Business Setup in Türkiye: Company Registration, Work Permits and Real Costs

Türkiye offers a substantial domestic market and links with regional trade, but company formation is only one part of starting a business. Foreign ownership, permission to work, tax and the right to reside must be checked separately.

Choose a structure around the business

Foreign investors can establish recognised company forms subject to the applicable rules and regulated-sector restrictions. Limited liability and joint-stock companies are common choices, with different capital and governance requirements.

Use MERSİS and the relevant Trade Registry process with qualified assistance where needed. A free-zone or technology-zone incentive requires its own eligibility assessment; Türkiye is not a blanket tax-free jurisdiction.

Capital is not the same as a registration fee

The Trade Ministry's published minimums effective from 1 January 2024 are TRY 50,000 for limited companies and TRY 250,000 for joint-stock companies, with a separate threshold for certain registered-capital structures. Recheck current amendments and any activity-specific requirement before committing.

Subscribed capital, cash available for operations and government fees are different budget lines. Payment timing differs by legal form; do not apply a joint-stock prepayment rule automatically to a limited company.

Practical establishment sequence

1. Define activity, customers, shareholders, managers and premises.
2. Confirm legal form, name, capital and sector permissions.
3. Prepare tax identification, identity and corporate documents, translations and legalisation where required.
4. Complete articles and registry procedures through the applicable system.
5. Arrange tax, accounting, social-security and workplace obligations.
6. Secure the owner's and employees' work authorisation before performing work.

Owning a company does not authorise working in it

The Labour Ministry explicitly distinguishes workplace establishment from the foreigner's permission to work. Company owners or partners who will work must check the appropriate permit and evaluation criteria; incorporation does not guarantee approval.

Residence, work permission and any exceptional investment or citizenship programme are separate. Do not market an ordinary company registration as an automatic Golden Visa or citizenship purchase.

Tax and ongoing costs

Budget corporate and personal tax questions, VAT, payroll, social contributions and withholding where applicable. Rates, incentives and filing duties depend on the entity and activity; obtain a current calculation from a qualified accountant rather than relying on an old tax table.

Request separate figures for registry, notary, translation, professional help, registered office, accounting, permits, insurance and renewals. Include currency movements and operating cash; a low formation quote may omit most annual obligations.

Timing and family planning

Registry completion, banking, workplace licensing and immigration may move at different speeds. Do not promise a launch date based only on the fastest incorporation example.

Dependent residence and staff recruitment have their own requirements. Read our legal relocation guide and development overview before turning a market idea into a financial commitment.