Setting Up a Company in Türkiye as a Foreigner
A practical guide for foreign investors forming a company in Türkiye — entity choice, minimum capital, the incorporation process and the points that most often catch newcomers.
Read more Istanbul · International Legal Counsel
Where global ambition finds steady counsel.
Lex Lata is a boutique, full-service international law firm advising foreign investors, companies and private clients across Türkiye — with a particular focus on corporate and commercial law, in English and Turkish.
Lex Lata Consulting & Law
We read the fine print so our clients can think in bigger pictures.
L
İstanbulAcross Türkiye
What we practice
Full-service coverage, with care for detail.
Full-service counsel, with a particular focus on corporate and commercial law.
01
Corporate & Commercial
The firm's core focus: structuring, growing and transacting Turkish and cross-border businesses.
8 practice areas 02
Intellectual & Industrial Property
Protecting, enforcing and monetising ideas, brands and inventions.
9 practice areas 03
Banking, Finance & Tax
Regulated finance, fintech and tax matters for companies operating in Türkiye.
2 practice areas 04
Disputes & Enforcement
Recovering what you are owed and enforcing rights before Turkish courts.
2 practice areas 05
Immigration & Citizenship
Citizenship by investment, residence permits and relocation to Türkiye.
2 practice areas 06
Regulatory & Sectoral
Data, AI, health, employment and criminal-defence advice for a regulated world.
5 practice areas-
The firm's core focus: structuring, growing and transacting Turkish and cross-border businesses.
View areas -
Protecting, enforcing and monetising ideas, brands and inventions.
View areas -
Regulated finance, fintech and tax matters for companies operating in Türkiye.
View areas -
Recovering what you are owed and enforcing rights before Turkish courts.
View areas -
Citizenship by investment, residence permits and relocation to Türkiye.
View areas -
Data, AI, health, employment and criminal-defence advice for a regulated world.
View areas
Why Lex Lata
Boutique by design. International by instinct.
We are small enough that a partner knows your matter by name, and connected enough to handle it wherever it leads. Latin for "the law as it is," lex lata is our promise: grounded advice, no theatrics — just the clear path forward.
360°
Full-service coverage from IP to immigration under one roof
EN / TR
Seamless counsel in both English and Turkish
1:1
Direct partner access on every engagement
İstanbul
Based in Istanbul, working across Türkiye
The process
From first message to outcome, four clear steps.
- 01
Tell us your matter
A short, confidential conversation. We listen first.
- 02
Get a clear plan
Your options, the risks and a clear scope of work.
- 03
We do the work
Partner-led execution, with plain-language updates at every milestone.
- 04
You stay in control
No surprises: you approve each step, and every document is explained.
Insights
All insights Notes from the front lines of Turkish business law.
Corporate & Commercial
Intellectual & Industrial Property
Trademark Registration in Türkiye: A Foreign Owner's Guide
A practical guide to registering a trademark in Türkiye as a foreign owner — the first-to-file rule, the TÜRKPATENT and Madrid routes, the process, and the duty to actually use the mark.
Read more Corporate & Commercial
Ending a Distributorship in Türkiye: The Portfolio Indemnity Trap
Why terminating a Turkish distributor or agent can trigger a portfolio (goodwill) indemnity under Article 122 of the Commercial Code.
Read more Intellectual & Industrial Property
A Paradigm Shift in Industrial Property Law: The 2025 Administrative Cancellation Regime
How TÜRKPATENT's new administrative cancellation mechanism and the 2025 regulation reshape trademark strategy.
Read more Immigration & Citizenship
Understanding Deportation in Türkiye
Grounds for removal, entry bans under Law No. 6458, and how to challenge a deportation decision.
Read more Disputes & Enforcement
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Türkiye: Key Considerations
Recognition and enforcement under MÖHUK (Law No. 5718) — reciprocity, requirements and pitfalls.
Read more FAQ See all questions
What foreign clients ask us most
Can a foreign national or company own 100% of a Turkish company?
Yes. Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, foreign investors are treated equally with Turkish investors and may own 100% of a Turkish company in most sectors, without a local partner. A limited number of regulated sectors — banking, insurance, energy, media and aviation — carry licensing or shareholding conditions.
How much capital do I need to set up a company in Türkiye?
Since 1 January 2024 the minimum capital is 250,000 TL for a joint stock company (A.Ş.) and 50,000 TL for a limited company (Ltd.). For a joint stock company, a quarter of the cash capital is paid before registration and the balance within 24 months; a limited company has no pre-registration payment requirement.
Do I need to be in Türkiye to form the company?
No. A company can be formed in your absence through a notarised and apostilled power of attorney granted to a local representative. Founders do need a Turkish tax number, and a Turkish bank account is required for the company.
Can foreigners buy property in Türkiye?
Yes, foreign individuals and companies can generally buy real estate in Türkiye, subject to some limits — such as restrictions near military and security zones and country-based reciprocity rules. Title and due-diligence checks before purchase are essential.
Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by investment?
Yes. Citizenship by investment has several routes, including a real-estate purchase (currently from USD 400,000, held for three years), a fixed-capital contribution or bank deposit (from USD 500,000), or creating employment for a set number of people. The thresholds change over time, so they should be confirmed before you commit.
Let's talk
Bring us the matter. We'll bring the clarity.
Tell us what you're building or protecting. We will get back to you with a clear next step — in English or Turkish.