Starting a Business in Türkiye 2026: A Practical Guide for Foreign Nationals

تركيا · Dec 30, 2025

Starting a Business in Türkiye 2026: A Practical Guide for Foreign Nationals

Reviewed: October 2026

Registering a business is the beginning of an ongoing set of legal, tax and accounting obligations. Before paying a formation agent, establish what the business will do, which structure suits it and how you will operate it lawfully.

1. Make two decisions first

Choose the structure: a limited liability company, a joint-stock company or an individual business, as appropriate.
Define the activity: domestic trading, online sales, imports and exports, professional services, employing staff or working in the business yourself.

Your objectives determine the licensing, capital, accounting and immigration questions. Opening a company without a realistic activity plan can leave you paying recurring costs before the business earns any income.

2. Common business structures

Limited liability company — Ltd. Şti. A common structure for trading, services and online businesses. Check the management arrangements, shareholders' obligations and liability rules rather than choosing it solely for its familiar name.
Joint-stock company — A.Ş. May suit a larger venture, outside investment or a more complex ownership structure. Its governance requirements should be considered alongside future funding plans.
Individual business — often called a şahıs işletmesi. Can involve simpler administration for a suitable activity, but personal liability, tax treatment and the foreign owner's permission to work need careful assessment. It is not interchangeable with a separate limited company.

Ask your adviser to compare the current minimum capital requirements, initial costs and ongoing obligations for the structures you are considering. Company-law capital requirements and foreign-owner work-permit criteria are separate tests.

3. What a foreign founder will usually need

Identity and passport documents, with Turkish translation and notarisation where required; residence or other status documents where relevant.
A tax identification number for the founder or partners, as applicable.
An acceptable registered business address. A virtual office is suitable only if the intended activity and the relevant authorities allow it.
A qualified accountant, mali müşavir, to advise on registration, tax filings, invoicing and records.
Any additional documents required for a corporate shareholder, overseas signatures or an authorised representative.

Confirm the checklist with the competent trade registry and accountant before arranging translations. Foreign corporate documents may require authentication in the country of issue.

4. The usual registration sequence

Define the name, activities and ownership. Select suitable NACE activity codes, ownership shares and managers or directors; check whether the activity requires a licence.
Prepare the constitutional documents. For companies, the articles are normally prepared through MERSİS as part of the registry process.
Complete registration. Follow the competent trade registry's document and signature requirements and the applicable chamber registration process.
Arrange authorised signatures. Prepare the manager's or representative's signature documents in the form required for the transaction.
Open the company bank account. The bank will carry out its own identity, address, ownership and business checks; registration does not guarantee immediate account approval.
Complete tax and invoicing arrangements. Establish the required books and filings, and determine whether and when e-Fatura or e-Arşiv obligations apply.
Register employment obligations if hiring staff. Arrange SGK and payroll procedures and obtain any work permits required for foreign personnel.

The exact order varies with the structure and transaction. Agree a written completion checklist with the accountant and keep access to the company's own records.

5. Budget for the continuing obligations

Periodic tax returns and other filings appropriate to the activity and business structure.
Proper invoices and accounting records for sales, purchases and payments.
Accountancy fees, often recurring and affected by transaction volume and employee numbers.
Office or registered-address charges and associated services.
Payroll, social security and other licence or reporting obligations where applicable.

A company with little or no trading activity may still have filing and administrative obligations. Ask what remains due during inactivity and what formal closure would involve. Do not assume that stopping sales closes the business automatically.

6. Does a company automatically provide residence or work permission?

No. Registering or owning a company does not itself authorise you to work in Türkiye or guarantee a residence permit.

If you will manage or work in the business, check the applicable work-permit or exemption rules before starting. The Ministry of Labour publishes specific criteria for foreign company partners, including financial and employment requirements and relevant exceptions. Passive share ownership and working as a manager or director can have different treatment.

Assess this route before incorporation if working in Türkiye is central to your plan. An agent's promise that “the company includes a permit” is not an approval from the Ministry.

7. Common mistakes

Choosing an activity code that does not cover the actual business or overlooking a sector licence.
Using an address that is unsuitable for the activity or licensing requirements.
Paying an intermediary without a written scope, fee breakdown and handover of company documents.
Treating bank transfers as a substitute for compliant invoices and records.
Using a nominal shareholder or manager without understanding their authority and your exposure.
Confusing legal ownership with permission to work in the business.

8. Questions to settle before paying

Does the activity require a special licence, such as in education, healthcare, tourism or transport?
Which electronic invoicing rules will apply, and from when?
How many transactions and employees do you expect, and what accountancy fee will that generate?
Who is the accountant, and which filings, payroll tasks and advisory services are included in the engagement?
How will the business receive payments and operate its bank account?
Do the founders need a work permit, an exemption or another permission before undertaking their proposed roles?

Build an operating plan, not just a registration file

Choose a suitable structure, accurately describe the activity, confirm the address and licensing requirements, and appoint an accountant with a clear written remit. Those decisions make ongoing compliance and costs easier to manage.

Official sources and further information

Related guides

Starting a Business in Türkiye 2026: A Practical Guide for Foreign Nationals

تركيا

Active member

1. Make two decisions first​

2. Common business structures​

3. What a foreign founder will usually need​

4. The usual registration sequence​

5. Budget for the continuing obligations​

6. Does a company automatically provide residence or work permission?​

7. Common mistakes​

8. Questions to settle before paying​

Build an operating plan, not just a registration file​

Official sources and further information​