Turkey continues to be one of the “accessible markets” for foreign entrepreneurs as of 2026: You can establish a company without the requirement of being a Turkish citizen or having permanent residency, and you can be a partner or director. However, in practice, the process may extend if not well planned due to the combination of steps involving documentation, notary, MERSIS, bank, trade registry, and tax office. This guide explains the establishment of a company in Turkey for foreigners in 2026 from end to end, with practical realism.
Why are foreigners struggling to establish a company in Turkey in 2026?
Although the legislation for company establishment in Turkey is relatively standardized, the points where foreign investors struggle the most are:
- Document preparation: Passport translation, notary transactions, signature declarations, address documents.
- Lack of mastery over MERSIS and Trade Registry: Drafting contracts, application steps, announcement process.
- Bank and capital blockage logic: Proof of at least 25% capital payment, bank letters/receipts.
- Tax office inspection: Actual verification of the address, home-office/virtual office suitability.
- Post-establishment compliance: Bookkeeping approvals, e-signature/financial seal, SGK workplace registration, VAT/corporate tax processes.
Therefore, instead of the approach of “I can establish the company immediately”; progressing with a realistic plan of 2–4 weeks yields more accurate results in most scenarios.
Basic requirements for foreigners to establish a company in Turkey in 2026
Is citizenship or residency mandatory?
No. In 2026, foreign individuals can establish a company in Turkey without being a Turkish citizen; they can be a partner and/or director. Physical presence in Turkey is not always a requirement for establishment (see the “Remote Establishment” section below).
Type of company: The most common option is a limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.)
The vast majority of foreign investors proceed with a limited liability company (LLC) due to its practicality. The structure of partners/directors is flexible, and the establishment procedure is standard.
Minimum capital: 10,000 TL
The minimum paid-in capital for establishing a limited company is 10,000 TL. Additionally, in practice, you are expected to show that you have deposited at least 25% of the capital with a bank letter or capital payment receipt during the establishment. This seemingly small detail is critical for the smooth progress of the file in the trade registry.
A registered address in Turkey is mandatory
The company must have a registered address in Turkey. This address can be:
- A rented office,
- Home-office,
- A compliant virtual office
It is important that the address can be verified during the tax office inspection.
How long does the establishment take? (Realistic timeline)
If the documents are ready, even the “cleanest” flow of establishment involves multiple institutions. The realistic expectation for 2026 is as follows:
- Document preparation (collection, translation, notary): 1–2 weeks
- MERSIS, notary, bank, trade registry transactions: 1–2 weeks
- Tax inspection, SGK registration, bank account activation: ~1 week
- Total: If the documents are planned in advance, most files are completed within 2–4 weeks.
Only the trade registry “registration” step can be completed in most scenarios within 5–10 business days once all documents are ready. However, this duration can quickly extend if there are deficiencies in preparation.
Required documents for foreign partner/director (2026 checklist)
The following list is prepared according to the most frequently needed documents for limited companies established with foreign individuals:
- Passport photocopy: Translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarized.
- Tax identification number: A “potential tax number” is obtained from the tax office for foreigners and used in official transactions.
- Address declaration: An address declaration is required for notification/bank/tax processes (the requirement for being in Turkey is not sought in every file).
- Notary-approved signature declaration: For partners and/or directors.
- Articles of Association: Must be prepared via MERSIS and in Turkish.
- Company address document: Lease agreement or document showing the right of use.
- Capital payment receipt / bank letter: Proof of at least 25% payment.
- Competition Authority share payment document: Mandatory contribution items during the registration phase.
Note: If foreign documents (e.g., activity certificates from certain countries, etc.) are involved, the translation-notary chain and, if necessary, apostille/additional verifications may come into play. These types of documents directly affect the establishment timeline.
Step by step: How to establish a limited company in Turkey as a foreigner in 2026?
1) Clarify the type of company and check title availability
The first step is to choose the company structure suitable for your business model and confirm the availability of the title you aim for. The title is reserved through MERSIS during the process.
2) Obtain a tax number for the foreign partner/director
A potential tax identification number is obtained for the foreign individual to be able to operate in Turkey. Without this number, MERSIS, bank, and official applications may not proceed.
3) Prepare the Articles of Association via MERSIS (Turkish is mandatory)
The Articles of Association is the “constitution” of the company. In 2026, you need to structure the following information completely:
- Partners and share ratios
- Capital and capital payment plan
- Company’s field of activity
- Directors and representation/authorization powers
- Company address
According to the legislation, the Articles of Association must be prepared in Turkish. A translation for informational purposes can be arranged for the foreign investor; however, the legally binding text is in Turkish.
