Company Formation Cost in Turkey: Quick Answer
There is no single official all-inclusive company formation price in Turkey. A reliable budget separates statutory capital from the money actually spent on registry and chamber procedures, foreign documents, notarization and translation, professional support, a registered address, bank preparation and post-registration compliance.
For 2026 planning, the statutory minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for an LLC and TRY 250,000 for a standard JSC. Capital belongs to the company; it is not a government or Celikel CPA fee. The final cash requirement depends mainly on the entity type, whether the shareholder is an individual or company, where documents are issued, whether the process is remote and what the business needs after registration. [1]
Use a launch budget, not a headline price
Total cash planned at launch = capital funding + one-time formation expenses + first operating-period costs + working capital. Only the formation expenses are spent merely to establish the entity. Capital and working capital remain resources of the business, subject to lawful company use.
LLC vs JSC Formation Budget
The entity decision changes the amount and timing of capital, governance work and sometimes the volume of documents. It should not be made by comparing one low headline fee. Use the main company formation in Turkey guide for the full legal and operational comparison.
| Budget item | LLC | JSC | Planning effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory minimum capital | TRY 50,000 | TRY 250,000 | Company funding, not a formation fee. |
| Capital payment timing | May be paid within 24 months after registration | At least 25% before registration; balance within 24 months | Changes pre-registration cash needs. [1] |
| Governing body | One or more managers | Board of directors | More complex authority rules may require more drafting and supporting records. |
| Share and investor planning | Suitable for many closely held businesses | Often better suited to share classes, investors and structured governance | A cheaper filing route can become costly if it does not fit future funding or exits. |
| Competition Authority payment | 0.04% of committed capital | 0.04% of committed capital | The payment rises with the capital stated in the articles. [2] |
At the statutory minimum, the 0.04% formula corresponds to TRY 20 for an LLC and TRY 100 for a standard JSC. These examples illustrate the official formula only; they are not total formation prices. Review the LLC registration process or the JSC setup guide before choosing the structure.
One-Time Company Formation Cost Items
A useful proposal shows each category, the pricing basis and whether the amount is fixed, estimated or payable directly to a third party. Registry and document charges can vary with the competent chamber, document count, capital, language and shareholder structure.
| Category | What it may cover | Why it changes | Capital or expense? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered capital | Capital committed in the articles | Entity type and the investor's chosen funding level | Company asset; not a fee |
| Registry, chamber and Gazette | Trade Registry filing, chamber records, registrations and publication | City, capital, filing type and current tariff | One-time third-party expense |
| Competition Authority payment | 0.04% of committed capital | Capital amount | One-time statutory payment |
| Notary and signature work | Power of attorney, signature declarations, certified copies and translations where required | Number of people, pages and documents | One-time third-party expense |
| Foreign-document preparation | Apostille or legalization, sworn translation and courier | Issuing country, shareholder type and document chain | One-time third-party expense |
| Professional formation support | Structure review, document instructions, MERSIS, registry coordination, tax and accounting onboarding | Scope, complexity and services expressly included | Professional fee |
| Registered address | Own lease, serviced office or a suitable virtual-office arrangement | Location, term and operational needs | Usually recurring operating cost |
| Bank onboarding preparation | KYC file, ownership chart, activity and source-of-funds evidence | Bank, ownership structure and risk profile | Separate workstream; approval is not guaranteed |
Why this page does not publish one “all-in” number
A figure that excludes apostille, corporate documents, address, post-registration accounting or VAT is not comparable with a broader proposal. Official and third-party tariffs may also change during the year. Celikel CPA therefore prepares an itemized scope after the shareholder, document country, entity type and operating model are known.
How Foreign Shareholders Change the Cost
A foreign individual normally has a shorter document chain than a foreign corporate shareholder. The registry file must also be kept separate from bank KYC: a document sufficient for registration may not satisfy a bank's beneficial-owner or source-of-funds review.
| Cost driver | Foreign individual | Foreign corporate shareholder |
|---|---|---|
| Core records | Passport, tax-number information and personal power of attorney where used | Registry extract, activity certificate, investment resolution, signatory and authority records |
| Authentication | Apostille or consular route for relevant personal documents | Authentication may apply to several corporate records and resolutions |
| Translation and notary | Usually fewer documents and pages | Often more pages, certified copies and authority records |
| Bank KYC | Identity, address, activity and source of funds | Ownership chain, ultimate beneficial owners, group activity and source of funds |
See the detailed routes for an individual foreign LLC shareholder and a foreign corporate shareholder. Documents should be scoped before they are apostilled; correcting the wrong document after legalization often creates duplicated translation, courier and timing costs.
Does remote company formation cost more?
It can. Remote formation may add a tailored power of attorney, apostille or consular processing, international courier and additional certified translations. It can also reduce travel costs. The correct comparison is the entire remote route against the entire in-person route, including document time and travel—not merely the price of a power of attorney.
A representative can often complete registry actions under a properly prepared authority document, but a Turkish bank may still request the manager, signatory or beneficial owner in person. Read the power of attorney guide and corporate bank account guide before budgeting a fully remote launch.
