Turkey Company Registration Fees in 2026: Step-by-Step Cost Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Foreign investors find Turkey an attractive destination for business, thanks to its strategic location and investor-friendly laws. The Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) allows corporate entities (Joint-Stock Companies, Limited Liability Companies) and non-corporate forms (partnerships, sole proprietorships, etc.). In this guide we’ll explain each company type, walk through the registration steps, and break down all major costs in 2026 – from government fees to notary and translation expenses. We also cover “ready-made” (shelf) companies as a fast-track option, and compare online vs in-person processes. Wherever possible, we cite official sources or expert analyses for up-to-date figures.
Types of Companies in Turkey
Under Turkish law, foreign entrepreneurs can choose among several business forms, each with different capital, structure and liability rules:
Limited Liability Company (Limited Şirket, LLC): The most common form for small to medium ventures. Requires at least two shareholders and one manager. As of late 2024, minimum capital is 50,000 TL (raised from 10,000 TL). At least 25% of capital must be placed in a bank account (JSC requires this, while LLC capital can be paid over 2 years). Shareholders’ liability is limited to their capital contribution. LLCs are generally cheaper and simpler to manage than JSCs.
Joint-Stock Company (Anonim Şirket, JSC): Suited for larger businesses or those planning to raise capital publicly. Since Oct 2024, minimum capital is 250,000 TL (up from 50,000 TL); registered-capital JSCs (for public companies) must have 500,000 TL. Must have a board of directors (at least one member) and if capital ≥250,000 TL, a Turkish lawyer on contract is required. Liability is limited to share capital; corporate formalities are heavier (audits, meeting minutes, etc.).
Sole Proprietorship (Şahıs Şirketi): An unincorporated business run by one individual. No share capital is required – the owner is personally liable for debts. In practice, only Turkish citizens or residents typically form sole proprietorships; foreigners without permanent residency generally choose an LLC or JSC instead. (Foreigners on residence/work permits can register a sole trader, but it’s uncommon for international investors.)
Other Forms: There are also general partnerships, limited partnerships and “partnership limited by shares” (a hybrid), but these are rare for foreigners.
Branch Office: A foreign company may establish a branch (şube) in Turkey. A branch is not a separate legal entity (the parent company is liable), but it must register with the Trade Registry and complete similar steps as a new company (apart from capital).
Liaison Office (Representative Office): Allows market research/sales support but cannot engage in revenue-generating activities. Branches and liaison offices still incur registration fees (see below).
In all cases, Turkey treats foreign investors the same as locals. No special “foreign business license” is required – foreigners follow the same process and pay the same fees as Turkish entrepreneurs.
Recent Legal Updates (2024–2026)
Several important legal changes took effect in 2024 and will still apply in 2026:
Higher Minimum Capital: A Presidential Decree effective Oct 10, 2024 raised the minimum capital for corporations. Now an LLC must have at least 50,000 TL of capital, and a non-public JSC 250,000 TL. These thresholds will remain in force through 2025 and beyond until further changes. (In contrast, a sole proprietor or partnership has no fixed capital requirement.) This means capital-related fees (see below) will be slightly higher on larger capitals.
Board and Governance Reforms: Amendments to the Turkish Commercial Code in 2024 also tightened corporate governance (e.g. board roles and legal counsel requirements) to align with EU standards. For cost purposes, the key effect is that large JSCs (≥250k TL capital) must hire or contract a Turkish attorney continuously. (This is typically a monthly fee on top of formation costs.)
One-Stop Shop (MERSIS System): Turkey continues to streamline company formation through the electronic MERSIS system. Since 2017–18, founders can file incorporation documents online (e.g. articles of association) via MERSIS. All official registration transactions are centralized in Trade Registry offices housed within Chambers of Commerce. In fact, Turkey’s investment authorities highlight that a company “is now only carried out at Trade Registry Directorates…designed to be a ‘one-stop shop.’ The process is completed within the same day.” (In practice, allowing for document prep and bank steps, most registrations still take several days to a couple weeks.) The upshot is that foreign entrepreneurs can complete much of the paperwork electronically, but notarizations and apostilles (for foreign docs) are still required (see below).
No other sweeping changes to company law were announced specifically for 2026. However, regulations can change yearly (for example, notary tariffs and trade registry fees are updated regularly), so always check the latest official gazette or consult local professionals during your incorporation process.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
1. Plan the Company Structure: Decide on the company type (LLC, JSC, etc.) and organizational structure (number of shareholders, managers, etc.). This determines capital requirements, governance, and which documents you need (e.g. if one shareholder vs. two, or if a board is needed). A qualified lawyer or consultant can advise on the best structure for your business goals.
