Company Formation in Turkey for Foreigners
Types of Company Structures in Turkey The two main types of companies in Turkey are limited liability companies and joint-stock companies (see a detailed comparison in our related article by clicking here). Other types of companies in Turkey are cooperatives, ordinary partnerships and general partnerships. All of these partnership types serve different purposes, have different […]
Apostille Procedure for Official Documents in Turkey
Turkey is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Other foreign jurisdictions that require the submission of official documents from Turkey may require an apostille. Therefore, the first step in this process is to ensure that the receiving jurisdiction is also a party to the Apostille Convention. An apostille can be obtained from local administrative […]
Opening a Foreign Branch for a Turkish Company
Turkish companies can open branches within Turkey or abroad. It is advisable that this is mentioned in the company’s articles of association. A branch must be registered at the local trade registry; therefore, the process for branches in Turkey differs from that of foreign branches. This article explores the latter. It is important to note […]
Legal Requirements for Payment Gateway Licence in Turkey
A licence is required to operate as a payment gateway company in Turkey. The licence is issued by the Central Bank of Turkey. Operating a payment gateway in Turkey requires strict adherence to the Central Bank’s regulatory framework. The laws on payment gateway licence in Turkey are primarily regulated by the Law No. 6493 on […]
Turkish Free Trade Zones in 2026: Advantages and Investment Guide
Last updated on April 17, 2026, by Cem Arda Tepe. Turkey’s Free Trade Zones are now more dynamic and accessible than ever before. So, they have become increasingly attractive to foreign investors exploring the tax benefits of Turkish FTZs. If you are thinking about starting a company in Turkey’s Free Trade Zones to benefit from […]
Technoparks in Turkey: Setup Guide for Foreign Founders
Last updated on 18 April 2026.Technopark entities are attractive to both local and foreign firms seeking to build the innovative side of their businesses. A variety of sectors are found in Technoparks, ranging from gaming companies and mobile app developers to defence technologies and more. Firms that conduct research to develop new technologies in any […]
Board of Directors in Joint Stock Companies
Board of Directors in Joint Stock Companies under Turkish Law A board of directors meeting in joint stock companies may be held either physically or electronically. The possibility of holding a board of directors meeting electronically is expressly regulated under Article 1527 of the Turkish Commercial Code (“TCC”). Accordingly, joint stock companies may validly convene […]
Crowdfunding in Turkey: Legal Guide for Startups & Foreign Founders
There are numerous funding mechanisms available, including Venture Capital Investment Funds. However, alternatives designed for smaller-scale businesses remain limited. It is therefore necessary to unlock and expand opportunities for such enterprises. Crowdfunding in Turkey provides this opportunity for companies with strong entrepreneurial characteristics. In Turkish legislation, crowdfunding was initially regulated as equity-based crowdfunding. If the […]
Limited Liability vs Joint-Stock Company in Turkey
Updated on 18 April 2026. In Turkey, limited liability companies and joint-stock companies are the most popular company types. Foreigners interested in investing in Turkey should consider which option best suits them. Although we generally advise choosing a limited liability company because it is easier and cheaper to maintain, the joint-stock company may be required […]
Dividend Distribution in Turkish Companies
How Do You Distribute Dividends in a Turkish Joint Stock Company? Before profit distribution, the legal reserve fund specified in Article 517 of the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) must be set aside. The TCC profit distribution rules are subject to the provisions regarding the reserve fund. Dividend distribution cannot be made without setting aside the […]
Is AirBnB Legal in Turkey?
Law No. 7464 on the Renting of Homes for Tourism Purposes and Amendments to Certain Laws (AirBnB Law) was published in the Official Gazette on 2 November 2023. It will enter into force on 01.01.2024 and imposes certain restrictions on daily rentals. With the new regulation, the answer to whether Airbnb is legal in Turkey […]
Product Liability Law in Turkey
Under the relevant legislation, the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety is the competent authority to carry out the following activities: inspecting certain products that are produced or imported; conducting market surveillance, and determining the procedures and principles in the abovementioned matters. Market Surveillance and Inspection Activities The General Directorate carries out market […]
Republic of Turkey E-Visa Fees and Conditions
Turkish visa allows foreigners to stay in Turkey for up to 90 days or travel to a third country via Turkey. Most foreigners are required to hold a valid visa to travel to Turkey. However, some exemptions are given to certain nationalities. This visa must specify the purpose of their travel. Neither the visa nor […]
Turkey Work Visa and Work Permit
The employer must carry out the application process for a work permit in Turkey. The process stages depend on whether the foreigner is in Turkey or abroad during the application. There are also work permit exemptions which allow foreigners to stay in Turkey for several months or longer than a year, depending on the specific […]
Constitutional Court Decision on Unquantified Debts
The highest level of judicial bodies in Turkey, the Court of Cassation and the Constitutional Court, set new precedence on “unquantified debt actions” used for the amounts of debt that cannot be exactly calculated or known prior to the litigation process. The action for an unquantified debt is frequently preferred in disputes arising from contractual […]
Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment
Citizenship by investment programs has specific requirements and procedures for every country which offers such an option. Rules on obtaining citizenship in Turkey are set out in the Turkish Citizenship Law. Like the golden visas in the EU, foreigners can buy property worth $400,000 to become Turkish citizens. This is one of the most popular […]
How to Get Permanent Residency in Turkey
This article focuses on how to get permanent residency in Turkey, also called a long-term residence permit. Permanent residency is one of six different types of residency in Turkey. If you also wish to learn about other types of residencies and how to apply for those, please read our article on Turkey’s Short-Term Residency Requirements. […]
Turkey Short Term Residence Permit Requirements
Updated on 19 April 2026 Thanks to its central location, living in Turkey is an attractive option for many worldwide. Present-day Turkey is a cosmopolitan country, and the main route for foreigners to live in Turkey is to obtain a short-term residence permit. The requirements for a short-term residence permit depend on your purpose of […]
Share Transfers in Turkish Joint Stock Companies
Last updated on 18 April 2026. The two most common types of private companies in Turkey are limited liability companies and joint stock companies. This article covers share transfers in joint stock companies. The general principle for joint stock companies is that their shares are freely transferable. The exceptions to this principle depend on the […]
The Digital Markets Act
The Digital Markets Act (‘DMA’) was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council to ensure fair competition under the EU roof and provide users with more alternatives. As Big Tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple are considered to dominate the market to an extent that is harmful, the European Commission […]
Changing Board of Directors in Turkey
The board of directors (board) is appointed by articles of association during the incorporation of a “joint stock company” (Turkish Commercial Code Art. 339/2 g and 354/1 g). Later on, board members can be appointed by the general assembly (GA) or, in exceptional circumstances, temporarily by the board itself. The GA can also dismiss members […]
