How long does it take to incorporate in Türkiye?
The Trade Registry stage is usually completed within days once documentation is notarised and translated. The longer variables sit outside the registry: apostilled parent-company documents, and bank account opening, which depends on the bank rather than on us. We sequence the two in parallel so they do not run end to end.
Do we need a Turkish shareholder or director?
No. A Turkish company can be wholly foreign-owned with foreign directors. A resident representative is practically necessary for banking and tax office dealings, which we can provide as part of the engagement.
Which entity type should we choose?
It depends on whether you intend to trade and how much local autonomy you want. A liaison office cannot trade but carries a favourable position on expatriate salaries; a branch trades under the parent; a limited or joint-stock company is a separate legal entity. Share transfer formalities, capital requirements and board structure all differ, and it is harder to change later than founders expect.
Can you help with the corporate bank account?
Yes, end to end — selecting the bank, preparing the articles of association, tax number and signature circular, attending the account-opening meeting, and handling KYC and anti-money-laundering requirements. This is usually the slowest step in establishing an entity.
Do we need a registered office address?
Yes, a Turkish registered address is required for incorporation and it is where official correspondence is served. We advise on the options before you commit to a lease.
What are the recurring filing deadlines?
Nine recurring obligations, four of them monthly. VAT (KDV) and withholding are declared and paid each month, capital movement is reported quarterly for foreign-owned entities, and corporate tax and statutory audit fall due within four months of the fiscal year end. The full calendar with legislation and authorities is published on this site.
What is the corporate tax rate in Türkiye?
The headline rate is set annually and has varied in recent years, with different rates applying to financial institutions and to income from certain exempt activities. Rather than rely on a published summary, we confirm the rate applicable to your entity as part of each engagement.
Can we reclaim VAT (KDV)?
Yes. Exporters and companies carrying a persistent input VAT position can reclaim, and it is often a meaningful share of working capital. The documentation standard is strict and claims are routinely returned for procedural defects unrelated to entitlement, so we prepare them to the standard that gets them paid and pursue them through to payment.
Do we have to use e-Invoice and e-Ledger?
Turkish entities above certain thresholds must issue electronic invoices and submit electronic ledgers. We handle registration, integration with your accounting system, and ongoing submission as part of the bookkeeping engagement.
Will you report in our head office format?
Yes. We maintain one set of books under the Uniform Chart of Accounts for statutory purposes, and map it once to your group chart so every subsequent report is produced in both views automatically. Your auditors and your head office see the same reconciled position.
Can we hire in Türkiye without setting up a company?
Yes, through our Employer of Record service. We become the legal employer — contracts, payroll, social security and statutory obligations — while your team reports to you day to day. It removes the incorporation timeline from your hiring decision.
What is the work permit ratio, and why does it matter?
Work permits are granted to the employer, not the individual, and Türkiye generally expects a number of Turkish employees on the SGK registration for each foreign national sponsored. A newly formed company with no local staff has nothing to count against, which is why permit applications are often refused after the hiring decision has already been made. We check the ratio before you commit to an offer.
What does an employee actually cost an employer?
Beyond gross salary, employers carry social security and unemployment insurance contributions, and severance provisioning accrues from the first day of employment on a capped figure that changes twice a year. We calculate the full loaded cost before you make an offer, and maintain the severance provision your balance sheet needs.
How does severance work on termination?
Entitlement accrues with length of service and is calculated on a capped gross figure. Turkish Labour Law is protective of employees and the cost of a procedural error in a dismissal is measured in months of salary, so we advise on the grounds and documentation before the decision rather than after a claim.
Who signs the payroll and social security filings?
Filings are prepared and submitted by our payroll team, with the certification Turkish law requires held within the firm. Payroll data is handled by a named team under a confidentiality undertaking, and executive payroll visibility can be restricted further on request.
