24,000 lira just for the registration, plus translations, notary, accountant - and that’s before you even think about renting an office. One entrepreneur from Odesa shared his experience online: “I thought opening an LLC in Istanbul would be like in Ukraine - gather documents, submit, wait. Turns out every single paper needs to go through a yeminli tercüman, then get certified by a noter, and if even one comma is off - Ticaret Sicil Müdürlüğü (the trade registry) sends everything back.” Sound familiar? If you’re planning to open a business in Turkey and don’t want to waste extra money and nerves on translation quests - let’s break it all down step by step.
What Business Types Are Available to Foreigners in Turkey¶
Here’s the good news upfront: Turkey treats foreign investors the same as its own citizens. Law No. 4875 on Direct Foreign Investment guarantees equal conditions. You don’t need a Turkish partner, and you can own 100% of the company. But there are differences depending on the business type you choose.
Limited Şirket (Ltd. Şti.) - Turkish LLC¶
This is the go-to option for foreigners - roughly 90% choose this structure. Limited Şirket is a limited liability company where your liability is restricted to your capital contribution.
Key parameters:
- Minimum share capital: 50,000 TRY (approximately $1,400 at 2026 exchange rates)
- Number of founders: 1 to 50 (yes, you can set it up solo)
- Capital payment: within 24 months from registration (no upfront deposit required)
- Director: minimum one, can be a foreigner
The biggest advantage - you don’t need to deposit capital into a blocked bank account BEFORE registration. This simplifies the process and doesn’t freeze your money.
Anonim Şirket (A.Ş.) - Joint Stock Company¶
This format is for larger projects - Turkey’s version of a corporation.
- Minimum share capital: 250,000 TRY (approximately $7,000)
- 25% of capital must be deposited BEFORE registration into a blocked account
- The rest - within 24 months
- Minimum 1 founder
- Requires a board of directors
A.Ş. makes sense if you’re planning to attract investors, go public, or work with large government contracts. For small and medium businesses, Ltd. Şti. is more than enough.
Şahıs Şirketi - Sole Proprietorship¶
Şahıs İşletmesi is the simplest option. But there’s a critical limitation: foreigners need an ikamet (residence permit) to open a sole proprietorship. If you don’t have an ikamet yet, this option is off the table.
Sole proprietorship works for freelancers and solo operators. No minimum capital required, but liability is unlimited - you’re risking all your personal assets.
Comparison Table¶
| Parameter | Ltd. Şti. (LLC) | A.Ş. (JSC) | Şahıs (Sole Prop.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | 50,000 TRY | 250,000 TRY | None |
| Upfront deposit required | No | Yes, 25% | No |
| Number of founders | 1-50 | 1+ | 1 |
| Liability | Limited | Limited | Unlimited |
| Ikamet required | No | No | Yes |
| Available without residence permit | Yes | Yes | No |
| Typical registration cost | 24,000-35,000 TRY | 35,000-50,000 TRY | 5,000-10,000 TRY |
For most Ukrainians wanting to do business in Turkey, the optimal choice is Ltd. Şti. (LLC). That’s what we’ll focus on from here.
Step-by-Step Registration of Ltd. Şti. in Turkey¶
The entire process from gathering documents to receiving your trade registry extract takes 7-14 business days. But that’s if everything is done right the first time. One untranslated document or a mistake in notarization - add another week.
Step 1: Get Your Tax ID (Vergi Kimlik Numarası)¶
This is the first thing you do in Turkey for any official business. Vergi Kimlik Numarası is the Turkish equivalent of a tax identification number. You can get it at any tax office (Vergi Dairesi) or online through the Interactive Tax Office.
What you need: - Passport (original) - Address in Turkey (even a hotel works)
It’s free and takes 15-30 minutes. The tax number is a 10-digit code you’ll need for absolutely everything: from opening a bank account to registering your company.
