Investing in Türkiye from Ukraine: company, tax and social security
Setting up a company in Türkiye as a Ukrainian investor: apostille and translation, double tax treaty rates, the investment protection treaty, social security, work permits and bank accounts.
Citizens of Ukraine and companies established in Ukraine 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 | Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Double tax treaty | Signed: 27 November 1996 Official Gazette: 22 April 1998, issue 23321 Withholding rates and conditions |
| Bilateral investment treaty | Signed: 27 November 1996 Official Gazette: 17 April 1998 |
| Social security agreement | None: work in Türkiye longer than three months is insured with the Turkish SGK |
| Apostille (Hague Convention) | Applies (since 22 December 2003) |
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 Ukraine 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%. Under the 1996 Türkiye–Ukraine treaty, which is on GİB's list of treaties in force, withholding tax on dividends paid to companies (other than partnerships) holding directly at least 25% of the capital cannot exceed 10%; 15% applies in other cases. The treaty rate on interest and royalties is 10%. The Ministry of Trade list also includes a revised text signed in 2017; as the GİB list (23.04.2025) shows the 1996 treaty, the rates follow that treaty. The current status should be checked before payment.
| Country | Dividends | Interest | Royalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 10% – 15% | 10% | 10% |
More: Dividend distribution tax · Residence certificate · Withholding rates
Documents: apostille and translation
Ukraine and Türkiye are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. If a Ukrainian company is to be a shareholder, its registration certificate (extract from the Unified State Register), the resolution of the authorised body and the power of attorney receive an apostille from the competent authority in Ukraine; no consular legalisation is needed. Documents in Ukrainian 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 Ukraine. A Ukrainian citizen hired in Türkiye is registered with the Turkish SGK. A person sent to Türkiye on behalf of an organisation in Ukraine who proves insurance in Ukraine 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