Services · Company formation
Company registration in Turkey in 2026
A limited or joint stock company, 100% foreign ownership allowed, trade registry registration on the day a complete file is submitted. We handle it turnkey.
Turkey is a market of 85 million people between Europe and Asia, in a customs union with the EU and with strong sectors from tourism to manufacturing and logistics. Foreigners open a company here for trade, property, services, exports and as the basis for a residence and work permit.
According to the Ministry of Trade, foreign individuals and companies set up companies under the same rules as Turkish citizens, and incorporation itself is exempt from duties. With a complete file the trade registry completes registration the same day. Dollar amounts below use the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye rate of 5 October 2026, about TRY 49.07 per dollar, rounded up.
Which company to set up in Turkey
- Limited company (Ltd. Şti.) - the most common form, about 82% of all companies. Capital from TRY 50,000, about $1,100, which can be paid within 24 months after registration. From 1 to 50 shareholders, individuals or companies.
- Joint stock company (A.Ş.) - capital from TRY 250,000, about $5,100, or TRY 500,000 under the registered capital system. At least a quarter of the cash capital is paid before registration, the rest within 24 months. Needed for raising investors and certain licensed activities.
- Branch of a foreign company - registration of an existing company to operate in Turkey.
A foreigner can be a director; board members do not need Turkish citizenship or residence. Banks, insurers, holding companies set up as joint stock companies and several other activities need Ministry of Trade approval.
How to register a company in Turkey: steps
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foreigner's tax number | a foreign founder obtains a tax number and registers it in MERSIS through the trade registry | 1-2 days |
| 2. Articles in MERSIS | the articles are filled in online in Turkish and the system assigns the future company's tax number | 1 day |
| 3. Signature certification | founders sign at the trade registry where the company is based, or at a notary for a joint stock company | 1 day |
| 4. Directors' signature declarations | certified at any trade registry in the country | 1 day |
| 5. Competition Authority share and capital | 0.04% of capital, plus a quarter of capital into a bank account for a joint stock company | 1 day |
| 6. Registration | the trade registry registers the company and certifies its books | the same day with a complete file |
| 7. Tax office, social security, bank | tax office address check, employer registration, bank account | 1-3 weeks |
Everything can be done through a representative under a power of attorney, without the founders being present.
How much it costs to open a company in Turkey in 2026
| Item | Limited company | Joint stock company |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | ~$1,100 | ~$5,100 |
| When capital is paid | within 24 months | a quarter before registration, the rest within 24 months |
| Competition Authority share | 0.04% of capital, from TRY 20, under $1 | 0.04% of capital, from $3 |
| Registration fee | none | none |
Capital is not a cost: it is the company's money for its operations. The main costs are sworn translations of founders' documents, the registered address, the accountant and permits. Our turnkey packages are in the price table below.
Capital from $1,100, while the tax number and account are separate steps
The law does not forbid registering a company in Turkey on your own, and a foreigner can own it 100%. But mistakes cost more than the fees: capital not paid in on time, a tax number and account that are not opened without a complete file, an accountant the law requires from day one, reports filed late. We prepare the articles and documents, register the company in the trade register, obtain the tax number, help with the account and keep the books.
The cost of support depends on the company form and reporting workload; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
What taxes a company pays in Turkey
- Corporate income tax - 25%, or 30% for banks and financial institutions.
- VAT - 20% standard rate, with reduced rates of 10% and 1%.
- Dividends and branch profits transferred to the head office - 15% withholding, sometimes lower under a tax treaty.
The company keeps books under Turkish rules, files monthly and annual returns, and its books are certified by the trade registry. A local accountant is needed from day one, and we connect one immediately.
Residence and work through a company
Owning shares in a Turkish company does not by itself give the right to work. A foreign director or partner managing the company in Turkey needs a work permit, and a residence permit to live in the country. We set up the company to meet these requirements from the start so the permit application is not sent back.
Why registration gets delayed
- A foreign founder has no tax number registered in MERSIS.
- Passports and foreign company documents lack an apostille and sworn Turkish translation.
- The activity needs ministry approval that was not obtained in advance.
- The registered address failed the tax office check.
- The bank asks for proof of the founders' source of funds.
What we do
We choose the company form and activity codes, obtain founders' tax numbers, prepare the articles in MERSIS, arrange signature certification, provide the registered address and accountant, register the company, tax office and social security, and help with the bank account. After that we handle bookkeeping, returns and the director's work permit. Prices for each service are in the table below.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Company registration - Base package | $13 800 |
| Company registration - Package with nominee service | $13 800 |
| Company registration - Package with bank pre-approval | $15 100 |
| Apostilled set of corporate documents | from $660 |
| Courier delivery of documents (DHL/TNT) | $550 |
| Compliance fee (standard check) | $770 |
| Compliance fee (high-risk companies) | $990 |
| Document signing | $220 |
| Compliance check of additional person (individual/entity, Murblz client) | $330 |
| Compliance check of additional legal entity (non-Murblz client) | $440 |
| Annual legal maintenance of the company | $4 800 |
| Bank account opening assistance | $7 000 |
| Registration of a foreign company branch | from $5 630 |
| Free zone company registration (Istanbul Ataturk) | from $10 340 |
| Free zone company registration (Istanbul DESBAS) | from $9 420 |
| Citizenship by investment assistance | $44 000 |
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
How much does company registration in Turkey cost?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Turkey?
How long does registration take?
What taxes does a company pay in Turkey?
Do I need to travel to Turkey?
Does a Turkish company give residency?
Want to open a company in Turkey?
We register a Turkish limited company, obtain the tax number and help with the account, accounting and the owner's residence permit. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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