What Changes Have Occurred in Foreign Company Registration Laws in Turkey in 2026?

What changes have occurred in foreign company registration laws in Turkey in 2026? This is a key question for foreign investors, entrepreneurs, holding companies, and regional businesses considering market entry into Turkey.

By 2026, Turkey has not closed its doors to foreign investors, nor has it reversed its long-standing openness to foreign ownership. However, the rules governing foreign company registration have become more structured, compliance-oriented, and documentation-heavy. The legal right to establish a company remains intact, but the process, scrutiny, and post-registration obligations have clearly evolved.

This article provides a complete, practical, and SEO-optimised analysis of how foreign company registration laws in Turkey have changed in 2026, what has remained the same, and what foreign investors must prepare for.

Core Legal Principle: Foreign Ownership Is Still Allowed

The foundation of foreign investment law in Turkey remains unchanged:

• Foreign individuals and companies may establish companies in Turkey

• 100% foreign ownership is still permitted

• Foreign investors enjoy the same rights and obligations as Turkish nationals

• No local partner is legally required in most sectors

Turkey continues to operate under an investment equality principle, and this has not been repealed or restricted in 2026.

What has changed is how this right is implemented and monitored.

Shift in 2026: From “Easy Entry” to “Verified Entry”

The most important change in 2026 is not a new prohibition—but a change in regulatory mindset.

Turkey has moved from:

Fast, form-based registration
to
Verification-based registration with ongoing compliance expectations

This affects how applications are reviewed, approved, and supervised after incorporation.

Stronger Due Diligence on Foreign Shareholders

One of the clearest changes in 2026 is enhanced scrutiny of foreign shareholders.

Authorities now place greater emphasis on:

• Identity and background of foreign shareholders

• Country of origin and risk profile

• Ownership chains and ultimate beneficial owners

• Source of capital invested in Turkey

While this does not block legitimate investors, it slows down or complicates applications that lack transparency.

Opaque holding structures, nominee arrangements, or poorly documented ownership now face longer processing times or additional information requests.

More Documentation at the Registration Stage

In 2026, foreign company registration in Turkey requires more complete and better-translated documentation.

Common developments include:

• Stricter notarisation and apostille requirements

• Greater emphasis on sworn Turkish translations

• More frequent requests for updated corporate documents

• Alignment checks between foreign and Turkish records

Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the main causes of delay, even though the law itself has not changed.

Capital Declaration and Source-of-Funds Attention

Although Turkey does not impose excessively high minimum capital requirements for most company types, capital scrutiny has increased.

In 2026:

• Declared capital must be proportionate to the activity

• Source of funds may be questioned for foreign investors

• Bank transfers related to capital are more closely monitored

This change is closely linked to AML and financial transparency policies, not investment restriction.

Increased Alignment with AML and Financial Compliance

Foreign company registration is now more closely linked with:

• Banking compliance

• Anti-money laundering checks

• Tax registration systems

In practice:

• Opening a bank account is no longer assumed to be automatic

• Companies without clear activity plans face banking delays

• Shell or inactive companies face higher risk

This has changed the practical experience of registration, even though company law itself remains investor-friendly.

Sector-Sensitive Review in Strategic Industries

While most sectors remain open, foreign company registration in certain industries now triggers additional review.

These may include:

• Defence-related activities

• Energy and natural resources

• Media and broadcasting

• Data-sensitive or regulated services

In such cases, registration is still possible, but additional approvals or notifications may be required.

This reflects policy sensitivity, not a reversal of openness.

Digitalisation: Faster Filing, Less Flexibility

Turkey has expanded digital company registration systems, which has produced mixed effects:

Positive effects

• Faster formal filing

• More predictable steps

• Reduced informal handling

Negative effects

• Less tolerance for errors

• Automated rejections for inconsistencies

• Reduced scope for post-submission correction

In 2026, preparation quality matters more than speed.

Post-Registration Obligations Are Stricter

A major change affecting foreign investors is what happens after registration.

In 2026:

• Dormant companies are more visible to authorities

• Tax filings and declarations are closely monitored

• Companies without real activity raise red flags

• Non-compliance can affect licence continuity and banking

Registering a company “for later use” is increasingly risky.

No Change in Legal Forms Available

Foreign investors in 2026 may still establish:

• Limited Liability Companies (Ltd. Şti.)

• Joint Stock Companies (A.Ş.)

• Branches of foreign companies

• Liaison offices (with limited scope)

No legal form has been abolished or restricted for foreigners.

What Has NOT Changed (Important Clarifications)

To avoid misinformation, it is critical to state clearly:

• ❌ No ban on foreign company registration

• ❌ No new local partner requirement

• ❌ No nationality-based restriction

• ❌ No general investment quota system

• ❌ No capital controls tied to registration

Turkey remains legally open to foreign investors.

Practical Impact on Foreign Investors

In 2026, foreign investors experience:

• Slightly longer preparation time

• Higher documentation standards

• More interaction with banks and tax systems

• Greater need for local professional support

But not:

• Loss of ownership rights

• Structural investment barriers

The system now favours serious, operating investors over speculative or passive registrations.

Strategic Advice for 2026

To register a foreign company smoothly in Turkey:

• Prepare ownership and corporate documents thoroughly

• Ensure capital source clarity

• Define real business activity from day one

• Coordinate legal, tax, and banking steps

• Avoid “paper company” structures

Good preparation eliminates most friction.

So, what changes have occurred in foreign company registration laws in Turkey in 2026?

The law itself remains open and investor-friendly—but enforcement, documentation, and compliance expectations have clearly tightened.

Turkey in 2026 offers:

• Full foreign ownership

• Broad sector access

• Predictable legal framework

—but requires:

• Transparency

• Substance

• Financial and regulatory discipline

For foreign investors with real business intent, Turkey remains a viable and strategically important market. For those relying on minimal compliance or informal practices, registration has become noticeably more difficult, even though the legal door is still open.