Skip the bureaucracy. Start your Turkish business confidently.
Foreign entrepreneurs face unique challenges navigating Turkey's legal and tax systems. Missing a single filing deadline, choosing the wrong business structure, or submitting incomplete documents can delay your launch by weeks or worse, create compliance gaps that surface during your first tax audit.
Celikel CPA, led by CPA Yiğit Çelikel, specializes in guiding foreign investors through the complete company formation process. We don't just register your business; we build a compliant financial foundation from tax ID acquisition through your first invoiceconducting everything remotely in English.
Under Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, foreign nationals have the same establishment rights as Turkish citizens. You can own 100% of a Turkish company, with no requirement for local partners or "nominee shareholders" unlike many Gulf or Asian jurisdictions.
We ensure you exercise those rights correctly from day one.
Our comprehensive services include strategic structure selection, MERSIS registration, ongoing accounting, tax planning, payroll management, and post-formation compliance. Whether you're launching a tech startup in Istanbul, establishing a trading company in Antalya, or expanding your international operations, our bilingual team ensures every step meets Turkish legal requirements while protecting your financial interests.
Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey stands out as a global investment hub in 2025. Its pro-business regulations, young skilled workforce, and direct access to a market of 1.5 billion people make it the ideal location for company formation. For international entrepreneurs, Turkey is not just a country; it is a gateway to global trade.
Celikel CPA & Accounting Firm is your trusted partner in this journey. Founded by CPA Yiğit Çelikel, our Istanbul-based team specializes in assisting foreign investors with seamless company setup services. By combining deep expertise in Turkish Commercial Law with global accounting standards, we ensure your business is compliant, secure, and ready to grow from day one.
Strategic Location Access European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets from a single hub with extensive Free Trade Agreements.
Robust Economy (Başlık değişti) A dynamic G20 economy with strong GDP growth across technology, manufacturing, e-commerce, and service sectors.
Investment Incentives Tax reductions, VAT exemptions, Customs Duty exemptions, and regional development grants for qualifying investments.
Equal Treatment Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 guarantees foreign investors the exact same rights and protections as Turkish nationals.
Digital Infrastructure Fully online registration through the central MERSIS system ensuring transparent and fast procedures.
Skilled Workforce Young, educated population combining technical capabilities with cost-effective labor advantages.
At Celikel CPA, we don’t just register your company—we become your trusted financial partner in Turkey. Our comprehensive services include company establishment, ongoing accounting, strategic tax planning, payroll management, and financial advisory. Whether you’re launching a tech startup, opening a manufacturing facility, or expanding your international business, our English-speaking team ensures every step is handled professionally and compliant with local laws.
Your choice of legal structure significantly impacts liability protection, tax obligations, operational flexibility, and future growth potential. The Turkish Commercial Code provides several business structures for foreign investors, each designed for different strategic objectives.
The most critical decision in company formation isn’t simply “Can I legally invest?” but rather “How can I strategically structure my investment for maximum efficiency and protection?” This choice influences everything from your tax burden to your ability to raise capital, transfer ownership, and scale operations.
| Feature | Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Joint Stock Company (JSC) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital (2025) | 50,000 TRY | 250,000 TRY |
| Capital Payment Timeline | Can be paid within 24 months after registration | Minimum 25% must be paid before registration, remainder within 24 months |
| Shareholders | 1 to 50 shareholders maximum | Minimum 1 shareholder, no upper limit |
| Share Transferability | Requires notarized agreement and registration; existing shareholders have first refusal rights | Freely transferable; share certificates can be issued; no notary required for transfers |
| Management Structure | One or more managers; simpler governance | Board of Directors required (can be single member); formal board meetings necessary |
| Share Certificates | Capital divided into quotas (no physical certificates) | Can issue share certificates; enables public offerings |
| Governance Requirements | General assembly decisions can be made via written resolutions; less formal | Annual General Assembly meetings mandatory; more structured governance |
| Best For | Small to medium enterprises, startups, foreign subsidiaries, closely-held businesses | Large enterprises, companies planning IPO, venture capital investments, scalable operations |
| Typical Use Cases | Trading companies, service providers, e-commerce businesses, consulting firms | Manufacturing, holding companies, technology companies seeking VC funding |
For a Joint Stock Company (JSC), Turkish law requires at least 25% of capital to be deposited into a Turkish bank account BEFORE the company legally exists. This creates a "chicken-and-egg" problem for foreigners:
Workaround: Obtaining a temporary foreign tax ID, then opening a "capital blocking account" at specific banks (İş Bank, Garanti BBVA) that accept this structure. This adds 5-10 business days to your timeline and requires in-person bank visits or notarized powers of attorney.
