Setting Up a Company in Turkey as a Chinese Investor

A Chinese individual or company can own 100% of a Turkish company, usually a limited company (limited şirket, Ltd. Şti.) or a joint stock company (anonim şirket, A.Ş.). Since 1 January 2024 the minimum capital is TL 50,000 for a limited company and TL 250,000 for a joint stock company, and registration runs through the Ministry of Trade's MERSİS system and the trade registry. Mainland investors must also follow China's outbound investment (ODI) rules, which since 1 July 2026 sit under State Council Order No. 837.

Which form to choose

The Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 treats foreign investors like Turkish ones, so you can use any company type in the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102. Shareholders, managers and board members can be foreign nationals.

The minimums come from Presidential Decision No. 7887; companies formed earlier must reach them by 31 December 2026 unless the Ministry of Trade extends the deadline. An A.Ş. with capital of five times the legal minimum or more must retain a contracted lawyer (Attorneys Act No. 1136, Art. 35).

Steps in Turkey

1. Name and articles. Choose a trade name with the company type and prepare the articles of association in MERSİS.
2. Tax numbers. Each foreign shareholder and manager needs a Turkish tax number, available online from the Revenue Administration (GİB) or at a tax office.
3. Signatures. Founders sign the articles before the trade registry officer or a Turkish notary, and each manager makes a signature declaration (imza beyannamesi). If you will sign abroad, ask the registry first which form it accepts.
4. Capital and fees. For an A.Ş., deposit at least 25% of the cash capital in a bank account in the company's name and obtain the bank's letter. Both types pay the Competition Authority fee of 0.04% of capital.
5. Registration. The registry registers the company and publishes it in the Trade Registry Gazette; a foreign shareholder also files an establishment notification form.
6. Tax office and SGK. The registry notifies the tax office and the Social Security Institution, so the company gets its tax number and workplace registration. You need a real business address, which the tax office may check.
7. Bank and accountant. Open the operating account and appoint a licensed accountant (mali müşavir) for the statutory books, e-ledgers and returns.

Documents a Chinese shareholder needs

• Individual: passport with a sworn Turkish translation certified by a Turkish notary, a Turkish tax number, and a residence permit if you already live in Turkey.
• Company: business licence (营业执照) and a resolution approving the investment and naming the representative, notarised and apostilled in China, then translated and certified in Turkey.
• Power of attorney: if a person of your choice signs for you, an apostilled power of attorney that expressly covers forming the company, with a sworn translation.

Mainland China has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023; Hong Kong and Macao issue their own apostilles. See our apostille guide for Chinese documents.

After registration

• Foreign investment reporting. Under the FDI implementing regulation, the company reports to the Ministry of Industry and Technology through E-TUYS: an activity form every year by the end of May, and capital changes and share transfers within one month.
• Work permit. A partner or manager who lives and works in Turkey needs one; it also counts as a residence permit. The Ministry of Labour's criteria ask for a share of at least 20% and TL 500,000 of capital in a company with at least TL 500,000 paid-in capital, and five Turkish employees from the seventh month of the first permit. The rule of five Turkish employees per foreign employee also applies to foreign-owned companies, with some exceptions. Partners with a capital share of USD 100,000 or more are exempt from the capital and employment criteria. From China you start at a Turkish consulate; with a residence permit valid six months or more, the company applies in Turkey.
• Exemptions. A.Ş. board members who do not live in Turkey and shareholders who do not manage the company are generally exempt; confirm your case with the Ministry.
• Residence without working. A shareholder can apply on e-ikamet for a short-term residence permit to establish a business or commercial links (Law No. 6458, Art. 31). It gives no right to work. See our residence permit page.

The Chinese side: ODI and Order No. 837

A mainland company normally completes three steps before funds leave China:

1. a filing with the development and reform commission, which issues a notice within 7 working days of acceptance (NDRC Order No. 11);
2. a filing with MOFCOM or the provincial commerce department, which issues the Enterprise Overseas Investment Certificate within 3 working days (MOFCOM Order No. 3);
3. foreign exchange registration at a bank (SAFE Huifa [2015] No. 13).

Sensitive countries or industries need approval. Order No. 837, in force since 1 July 2026, keeps these procedures, adds a security review and heavier penalties, and covers direct and indirect investment, for example through a Hong Kong holding company. It names resident individuals as investors for the first time, but their detailed rules are pending: the NDRC published a draft in August 2026.

Individuals should ask their bank first: the USD 50,000 annual quota cannot be used for capital account items not yet open to individuals. Use only lawful bank channels; see our guide to moving money from China to Turkey. Hong Kong and Macao investors are outside the mainland rules, unless a mainland parent stands behind them.

Tax treaty

The China and Turkey double taxation agreement (1995) caps Turkish withholding tax at 10% on dividends, interest and royalties, against a domestic 15% on dividends. Hong Kong's treaty with Türkiye entered into force on 30 January 2026 (IRD).

Timeline and costs

The capital stays in the company; the Competition Authority fee is 0.04% of it. Notary, registry, translation, accountant and lawyer fees vary and change yearly: get written quotes.

Turkey Residence Agency can help you prepare the documents and the residence or work permit applications (advisory only); the company itself is formed with a notary, the trade registry, a licensed accountant and, where needed, a lawyer. See establishing a business in Turkey or contact us.

FAQ

Can a Chinese citizen own 100% of a Turkish company?

Yes. Law No. 4875 gives foreign investors national treatment, and both company types can have a single shareholder.

Do I have to travel to Turkey?

Not always: a person you appoint can act under an apostilled power of attorney. If you travel, see our visa guide for Chinese citizens.

Does a Turkish company give me residence or citizenship?

Not automatically. You apply separately for a permit, and ownership alone is not a route to Turkish citizenship.

Must all the capital be paid before registration?

No. A Ltd. Şti. pays nothing in advance; an A.Ş. pays at least 25% of the cash capital.

Can my personal quota fund the company?

Do not assume so. Ask your bank which lawful route applies to an overseas investment.

Rules checked in October 2026. They change, so confirm them with the trade registry office, the tax office and, on the Chinese side, your development and reform commission, commerce department and bank before you act.