A foreign individual can establish a company in Türkiye without a requirement for a Turkish partner; sector-specific restrictions should be checked separately. The process involves deciding on the company structure, registering in MERSİS, having foreign documents properly certified and translated, registering with the trade registry, and completing post-registration tax, accounting and banking steps.
| Topic | Limited liability company | Joint-stock company |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | TRY 50,000 | TRY 250,000 |
| Number of shareholders | One or more; the upper limit is assessed under the applicable rules | One or more |
| Management | Manager or managers | Board of directors |
| Capital payment framework | May be paid within 24 months following registration | At least one quarter before registration, with the balance within 24 months |
Determine the activity and structure first
Shareholding ratios, management authority, business activity, capital and address should be aligned. Activities subject to regulation require an additional permit check.
Prepare overseas documents through the right channel
Depending on the document and country, documents issued abroad require notarial certification, an apostille or Turkish consular certification, together with an official Turkish translation.
Do not confuse registration with bank approval
Trade registry registration and a bank's customer acceptance review are separate processes. The bank may request additional documents concerning the business model, expected transactions and source of funds.
Documents and preparation
- Passport for an individual shareholder
- Certificate of activity and authorised body resolutions for a corporate shareholder
- Company agreement, activity and address details
- Information on managers or the board of directors
- A transaction-specific power of attorney when proceeding through a representative
- An apostille or consular certification and Turkish translation where required
Risks and checkpoints
- Leaving the business activity unclear
- Different spellings of names in the passport and translation
- Assuming a general power of attorney is sufficient
- Assuming the bank account will be accepted automatically
- Failing to appoint those responsible for post-registration accounting and notifications
Official sources and review date
Official sources were reviewed on 23 July 2026.
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade — Company Information — Official sources were reviewed on 23 July 2026.
- Invest in Türkiye — Establishing a Business — Official sources were reviewed on 23 July 2026.
Plan the process with company formation guidance and corporate services. For choosing a structure, read the comparison of limited liability and joint-stock companies.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Turkish partner required for a foreign shareholder?
Generally, no; however, restrictions specific to the business activity should also be reviewed.
Can foreign documents be used directly?
They generally require the appropriate certification route for the document and country, together with an official Turkish translation.
What is the minimum capital for a limited liability company?
According to the official source reviewed on 23 July 2026, it is TRY 50,000.
Does company registration guarantee a bank account?
No. The bank conducts a separate customer acceptance and risk review.