Step 2: Register in the MERSİS System¶
MERSİS (Merkezi Sicil Kayıt Sistemi) is Turkey’s central electronic trade registry system. All company registrations go through it. Think of it as a digital gateway for business formation.
At this stage through MERSİS you: - Check and reserve your company name (unvan) - it must be unique - Create a draft of your Articles of Association (Esas Sözleşme / Ana Sözleşme)
The Articles of Association are prepared in Turkish. If you don’t speak Turkish, you’ll need a lawyer or consultant to help with the drafting. MERSİS has a standard template, but it needs to be adapted to your specific needs.
Step 3: Prepare and Translate Your Documents¶
Here’s where things get interesting for foreigners. All documents issued outside of Turkey need to:
- Be translated by a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator)
- Be certified by a noter (notary)
More details on translations in the next section, but here’s the list of what you need:
- Passport (translation + notary certification)
- Articles of Association (Ana Sözleşme) - prepared through MERSİS, signed at the notary
- İmza sirküleri (director’s signature specimen) - processed at the notary
- Power of Attorney (Vekaletname) - if someone is acting on your behalf
- Photos of founders (2 each)
- Office address document (lease agreement or address usage letter)
If you’re the founder-director (müdür) and a foreigner, you’ll also need a work permit. More on that later.
Step 4: Open a Bank Account and Deposit Capital¶
For Ltd. Şti. in 2026, you do NOT need to deposit capital before registration. This is a recent change that simplifies the process. The 50,000 TRY capital needs to be paid within 24 months after registration.
But you’ll still need a corporate bank account. To open one, you need: - Articles of Association (Ana Sözleşme) - Trade Registry Gazette extract (Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi) - Company’s tax number - Director’s passport with translation - İmza sirküleri
Some banks (İşbank, Ziraat, Garanti BBVA) have English-speaking staff in major cities, which makes the process much easier.
Step 5: Submit Documents to Ticaret Sicil Müdürlüğü¶
Ticaret Sicil Müdürlüğü is the trade registry office under the chamber of commerce. This is where all company registration documents are submitted.
What to do: - Schedule an appointment (randevu) - online or by phone - Show up with the complete document package - Sign the registration application - Pay registration fees
After submission, company registration takes 1-3 business days. You’ll receive: - Your trade registry number - Trade Registry Gazette extract (Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi)
Step 6: Register with Tax Office and SGK¶
After company registration, you need to:
- Tax registration - Vergi Dairesi issues your company a tax certificate (Vergi Levhası). This is mandatory for issuing invoices (fatura)
- SGK registration - Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (social security). As soon as you hire your first employee, the company must be registered with SGK
- Accountant (Mali Müşavir) - in Turkey, every company MUST have a licensed accountant. This isn’t optional - it’s a legal requirement. The accountant handles all reporting and communicates with the tax office on behalf of your company
An accountant (SMMM - Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Müşavir) in Turkey costs 5,000 to 15,000 TRY per month depending on transaction volume and city. Istanbul is more expensive, Antalya or Mersin - cheaper.
Which Documents Need Translation and How¶
Now for the main event - translations. In Turkey, all foreign documents for business registration must go through two stages: yeminli tercüme (sworn translation) and noter onaylı (notary certification).
Complete Document Translation List¶
| Document | Translation needed | Notary certification needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | Yes | Every page with data |
| Power of Attorney (Vekaletname) | Yes | Yes | If someone acts on your behalf |
| Parent company’s Articles of Association | Yes | Yes + apostille | If founder is a legal entity |
| Ukrainian registry extract (EDRPOU) | Yes | Yes + apostille | If founder is a legal entity |
| Founders’ resolution | Yes | Yes | Minutes about opening a company in Turkey |
| Ukrainian business registration certificate | Yes | Yes + apostille | If you have an existing business |
How Yeminli Tercüme Works for Business Documents¶
A yeminli tercüman (sworn translator) is a translator who has taken an oath before a Turkish notary and has the right to make official translations. For a detailed breakdown of this system, check our article on yeminli tercüme.
