Doing Business in Türkiye

Practical legal guides for foreign companies and individual investors, prepared by Turkish counsel.

Türkiye connects Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia with a market of over 85 million people, a customs union with the EU and a legal framework that places foreign investors on an equal footing with domestic ones. Setting up and operating here is straightforward when the legal steps are handled in the right order. These guides explain those steps in plain language, based on the questions foreign clients ask us most often.

Whether you are opening a subsidiary, hiring your first employee in Türkiye or investing personally, each guide covers one stage of the journey and is kept current by our team.

Guide

Company Formation in Türkiye

How foreign investors set up a joint stock or limited liability company in Türkiye: entity choice, incorporation steps, documents and ongoing obligations.

Read the guide → Guide

Corporate Actions and Governance in Türkiye

General assemblies, director changes, capital increases, share transfers and dividends in Turkish JSCs and LLCs, with the majority each decision requires.

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Coming soon

Employment and Work Permits

Hiring in Türkiye, employment contract essentials and work permits for foreign personnel.

Coming soon

Guide for Individual Investors

Real estate acquisition, residence permits and the legal framework for personal investment.

Interactive

Which company type fits your plans?

Answer five short questions to see whether a joint stock company or a limited liability company suits your venture. You can also review the full comparison table.

1. Are you planning outside investment rounds, employee share options or an eventual public offering?
2. How many founders will the company have?
3. Is it important that shares can be transferred quickly, without a notary?
4. Is keeping the initial capital low a priority?
5. Is it critical for shareholders not to carry personal exposure for the company’s tax and social security debts?

Why involve Turkish counsel early

Turkish corporate, tax and employment rules are procedural, deadlines are short and filings are in Turkish. Most complications we encounter arise not from the substance of the rules but from steps taken in the wrong order or documents prepared in the wrong form. Involving Turkish counsel at the planning stage keeps the process predictable.

Semiz Law Firm advises international clients in English on company formation, corporate matters, commercial contracts and investment in Türkiye. You can reach us at info@semizlaw.com or through our contact page.

The guides in this section provide general information and do not constitute legal advice.