Post-Registration and First-Year Costs
Registration is the start of the compliance calendar. Even a company with no sales may need records, filings and professional accounting support. The operating budget should be designed before the first invoice, payment or employee.
| Period | Typical budget items | Main variable |
|---|---|---|
| Immediately after registration | Tax activation, address verification, statutory records, accounting onboarding, e-notification and e-signature coordination | Entity, address and applicable systems |
| First month | Bookkeeping, declarations, invoice workflow, bank reconciliation and e-document eligibility review | Transaction volume and tax profile |
| When hiring | SGK workplace registration, payroll, employment compliance and work-permit analysis for foreign personnel | Employee count and status |
| During the first year | Monthly or periodic accounting, tax filings, address, corporate records and applicable e-ledger or foreign-investment reporting | Activity, revenue, documents and reporting scope |
E-invoice, e-archive and e-ledger requirements are not identical for every company. Eligibility depends on current rules, activity, turnover and other conditions. Coordinate accounting services in Turkey and tax compliance early enough to avoid emergency setup work or missed deadlines.
How to Compare Company Formation Quotes
Ask every provider to identify the assumptions behind the figure. Quotes should be compared on matching scope, tax treatment and third-party costs—not only on the largest number printed at the bottom.
Formation scope
Does the proposal include structure review, articles, MERSIS, Trade Registry coordination, tax activation and accounting onboarding?
Third-party charges
Are registry, chamber, Gazette, notary, translation, apostille, consular and courier costs included, estimated or billed separately?
Foreign shareholder assumptions
Is the quote based on one individual shareholder, or does it cover a corporate parent, multiple signatories and an ownership chain?
After-registration work
Does it include tax-office follow-up, accounting, e-signature, relevant e-document setup, payroll or E-TUYS review?
Banking language
Does the provider promise an account, or accurately describe KYC preparation and the bank's independent approval decision?
Taxes and recurring charges
Is VAT shown? Are address and accounting amounts monthly or annual? Is a renewal period or price-review assumption stated?
Receive an itemized formation budget
Celikel CPA reviews the entity, shareholder type, document country, remote or in-person route and first operating requirements before defining scope. Yiğit Çelikel is a TÜRMOB-licensed SMMM, and the engagement can continue from formation into tax and accounting compliance.
Official Sources
- [1] Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade, current LLC and JSC capital and payment rules. Company information
- [2] Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye, establishment process, documents and Competition Authority payment. Establishing a Business
- [3] Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102. Official law text
- [4] Trade Registry Regulation. Official regulation
- [5] Ministry of Trade Central Registry Record System. MERSİS portal
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does company formation in Turkey cost in 2026?
There is no single official all-inclusive price. The total depends on whether the company is an LLC or JSC, the shareholder and document structure, registry and notary charges, translation or legalization, professional scope, address and post-registration needs. The current minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for an LLC and TRY 250,000 for a standard JSC, but capital belongs to the company and must be shown separately from formation expenses.
What is the minimum capital for an LLC in Turkey in 2026?
The current statutory minimum capital for a Turkish LLC is TRY 50,000. It is subscribed in the articles and may be paid within 24 months after registration. This amount is company funding rather than a government filing fee or professional service charge. A business may choose or practically need more capital depending on rent, payroll, inventory, licenses, banking and its operating plan.
What is the minimum capital for a JSC in Turkey in 2026?
The current statutory minimum capital for a standard Turkish JSC is TRY 250,000. At least 25% of cash capital must be paid before registration and the balance within 24 months. A non-public JSC using the registered-capital system has a higher initial threshold. Capital remains a company resource and should not be presented as part of a provider's formation fee.
Is minimum share capital a company formation fee?
No. Share capital belongs to the company and supports its business. Formation expenses are separate and may include registry, chamber, Gazette, Competition Authority, notary, translation, legalization, courier, address and professional support. A clear proposal must distinguish the capital to be funded from money paid to public authorities, third parties and advisers.
Which official and third-party costs apply to company registration?
The categories can include Trade Registry and chamber charges, Gazette publication, the Competition Authority payment, notary work and certified copies. A foreign-investor file may also require apostille or consular legalization, sworn translation and courier. Current amounts depend on the competent registry, capital, document count and applicable tariffs, so they should be itemized for the actual file instead of quoted as a universal fixed total.
Why can a foreign corporate shareholder cost more than an individual?
A foreign company usually needs more evidence: a current registry extract or activity certificate, a competent-organ investment resolution, signatory authority, ownership information and a consistent power of attorney. Several records may require apostille or legalization, Turkish translation and notarization. The bank may also request an ownership chart and ultimate-beneficial-owner records, increasing preparation work beyond an individual shareholder file.
Does remote company formation cost more?
Remote formation can add the cost of a tailored power of attorney, apostille or consular processing, certified translation and international courier, while potentially saving travel costs. The exact effect depends on the document country and shareholder type. Remote registry representation also does not guarantee remote banking; a bank may independently request an in-person meeting with a manager, signatory or beneficial owner.
Is a Turkish corporate bank account included or guaranteed?
No bank account should be described as guaranteed merely because the company is registered. Each bank performs its own KYC, beneficial-ownership, sanctions, source-of-funds and commercial-risk review. A formation engagement may include preparation and coordination of the bank file, but the proposal should state this scope separately and make clear that the final acceptance, timing and any in-person requirement belong to the bank.
What ongoing costs should be included in the first-year budget?
Plan for accounting and tax filings, the registered address, corporate records, bank reconciliation and applicable electronic systems. If the company hires staff, add SGK registration, payroll and employment compliance. E-invoice, e-archive, e-ledger, work-permit and foreign-investment reporting requirements apply according to the company's facts, so the first-year budget should be prepared around actual activity and transaction volume.