What forming a Ltd actually costs in İstanbul in 2026 — and who does what
Three payers, three lines. The state and the chamber take official fees (the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce publishes a worked example of about ₺9,981 for a standard Ltd). A licensed accountant (SMMM) drafts and files, at or above the TÜRMOB tariff — ₺5,209 minimum for formation. We coordinate the chain from tax number to bank pack for a fixed ₺9,000. No lawyer is required for incorporation. We do not advise on structure.
Price — standard Ltd, one or two foreign founders
The notarial tariff is paid by you directly to the notary. We are not a notary and receive no remuneration from any notary.
Last verified: 24.10.2026 · source: ITO formation cost example — ito.org.tr; TÜRMOB 2026 Asgari Ücret Tarifesi — turmob.org.tr; 2026 Noterlik Ücret Tarifesi — higm.adalet.gov.tr; Ticaret Bakanlığı minimum capital — ticaret.gov.trPilot price, valid until 31.12.2026, incl. KDV. Minimum share capital, which is your money and stays in the company: Ltd ₺50,000 · AŞ ₺250,000. For a Ltd, capital need not be deposited before registration; for an AŞ, 25% is blocked at a bank before filing.
Who does what — the honest version
| Act | Who |
|---|---|
| Decides the structure, shareholding, tax planning | You, with a lawyer or your SMMM if you want advice — not us |
| Drafts articles of association, files through MERSİS, signs as your representative | Licensed SMMM you retain (Law 3568) |
| Registers the company, issues the registration certificate | İstanbul Trade Registry (ITO) |
| Certifies translations, signature circular | Notary, paid at the counter |
| Interprets at the registry desk | Sworn translator at tariff |
| Keeps the chain moving, books every appointment, prepares every document set, explains every step in your language | ROSTU |
If at any point you ask "which is better for me?", our answer is the same every time: that is advice, and you should retain a lawyer directly. How to do that.
The process
Intake — facts only
Founders and their passports, intended name (three options), activity codes (NACE), registered address (lease or virtual office contract), capital, who signs. We check the name against the registry and the address against zoning for the activity.
Documents
Potential tax number per founder; notarised translation of each passport (document chain); if a foreign company is a shareholder: apostilled registry extract, board resolution and signatory list, translated and notarised.
SMMM drafts and files
The accountant drafts standard articles, you review them in your language, the accountant files through MERSİS as your representative and books the registry slot.
Registry and after
You sign at the registry with the interpreter; registry fees paid at the desk. Then: tax office registration and inspection visit, ledger certification, signature circular at the notary, SGK employer file, e-Fatura/e-Defter where required, bank-account pack.
What you bring
- Passport of each founder and manager (valid; a residence permit is not required to found a company, but a manager who will live here will need one — see arrival checklist)
- Registered address: lease in the company's intended name or a virtual-office contract, with the landlord's tapu copy
- Capital amount and share split, decided
- Three name candidates — the registry rejects names close to existing ones and names containing "Türk", "Türkiye" or "Milli" without permission
- If a foreign corporate shareholder: current registry extract, articles, board resolution to found the Turkish company, and the signatory's authority — all apostilled in the home country
- Four passport photos per founder for the signature circular
What can go wrong
- Address rejected. Residential leases in buildings whose management plan forbids business use; virtual-office contracts the tax inspector will not accept for your activity. We check before filing.
- Name rejected at the registry desk on the day. Three candidates, pre-checked, avoid a second appointment.
- Foreign corporate documents older than the registry accepts (usually extracts must be recent) or apostilled on a copy where an original is required.
- Tax inspection visit fails because nobody is at the address or there is no sign. We brief you on what the inspector looks for.
- The bank. Registration is the easy part. Opening the account is a separate process with its own appetite rules — bank account opening.
After formation: accounting
Monthly bookkeeping by your SMMM at ≥ TÜRMOB tariff (İstanbul Ltd minimum ≈ ₺4,868/month in 2026, including the +35% metropolitan uplift). Our accounting coordination — document collection, explaining the accountant's requests, tax calendar — is ₺1,500/month on top, or included in a Desk tier.
Questions
Do I need a lawyer to form a company?
No. Incorporation and trade-registry filings are not reserved to lawyers; a licensed SMMM may draft standard articles and file through MERSİS as your representative. A lawyer is needed only if you want advice on structure, shareholder agreements or tax planning — and then you retain one directly. An AŞ above a capital threshold must retain counsel by law; your SMMM will tell you if that applies.
Should I open a Ltd or an AŞ?
We do not advise on this. The facts: a Ltd requires ₺50,000 minimum capital and an AŞ ₺250,000 (2026). Most foreign-owned trading and service companies in İstanbul are Ltds. If you want a recommendation, ask your SMMM or retain a lawyer directly.
Do I have to come to Türkiye?
In practice yes, at least once, for the registry signature and the bank's KYC interview. A notarised power of attorney from abroad is possible for the registry step but banks in 2026 almost always want to see the founder in person.
How long does it take?
With a complete document set: tax numbers in a day, SMMM drafting 2–3 business days, registry appointment within a week, registration certificate the same or next day. Three weeks door to door is realistic; the bank account is a separate timeline.
Related: bank account opening · work permits for your staff · apostille · our standard · back to business & companies
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