START A COMPANY / MIDDLE EAST
How to register a company in Turkey
Set up a Ltd. Sti. (limited company) through MERSIS and the Trade Registry, with a notary-certified Articles and a Chamber of Commerce registration. Then register for tax with the local tax office. Corporate tax is 25%, VAT 20% (unverified).
- REGISTRY
- Ministry of Trade, MERSIS (Central Registry System) and Trade Registry Directorate
- ONLINE
- Partly online
- FROM
- TRY 2,000 (≈ £31)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is allowed with no Turkish partner. You need a Turkish tax number, a notarised (or consular) signature declaration, apostilled and translated corporate documents if a company is the shareholder, and a registered office. A bank account and work permit are separate steps.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Ltd. Sti.: Limited Sirket (Private Limited Company)
Most small and foreign-owned businesses wanting limited liability and simple governance.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 manager
- Minimum capital
- TRY 50,000 (can be paid within 24 months)
- Time
- 1 to 3 weeks
Steps
Get a Turkish tax number for each foreign shareholder from a tax office or consulate.
Reserve a trade name and fill in the Articles on MERSIS.
Prepare apostilled and translated documents for corporate shareholders.
Sign the Articles and signature declarations at a notary.
Pay the capital-related fees and Competition Authority share if required.
Register with the Trade Registry and Chamber of Commerce (ISO/TOBB).
Publish in the Trade Registry Gazette.
Register with the tax office and open a bank account.
Documents
- Passports
- Notarised Articles of Association
- Signature declarations
- Lease or virtual office contract
- Apostilled corporate documents (if company shareholder)
- Tax number
Official fees
Trade registry, chamber and gazette fees about TRY 12,000 to 20,000 (unverified); notary fees extra.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | TRY 15,000≈ £230 | DIY: registry, chamber and notary fees, about (excluding capital) |
| With an accountant or agent | TRY 45,000≈ £690 | About: with an accountant or lawyer and virtual office |
| Full service | TRY 120,000≈ £1,800 | About: lawyer, office, work permit and bank account help |
Every year
- Monthly accounting and VAT returns
- Quarterly provisional tax
- Annual corporate tax return
- Annual general assembly and chamber fees
- Pay social security (SGK) for staff
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee levels are high-inflation estimates and change often.
PUBLIC COMPANY
A.S.: Anonim Sirket (Joint Stock Company)
Larger or investor-backed businesses needing share classes or later listing.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 board member
- Minimum capital
- TRY 250,000 (25% paid before registration)
- Time
- 2 to 4 weeks
Steps
Get a tax number for foreign shareholders.
Reserve a trade name and complete the Articles on MERSIS.
Deposit 25% of the capital into a bank account.
Sign the Articles at a notary.
Register with the Trade Registry and chamber.
Publish in the Gazette.
Register with the tax office and open a bank account.
Documents
- Passports
- Notarised Articles
- Bank letter showing capital deposit
- Lease contract
Official fees
Higher registry and chamber fees than a Ltd; about TRY 25,000 to 40,000 (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | TRY 25,000≈ £380 | DIY: official fees, about (excluding capital) |
| With an accountant or agent | TRY 65,000≈ £990 | About: with lawyer or accountant |
| Full service | TRY 150,000≈ £2,300 | About: lawyer, office, work permit and bank help |
Every year
- Annual general assembly
- Annual tax return
- Monthly VAT and withholding
- Audit where thresholds are met
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: capital threshold from secondary sources.
SOLE TRADER
Sahis isletmesi: Sole Proprietorship (Sahis Sirketi)
Individual traders and freelancers resident in Turkey.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 individual
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1 to 5 days
Steps
Choose your activity and a tax office.
Apply for a tax registration at the local tax office (or via the e-Devlet system).
Register with the local Chamber of Commerce or Chamber of Tradesmen.
Open a bookkeeping arrangement with an accountant.
Register for social security (Bag-Kur / SGK).
Register for VAT or the simple method.
Documents
- ID or residence permit
- Address proof
- Passport photo
Official fees
Low; chamber registration fee, about TRY 1,000 to 5,000 (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | TRY 2,000≈ £31 | DIY: chamber and tax registration, about |
| With an accountant or agent | TRY 8,000≈ £120 | About: with accountant setup |
| Full service | TRY 20,000≈ £310 | About: accountant, address and bank help |
Every year
- Income tax returns
- Monthly VAT
- Bag-Kur contributions
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: non-residents usually need a work or residence permit to be self-employed.
After you register
- Register with the local tax office (done during setup); corporate income tax is 25%, VAT standard 20% (verify each year).
- Register the company and employees with the Social Security Institution (SGK).
- Open a bank account (needs tax number, registry certificate and signature circular).
- Appoint a licensed accountant (mali musavir): monthly bookkeeping is practically mandatory.
- Apply for work permits for foreign managers through the Ministry of Labour.
- Beneficial owner reporting to MERSIS and the Trade Registry as required.
- Obtain sector licences from municipalities or regulators.
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Middle East
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.