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Corporate & Commercial Law in Turkey for Foreign Investors

Expert Legal Support for Business Expansion & Compliance​​​
As specialized Turkish corporate law practitioners, we safeguard international investors through every stage from business establishment, to dispute resolution – ensuring compliant market entry and growth, mergers & acquisitions, and regulatory compliance in Turkey.
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Bilingual Turkish-English
Lawyers

End-to-End Support – From
setup to daily legal ops

International Network – Offices in
London, Istanbul, Italy, Hong-Kong

Transparent Fees – No
hidden costs

Our Corporate & Commercial Legal Services in Turkiye

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1. Business Establishment

  • Company Formation (LLC, JSC, Branch, Liaison Office)
  • Trade Registry & Tax Registration
  • Bank Account Setup

2. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Due Diligence (Financial, Legal, Regulatory)
  • Share Purchase Agreements
  • Post-Merger Integration

3. Commercial Contracts

  • Joint Ventures & Shareholder Agreements
  • Distribution/Franchise Contracts
  • IP Licensing & Protection

4. Compliance & Governance

  • Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) Compliance
  • Annual Financial Reporting
  • Employment Law Advisory

5. Dispute Resolution

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Debt Recovery
  • Arbitration (ICC, ISTAC)

Main Considerations for Foreign Investors

Business structures in Turkey

Critical Regulations

legal loopholes

FDI Law

  • No approval required for most sectors

court rules

Tax Obligations

  • 20% corporate tax, VAT 1-18%

Personal loans

Employment

  • Mandatory SSI registration for staff

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M&A Due Diligence Checklist

  • Legal: Title deeds, litigation history
  • Financial: Audited statements, debt review
  • Contracts: Supplier/employee agreements
  • Compliance: Sector-specific licenses

Why Invest in Turkey?

Turkey offers foreign investors a dynamic market with:
  • Strategic Location – Bridge between Europe, Asia, and MENA
  • Business-Friendly Laws – Equal treatment for foreign/local investors under FDI Law
  • Tax Incentives – Reduced rates in free zones & tech hubs
  • Fast Incorporation – Companies can be registered in 1 day*

*While we strive for efficient resolutions, all stated timelines are non-binding approximations. For a case-specific assessment, consult our attorneys.​

Frequently Asked Questions: Corporate & Commercial Law in Turkey

Yes! Turkey welcomes 100% foreign-owned businesses under the Foreign Direct Investment Law. The most common structures are:
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Minimum 10,000 TRY capital
  • Joint Stock Company (JSC) – Minimum 50,000 TRY capital
  • Branch/Liaison Office – No minimum capital
Main Taxes:
  • Corporate Tax: 20% on profits
  • VAT: 1% (real estate) to 18% (standard rate)
  • Withholding Tax: 15% on dividends (reduced by tax treaties)
Pro Tip: Free zones might offer tax exemptions for eligible businesses.

3–7 business days for LLCs/JSCs if documents are ready. Delays may occur if:*

  • Documents require apostille/translation
  • Sector-specific licenses are needed (e.g., finance, energy)

While we strive for efficient resolutions, all stated timelines are non-binding approximations. For a case-specific assessment, consult our attorneys.

No. Foreigners can own 100% of shares in most sectors (exceptions: media, maritime, aviation).

Critical Checks:

  • Legal: Title deeds, litigation history, contracts
  • Financial: Audited statements, debt review
  • Regulatory: Sector-specific compliance (e.g., competition law)
Risk: 30% of deals uncover hidden liabilities during due diligence.
Yes, but you must:
  • Obtain work permits (6–8 weeks processing)*
  • Register employees with the Social Security Institution (SGK)
  • Comply with Turkish labor laws (severance pay, overtime rules)

*While we strive for efficient resolutions, all stated timelines are non-binding approximations. For a case-specific assessment, consult our attorneys.​

Common Pitfalls:

  • Vague force majeure clauses
  • Unenforceable dispute resolution terms
  • Non-compliance with Turkish Commercial Code
Our Solution: We draft contracts with Turkish-law jurisdiction and ISTAC/ICC arbitration clauses.

Key Steps:

  • Register trademarks with the Turkish Patent Office
  • File patents within 12 months of international application*
  • Use NDAs for trade secrets
Statistic: IP lawsuits rose 40% in Turkey (2020–2023).

While we strive for efficient resolutions, all stated timelines are non-binding approximations. For a case-specific assessment, consult our attorneys.​

Process Overview:
  • Pre-litigation negotiation (30–90 days)*
  • Filing in commercial courts (1–3 years for resolution)*
  • Enforcement via bailiffs or asset freezing
Pro Tip: Include mediation clauses in contracts to reduce delays.
While we strive for efficient resolutions, all stated timelines are non-binding approximations. For a case-specific assessment, consult our attorneys.​

Yes. Top Incentives:

  • Tax breaks in Technology Development Zones
  • Customs duty exemptions for R&D imports
  • Cash grants for strategic projects (up to 50% of investment)
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The content on this webpage is provided by CCS Law for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or immigration advice.