Turkey Company Registration | Set Up a Limited Company in Turkey
Planning Turkey company registration, or want to set up a company in Turkey to reach Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia? The most common entity types are the limited liability company (Limited Şirket) and the joint stock company (Anonim Şirket). You file through the Ministry of Trade’s MERSIS system and then complete registration at the trade registry office (Ticaret Sicili Müdürlüğü). Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign investors have the same rights as local investors, so foreigners can own 100% of a company.
From January 1, 2024, the minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for a limited liability company and TRY 250,000 for a joint stock company. The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%, the standard VAT rate is 20% and dividends paid to non-residents are subject to 15% withholding. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Turkey company formation service, from the potential tax number application, document legalization and translation and MERSIS filing to trade registry registration, tax registration and foreign investment reporting, and helps companies and individuals from abroad set up a limited company in Turkey.
Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign investors have the same rights and obligations as local investors, with the same incorporation conditions and share transfer rules.
Invest in Türkiye says that once the documents are complete at the trade registry office’s one-stop window, company registration can be completed the same day.
Except in sectors such as broadcasting, maritime transport and civil aviation, shareholders and managers have no nationality limits and can be foreigners.
The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%. Income purely from exports is taxed 5 percentage points lower, and manufacturing income of companies with an industrial registry certificate 1 percentage point lower (PwC data).
in Turkey?
Turkey spans Europe and Asia, and trade in industrial goods with the EU is generally duty free with an A.TR certificate. Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign investors have the same rights and obligations as local investors. Except in sectors such as broadcasting, maritime transport and civil aviation, shareholders and managers have no nationality limits, so foreigners can own 100% of a company. Companies file online through the Ministry of Trade’s MERSIS system, and registration can be completed the same day once the documents are complete at the trade registry office. The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%, with lower rates for export and manufacturing income. Turkey suits manufacturing and trading businesses expanding into Europe and the Middle East.
in 3 steps
In Turkey, joint stock companies and limited liability companies follow the same incorporation procedure. Foreign shareholders first get a potential tax number, then submit and sign the articles of association in the MERSIS system, deposit the capital and pay the Competition Authority fee, and complete registration at the trade registry office. Official guidance says registration can be completed the same day.
After registration, the company still has to complete tax registration, certification of the books, the tax officer’s on-site inspection and foreign investment reporting through E-TUYS, and file advance tax every quarter. NSS Group helps you plan the shareholding structure, arrange document legalization and translation and plan annual maintenance, so your Turkish company is clear and compliant from setup to operation.
Foreign shareholders and directors first apply to the Turkish tax office for a potential tax number. Documents issued abroad need an apostille or Turkish consular legalization and are then officially translated and notarized by a Turkish notary. Foreign individual shareholders also provide a translated and notarized copy of their passport.
Submit the articles of association online through the Ministry of Trade’s MERSIS system and sign them before a trade registry officer or a notary. Deposit the capital in a bank in the company’s name (at least 25% for a joint stock company) and pay the Competition Authority fee of 0.04% of the capital.
Submit the application, articles of association, bank letter, signature declaration and other documents to the trade registry office to complete registration. Official guidance says this can be done the same day. The trade registry office then notifies the tax office and the social security institution, and the registration is published in the Trade Registry Gazette about 10 days later. After that, the books are certified and a tax officer carries out an on-site inspection.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Turkey bank account documents and process advice
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
To help you sell, we offer a Stripe application consulting service for businesses selling internationally, so your customers can pay you easily and you can win more sales.
Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional, attractive website is your company’s storefront online. We offer full web design services so your site looks good and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. We offer professional online marketing services, including SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
Register your company with NSS Group company formation and receive our exclusive free one-stop AI business management system––valued at NT$360,000
One AI system to run your whole company: 12 core systems, 75+ feature modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can start operating quickly.
