Maximizing Government Support for Game Developers in Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide to Incentives and Grants
The Turkish government has introduced one of the most robust incentive programs in the world for game developers, offering cash reimbursements across key expenditure categories such as advertising, personnel, software licenses, and platform commissions. For international game companies considering operations in Turkey or launching games through a local entity, this guide outlines how to unlock and maximize these incentives.
1. Is There a Maximum Limit on Game Incentives in Turkey?
Yes, but the caps are generous and scalable with the number of games. Below is a breakdown:
| Incentive Type | Maximum Per Game | Cumulative Limit |
| Advertising & Promotion | 15 million TRY/game | Up to 45 million TRY (3 games) |
| Additional Ad Support | – | 15 million TRY (new regulation) |
| Games 4 to 10 | 1.8 million TRY/game | 12.6 million TRY |
| App Store/Platform Commissions | 3.7 million TRY/game | Up to 11.1 million TRY (3 games) |
Thus, a company with 10 games can claim up to 72.5 million TRY solely in advertising-related reimbursements.
Additional reimbursements include:
Personnel Support (e.g., engineers): 50% of monthly salaries up to 210,000 TRY per employee
Data and analytics tools: Up to 1.8 million TRY
Software licenses: Up to 2.4 million TRY
Trade show/event costs: Up to 1.3 million TRY per event
2. What Is the Duration of These Supports?
The incentives are valid for a maximum of 5 years. Each support category has a separate timeline, depending on when the initial expense or application occurs. For example, advertising and commission supports may have different start dates. The 5-year period is calculated from the first payment date for the respective category.
3. What Is Covered Under the Advertising Support?
This is the core of the incentive package. Advertising expenditures made on global platforms are eligible for reimbursement:
Eligible Platforms: Applovin, Google, Meta, Searchads, TikTok, Unity, Ironsource, Vungle, Snapchat, etc.
Reimbursement Rate: 60–70% of expenses are refunded in cash, calculated in TRY at the exchange rate of the spending date.
70% Rate Condition: To qualify for 70%, all ad spending must target specific approved countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Netherlands).
⚠️ Important: Prepayment (e.g., via wire transfer) methods to ad platforms may not be eligible for reimbursement due to platform-specific restrictions. Always verify with the Ministry before proceeding.
Platform-specific reporting discrepancies can lead to under- or over-claims. It's recommended to simulate reports in advance to detect any structural mismatches.
4. What Is the Scope of Commission Support?
This support applies to fees charged by intermediary platforms such as App Store, Play Store, Steam, and PlayStation. These platforms typically deduct 15–30% in commissions at source.
Eligible Refund: 50% of the deducted commission
Applicability: Sales to foreign users only
Verification: Analytics data must be accessible to the Ministry-appointed verification entity
This commission support effectively increases the gross margin of monetized games by 7.5% to 15%, depending on the platform and sales structure.
To make data-driven marketing decisions, game companies often rely on analytics and intelligence platforms. Examples include:
Attribution Tools: Adjust, Appsflyer
Market Intelligence: Sensortower, Mobile Action, Social Peta
Subscription Optimization: Adapty
Reimbursement: 60% of subscription fees
Note: Prior approval from the Ministry of Trade is required before procurement to ensure eligibility.
6. What Are the Compliance Requirements to Qualify for Incentives?
The rules are clearly defined and enforced. Key conditions include:
Ownership: The game’s IP and all associated social media accounts must be registered under a Turkish entity
Company Age: Minimum of 1 year old at the time of the application for advertising support
Payment Route: All expenditures must be made through the corporate bank account of the Turkish entity
Non-compliance or omission of seemingly minor steps can lead to complete rejection of applications. However, the good news is that most requirements are simple and can be fulfilled in a matter of minutes with the right guidance.
✅ Final Thoughts: Why International Game Studios Should Consider Turkey
Turkey offers a rare opportunity where actual cash reimbursements, not just tax credits, are accessible to eligible companies. For mobile or console studios operating multiple titles, these incentives can dramatically reduce the capital burn rate and fuel faster user acquisition on global platforms.
At Özmen CPA, we guide international studios through every step—company formation, incentive applications, compliance strategy, and cross-border tax optimization. Our clients maximize their returns and minimize risks while staying focused on growth.
📩 Interested in Setting Up or Expanding in Turkey?
Let’s schedule a free consultation to assess your eligibility and strategy.
👉 Contact us at info@ozmconsultancy.com
