Facts in this handbook are compiled from official sources such as local authorities. Rules change — confirm the current position through the source links or with the authority before making major decisions.
01Overview
- Region
- Europe
- Capital
- Ankara
- Currency
- TRY
- Languages
- Turkish
- ISO code
- TR / TUR
Jurisdictions
- Türkiye — National level; special zones and regulated sectors have separate rules
Macro indicators such as GDP and population are not included yet; see official statistics such as the World Bank.
02Market Entry
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
National treatment; sectors open to private investors are open to foreigners
- Applies to
- Broadcasting, petroleum, aviation, maritime, finance and real estate are restricted
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
03Business Formation
Common legal entity
The company form most commonly used by foreign investors for a local operating entity.
Limited company (Ltd. Şti.) or joint-stock company (A.Ş.)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Registration authority
Primary authority for company or commercial registration.
Trade Registry Office under the local chamber of commerce
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
National treatment; sectors open to private investors are open to foreigners
- Applies to
- Broadcasting, petroleum, aviation, maritime, finance and real estate are restricted
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign-entity setup flow
Main approval stages for a foreign investor setting up an entity (no time estimates).
MERSIS name and application → notarised articles → Trade Registry registration (tax office and SGK notified automatically) → Trade Registry Gazette notice → open a bank account
- Applies to
- Can be done through an attorney; Excludes processing time estimates
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Ministry of Trade – MERSIS
Local registered address
Whether a local registered address or premises is required at incorporation.
A registered address in Türkiye is required
- Applies to
- A compliant office address is acceptable
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Ministry of Trade – MERSIS
Local director / representative
Whether a locally resident director, manager or representative is required.
No residence or nationality requirement
- Applies to
- Foreign managers working in Türkiye need a work permit
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Ministry of Trade – MERSIS
04Taxation
Headline corporate income tax
Statutory headline rate for ordinary companies, before incentives, exemptions, thresholds or special regimes. Always read with the conditions.
25%
- Applies to
- Applies since 2023; banks and financial institutions pay more; from 2027 companies engaged only in manufacturing and agriculture pay 12.5%
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Revenue Administration (GİB)MOFCOMState Taxation Administration
- Cross-check
Tax Guide for Chinese Residents Investing in TürkiyediffersParts of the tax guide still say 20%; the MOFCOM guide says 25%
Outward Investment and Cooperation Guide: Türkiye (2025 ed.)consistent
Tax authority websiteconsistent
Indirect tax (VAT / GST / SST)
Standard rate and type of VAT, GST or sales & service tax.
VAT standard rate 20%
- Applies to
- Reduced rates of 1% and 10% also apply
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- State Taxation AdministrationMOFCOM
- Cross-check
Tax Guide for Chinese Residents Investing in Türkiyeconsistent
Dividend withholding tax (non-residents)
General withholding on dividends paid to foreign shareholders, before treaty relief.
15% withholding on dividends to non-resident companies
- Applies to
- Treaty rates apply where available
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
Tax authority
Authority responsible for corporate tax registration and filing.
Revenue Administration (Ministry of Treasury and Finance)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
Tax treaty with China
Whether a double taxation agreement with China is in force. Rates and conditions per the treaty text.
In force
- Applies to
- Rates and conditions per the treaty text and STA publications
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- State Taxation Administration (China)State Taxation Administration
05Banking & Payments
Exchange controls
Whether general exchange controls or cross-border fund rules apply.
No exchange controls
- Applies to
- Banks report large cross-border transfers
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Banking & financial regulator
Primary regulator for banking and foreign exchange.
Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK); central bank for monetary policy
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency
06Employment
Foreign employee work permit
Main permit types needed for foreign employees to work legally.
Work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
- Applies to
- A work visa comes first; initial permits run up to one year
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Labour & work permit authority
Authority for labour rules and foreign employee work permits.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Social security contributions
Main employer social security schemes for local and foreign employees.
SGK: pension, health, work-accident and unemployment insurance
- Applies to
- Shared by employer and employee; foreign employees are generally covered
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- Social Security Institution
07Trade & Customs
Customs authority
Authority for import/export clearance and tariffs.
Customs (Ministry of Trade), under Customs Law No. 4458
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Main free trade agreements
Main regional and bilateral trade agreements relevant to Chinese exporters (not exhaustive).
Customs union with the EU; 23 FTAs with 26 economies
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
08Investment & Manufacturing
Investment authority / agency
Body responsible for approving, registering or promoting foreign investment.
Ministry of Industry and Technology (FDI authority)
- Applies to
- The Presidency Investment Office handles promotion
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
Free zone / SEZ regime
Whether free zones or special economic zones operate under rules different from the mainland.
Free zones, organised industrial zones and technology development zones
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
09Digital & IP
Personal data protection law
Main law and regulator governing collection, use and cross-border transfer of personal data.
Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), overseen by the Data Protection Authority
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- MOFCOM
IP office
Authority for trademark and patent filing and registration.
Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT)
- Applies to
- Trademark rights are territorial; register locally or designate via the Madrid System (check WIPO membership)
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- WIPO
10Compliance & Risk
New York Convention party
Whether the country is party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, which affects enforcing foreign arbitral awards locally.
Yes
- Applies to
- Foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Convention, subject to its limited refusal grounds
- Jurisdiction
- Türkiye
- Source
- UNCITRAL
Live risk monitoring
Geopolitical, conflict and trade-route risk events for Middle East, monitored by our sister site Global Risk Monitor.
Global Risk Monitor · Geopolitical and trade-route risk monitoring
11Step-by-Step
Main setup steps in Türkiye
- 1MERSIS name and application
- 2notarised articles
- 3Trade Registry registration (tax office and SGK notified automatically)
- 4Trade Registry Gazette notice
- 5open a bank account
Can be done through an attorney
General checklist (setting up a subsidiary)
- Decide model and jurisdiction
- Confirm licences
- Prepare documents
- Incorporate
- Register for tax
- Open bank account
- Obtain operating licences
- Start operations
Steps follow the setup-procedure fact on this page, without times or fees; rely on the official sources.
12Official Resources
Chinese official resources
Country materials from MOFCOM, the State Taxation Administration and China's overseas commercial offices
- MOFCOM country investment guideMOFCOM · PDF (Chinese)
- Country tax guide (STA)State Taxation Administration · PDF
- Commercial office中华人民共和国驻土耳其共和国大使馆经济商务处
- MOFCOM going-global platformMOFCOM
- Compliance & security alertsMOFCOM platform
Official guides are long Chinese-language PDFs updated on the publishers' schedules. Our structured facts cite local authorities as primary sources; use these guides to cross-check.
Local authorities
- TaxRevenue Administration (GİB)Tax authority website · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Financial regulationBanking Regulation and Supervision AgencyBanking supervision · Accessed 2026-11-13
- LabourSocial Security InstitutionSocial security · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Company registrationMinistry of Trade – MERSISCompany formation and trade registry · Accessed 2026-11-13