- Limited company, joint stock company or branch assessment
- Potential tax number applications for shareholders and directors
- Apostille, Turkish translation and notarization of documents
- MERSIS filing, trade registry and tax registration
- E-TUYS foreign investment reporting and annual tax return reminders
Official fees: the Competition Authority fee is 0.04% of the company’s capital, and notary, translation and registration fees follow the official fee schedules. Other items are quoted.
Turkey company registration at a glance
The points people ask about most when registering a company in Turkey, checked against official sources (updated November 2026).
| Entity types | Limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.) / joint stock company (A.Ş.) |
|---|---|
| Registrar | Trade registry office (through the Ministry of Trade's MERSIS system) |
| Foreign ownership | Same treatment as local investors; up to 100% |
| Minimum capital | Limited company TRY 50,000; joint stock company TRY 250,000 |
| Corporate income tax | Standard rate 25% |
| VAT | Standard rate 20% |
| Timeline | Same-day registration once the documents are complete at the trade registry office |
| Annual compliance | Income tax return by April 30, plus quarterly advance tax |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Turkey company formation cost: fee breakdown
The government fee that official sources list for registering a company in Turkey is the Competition Authority fee, calculated on the company's capital. Notary, translation and registration fees follow the official fee schedules. The official rules are listed below so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration fee | As published by the authority | Notary, translation and trade registry fees are calculated under the official fee schedules. |
| Competition Authority fee | 0.04% of the company's capital | Paid at the trade registry office. The payment receipt is one of the registration documents. |
| Minimum capital | Limited company TRY 50,000 | Joint stock company TRY 250,000. Applies to companies formed from January 1, 2024. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filing | Quoted by bookkeeping volume | Calendar-year companies file the corporate income tax return by April 30, and advance tax is filed every quarter. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on the shareholder structure, document legalization and translation needs and bank account opening support. Every item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Rules follow Invest in Türkiye's Establishing a Business guide and notices from Turkey's Ministry of Trade. The authority's latest notice prevails.
Turkey company tax and compliance: corporate income tax and VAT
Turkish companies mainly pay corporate income tax and VAT. From 2025 a domestic minimum tax is also calculated for comparison, and export and manufacturing income get lower rates. Shareholders should also check whether a tax treaty applies and their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | Standard rate 25% | 30% for the financial sector. Income purely from exports is taxed 5 percentage points lower, and manufacturing income of companies with an industrial registry certificate 1 percentage point lower. |
| Domestic minimum tax | 10% parallel calculation | From January 1, 2025, the company pays the higher of the tax under the regular rules and the 10% parallel calculation. |
| VAT | Standard rate 20% | Reduced rates of 1% and 10%; exports are exempt. |
| Dividend withholding | 15% for non-residents | Not reduced unless a tax treaty applies. Branch profit remittances are also 15%. |
| Income tax return | By the 30th day of the 4th month after year end | April 30 for calendar-year companies. Advance tax is paid quarterly by the 17th day of the second month after the quarter ends. |
| Foreign investment reporting | E-TUYS online reporting | Submit the foreign investment activity form, the foreign capital form and the share transfer form. |
Some rates follow PwC's tax summaries (secondary source, reviewed September 2026). Foreign investment reporting follows Invest in Türkiye guidance. For your own case, have an accountant review your actual structure.
Limited company, joint stock company or branch: which should you choose in Turkey?
Foreign companies setting up in Turkey usually compare a limited liability company, a joint stock company (A.Ş.) or a branch of the foreign parent company.
| Item | Limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.) | Joint stock company (A.Ş.) | Branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity; exists as part of the parent company |
| Minimum capital | TRY 50,000 | TRY 250,000 (TRY 500,000 under the authorized capital system) | No capital requirement |
| Capital payment | Within 24 months after incorporation | At least 25% before registration, the rest within 24 months | Not applicable |
| Scope of business | As set in the articles | As set in the articles | Only the same business as the parent company |
| Profit repatriation | 15% dividend withholding | 15% dividend withholding | 15% withholding on remittances to the parent |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholders' background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Turkey
- Visas: depending on your nationality, you may be able to get an e-visa online (evisa.gov.tr) for tourism or business trips. Working or living in Turkey long term requires a separate application under Turkish rules.
