Investing in Türkiye from Turkmenistan: company, tax and social security
Setting up a company in Türkiye as a Turkmen investor: consular legalisation and translation, double tax treaty rates, the investment protection treaty, social security, work permits and bank accounts.
Citizens of Turkmenistan and companies established in Turkmenistan can set up a limited or joint stock company in Türkiye, become a shareholder in an existing company or open a branch. 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 | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|
| Double tax treaty | Signed: 17 August 1995 Official Gazette: 13 June 1997, issue 23018 Withholding rates and conditions |
| Bilateral investment treaty | Signed: 2 May 1992 Official Gazette: 15 January 1995 |
| Social security agreement | None: work in Türkiye longer than three months is insured with the Turkish SGK |
| Apostille (Hague Convention) | Not a party: documents need consular legalisation |
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 Turkmenistan 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–Turkmenistan treaty reduces it to 10%. The treaty rate on interest and royalties is also 10%; interest paid to the government or central bank of the other state is exempt in the source country.
| Country | Dividends | Interest | Royalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkmenistan | 10% | 10% | 10% |
More: Dividend distribution tax · Residence certificate · Withholding rates
Documents: consular legalisation and translation
Turkmenistan is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. If a Turkmen company is to be a shareholder, its registration certificate, the resolution of the authorised body and the power of attorney are first authenticated by the competent authorities of Turkmenistan (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and then by the Turkish embassy or consulate general in Ashgabat. Documents in Turkmen or Russian are translated into Turkish by a sworn translator in Türkiye and certified by a notary.
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 Turkmenistan. A citizen of Turkmenistan hired in Türkiye is registered with the Turkish SGK. A person sent to Türkiye on behalf of an organisation in Turkmenistan who proves insurance in Turkmenistan 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
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