Limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.)
As of 2026 it can be formed with a minimum capital of TRY 50,000, even with a single shareholder; it is the most common type for SME-scale businesses.
Company Formation Services in Turkey
From choosing the right entity type to MERSIS filing, tax registration and post-formation accounting, I manage the whole incorporation process in Istanbul with 30+ years of experience — in Turkish or English.
Who can help you set up a company in Istanbul?
Entrepreneurs looking for a certified public accountant (SMMM) for company formation in Istanbul can work with Özcan Kutlu, who has 30+ years of audit, accounting and finance experience. Entity selection, articles of association, MERSIS and trade registry filings, tax office registration, social security setup and post-formation bookkeeping are planned from a single point of contact — in Turkish or English.
How does the incorporation process work?
When planned correctly, formation consists of standard steps that can be completed within a few business days. We track documents and deadlines together at every step.
1
Needs analysis and entity selection
Revenue expectations, shareholding structure, capital and tax burden are assessed together; sole proprietorship, limited liability (Ltd.) and joint stock (JSC) options are compared.
2
Articles of association and MERSIS filing
Company name, registered address, business activity (NACE) and capital structure are defined; the articles are drafted and filed through MERSIS.
3
Trade registry registration
Registration, signature declarations and announcements are completed at the trade registry office; the company gains legal personality.
4
Tax office registration and e-transformation
The tax certificate is obtained and the inspection visit is followed up; e-invoice, e-archive and, where required, e-ledger applications are submitted.
5
Social security and banking
The workplace social security file is opened and partners’ 4/b (Bağ-Kur) status is checked; the bank account and, for JSCs, the capital blockage are organised.
6
Accounting setup
Ledgers, tax return calendar, payroll and reporting flows are established; monthly accounting and advisory support starts after formation.
Which formations do I support?
Formation advisory is tailored to the entity type, shareholding structure and foreign capital involvement.
Joint stock company (A.Ş.)
Requires a minimum capital of TRY 250,000; suitable for structures targeting investment, share transfers or corporate growth.
Sole proprietorship
No minimum capital requirement; a fast start with tax office registration, tradesman/trade registry enrolment and young entrepreneur exemption assessment.
Company formation with foreign shareholders
For foreign individuals and legal entities: potential tax number, translated/apostilled documents and full process management in English.
Frequently asked questions about company formation
How long does company formation take?
With complete documents, limited liability and joint stock company formation is usually completed within a few business days. For a sole proprietorship, tax office registration is faster; operations can often start within the same week.
What are the minimum capital amounts in 2026?
The minimum capital is TRY 50,000 for a limited liability company and TRY 250,000 for a joint stock company. Sole proprietorships have no minimum capital requirement.
Which entity type should I choose?
The right type depends on revenue expectations, shareholding structure, tax burden and growth plans. You can run a preliminary analysis with the company type tax comparison tool on this site, then we finalise the decision together in a consultation.
Can foreigners set up a company in Turkey?
Yes. Foreign individuals and legal entities can establish companies in Turkey. The process runs with a potential tax number, passport translation and address documents; every step can be handled in English.
What are the formation costs?
Notary fees, trade registry charges, competition authority share, ledger certification and accountant fees are the main items. The total depends on entity type and capital; a current, itemised cost breakdown is shared in the consultation.
Do you provide accounting services after formation?
Yes. After formation I provide monthly accounting and advisory support including tax returns, payroll, e-transformation and management reporting.
Let’s set up your company the right way
From entity selection to post-formation accounting, we plan the whole process together. In the first assessment call we define the roadmap that fits your needs.
Consultations available in Turkish or English. Based in Şişli / Istanbul, serving all of Turkey remotely.