2. Prepare Incorporation Documents: Draft the Articles of Association (for LLC) or the Memorandum and Articles of Association (for JSC). In practice, foreign founders usually engage a Turkish attorney or service provider to ensure compliance. All founders must sign the articles: if they are non-residents, signatures may need notarization/ apostille outside Turkey and then translation.
- Foreign Documents & Apostille: Any document executed abroad (passports, certificates, powers of attorney, board resolutions, etc.) must be certified by a local notary and apostilled or legalized by a Turkish consulate. Upon arrival in Turkey, each foreign document must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and then notarized by a Turkish notary. Typical cost: apostille fees vary by country (often 20–50 USD per document), translation fees depend on length (roughly 5–15 TL per word or 100–200 TL per standard page).
3. Notarize Documents: In Turkey, the company’s founding documents must be notarized. For example, the articles of association and board resolutions are signed before a notary. The notary verifies signatures and stamps the documents. Notary fees (as of 2023) have roughly doubled: it costs about 23.76 TL per page and a fixed fee of 7.42 TL per transaction. Expect a simple LLC (10–15 pages of documents) to incur a few hundred TL in notary costs; longer JSC documents cost more. (Apostilled foreign documents also need re-notarization in Turkey.)
4. Deposit Capital and Pay Capital Duty: If forming a capital company, open a bank account and deposit the required share capital. For JSCs, at least 25% of the initial capital must be paid in before registration; LLCs have up to 2 years to pay in full (if they choose that option). For example, an LLC with 50,000 TL capital would deposit at least 0 TL upfront (since limited companies aren’t required to pay before registration), but a JSC with 250,000 TL capital must deposit at least 62,500 TL. In all cases, you must pay a capital tax (sometimes called the Competition Authority fee) of 0.04% of the capital (paid at registration). On 50,000 TL this is just 20 TL; on 250,000 TL it’s 100 TL.
5. File with the Trade Registry (One-Stop Shop): Prepare the application and submit everything to the Trade Registry (located in the local Chamber of Commerce). Turkey’s MERSIS online system allows electronic submission if you have a Turkish tax ID and an e-signature. Otherwise, you (or your representative) deliver paper copies. Required items include: the notarized articles, signature declarations, passport copies of shareholders, proof of capital deposit, and company address (tenancy contract). At the registry you pay the official registration fee (see below). Under the one-stop-shop approach, all these formalities are handled in one visit (or online transaction) – the registry notifies the tax office and issues the company registration certificate on the same day.
6. Publish the Company Announcement: After registration, Turkish law requires publishing your company’s establishment in the Official Trade Registry Gazette (Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi) and in a local newspaper (for an LLC; JSC publications have similar rules). This involves a word-based fee (see costs below). Once published, the company is formally effective.
7. Obtain Tax Number and Registrations: All new companies must register with the tax office and obtain a tax certificate (vergi levhası) and VAT number. Foreign shareholders/managers must also get a potential tax number from the tax office (as noted by Invest in Türkiye) to open the bank account for capital. Tax registration itself is normally free of charge (you submit forms at the tax office). Once registered, you may need to purchase and display a metal tax plate (a small fee around 50–100 TL) and register for social security (SGK) if you have employees.
Throughout these steps, translation fees, courier costs (for documents to the Chamber or bank), and any professional service fees (lawyer, accountant, etc.) accumulate. Working with an experienced firm can streamline the process and avoid costly delays.
Cost Breakdown: All Fees for 2026
Below is an itemized breakdown of the typical costs you will encounter when registering a company in Turkey. All amounts are quoted in Turkish Lira (TL) unless otherwise noted:
Trade Registry Official Fees: According to the Istanbul Chamber’s 2025 schedule (which is updated annually), the one-time incorporation registration fee (“Kuruluş Tasdik Ücreti”) is about 10,800 TL. You also pay fixed document copy fees (e.g. 223.90 TL for a registration certificate). (Note: Other changes like mergers, share transfers, etc. have separate fees, but these don’t apply to initial registration.)
