The Republic of Turkey is a country located partly in South-West Asia and partly in Southern
Europe. This progressive state is characterised by rapid economic development, attractive tax
environment, and favourable conditions for setting up a business of any size, from small to
large.
6 simple steps to purchase a company
choosing a country
choosing a bank
payment (by any method)
sending documents
company registration
bank account opening
Legal forms
A foreign entrepreneur willing to register a company in
Turkey can choose from the following organisational and legal forms:
Limited Liability Company (LLC);
Joint Stock Company (JSC);
Free Zone Company (FZC);
Technology Development Zone Company (TDZC);
Mining Company (Turkish: Sharikat Altaedin).
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Limited Liability Company (Turkish: Limited şirket) is one of the most convenient and manageable
organisational forms, which is preferred by the majority of foreign entrepreneurs.
If you are planning to incorporate an LLC in Turkey, a series of mandatory requirements imposed
by the local regulator shall be complied with. In particular, you will have to:
Receive approval for the chosen company name. The latter must indicate the main activities
to be carried out by the enterprise and be ended by “Limited şirket”
Appoint a shareholder and a director of any residency. Shareholders may be both natural and
legal persons, whereas the director position can only be held by an individual
Appoint a secretary (may be a non-resident)
Deposit a minimum (paid-up) share capital of EUR 1,600
Carry out audits and file annual tax returns.
When registering a company (LLC in particular), the local office address is required. However,
you do not need to hire Turkey residents only, expatriates are also allowed to be employed.
In accordance with the provisions of the EU Regulation on freedom of movement for workers within
the Union, the nationals of the EU member states hired by a Turkish company are not required to
obtain a work visa.
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
Joint Stock Company (Turkish: Anonim şirket) is the second most popular company type after LLC.
Relatively simple incorporation process as well as opportunity to receive state grants and
benefit from business incentives is one of the main reasons why entrepreneurs opt for this legal
form.
If you want to register a JSC in Turkey, the following requirements of the local regulator must
be met:
One or more shareholders of any residency
Minimum share capital of EUR 29,218
A Turkey resident secretary
Local registered office address
Audit reports, annual financial statements and tax returns.
Free Zone Company (FZC)
It should be noted that to date the country has 19 free zones with special regulatory regime
aimed at promoting exports of goods and services. FTZ are also referred to as Export Processing
Zones (EPZs). The Operating Licence is required to run a business within such zones.
An entrepreneur may establish a company in a free zone if an enterprise to be incorporated
carries out one or more activities listed below:
Research and development (R&D)
Software development
Trading
Banking
Insurance
Warehouse logistics.
The most popular zones are:
Mersin Free Zone (the first free zone in Turkey)
Tubitak MRC Free Zone
Istanbul Thrace Free Zone.
The requirements to be implemented if setting up a company in a Turkish free zone are as
follows:
At least one shareholder (individual or entity) of any residency/nationality
At least one director of any residency/nationality
Unique company name
Company manager (may be a non-resident)
A minimum share capital of EUR 1,600
A bank account in Turkey
Mandatory audit
Annual tax returns
Optional: own local office (rented one is also allowed)
Free Zone Company (FZC) advantages
Easy access to local and foreign markets (EU, Asia)
Corporate income tax rate for manufacturing companies and enterprises delivering certain
types of logistics services — 0%
The rate of consumption tax, property tax, VAT, and PIT is 0%
100% foreign ownership is allowed
No stamp and customs duties
Free repatriation of profit
Workspaces, offices, and warehouses are available for rent
Simplified procedure of setting up a business
Taxation in Turkey
Corporate income tax — 22% (reduced rate of 4% is applied for mining companies);
VAT — 18% (reduced rates of 8% and 1% are available);
Personal income tax — 20-35%;
Tax on dividends — 0-20%;
Tax on interest and royalties — 10-20%.
Establishing a company in Turkey: essential features
The locally registered enterprises providing construction and renovation services abroad are not
subject to the corporate income tax.
In particular cases, 75% of the profits arising from the sales of the company’s shares are exempt
from capital gains tax.
Under certain conditions, when foreign subsidiary is sold by a Turkish company, the corporate
income tax rate is not levied.
If the locally registered company owns shares in a foreign enterprise, dividend income may be
exempt from taxation.
Documents
natural persons shall submit: notarised photocopy of international passport; Turkish tax ID
number; proof of residence (bank statement with rubber stamp or utility bill);
legal persons shall submit: standard set of registration documents; resolution of the
company’s founders on establishing an enterprise in Turkey; identification papers
(photocopies of international passports) and beneficiaries’ photographs.
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