qualify
Fees beyond registrationStandard companyRegistry and chamber fees, translations, notaryFree zoneLicence application — USD 5,000 or the equivalent in TRY; rent, customs clearanceTechnoparkThe application fee is set by the operator; rent and service charges depend on the park
Regime incentives
What a free zone and a technopark actually give you
For each incentive — the condition, the exclusions and the term under the law as of October 2026. We check whether your project qualifies before the application and before any spending on premises.
Law No. 3218, Provisional Article 3
Manufacturing profit
until the end of the year Turkey joins the EU
What it gives: exemption from corporate income tax
Condition: the goods are produced in the zone and sold abroad, within the zone or to another free zone — sales within and between zones have been included since 1 January 2026
Does not cover: sales into the Turkish market
Goods-related services
until the end of the year Turkey joins the EU
What it gives: exemption of profit from maintenance, repair, assembly and disassembly, loading, sorting, packing, labelling, testing and storage
Condition: all services are provided to non-residents of Turkey, and the goods go abroad without entering Turkey
Does not cover: ordinary trading and consulting
Payroll tax
until the end of the year Turkey joins the EU
What it gives: income tax on employees’ salaries is waived
Condition: the company exports at least 85% of the FOB value of the products manufactured in the zone
Does not cover: years when exports fall below the threshold: the tax is reassessed with late-payment interest, but without a penalty
Stamp duty and customs
What it gives: exemption from stamp duty and fees, customs benefits and VAT exemption for qualifying movements of goods
Condition: the transactions and documents relate to activity in the zone, and the goods are not released into Turkey
Does not cover: goods released onto the Turkish market — ordinary duties and taxes apply
Zone status does not replace company registration and does not give the incentive automatically: a zone trading or consulting licence does not give the general profit exemption.
Law No. 4691, Provisional Article 2 and Additional Article 3; VAT Law, Provisional Article 20; Law No. 5746
Project profit
until 31 December 2028
What it gives: exemption from corporate income tax
Condition: profit only from software, design and R&D created in the park
Does not cover: selling third-party goods and unrelated services
VAT on software
until 31 December 2028
What it gives: sales without VAT
Condition: software created entirely in the park: system and data management, business applications, industry-specific, internet, gaming, mobile and military command-and-control software
Does not cover: the company’s other sales and purchases
Team salaries
until 31 December 2028
What it gives: income tax on salaries is waived, and no stamp duty is paid
Condition: R&D, design and support staff in the park; the incentive covers the part of the salary up to 40 gross minimum wages; support staff — no more than 10% of the number of R&D staff and designers, or 20% in a company of up to 15 people
Does not cover: hours over 45 per week and overtime
Employer social security contributions
until 31 December 2028
What it gives: half of the employer’s contribution is paid by the state budget
Condition: employees whose salaries are exempt under the technopark incentive
Does not cover: the employees’ own contributions and other payroll costs
Work outside the park
until 31 December 2028
What it gives: the salary incentive is kept for time spent outside the park
Condition: no more than 20% of employees or working time — with the approval of the park’s management company
Does not cover: time spent on tasks unrelated to work in the park: the tax and penalties are reassessed against the company
The 3% rule
What it gives: an obligation, not an incentive: 3% of the incentive amount goes into venture funds or startups, otherwise 20% of the year’s exempt profit becomes taxable
Condition: the annual technopark incentive or R&D deduction is TRY 5 million or more; no more than TRY 100 million a year has to be invested; the threshold applies from 2025 returns
Admission is granted for a qualifying project: an address in the park or a “tech” company name is not enough. Projects, income, staff and working hours are tracked separately and reported to the operator.
Let’s discuss the details
Free zone, technopark or standard company?
Describe what you manufacture or develop and where your clients are. We’ll tell you which incentive the project can realistically claim and which it can’t.
Kermen Tserenkeeva
Company registration
Process
8 steps from the first conversation to the result
Every step is visible in the client portal: what’s happening now and whether we need anything from you.
Steps on your side: 2 of 8
We handle it · 4Needed from you · 2Authority · 2
We look at what the business will do, whether there are industry ownership restrictions and licences, and whether real premises are needed. We choose the form — Ltd. Şti., A.Ş. or a branch — and the regime: standard, free zone or technopark.
You send the name and address, activities, capital and shares, details of managers and signatories, the signing arrangements, and for a parent company — its registration details and website.
We prepare the powers of attorney, corporate resolutions and the articles of association of the Turkish company or the branch forms, as well as signing instructions.
Documents are legalised in the country of issue: with an apostille or, for the UAE, through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish consulate. A sworn translator then translates them into Turkish, and a notary certifies the translation.
We obtain Turkish tax numbers for the founders. You pay the 0.04% contribution to the Competition Authority, and for an A.Ş. — also at least 25% of the capital.
We file the application through MERSİS and go through the trade registry and the chamber. The registration is published in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette, and tax registration is completed.
