Company law · Turkey
Company formation in Turkey with a trusted lawyer
Turkey’s private law is codified and based on Swiss models, and Turkish is the only language used in official filings and court proceedings. We match you with a Bar-registered Turkish lawyer who handles company formation and the documents you need.
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Company formation
How company formation in Turkey works
Company formation in Turkey takes place within a codified civil-law system based on Swiss models. Turkish is the sole official language of the State and of all judicial proceedings, so company documents, contracts and filings must be in Turkish; foreign-language documents need certified translation, and foreign public documents generally require an apostille. Lawyers who practise in Turkey must be members of a local Bar and of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (Türkiye Barolar Birliği). Representation is not generally mandatory in civil and commercial proceedings, but professional legal assistance by a Bar member is the norm for commercial matters. We match you with a Turkish lawyer who handles company formation, document preparation and any commercial dispute that may arise.
Local facts
Company formation in Turkey: legal framework
These verified facts explain how company formation in Turkey is shaped by the civil-law system, language rules and court structure. They come from official Turkish legislation and help you prepare questions before instructing a lawyer.
Civil-law framework
Turkey’s private law is codified and based on the Swiss Civil Code and Swiss Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098). Company formation is governed by statutory rules, with Court of Cassation decisions serving as a unifying guide to interpretation rather than binding precedent. Your set-up must follow the written code.
Turkish-language filings
Turkish is the sole official language of the State and of all judicial proceedings. Company documents, contracts and court filings must be in Turkish; foreign-language documents need certified translation, and foreign public documents generally require an apostille, as Turkey is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Bar-registered legal support
To practise law in Turkey, a lawyer must be a member of a local Bar and of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (Türkiye Barolar Birliği). Under the Attorneyship Law (No. 1136, Article 3), admission requires Turkish citizenship, a Turkish law degree or recognised equivalent, a one-year internship and good standing.
Commercial disputes and mediation
Since 1 January 2019, commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation require mandatory mediation before litigation under Article 5A of the Commercial Code (No. 6102). A claim filed without attempting mediation is dismissed on procedural grounds, making mediation a central first step for company-related debt recovery.
Property and registration
If your company acquires immovable property, the transfer must be executed in official form (resmi senet) before the Land Registry directorate (Tapu Müdürlüğü). Registration is constitutive: ownership passes only upon registration (Civil Code No. 4721, Article 705). Notaries are not competent for real-property conveyancing.
Court fees and costs
Commercial actions are subject to a proportional judgment-and-decision fee (karar ve ilam harcı) of 68.31 per thousand (6.831%) of the amount in dispute, plus a fixed application fee; one quarter is paid in advance on filing (Fees Law No. 492). Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed, subject to the annual minimum-fee tariff.
Key time limit — Commercial & Corporate Law
General contractual claims (debt recovery) — 10 years. The standard period for contractual debt recovery under the Code of Obligations.
Data drawn from official Turkish legislation on mevzuat.gov.tr; always check the current version before relying on a rule.
Common concerns
What clients worry about
These practical points come up when setting up or running a company in Turkey.
Language and translation
All filings must be in Turkish, and foreign documents need certified translation and an apostille. Without a Turkish-speaking lawyer you risk delays and rejected documents.
Unfamiliar civil-law system
Turkey’s private law is codified on Swiss models, and case law is not binding. A local lawyer knows the statutory requirements that apply to your company formation.
Mandatory mediation
Commercial monetary disputes require mediation before court. Filing without attempting mediation can lead to dismissal on procedural grounds.
Why use our matching
How we help you move forward
We connect you with a lawyer who understands Turkish company formation and commercial practice.
Bar-registered expertise
We match you with a lawyer who is a member of a Turkish Bar and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, meeting the requirements of the Attorneyship Law.
Turkish-language handling
Your lawyer drafts and files in Turkish and can arrange certified translations and apostilles for foreign documents.
Commercial dispute support
If a dispute arises, your lawyer can represent you in mandatory mediation or before the commercial courts.
Clear fee structure
Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed within the annual minimum-fee tariff, so you understand the basis before instructing.
Cross-border clients
Who we help
We work with entrepreneurs and companies based across Europe and neighbouring countries, including:
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for company formation in Turkey?
Representation by a lawyer is not generally mandatory in Turkish civil or commercial proceedings, but legal assistance by a Bar member is the norm in commercial matters and always advisable. A lawyer ensures your documents meet Turkish-language and form requirements.
What language must company documents be in?
Turkish is the sole official language of the State and of judicial proceedings. All filings and court documents must be in Turkish. Foreign-language documents require certified translation, and foreign public documents generally need an apostille.
How long do I have to pursue a contractual claim?
General contractual claims are subject to a 10-year limitation period under the Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098). Other periods apply to rent, tort, employment and inheritance matters; see the table above.
Is mediation required before commercial litigation?
Yes. Since 1 January 2019, commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation require mandatory mediation under Article 5A of the Commercial Code (No. 6102). A claim filed without mediation is dismissed on procedural grounds.
Can a company own property in Turkey?
Yes, but transfer of ownership of immovable property is valid only if executed in official form before the Land Registry directorate (Tapu Müdürlüğü). Registration is constitutive; ownership passes only upon registration (Civil Code No. 4721, Article 705).
What court fees apply to commercial disputes?
Court fees are governed by the Fees Law (No. 492). Commercial actions attract a proportional judgment-and-decision fee of 6.831% of the amount in dispute, plus a fixed application fee; one quarter is paid in advance on filing.
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