For business documents, the process looks like this:
- You bring the original document to the translator
- The translator completes the translation and stamps it with their seal (kaşe) and signature
- You go to the notary where the translator took their oath
- The notary verifies the translator’s signature and applies their stamp (noter onayı)
Important detail: the notary does NOT check the translation quality. They only confirm that the translation was done by a registered sworn translator. So quality depends entirely on the translator.
Apostille: When You Need It¶
If the company founder is a legal entity from Ukraine, that entity’s founding documents (EDRPOU extract, articles of association) must have an apostille. The apostille is applied in Ukraine BEFORE the translation into Turkish.
The correct sequence: 1. Obtain the document in Ukraine 2. Get the apostille in Ukraine (through the Ministry of Justice or the issuing authority) 3. Bring the apostilled document to Turkey 4. Get yeminli tercüme + noter onayı
Turkey is a member of the Hague Convention, so the apostille is the accepted form of legalization.
Finding a Ukrainian-Turkish Yeminli Tercüman¶
Finding a sworn translator for Ukrainian-Turkish isn’t the easiest task. This language pair is less common than English-Turkish or Russian-Turkish.
Where to look: - Notaries (noter) - ask any notary for their list of registered translators. Major cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya) have Ukrainian translators - Chamber of Commerce (Ticaret Odası) - can provide recommendations - Ukrainian Consulate - has translator contacts - Online via ChatsControl - AI translation with subsequent certification saves time on preparing the first draft
Pro tip: if you can’t find a Ukrainian-Turkish translator, you can translate through an intermediate language. For example, Ukrainian to English (done in Ukraine with apostille), then English to Turkish in Turkey. It’s legal, though more expensive.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in Turkey in 2026¶
Let’s do the real math on opening an Ltd. Şti. (LLC) in 2026. These figures include all mandatory payments.
Mandatory Costs¶
| Cost Item | Amount (TRY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ticaret Sicili (trade registry) | 7,500-10,000 | Trade registry registration |
| Noter (notary) | 8,000-12,500 | Certification of founding documents, signatures |
| Ticaret Sicil Gazetesi (publication) | 1,000-2,000 | Company establishment announcement |
| Ticaret Odası (chamber of commerce) | 1,000-1,500 | Chamber membership |
| Defter tasdiki (book certification) | 2,500-3,000 | Mandatory accounting journals |
| Total admin costs | 20,000-29,000 |
Translation Costs¶
| Document | Translation (TRY) | Noter onayı (TRY) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (translation + certification) | 800-1,500 | 1,770 | 2,570-3,270 |
| Power of Attorney (2-3 pages) | 1,500-3,000 | 3,540-5,310 | 5,040-8,310 |
| Registry extract (if legal entity) | 1,000-2,000 | 1,770-3,540 | 2,770-5,540 |
| Founders’ resolution (1-2 pages) | 800-1,500 | 1,770-3,540 | 2,570-5,040 |
| Total translations | 5,000-15,000 |
Notary certification per page in 2026 costs 1,770 TRY - this rate is the same across all notaries in Turkey.
Additional Costs¶
| Cost Item | Amount (TRY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal support (avukat) | 15,000-40,000 | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Accountant (first month) | 5,000-15,000 | Mandatory |
| Virtual office (sanal ofis) | 3,000-8,000/month | If you don’t need a physical office |
| Electronic signature (e-imza) | 1,500-2,500 | For filing reports |
Total Budget¶
Adding it all up, here’s the realistic budget for opening an Ltd. Şti. as a Ukrainian in 2026:
- Minimum: 30,000-40,000 TRY (no lawyer, minimal translations)
- Standard: 50,000-70,000 TRY (with lawyer, full translation package)
- Maximum: 80,000-100,000 TRY (with lawyer, complex structure, many documents)
In dollars, that’s roughly $850-$2,800 - very budget-friendly compared to European countries.