4) Notary transactions, proof of capital, and mandatory fees/charges
At this stage, it is critical that the file is “complete”. Especially:
- Passport translation-notary process,
- Signature declaration,
- Proof of 25% capital payment,
- Mandatory items such as Competition Authority share
When completed thoroughly, the trade registry application will yield faster results.
5) Trade Registry registration: The company gains legal personality
When the Trade Registry application is processed, the company gains legal personality; a trade registry number and registration documents are created. Then, the establishment is announced in the Trade Registry Gazette. If the documents are ready, this step generally proceeds quickly.
6) Tax Office registration and inspection
After establishment, the company is registered in the systems for corporate tax, VAT, and other relevant tax headings. The tax office conducts an address inspection in most files. The address must actually exist and be consistent with the documents.
7) SGK workplace registration, bookkeeping approvals, e-signature/financial seal
If you will employ staff, SGK workplace registration comes into play. Additionally, the approval of legal books and tools such as e-signature and financial seal for digital processes may be required. These steps are important for the company to operate “actively”.
8) Opening a bank account and operational start
A bank account is opened in Turkey for the company’s commercial activities. This account plays a central role in terms of capital payments, supplier/salary payments, and tax processes.
Is it possible to establish a company remotely (without coming to Turkey) in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, foreign investors can complete the company establishment without physically coming to Turkey with a suitable power of attorney/representation structure and the correct document setup. However, it should be clearly distinguished:
- Conducting the establishment remotely is possible in most scenarios,
- Post-establishment compliance (accounting, declarations, payroll, SGK, official correspondence) requires the follow-up of licensed professionals in Turkey.
Especially for foreign investors planning to establish a company without coming to Turkey, remote establishment provides significant advantages in terms of time, travel costs, and coordination.
Is a work permit required for a foreign director?
A foreign individual can be a director in the company; there is no citizenship requirement for this. However, if the foreign director will actually work in Turkey (managing the company in Turkey, working for a salary, actively using signature authority), a work permit may come into play after the company is established. This distinction (being a company partner vs. working in Turkey) is one of the common mistakes in planning.
Alternative route: Opening a branch in Turkey (for foreign companies)
Instead of establishing a new limited company in Turkey, registering a branch on behalf of your existing foreign company is also an alternative. In the branch model:
- A branch address and operational structure in Turkey are required,
- After establishment and tax registration, tax office inspection will also be on the agenda,
- Appointment of a branch manager and compliance with local processes plays a critical role.
Branch or limited company? The decision should be evaluated together with the scope of activities, brand/contract structure, risk management, and tax-accounting architecture.
Post-establishment tax and compliance: Do not overlook
Company registration is the “beginning”. For foreign investors in 2026, the main risk is the disruption of post-establishment obligations. Typically, the following headings require regular follow-up:
- Accounting records and periodic declarations
- VAT and other tax obligations (depending on the activity structure)
- Financial statements and legal reporting
- Payroll and SGK processes (if staff are employed)
- Bank, signature authorities and internal governance of the company
The activity subject that is incorrectly structured with the goal of “fastest registration” during the establishment phase, the capital/partnership structure, or the address model; later generates costs on the tax, bank, and operational side. Therefore, making the planning correctly from the beginning is more economical in the long run.
Why is professional support critical in this process? (Corpenza approach)
When establishing a company in Turkey as a foreigner, the difficulty is often not a “single major obstacle”; it is the combination of numerous small technical details: MERSIS Articles of Association setup, notary/translation processes, proof of capital, address verification, tax inspection, e-signature/financial seal, SGK, and payroll, etc.
Corpenza, with a focus on international business development and mobility; addresses company establishment not just as a registration step, but as a holistic framework that also considers the accounting, payroll/EOR, and compliance needs you will experience post-establishment. Thus, the investor progresses with a structure that is operationally functional from day one, rather than just “established on paper”.
Especially for foreign investors planning remote establishment without coming to Turkey; document management, timeline, inter-institutional coordination, and post-establishment compliance tracking require professional project management.
Conclusion: Establishing a company in Turkey in 2026 is possible; it progresses quickly and with low risk with the right planning
Establishing a limited company in Turkey as a foreigner in 2026 is a process that can be completed within 2–4 weeks with the right documents, correct address model, and appropriate application flow. When you correctly set up the basic requirements such as a minimum 10,000 TL capital, proof of 25% capital payment before establishment, Turkish Articles of Association, and a registered address in Turkey; you manage the steps of the trade registry, tax office, and bank in a more predictable manner.
Disclaimer
This content is prepared for general informational purposes; it does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Legislation and practices may change within 2026, and each investor’s situation may require different assessments. We recommend checking current official practices before proceeding and seeking support from licensed professionals (lawyers, financial advisors, etc.).