For 90% of foreign entrepreneurs, an LLC is the superior choice:
Choose JSC only if: You plan to raise VC funding, issue tradable shares, or go public within 3 years.
For foreign investors establishing a business in Turkey, the choice between an LLC (Limited Liability Company) and a JSC (Joint-Stock Company) depends mainly on your long-term goals, capital structure, and investment strategy.
LLCs constitute the majority of companies in Turkey, making them the preferred model for SMEs and foreign subsidiaries.
JSCs are the standard vehicle for scalable businesses, holdings, and companies preparing for growth.
Based on the Turkish Commercial Code and our experience assisting international clients:
Celikel CPA provides full end-to-end support for both structures, including company registration, tax compliance, and strategic advisory.
For more detailed information, please visit our LTD vs JSC page and How to Set up an LLC in Turkey page.
While LLCs and JSCs are the most common choices, specific business models may benefit from Alternative Business Structures in Turkey provided by the Commercial Code. Below is a detailed breakdown of options for foreign investors, including Branch Offices, Liaison Offices, and Special Zone Companies.
A Branch Office in Turkey operates as a direct extension of the foreign parent company rather than a separate legal entity, offering a streamlined entry option.
A Liaison (Representative) Office is a non-commercial presence strictly limited to market research and promotion. It cannot generate revenue or issue invoices.
A Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Company is established within designated zones in Turkey, allowing businesses to benefit from maximum tax incentives and exemptions.
A Technopark Company is a specialized structure for R&D and software development within Technology Zones, offering significant tax and personnel incentives.
Choosing between an LLC, Branch, or Free Zone company depends on your capital strategy and risk tolerance. We provide a complimentary structure analysis.
Registration is just the beginning. Here’s your roadmap to operational readiness—with the friction points we solve for you.
✓ Straightforward
What Happens: Your company’s legal representative must obtain an e-signature certificate (electronic identity) from authorized providers (e-Tugra, Kamu SM, etc.). This digital signature is mandatory for all official electronic filings in Turkey.
Timeline: 1-2 business days (requires in-person ID verification or notarized documents if remote)
Common Foreign Investor Challenge: Application interfaces are Turkish-only, and the verification process requires either a Turkish ID card or a notarized passport + power of attorney.
We coordinate the entire e-signature application on your behalf using our established powers of attorney. If you’re outside Turkey, we arrange notarized documentation and submit directly to the provider—typically completed within 24 hours of receiving your documents.
You receive: Your e-signature certificate credentials + setup guide in English
⚠️ Cultural Nuance
What Happens: Within 15 days of registration, a tax officer will physically visit your registered business address to verify its legitimacy. This is a mandatory compliance check to prevent “paper companies.”
What They Check:
The Foreign Investor Problem: If you’re using a virtual office or serviced office, the tax officer needs to see some evidence of your operation. An empty room = red flag. Language barriers compound this.
We’ll be there with you—literally. Our team:
Cultural Note: The tax officer isn’t trying to catch you—they’re verifying legitimacy. A professional presence and polite engagement resolve this quickly. We’ve facilitated 100+ successful yoklama visits for foreign clients.
⚠️ Major Pain Point
The Challenge: Opening a corporate bank account in Turkey is notoriously difficult for foreigners. Turkish banks are risk-averse due to anti-money laundering regulations, and branch staff rarely speak English.
Common Rejection Reasons:
Timeline (DIY): 2-4 weeks on average, with many facing multiple rejections
We have direct relationships with senior branch managers at:
Our Process:
Typical Timeline with Celikel CPA: 2-3 business days from document submission to active account
“I was rejected by Ziraat Bank and Akbank before finding Celikel CPA. Yiğit personally called the İş Bank branch manager, and I had my account opened within 48 hours. Worth every lira.“
25% Standard
20% Standard
Up to 20%
~37.5% Total
Fixed / %
Establishing a business in Turkey offers immense opportunities, but success requires navigating specific legal and cultural nuances. Here is your compact executive summary.
Don’t let bureaucracy kill your business before it starts. Here are the most expensive pitfalls we see foreign investors make—and how to fix them.
The Risk: Using online templates or attempting MERSIS registration without professional guidance typically results in document rejections (3-4 weeks delay) and incorrect activity codes that limit your future operations.
Case Study: A German e-commerce founder used a free LLC template. His license missed “digital services,” disqualifying him from government export incentives.
Cost to fix: ₺47,500 in legal fees + 4 months lost time.
We draft custom Articles of Association tailored to your specific business model, ensuring your company contract works FOR you, not against you.
The Mistake: Most investors register first, then hire an accountant. By then, it’s too late for critical tax elections like VAT exemptions or capital structuring.
