Choosing the Right Company Type

Foreign investors looking to operate in Turkey most commonly choose between a limited liability company and a joint stock company. A limited liability company is generally preferred for small and medium-sized investments due to its simpler administrative structure, while a joint stock company is preferred for larger, multi-partner investments or those with potential for public offering. Choosing the right structure has a significant impact on taxation, liability limits and the ease of future share transfers.

Required Documents for Formation

  • Passport copies of the founding partners and tax numbers, where available
  • Lease agreement or title deed for the address to be used as the company headquarters
  • Draft articles of association and pre-registration application via MERSIS
  • If a foreign partner is a legal entity, an apostilled and translated copy of its registry record from the relevant country
  • A power of attorney issued before a Turkish consulate if signatures are to be given abroad

The Formation Process

The formation process is completed through an application via MERSIS (the Central Registry Recording System), signing of the articles of association at the trade registry office, blocking of the required capital ratio, and registration with the trade registry. Companies operating in Bodrum fall under the jurisdiction of the Muğla Trade Registry Office. When documents are prepared completely, the process can typically be finalized within a few business days.

The most common cause of delay for foreign-partnered companies is the late preparation of apostille and translation documents that must be obtained abroad. Preparing these documents in parallel at the outset significantly shortens the formation timeline.

Post-Formation Obligations

Following formation, tax office registration, social security procedures, certification of statutory books and, where necessary, work/residence permit applications come into play. Our Accounting team at Orkun & Orkun provides seamless ongoing support for your company's bookkeeping, tax advisory and payroll processes after formation.

This article is prepared for general information purposes. The appropriate company type and formation process may vary depending on the nature of your investment, so we recommend contacting us before formation.