Announcements (Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi): Publishing your company in the Official Gazette is mandatory. The fee is based on word count: for a formation announcement it is roughly 1.91 TL per word, and for other general company announcements it is about 4.25 TL per word. For example, a 300-word announcement would cost around 573 TL (300×1.91). If required, you may also need to place ads in two national newspapers (for an LLC), which carry their own word-based rates (often similar or slightly higher per word). Plan on at least 5,000–7,000 TL for all publications combined, depending on text length.
Competition Authority Fee (Capital Duty): As mentioned, this is 0.04% of your company’s capital. For budgeting: an LLC with 50,000 TL capital pays 20 TL, while a JSC at 250,000 TL pays 100 TL. This small fee is payable at the registry.
Notary Fees: Turkish notaries charge by the page and transaction. From 2023 onwards, the rate is about 23.76 TL per printed page and 7.42 TL per transaction. In practice, you will notarize the articles of association (commonly 10–20 pages) and signature declarations (2–4 pages). For a mid-size LLC you might pay a few hundred TL in notarization, and more for a complex JSC (perhaps 500–1,000 TL).
Translation (Sworn Translator) Fees: Any foreign-language document must be translated by a certified translator. Prices vary: typical rates might be in the range of 5–15 TL per word, or about 200–400 TL per page of legal text. If founders come with passport copies (2–4 pages) and powers of attorney, translation costs could easily be 1,000 TL or more. This often adds up as a few hundred USD overall. (Consult a local sworn translator for a precise quote.)
Legal/Consulting Fees: There is no official fee for legal advice, but most foreign entrepreneurs hire local experts. Flat fees for full-service incorporation by a law/accounting firm typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 (10,000–30,000 TL) depending on complexity. This covers lawyer hours, drafting documents, company secretary work, etc. Smaller “DIY” clients might only pay for a simple share purchase agreement and incurring one-hour attorney advice, but the risk of errors is higher.
Virtual Office / Registered Address: Turkey requires a local address for all companies. Many foreign firms use a virtual office service. For example, one provider offers a prestigious Istanbul address starting at €240 per year (≈7,000 TL/year). Other providers (like Regus, Servcorp, etc.) charge more (often 1,000–2,000 TL/month). Choose based on your budget and the image you want: a basic monthly postal address can be a few hundred USD per year, while prime-location virtual offices cost higher. You must have at least a mailbox rental agreement or lease to register the address with authorities.
Tax Registration Plate: After formation, companies must print a tax plate (“vergi levhası”) to display at the workplace. The printed plate sign costs around 50–100 TL. (This is a small but mandatory expense.)
Payroll and Social Security: If you hire employees, register with the Social Security Institution (SGK). There is no one-time “registration fee,” but you will start paying monthly premiums (employer + employee contributions) from day one of employment. For a 2026 budget, assume roughly 35–40% of gross wages go to SGK contributions each month.
Other Potential Fees: If your business needs special licenses (e.g. trade permit, tourism, pharmaceuticals), those may carry additional fees (often a few hundred TL). Similarly, if you modify the company’s structure later (capital increase, shareholder change, etc.), additional Trade Registry fees and announcements will apply. But for initial registration, the above covers the main costs.
Shelf (Ready-Made) Companies: Fast-Track Option
Instead of a fresh incorporation, foreign entrepreneurs in Turkey often consider buying a shelf company (ready-made company). A shelf company is an already registered corporation that has no (or negligible) business history. This means you can “start” your business almost immediately. As one Turkish law firm notes: “Buying a shelf company in Turkey offers a fast-track alternative to new incorporation, allowing entrepreneurs to immediately commence business activities with an already registered legal entity.”.
How it works: You identify a limited company (almost always an LLC) that is already set up (with capital paid up) but hasn’t traded. You sign a share transfer agreement and have the transfer notarized in Turkey. The Trade Registry is updated with your ownership. Because the company technically existed, many of the usual registration steps (like initial announcement or new tax registration) may be simpler or skipped. However, you still pay notary fees for the share transfer, possibly a small registration fee for the share change, and a short-form notice in the Trade Registry Gazette. You will also typically need to change the company’s address, managers, and business purpose through a simple amendment (also subject to registry fees and announcements, though often cheaper than full incorporation).
Costs: Purchasing a shelf company itself has a market price. The price depends on the company’s registered capital and “age”. According to a Russian-language industry report (2025), shelf companies in Turkey generally sell for $5,000–$20,000 USD. (A very basic dormant LLC might be on the lower end, while one with a larger capital or more compliance paperwork could cost more.) This is typically far less than the price of an active business, and covers the value of a ready-made corporate shell. In addition, expect to pay roughly 1,000–3,000 TL for the Turkish notary and registration costs to transfer shares and make amendments. Be aware: although shelf companies have no trading history, you should still perform due diligence (verify no hidden debts, clean tax record, etc.).
