Principal Types of Business Entities

Details about the different types of business structure available when starting a business in Turkey...

A number of different types of company can be set up in Turkey. The following types of incorporated companies may be established:

  • Joint-stock company (Anonim ?irket): The stock capital is divided into shares. A shareholder's liability is limited to the capital they subscribed and paid. A minimum of five shareholders and TRY 50,000 is needed to start the company. A stock certificate is issued. For more information: Click here
  • Limited liability company (Limitet ?irket): Set up with between two and 50 people or legal entities. Shareholder liability is limited to the capital they paid. A minimum investment of TRY 5,000 is needed to start the company. No stock certificate is issued. For more information: Click here
  • Commandite company (Komandit ?irket): Set up to run an enterprise under a trade name. Some shareholders have no limitation of liability, their rights and obligations are determined by the articles of association. There is no minimum capital needed to start the company
  • Collective companies (Kolektif ?irket): Set up to operate under a trade name. None of the shareholders have liability limited to the capital they paid. There is no minimum investment to start a collective company

There are also a number of unincorporated companies which can be formed such as consortiums, joint ventures and business associations.

Company Name

A company's trade name must be in Turkish and must not already be in use by another company. People setting up a new company can check whether a name has been used before at a Trade Registry Office. The chosen name should be neither offensive nor misleading, or include any sensitive words or expressions.