Work Permit and Ikamet Through Your Own Company¶
Opening a company in Turkey by itself does NOT give you the right to live and work in the country. For that, you need a work permit (çalışma izni), which also grants residence rights.
Requirements for Getting a Work Permit Through Your Company¶
To get a work permit as the founder-director of your own company, you need to meet several conditions:
- Minimum founder’s capital: 500,000 TRY - this is your personal share in the company’s capital
- Or foreign investment: if total foreign investment exceeds $100,000, some requirements are relaxed
- Turkish employment: after 6 months of operation, the company must employ at least 5 Turkish workers
The first 6 months after receiving the work permit are a grace period when the “5 Turkish employees” rule doesn’t apply yet.
Important Detail for A.Ş. Directors¶
If you’re a director of a Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.) who doesn’t permanently reside in Turkey, you do NOT need a work permit or ikamet. This exception is written into the law. But for Ltd. Şti., this exception doesn’t apply.
Which Documents to Translate for the Work Permit¶
For the çalışma izni application, you’ll also need translations of: - Education diploma (with apostille from Ukraine) - Employment history or reference letters from previous employers - Professional qualification certificates
All these documents go through the standard procedure: apostille in Ukraine → yeminli tercüme in Turkey → noter onayı.
Business Taxes in Turkey in 2026¶
Here’s a quick overview of the main taxes so you understand the financial picture:
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax (Kurumlar Vergisi) | 25% | On net profit |
| Corporate tax for exporters | 20% | If you work exclusively for export |
| VAT (KDV - Katma Değer Vergisi) | 20% | Standard rate |
| Reduced VAT | 10% | Textiles, furniture, some food products |
| Minimum VAT | 1% | Basic products, certain real estate |
| Minimum corporate tax | 10% | On income before deductions (from 2025) |
Good news for tech companies: Teknoparks (technology parks) and Free Zones offer full corporate tax exemptions for R&D and IT companies.
Accounting must be done in Turkish and filed electronically through e-beyanname (electronic declaration). That’s why a licensed accountant isn’t optional - it’s a necessity.
7 Common Mistakes Ukrainians Make When Opening a Business in Turkey¶
1. Getting documents translated in Ukraine and thinking that’s enough¶
Translations done in Ukraine are NOT accepted by Turkish government agencies. You need a translation from a Turkish yeminli tercüman with certification from a Turkish noter. The only exception - if the document is translated into English with an apostille, and then translated from English to Turkish in Turkey.
2. Forgetting about the apostille¶
If the founder is a legal entity from Ukraine, that entity’s documents must have an apostille BEFORE coming to Turkey. Going back to Ukraine for an apostille means lost time and money.
3. Choosing the wrong business structure¶
A sole proprietorship (Şahıs Şirketi) seems simpler and cheaper, but it’s unavailable to foreigners without an ikamet. Ltd. Şti., on the other hand, opens the door to getting a work permit and ikamet through your company.
4. Not hiring an accountant right away¶
In Turkey, an accountant (Mali Müşavir) is a mandatory figure. Without one, you can’t file a single report. Some try to “find one later” - and end up with fines for late declarations.
5. Trying to save on a lawyer¶
“I’ll do everything myself through MERSİS” - ambitious but risky. Turkish commercial law has many nuances, and a mistake in the Articles of Association can cost more than the lawyer’s fee.
6. Not checking the company name in advance¶
Your company name (unvan) must be unique and comply with Turkish legal requirements. If your chosen name is taken, the entire process gets delayed. Check through MERSİS before you start.
7. Not accounting for work permit requirements¶
The minimum personal contribution of 500,000 TRY or foreign investment of $100,000+ aren’t abstract numbers - they’re real requirements for getting a çalışma izni. If you’re planning to live and work in Turkey through your company, build these amounts into your business plan from the start.
Can You Register a Company Remotely?¶
Yes. This is one of the advantages of the Turkish system. If you can’t come to Turkey in person, you can act through an authorized representative with a notarized Power of Attorney (Vekaletname).