Advantages & Caveats: The big benefit is speed: you can skip the 1–2 week incorporation process. This can be crucial if you need to bid on a tender, open a bank account quickly, or meet immigration deadlines. However, shelf companies may come with unknown baggage (unsettled liabilities) if not properly vetted. Also, since the company already existed, you may still need to publish a change announcement (which costs roughly 4.25 TL/word). In essence, buying a shelf is often cheaper and faster (≈$5–20K total), but consider legal precautions carefully.
Online vs. In-Person Processes
Foreign entrepreneurs can often complete much of the Turkish registration process remotely, but some steps still require local action:
Online Options: Turkey’s MERSIS system allows founding documents to be filed electronically. If you obtain a Turkish tax ID (possible at the tax office) and an e-Government login, you or your representative can upload the articles online. In practice, many law firms register companies via MERSIS for clients overseas. Banking has also gone partly digital: some banks permit opening corporate accounts remotely (with scanned docs and video calls). Overall, registration fees and government charges are the same whether you do it online or in person (the system is unified).
Notary and Embassy: Even with online filing, in-person notarizations are required for signatures. If founders cannot come to Turkey, signatures must be notarized in their home country and apostilled, then translated here. (No special “embassy endorsement” is needed beyond the apostille – the invest.gov guide specifically notes foreign documents must be apostilled or Turkish-consulate legalized and then notarized here.) New e-Notary and e-Government technologies are emerging, but as of 2026 traditional notarization of original signatures is still the norm.
Embassy Verification (if any): Some entrepreneurs have their articles of association certified by the Turkish consulate or by apostille in advance. For example, you could draft the articles in English, notarize it at a consulate in your country, and use that to expedite the process. However, the cost of consular services (if required) can be substantial (often 200–300 TL per page or per signature set). Alternatively, you can send documents to Turkey for local notarization, which may be cheaper.
Banking: Corporate bank account opening sometimes requires the physical presence of company managers. Banks also charge for services (account opening itself is free, but some branches require a minimum deposit or monthly fee).
In summary, while much of the red tape can be handled by agents and online systems, budget a few days and fees for travel/notarization if founders wish to be physically present. If travel is impossible, authorized representatives (with notarized power of attorney) handle the in-person steps.
Key Tips for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Budget for Translation & Notary: Even if you speak Turkish, all official documents must be in Turkish. Hire a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator) and remember the notarization per page fee. Minor errors or omissions often cause delays and extra trips back to the notary.
Plan Capital Payment: Choose a capital that meets legal requirements but isn’t unnecessarily high. Remember 25% must be placed into a bank account (for JSCs). Banks will issue a deposit certificate required by the registry.
Use the One-Stop Shop: The combined Chamber + Trade Registry (“one-stop”) process means you only go to one office for filings. Gather all documents perfectly before arriving. Since foreigners may have multiple parts (apostilled docs, translated copies, etc.), double-check each requirement against the Trade Registry’s checklist.
Consider Hiring Locals: A local lawyer or accountant can handle filings, announcements, and follow-ups. Their fees add to your costs, but they save you time and ensure compliance. For example, a Turkisher in Istanbul can attend meetings or notarize in person on your behalf. Many firms also bundle services (e.g. “We’ll do company registration + accounting”), often as a flat package.
Stay Updated: Official fees (like notary tariffs and registry fees) are updated yearly (often Jan 1). The figures above (e.g. 23.76 TL per page notarization, 1,800 TL registry fee) are current as of early 2025. Check official sources or consult a Turkish lawyer for any late changes in 2026.
Professional Accounting & Registration Help
Starting a company in Turkey involves many detailed steps and costs. To avoid headaches and hidden pitfalls, we recommend working with seasoned professionals. Our firm offers end-to-end company formation and accounting services for foreign entrepreneurs. From drafting your articles in Turkish to handling the notary visits and tax registrations, we manage the entire process efficiently. We also provide affordable accounting and payroll solutions once your business is up and running, ensuring ongoing compliance with Turkish tax laws.
Ready to get started? Contact us for a free consultation. Our English-speaking experts in Istanbul and Ankara can answer your questions on fees, timing, and legal requirements.
Let us guide you through Turkey’s one-stop company registration process smoothly and cost-effectively.
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