How do foreigners set up a company in Türkiye? (2026)
Tax number, apostille and translation, MERSİS and trade registry, bank account and capital, work permit conditions for a foreign partner and profit repatriation.
Foreign individuals and companies can set up companies in Türkiye on the same terms as Turkish citizens. Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 guarantees foreign investors equal treatment, profit transfer and protection against expropriation. No prior permission is needed.
Step by step
1. Tax number
Foreign individual partners obtain a potential tax number from the tax office with their passport. Foreign corporate partners need their registry documents from their home country.
2. Documents, translation and legalisation
- Notarised Turkish translation of the passport.
- For a foreign corporate partner: certificate of good standing, authorising resolution and power of attorney; apostille (Hague Convention countries) or Turkish consular legalisation, with Turkish translation.
- Partners not in Türkiye can act through a notarised power of attorney.
3. Articles and registration
Articles are prepared in MERSİS; after signature and approval at the trade registry, the company is registered. Minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for a limited company and TRY 250,000 for a joint stock company. Details: Company formation · Formation cost
4. Bank account and capital
A bank account is opened in the company's name. Transferring capital from abroad through a bank creates a record for future profit transfers and investment documents.
5. Tax and SGK
Tax office inspection, e-Notification, registered e-mail (KEP), e-Invoice application (if needed) and SGK workplace registration if staff will be hired.
6. Reporting
Foreign-owned companies report capital and activity information annually to the Ministry of Industry and Technology's system.
If the foreign partner will work
Being a partner does not give a right to work in Türkiye. A foreigner working as partner-manager needs a work permit. 2026 conditions:
- Company paid-in capital at least TRY 500,000,
- The foreigner's share at least TRY 500,000 and at least 20%,
- At least 5 Turkish citizens employed at the workplace (from the 7th month of the first permit).
- Partners with capital of USD 100,000 or more are exempt from these conditions.
Details: Work permits
Profit repatriation
Profit after corporate tax (25%) can be transferred to the partner abroad with 15% withholding; a lower rate may apply under a double tax treaty with the partner's country (certificate of residence required). Dividend tax · Dividend calculator
Time and cost
With documents ready, registration takes a few days. Total time is driven mostly by apostille and translation and opening the bank account. We work remotely with meetings in Arabic and English: Foreign investors.