Example: A UK investor structured €100k profit as dividends instead of loan repayment because he didn’t plan ahead.
“Hire your CPA BEFORE you register.” We set up tax shields from Day 1 to minimize double taxation legally.
The Risk: Relying solely on standard Articles of Association creates “Deadlock Risks” where partners cannot agree, sell, or exit.
The 50-50 Deadlock: If two partners disagree, operations freeze. Turkish courts take 12-18 months to resolve this, costing ₺80,000+ in fees.
We draft a confidential agreement covering specific scenarios:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Deadlock | Tiebreaker mechanisms (e.g., rotating CEO) |
| Exit Valuation | Pre-agreed formula (e.g., 3x EBITDA) |
| Forced Sale | Drag-along rights (Majority forces sale) |
This document stays private and keeps you out of court.
Rushing into registration without feasibility checks often leads to the wrong entity type.
Starting with minimum capital causes cash-flow issues and blocks work permit eligibility.
Overlooking monthly VAT or SGK filings leads to immediate penalties.
Failing to keep valid invoices (fatura) prevents expense deduction.
Assuming company ownership automatically grants a work permit (it doesn’t).
Purely transactional approaches often fail in Turkey. Relationships matter.
Failing to register address changes or new managers results in fines.
Company formation is just the first step. We act as your long-term financial partner, supporting your growth from market entry to mature operations with a clear specialization in foreign investors.
Founded by CPA Yiğit Çelikel, we specialize solely in advising international companies. We know the obstacles you’ll face before they appear.
Language should never be a barrier. We explain “how things really work” in practice, not just what the law says.
We are a full-service partner, not just a formation agent. One firm manages every step of your journey.
We are not a “postbox” accounting office. We provide advance notifications so you are never surprised by a tax bill.
Local compliance is only half the job. We ensure your Turkish subsidiary fits seamlessly into your global structure.
Based in Istanbul, supporting clients across Turkey. Many clients complete the entire process without visiting.
We use modern cloud-based tech to keep your Turkish operations visible, controlled, and efficient.
Professional services should be predictable. No hidden charges or unexpected extras.
We are built for the long haul. Many clients have been with us for 5+ years after formation.
Under Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 (enacted 2003, amended 2012), foreign nationals have the exact same company establishment rights as Turkish citizens. You can own 100% of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Joint Stock Company (JSC) without any requirement for:
As of 2025, the minimum capital is:
For LLCs, capital can be paid within 24 months after registration. For JSCs, minimum 25% must be deposited before registration.
Note: These are regulatory minimums. For practical operations and work permit considerations, we recommend capitalizing with 100,000-200,000 TRY.
Timeline depends on document readiness:
Celikel CPA optimizes every step for fastest possible completion.
Yes, complete remote formation is possible through Power of Attorney. You’ll need to:
Many international clients complete formation entirely remotely. Physical presence is not required.
Company ownership alone does not grant automatic residence or work rights. However:
We advise on permit eligibility based on your specific role and plans.
Main taxes include:
Filing Schedule: Monthly VAT and withholding, quarterly provisional corporate tax, annual corporate tax return.
Celikel CPA manages all tax filings and compliance obligations.
MERSIS (Central Registry Record System) is Turkey’s online company registration platform operated by the Ministry of Trade. It allows:
All registrations must go through MERSIS—it’s the mandatory system for company formation in Turkey.
Yes, virtual offices are acceptable for company registration. However, requirements include:
Many foreign investors use virtual offices initially before securing permanent premises. Celikel CPA can assist with virtual office arrangements.
Key differences:
82% of Turkish companies are LLCs due to simplicity and lower requirements.
Yes, Turkey offers extensive incentives:
Celikel CPA helps identify applicable incentives and manages application procedures.
Professional service fees vary by complexity:
Celikel CPA provides customized quotes based on your specific needs. Contact us for detailed pricing proposal.
Yes, but it’s complex and expensive. You can convert LLC to JSC or vice versa, but it requires:
Recommendation: Choose correct structure during initial formation to avoid costly conversions later. Celikel CPA provides strategic structure consulting to ensure optimal choice from the start.
Every business is unique with specific questions. Schedule a consultation with Celikel CPA to discuss your particular situation and get personalized answers.
Turkey’s dynamic market, strategic location, and investor-friendly environment offer tremendous opportunities for international entrepreneurs. With proper guidance and professional support, your company formation process can proceed smoothly, positioning your business for sustainable success.
At Celikel CPA & Accounting Firm, we transform complex procedures into straightforward steps. From initial strategic planning through MERSIS registration, post-incorporation requirements, and ongoing operational compliance, we’re your comprehensive partner in Turkey.
