Trading · local operating company
Türkiye — Company formation
The LLC (Ltd. Şti.) and joint stock company (A.Ş.) follow the same incorporation procedure; minimum capital and governing bodies differ and are confirmed against current rules. The quote must state the registered address, notary and translation costs, capital-deposit process and first-year accounting. These are not confirmed inclusions.
Overview
Limited Şirket (Ltd. Şti.) / Anonim Şirket (A.Ş.)
The LLC (Ltd. Şti.) and joint stock company (A.Ş.) follow the same incorporation procedure; minimum capital and governing bodies differ and are confirmed against current rules. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Good fit for
- A limited or joint stock company registered through MERSIS and the trade registry, with foreign ownership permitted.
- A local operating company or subsidiary with a documented commercial purpose
Limitations to plan for
- Foreign documents usually need apostille or legalisation and sworn Turkish translation.
- Licensed sectors need separate permits after registration.
- Accounting is kept by a licensed Turkish accountant; tax status depends on actual activity.
- Management location, owner tax residence and operations abroad may create tax and reporting obligations outside the place of incorporation. No tax rate or exemption is assumed.
Banking
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Türkiye formation
From €5,790
Usually part of formation
- Tax numbers for foreign founders
- Articles of association through MERSIS and the trade registry
- Registered address in Türkiye
Optional, quoted separately
- Sworn translations and notarisation of foreign documents
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Bank-account application support (KYC and application, no guaranteed approval)
Every year
- Bookkeeping by a licensed local accountant
- Corporate tax and VAT returns
- Address renewal
Keep books through a licensed accountant, file periodic tax and social security returns, keep the trade registry record current and file annual corporate tax returns. Frequency and fees depend on activity and are confirmed in the quote.
The local address or office is a legal requirement; whether the first period is included in the quoted price is confirmed in the written offer.
Corporate services after formationSteps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Obtain potential tax numbers for foreign founders from the tax office; they are needed for the bank account used for capital.
- 02
Prepare the articles online in MERSIS, the central trade registry system, and notarise founder documents.
- 03
Pay 0.04% of capital to the Competition Authority. For a joint stock company (A.Ş.), at least 25% of subscribed capital is deposited before registration and the rest within two years; for a limited company (Ltd. Şti.) this pre-registration deposit does not apply and capital may be paid within 24 months of establishment.
- 04
Register at the trade registry directorate, then complete tax and social security registration.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
- Foreign documents usually need apostille or legalisation and sworn Turkish translation.
- Licensed sectors need separate permits after registration.
- Accounting is kept by a licensed Turkish accountant; tax status depends on actual activity.
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
Managers (LLC) or board members (A.Ş.) are liable for management, tax and social security debts in defined cases. A local manager is not required by default; any professional appointment is on request.
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Shareholders are recorded at the registry and in company books; beneficial owners are identified by banks and notaries. Nominee holding is on request and not confirmed.
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Türkiye?
Limited Şirket (Ltd. Şti.) / Anonim Şirket (A.Ş.): The LLC (Ltd. Şti.) and joint stock company (A.Ş.) follow the same incorporation procedure; minimum capital and governing bodies differ and are confirmed against current rules. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Can a Türkiye company open a bank account?
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Türkiye company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.