Investing in Türkiye from China: company, tax and social security
Setting up a company in Türkiye as a Chinese investor: apostille and translation, double tax treaty rates, the investment protection treaty, social security, work permits and bank accounts.
Citizens of the People's Republic of China and companies established in China can set up a limited or joint stock company in Türkiye, become a shareholder in an existing company, or open a branch or liaison office. Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 gives foreign investors equal treatment with Turkish investors; no prior approval is needed. This article sums up the points specific to this country, in addition to the general formation steps.
Agreements between the two countries
| Agreement | China |
|---|---|
| Double tax treaty | Signed: 23 May 1995 Official Gazette: 30 December 1996, issue 22863 Withholding rates and conditions |
| Bilateral investment treaty | Signed: 29 July 2015 Official Gazette: 1 October 2020 |
| Social security agreement | None: work in Türkiye longer than three months is insured with the Turkish SGK |
| Apostille (Hague Convention) | Applies (since 7 November 2023) |
Sources: Ministry of Trade, bilateral agreements · Ministry of Labour and Social Security, social security agreements · Hague Conference, Apostille Convention status table. Last checked: 5 November 2026.
Tax: dividends, interest and royalties
Dividends paid by a Turkish company to its shareholder in China are subject to withholding tax in Türkiye. For the reduced treaty rate to apply, the recipient's residence certificate issued by the tax authority of its own country must be held by the Turkish company before payment.
The Turkish domestic rate on dividends is 15%; the Türkiye–China treaty reduces it to 10%. The treaty rate on interest and royalties is also 10%.
| Country | Dividends | Interest | Royalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 10% | 10% | 10% |
More: Dividend distribution tax · Residence certificate · Withholding rates
Documents: apostille and translation
China and Türkiye are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. If a Chinese company is to be a shareholder, its registration certificate (business licence), the resolution of the authorised body and the power of attorney receive an apostille from the competent authority in China; no consular legalisation is needed. Documents in Chinese are translated into Turkish by a sworn translator in Türkiye and certified by a notary. The apostille applies to documents issued in mainland China since 7 November 2023; before that date, documents were used with consular legalisation.
For individual shareholders, a notarised Turkish translation of the passport is enough. In the Turkish tax number, trade registry and bank records the name is used exactly as written in Latin letters in the passport; a different transliteration causes mismatches between records. Steps: Company formation for foreigners · Tax number for foreigners
Social security and work permits
There is no social security agreement between Türkiye and China. A Chinese citizen hired in Türkiye is registered with the Turkish SGK. A person sent to Türkiye on behalf of an organisation in China who proves insurance in China is not treated as insured in Türkiye only for work lasting up to three months; for longer work, registration with the Turkish SGK is mandatory.
Being a shareholder does not give the right to work; a shareholder who will work as a manager in the company needs a work permit. Social security of foreign employees · Work permit criteria
Chinese names and company names
Personal and company names written in Chinese characters are used in Türkiye in Latin letters. For individuals the spelling in the passport is the basis, and for Chinese companies the official English or Latin-script company name; the same spelling should be kept in all documents.
Bank account and capital
The company account is opened with a bank in Türkiye. Banks may ask for documents on capital coming from abroad and on the shareholders' identity, and for an explanation of the source of funds. Transferring the capital through a bank creates a record for later profit transfers and foreign capital reporting. Reporting by foreign-owned companies
What does the investment protection treaty provide?
A bilateral investment treaty contains protections such as guarantees against expropriation, free transfer of profits and capital, and access to international arbitration in disputes. Scope and conditions are set by the treaty text.
Sources
- Agreement dates: the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Hague Conference lists below the table.
- Three-month rule: Ministry of Labour and Social Security, notice on the insurance of foreigners exempt from work permits (22.05.2023)
- General process: Services for foreign investors · All treaty rates