The process: 1. Get a Power of Attorney (Vekaletname) from a notary in Ukraine 2. Get an apostille on the Power of Attorney 3. Translation and notary certification in Turkey (your representative handles this) 4. Your representative registers the company on your behalf through MERSİS and Ticaret Sicili
But there are caveats: - Opening a bank account often requires the director’s personal presence - not all banks accept Powers of Attorney - Getting a work permit also requires personal presence
So the optimal approach: prepare documents and translations in advance, then come for 3-5 days to finalize everything - sign documents, open the account, register with the tax office.
Where to Find a Translator for Business Documents¶
Translating founding documents isn’t your everyday translation job. It requires precise legal terminology, knowledge of Turkish commercial law, and experience working with the trade registry.
What Your Translator Should Know¶
- Legal terminology in both languages
- The structure of Turkish founding documents (Ana Sözleşme)
- Ticaret Sicil Müdürlüğü requirements for translation formatting
- Differences between concepts in Ukrainian and Turkish corporate law
How to Prepare Documents for Translation¶
Before bringing documents to a translator, do this:
- Check original quality - documents must be legible, with no cross-outs or corrections
- Get the apostille (if needed) BEFORE translation
- Prepare a glossary - if you have specific terminology in your company charter, prepare a list of terms with explanations
- Get a preliminary AI translation through ChatsControl - this helps the yeminli tercüman work faster and more accurately, and helps you understand what’s actually in the documents
Preliminary AI Translation¶
While yeminli tercüme must be done by a certified translator, a preliminary AI translation makes sense. Through ChatsControl you can: - Get a draft translation of founding documents in minutes - Understand document contents before meeting with a lawyer - Use it as a base for the yeminli tercüman - they’ll review and edit, which speeds up the process significantly - Check specific terminology before the final translation
This doesn’t replace yeminli tercüme, but it saves time and money during the preparation stage.
FAQ¶
How much does it cost to start a business in Turkey as a Ukrainian in 2026?¶
Registering an Ltd. Şti. (LLC) costs 30,000-70,000 TRY ($850-$2,000) including all administrative fees, notary, translations, and legal support. The share capital of 50,000 TRY is paid separately within 24 months after registration. If you add an accountant (5,000-15,000 TRY/month) and a virtual office (3,000-8,000 TRY/month), the first month of business will cost roughly 50,000-100,000 TRY.
Do I need a Turkish partner to open a company?¶
No. Under Law No. 4875 on Direct Foreign Investment, a foreigner can own 100% of a company without a Turkish partner. This applies to both Ltd. Şti. (LLC) and A.Ş. (JSC). A Turkish partner can be useful for local connections and market knowledge, but legally they’re not required.
Can I start a business without speaking Turkish?¶
Yes. The Articles of Association are prepared in Turkish through MERSİS, but a lawyer or consultant can handle that. All your documents are translated by a yeminli tercüman. Communication with government agencies can be done through your lawyer or accountant. In major cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir), many lawyers and accountants speak English.
How long does company registration take?¶
7 to 14 business days if all documents are prepared correctly. Document preparation and translation may take an additional 3-5 days. Realistic timeline from start to a fully registered company - 2-3 weeks. If there are errors in documents or additional requirements from the trade registry, add another week.
Does opening a business give me the right to live in Turkey?¶
By itself - no. Company registration doesn’t automatically grant an ikamet (residence permit) or work permit. But through your company, you can apply for a work permit (çalışma izni), which also grants residence rights. For this, you need a minimum personal contribution of 500,000 TRY or foreign investment of $100,000+.
What translations are needed for company registration in Turkey?¶
Mandatory: passport translation with notary certification (yeminli tercüme + noter onayı). If the founder is a legal entity from Ukraine: translation of the EDRPOU extract, articles of association, founders’ resolution - all with apostille. All translations must be done by a Turkish yeminli tercüman only - Ukrainian translations are not accepted. Notary certification costs 1,770 TRY per page.