🇹🇷 Turkey · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
The common company is a Limited Şirket (limited liability); registration is via the Trade Registry (through MERSIS) and a notary, and a tax number is obtained. Foreigners can own companies fully in most sectors.
Companies are registered in the Trade Registry through the MERSIS system, under the Ministry of Trade; the limited company (Limited Şirket) is the common form.
- The Limited Şirket (Ltd) and Anonim Şirket (JSC) are the main company forms.
- Registration is processed through MERSIS and the local trade registry office.
- A tax number is required for the company and foreign shareholders.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the company type
The limited company (Limited Şirket, Ltd. Şti.) is the usual private company; the joint-stock company (Anonim Şirket, A.Ş.) suits larger ventures, each with its own minimum capital.
- 2
Prepare the articles in MERSIS
Draft the articles of association in the central MERSIS system and obtain a potential tax number.
- 3
Notarise signatures and pay deposits
Prepare the notarised signature declarations and pay the required deposit to the Competition Authority.
- 4
Deposit the capital
Deposit the portion of capital that must be paid before registration into a bank account; the balance can be paid over the statutory period.
- 5
Register with the Trade Registry
Register the company with the Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicili) at the local Chamber of Commerce; the company acquires legal personality on registration.
- 6
Complete tax, social-security and banking
Complete the tax-office registration, enrol with the Social Security Institution (SGK) for employees, activate e-notification, and open a corporate bank account.
Checklist
- Company type chosen (Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş.)
- Articles of association prepared in MERSIS
- Notarised signature declarations + potential tax number
- Competition Authority deposit
- Capital deposited (required portion before registration)
- Trade Registry registration (Chamber of Commerce)
- Tax-office + SGK registration
- Corporate bank account
Official authorities
- Ministry of Trade
Trade registry and company affairs.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners fully own a Turkish company?
Yes — in most sectors 100% foreign ownership is allowed, with a few regulated exceptions.
What company type is common?
The Limited Şirket (Ltd) suits small and medium businesses; the Anonim Şirket (A.Ş.) is used for larger ventures.
Does forming a company grant residence?
Company ownership can support a work permit or investor routes, but it does not automatically grant residence.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.