- Document legalization: company or personal documents issued abroad need an apostille or Turkish consular legalization and must be officially translated and notarized by a Turkish notary. Allow time to prepare them.
- Tax treaties: check whether your country has a comprehensive income tax treaty with Turkey. Without one, the 15% dividend withholding cannot be reduced.
- Home-country rules and reporting: some countries require approval or a filing before residents or companies invest abroad, and some apply controlled foreign company (CFC) rules. On the Turkish side, foreign investment must be reported through E-TUYS.
- Bank account opening: foreign shareholders and directors must have a potential tax number before the capital deposit account can be opened, and each bank applies its own review.
Why work with NSS Group on Turkey company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and corporate advisory group with more than 25 years of experience and more than 30,000 companies served. We provide company formation, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in Turkey and many other countries and regions. We can help with the potential tax number application and arrange Turkish translation and notarization. Our fee is a written quote after a free assessment. Call the toll-free number 0800-003-191 (Taiwan) or use the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: Invest in Türkiye: Establishing a Business; Turkey's Ministry of Trade: Anonim ve Limited Şirketlerde Asgari Sermaye Tutarları Artırılmıştır; Turkey's Ministry of Trade: company FAQ; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Turkey Taxes on corporate income (reviewed 2026-09-09); PwC: Turkey Other taxes; PwC: Turkey Withholding taxes; PwC: Turkey Tax administration. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
What is the minimum capital to set up a company in Turkey in 2026?
Under Presidential Decision No. 7887, from January 1, 2024 the minimum capital for a new limited liability company is TRY 50,000 and for a joint stock company TRY 250,000. A joint stock company must pay 25% before registration, and a limited liability company can pay its capital within 24 months after incorporation. A Competition Authority fee of 0.04% of the capital is also payable.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Turkey?
Yes. Under Turkey’s Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign investors have the same rights and obligations as local investors, with the same incorporation conditions and share transfer rules. Except in sectors such as broadcasting, maritime transport and civil aviation, there are no nationality limits for shareholders and managers. Foreign shareholders and directors must first get a potential tax number from the tax office.
Do I need to travel to Turkey to set up a company?
Official guidance says the articles of association must be signed before a trade registry officer or a notary, and foreign shareholders’ passport copies must be translated and notarized. Documents issued abroad need an apostille or Turkish consular legalization and are then translated and notarized by a Turkish notary. Whether the whole process can be done through an attorney should be confirmed case by case, based on the shareholders and documents.
How long does it take to set up a company in Turkey?
Invest in Türkiye says that once the documents are complete at the one-stop window of the trade registry office, company registration can be completed the same day. The registration is published in the Trade Registry Gazette about 10 days later. The potential tax number, document legalization and translation, the capital deposit, certification of the books and the tax officer’s on-site inspection take extra time, so the overall timeline depends on your preparation.
What taxes does a Turkish company file each year?
The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%, and from 2025 a 10% domestic minimum tax is also calculated for comparison. Calendar-year companies file the annual return by April 30 and also file and pay advance tax every quarter. The standard VAT rate is 20%, and dividends paid to non-residents are subject to 15% withholding. Statutory books must be certified, and foreign investors must also report through E-TUYS.
Who can help me register a company in Turkey?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group has more than 25 years of experience and has served more than 30,000 companies. Our one-stop Turkey company registration service covers help with the potential tax number, arranging document legalization and translation, MERSIS filing and trade registry registration, tax registration and foreign investment reporting, and annual filing reminders. Our fee is a written quote after a free assessment. Toll-free (Taiwan): 0800-003-191.