We prepare the bank application and arrange the signatures. We confirm in-person attendance requirements in advance: the decision is the bank’s, and its review may take longer than registration.
We set up online bookkeeping, e-ledgers and e-invoices, an e-signature or financial seal, the beneficial owner declaration and E-TUYS reporting. The VAT return is filed every month, by the 28th of the following month, even with no sales.
Step 1 of 8
Activity and structure review
We look at what the business will do, whether there are industry ownership restrictions and licences, and whether real premises are needed. We choose the form — Ltd. Şti., A.Ş. or a branch — and the regime: standard, free zone or technopark.
We handle it
Documents
What to prepare — by founder and regime
Tick what you already have and send your manager the list of what’s missing. For a free zone and a technopark, a project dossier is added to the corporate documents.
Information
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Documents
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Foreign documents need an apostille, or, from the UAE and other countries outside the Hague Convention, consular legalisation. Then sworn translation into Turkish and a notary; originals and signatures — if the registry or notary requires them.
Timing and budget
What makes up the budget
We set our fee after reviewing the structure and documents. Below are third-party costs for a simple business in Istanbul: indicative as of 5 October 2026, excluding VAT, not a fixed quote.
ItemDepends onWhen
Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. registrationDepends onTRY 10,000–18,000: registry and chamber fees, publication, registry extracts. Capital is not included.WhenOnce, on registration
Branch registrationDepends onTRY 50,000–70,000: registration of the branch and representative, chamber fees, publication, extracts — instead of company registration.WhenOnce, on registration
Competition Authority contributionDepends on0.04% of the capital — on top of registry fees.WhenBefore registration; on a capital increase — on the amount of the increase
Sworn translation and notaryDepends onTranslation — TRY 500–1,200 per short document, usually from English. Notary — TRY 1,000–3,000 per simple translated document; powers of attorney and lengthy corporate documents are priced individually.WhenBefore filing
Legalisation abroadDepends onFrom the UAE — attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (rates as of October 2026): AED 2,000 per commercial document — a licence, registration documents, a board resolution, a company power of attorney — and AED 150 per personal document; then the Turkish consulate’s fee. From Hague Convention countries — an apostille at that country’s rate. Plus courier costs.WhenBefore translation
Free zone or technoparkDepends onFree zone licence application — USD 5,000 or the equivalent in TRY. The technopark application fee is set by the operator. Rent, deposit and service charges — at the zone’s or park’s rates.WhenOn application, then monthly
Online bookkeepingDepends onTRY 8,000–16,000 per month: bookkeeping and routine reporting for a small business. Payroll, transaction volume and group reporting affect the price.WhenMonthly
Registered addressDepends onTRY 1,000–2,000 per month: a basic virtual office with mail handling. Premises and meeting rooms are extra.WhenMonthly
Chamber fees and other costsDepends onChamber: an entrance fee, then an annual fee — 10% to 50% of the monthly gross minimum wage depending on the chamber grade, plus 0.5% of the accounting profit per the tax return. Separately — filing fees, an e-signature or financial seal, e-ledgers and e-invoices, payroll, industry licences.WhenChamber — on joining, then in June and October; the rest — annually and as events occur
Deadlines after registration
A Turkish company’s year: what to file and when
For a Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. whose financial year matches the calendar year. A deadline that falls on a non-working day moves to the next working day; some deadlines differ for a branch. We track the deadlines together with the accountant.
0123456months after 31 December
March
Annual general meeting
By 31 March — approve the financial statements and the annual report for the previous year and decide what to do with the profit. With a sole participant — a written resolution.
April
Corporate income tax for the previous year
Return and payment — by 30 April. The rate is 25%; advances paid during the year are credited.
If missed: TRY 35,000 per late return (2026 amount), half that if paid within 30 days; 3.7% a month on unpaid tax
May
Foreign investment report
By 31 May — the annual activity form in E-TUYS.
Every month and quarter
By the 28th of the following month
VAT
The return for the previous month is filed even in months with no sales; any tax due is paid by the same date.
If missed: TRY 35,000 per late return (2026), half that if paid within 30 days
By the 26th of the following month
Withheld taxes and social security
The combined return and withheld tax — if there are salaries or payments from which the company withholds tax; the social security contributions themselves are paid by the end of the following month.
February, May, August, November
Corporate income tax advance
For every quarter — in the second month after it. Since 2025, the advance is once again filed for Q4 as well — in February.
Every year
June and October
Annual chamber fee
In two equal instalments. The amount depends on the chamber grade — 10% to 50% of the monthly gross minimum wage. In the year of registration, an entrance fee is paid instead.
June and October
Additional chamber fee
0.5% of the accounting profit shown in the corporate income tax return; not payable in a loss-making year.
Event-driven
A month after an ownership change
Beneficial owners
Updated information on the ultimate beneficial owners — to the tax office.
