Setting up an LLC in Turkey with a foreign legal entity as the shareholder is a structured process that, when handled correctly, can be completed efficiently and compliantly. This guide walks you through every step of LLC formation in Turkey with a foreign corporate shareholder, from document preparation and apostille procedures to tax registration, bank account opening, and ongoing accounting services. Our experienced team manages the entire process on your behalf, from start to finish.
Step 1: Initial Payment and Starting the Formation Process
To initiate the LLC formation process, the consulting and incorporation service fee must be paid to Celikel CPA. For details on our service fees, please contact us to request a quote.
Following the advance payment, PDF copies of the documents listed below must be sent to us for preliminary review:
- Trade registry record or certificate of activity of the parent company
- Tax identification document of the parent company
- Document showing the shareholders of the parent company
- Passport copy of the person who will represent the newly established company in Turkey
What We Check During Preliminary Review
We conduct a preliminary review of the documents and provide our approval before proceeding. These documents must clearly specify the parent company's address, date of establishment, capital, shareholders, and shareholders' addresses. This review helps identify any potential issues before the apostille process begins, saving time and cost.
Step 2: Registered Address and Virtual Office
A valid Turkish address is required for company formation. At this stage, two options are available:
Option A: Your Own Address
If you already have a physical address in Turkey (a rented office or commercial space), you can provide your existing lease agreement to us for the registration process.
Option B: Virtual Office Service
If you do not have an address in Turkey, you can use our virtual office rental service. A virtual office lease agreement will be prepared by us and must be signed and returned via e-mail before the formation process begins. For pricing details on our virtual office service, please contact us.
Address Verification by Tax Office
Following the completion of company formation, the tax office will assign an officer to conduct an address verification visit (Yoklama). For clients using our virtual office service, we are authorized to sign the address verification report on their behalf under the power of attorney. If the company is established at a different address, please contact us for a separate quote regarding the address verification service.
Step 3: Apostille and Consulate Process for Corporate Documents
After we provide preliminary approval of your documents, the following steps must be completed in the country where the parent company is headquartered:
Notarization
All corporate documents (trade registry certificate, shareholder documents, etc.) must be notarized by a local notary in the relevant country.
Apostille
Apostille stamps must be obtained for all notarized documents. For countries that are not party to the Hague Apostille Convention, consular legalization at the Turkish Embassy or Consulate is required instead.
Sworn Translation at Turkish Consulate
All documents must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator at the Turkish Consulate and notarized at the same consulate.
Representative's Passport Translation
The passport of the person appointed as the Turkey representative must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator at the Turkish Consulate and notarized at the same consulate.
Power of Attorney for Formation
The company formation power of attorney must be signed by the shareholder of the parent company and notarized at the Turkish Consulate.
Biometric Photos and Courier
Two biometric photographs of the representative appointed for Turkey must be prepared. All completed documents must be sent to us physically by courier.
Step 4: Obtaining Tax Identification Numbers
Once the authenticated documents reach us in Turkey, we obtain potential tax identification numbers (Vergi Kimlik Numarasi) from the relevant tax offices on behalf of:
Parent Company Tax ID
A foreign tax identification number is obtained on behalf of the parent company (the legal entity shareholder). This number will be used throughout the Trade Registry application and in all subsequent communications with Turkish tax authorities.
Representative Tax ID
A separate foreign tax identification number is obtained on behalf of the person appointed as the company's representative in Turkey. This is required for the representative's personal tax registration and for signing official documents on behalf of the new company.
Step 5: Board of Directors Resolution
Once the tax identification numbers have been obtained, a Board of Directors resolution must be prepared for the parent company. We prepare the resolution template and send it to the client. This resolution includes:
- The decision to establish an LLC in Turkey
- Capital information of the company to be established in Turkey
- Information regarding the representative to be appointed to the Turkish company
Authentication of the Board Resolution
The Board of Directors resolution must be notarized by a local notary in the country where the parent company is headquartered, apostilled, and then translated by a sworn translator at the Turkish Consulate with notarial certification. The completed documents must be sent to us by courier. This is a separate step from the initial apostille process (Step 3) because the resolution requires the tax identification numbers obtained in Step 4.
Step 6: LLC Incorporation in Turkey
Once all documents are in order, the LLC incorporation process in Turkey is initiated. The incorporation takes an average of 7 to 10 business days.
During the preparation phase, we request the following information from our clients:
- Business purpose and scope: A detailed description, in itemized form, of the purpose and scope of activities of the company to be established. This information is used to define the company's primary field of activity and NACE codes in the Articles of Association.
- Special clauses: If there are any specific provisions the client wishes to include in the Articles of Association, these must be communicated in advance. Such clauses may cover profit distribution arrangements, general assembly meeting procedures, or other company-specific rules.
After Incorporation: Signature Circular and Accounting Power of Attorney
After incorporation is complete, if the representative is not planning to travel to Turkey, the following procedures must be carried out at the Turkish Consulate in their country of residence:
- A signature circular (Imza Sirküleri) must be drawn up by the representative, using the Trade Registry Gazette copy provided by us.
- A power of attorney for accounting services must be prepared by the representative, based on the template we provide.
Both documents must be sent to us physically by courier.
Step 7: Corporate Bank Account Opening
The bank account opening process can be initiated remotely using the accounting services power of attorney. We are available to accompany the representative in person during their visit to the bank branch in Turkey.
Internet Banking Activation
Most Turkish banks require the company representative to visit the branch in person for internet banking activation. This activation can typically be completed on the same day. Since SMS verification is required during the process, the representative's mobile phone number must be enabled for international banking transactions and incoming SMS messages. We strongly recommend contacting your mobile operator in advance to confirm this.
Compliance and Approval
If the documents and shareholder history are in compliance with banking regulations, the account opening process is generally successful. However, banks make entirely independent decisions in this regard. Under international banking regulations, no bank will approve an account opening if there is a blacklist entry or a compliance issue related to the shareholders.
For additional guidance on the bank account process, see our corporate bank account guide.
Step 8: Post-Incorporation Legal Filings and Tax Registrations
Following the completion of company formation, all mandatory filings and registrations required by Turkish law within the first 15 days are carried out by us under the authority granted through the accounting services power of attorney. These include:
Tax Type Registrations
Registration of applicable tax types (corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax, stamp tax) at the company's designated tax office.
E-Notification Activation
Application and activation of the e-notification (e-Tebligat) system, which is the mandatory electronic channel for receiving official correspondence from tax authorities.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner Declaration
Filing of the ultimate beneficial owner declaration (Gercek Faydalanici Bildirimi) with the Revenue Administration, identifying the natural persons who ultimately own or control the company.
E-Ledger Setup
Application and system configuration for the e-Ledger (e-Defter) electronic bookkeeping infrastructure, enabling digital record-keeping in compliance with Turkish accounting standards.
Once these registrations are complete, your company is ready to commence commercial operations.
Step 9: Monthly Accounting and Bookkeeping Services
Upon completion of the incorporation process, our monthly bookkeeping and accounting services agreement will be sent to you. The agreement can be signed in one of the following ways:
During Turkey Visit
The agreement can be signed simultaneously with the bank account opening and internet banking activation procedures during the representative's visit to Turkey. This approach combines multiple steps into a single trip.
Remote Signing
If the representative is not planning to travel to Turkey, the agreement can be sent and signed online via e-mail. This allows you to begin receiving accounting services without scheduling an in-person visit.
For details on our monthly accounting and bookkeeping services, please visit our bookkeeping services page. For a quote, please contact us.
Process Summary: Timeline and Document Flow
| Step | Activity | Where | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service fee payment and preliminary document review | Remote | 1-2 business days |
| 2 | Address arrangement (own or virtual office) | Remote / Turkey | 1-2 business days |
| 3 | Notarization, apostille, consulate translation, PoA | Parent company's country | 1-3 weeks |
| 4 | Tax ID numbers for parent company and representative | Turkey (by us) | 1-2 business days |
| 5 | Board resolution preparation, apostille, consulate | Parent company's country | 1-2 weeks |
| 6 | LLC incorporation (MERSIS, notary, Trade Registry) | Turkey (by us) | 7-10 business days |
| 7 | Corporate bank account opening | Turkey | 1-5 business days |
| 8 | Post-formation tax registrations and filings | Turkey (by us) | 1-3 business days |
| 9 | Monthly accounting contract signing | Remote or Turkey | Same day |
| Total | From initial engagement to operational readiness | 4-8 weeks |
Why Choose Celikel CPA for Corporate Shareholder LLC Formation
- Turnkey Service: From initial document review through post-formation tax registrations, we manage every step on your behalf. You do not need to coordinate between multiple service providers.
- Apostille Guidance: We provide detailed instructions for the apostille and consulate process tailored to your country, reducing the risk of document rejections or processing delays.
- In-Person Bank Support: We accompany your representative to the bank branch and coordinate directly with bank officers to facilitate the account opening process.
- Integrated Accounting: Unlike standalone formation agents, Celikel CPA continues as your bookkeeping and tax compliance partner after registration, providing continuity and consistency.
- Licensed CPA Firm: Celikel CPA is a licensed Certified Public Accountant firm authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Finance.