A month after a share transfer
E-TUYS notification
Of a share transfer in a foreign-capital company.
24 months after registration
Capital fully paid in
Ltd. Şti. — all of the capital; A.Ş. — the balance after the 25% paid in before registration.
On a capital increase
0.04% contribution
To the Competition Authority — on the amount of the increase.
Getting it right
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 8 open
01 What people often do
Having UAE company documents apostilled.
01 The right way
The UAE is outside the Hague Convention, so consular legalisation is required: the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish consulate, then sworn translation and a notary.
02 What people often do
Taking a virtual office for an activity that requires licensed premises.
02 The right way
Check the premises requirements before registration. Such an activity needs a real address, otherwise you won’t get the licence.
03 What people often do
Leaving the company without an accountant because there is no revenue yet.
03 The right way
Obligations continue even without revenue: address, bookkeeping, tax filings, chamber fees. If the company is not needed, work out the cost of maintaining it and of closing it.
04 What people often do
Opening a trading company in a free zone for zero tax.
04 The right way
The profit exemption is available to manufacturers — for goods produced in the zone. A standard trading or consulting licence does not give the general exemption.
05 What people often do
Registering in a technopark at an address without a project.
05 The right way
Admission is granted for a qualifying project: software, R&D or design. An address in the park or a tech-sounding name gives nothing by itself.
06 What people often do
Opening a company in a free zone and then planning a branch in mainland Turkey.
06 The right way
Decide before registration: a company headquartered in a zone cannot open a branch in mainland Turkey under the same name, and a Turkish company operates in a zone through a branch.
07 What people often do
Assuming the company gives a residence permit and the right to work.
07 The right way
These are separate permits: the requirements depend on the role — shareholder, manager or employee.
08 What people often do
Changing the participants and forgetting about the reports.
08 The right way
Report the share transfer in E-TUYS and file a new beneficial owner declaration within a month.
FAQ
Expert answers
Kermen Tserenkeeva — Company registration
As a rule, yes. The sole participant of a Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş. can be a single foreign company or a single individual; no Turkish partner is needed. We check industry ownership restrictions and licences before starting the procedure.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
A large part of the procedure — yes, under a properly executed power of attorney. Some signatures or identity checks, especially at the bank, may require in-person attendance — we confirm those requirements in advance.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
We give the timeline after reviewing the documents. It is affected most by legalisation abroad, translations, the trade registry entry and industry permits, if needed. Opening a bank account is a separate process and may take longer than the registration itself.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
Ltd. Şti. — from TRY 50,000, nothing needs to be paid in before registration, payment within 24 months. A.Ş. — from TRY 250,000, at least 25% before registration, the rest within 24 months. For a non-public A.Ş. under the registered capital system — from TRY 500,000. A branch has no minimum, but the capital allocated to it is declared. Regulated industries have higher requirements.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
In a Ltd. Şti., at least one participant must have the right of management and representation. In an A.Ş. — a board of directors of at least one member. Managers do not need Turkish citizenship or residence in the country. A branch must have a fully authorised representative who lives in Turkey.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
An address in Turkey is mandatory. A virtual office with mail handling works if the activity does not need licensed premises or a site. In a free zone or technopark, the premises arrangement is approved by the zone or the operator.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
Yes. Address, bookkeeping, tax filings, beneficial owner declarations, E-TUYS and chamber fees continue as long as the company is registered. If you no longer need the company, we’ll calculate the cost of maintaining it and of closing it.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
No. Ownership alone gives neither. The requirements depend on the person’s role in the company — shareholder, manager or employee — and are assessed separately.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
We organise the whole chain: we check the documents and coordinate the sworn translators, notaries and the trade registry. You may need to provide originals, signatures or an apostille in the country of issue — we’ll tell you exactly what in advance.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
Yes. The books are kept by qualified Turkish accountants: documents are electronic, communication is remote. The basic scope covers bookkeeping and tax filings; payroll and additional reporting are added by agreement. Indicative as of 5 October 2026 — TRY 8,000–16,000 per month excluding VAT.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
Trading activity can be licensed in a free zone, but it does not get the corporate income tax exemption. Technopark incentives require qualifying project work: resale and general consulting do not meet the criteria.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
We prepare the application and support the bank’s requests. The bank checks the ownership chain, signatories, source of funds and expected transactions and may require the signatory to attend in person. The decision remains with the bank, so we do not guarantee the account will be opened.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registration
Nothing found — ask us in the form below and we’ll answer personally.
We’ll set up a company in Turkey to fit your structure
Tell us who the founder is — a company or an individual — what the business will do and whether you need premises. We’ll suggest the form and regime, draw up the list of documents for legalisation and translation, and quote our fee as a separate line after reviewing the structure.
Kermen TserenkeevaSenior Lawyer · Company registration
Company Registration in the UAE and Abroad
