For entry into Türkiye, the right structure and a strong strategy.
For foreign investors, we manage the entire process of entering Türkiye — market-entry strategy, structuring, incorporation, and access to incentives. From permits and licences through to compliance, we offer a multilingual, integrated legal bridge at every step.
Confident entry into a new market
Foreign direct investment is the permanent presence of a foreign company or investor in Türkiye by establishing a company, acquiring shares or making an investment. Although Türkiye has liberal legislation that places foreign investors on an equal footing with domestic investors, the right structure and the sound design of permits and incentives determine the fate of the venture.
At Köksal, we bring investors the experience we have built since 1987 as the legal bridge between Türkiye and the DACH region. From entry strategy to structuring and from incentive applications to compliance, we manage the process from a single point of contact; with our multilingual team, we enable the investor to proceed clearly in their own language.
When Does This Apply?
At every step involving the Turkish market, we establish the legal foundation of the investment and manage the process.
Entry into Türkiye
We determine the appropriate structure — company incorporation, branch, or liaison office — and design the investor’s market-entry strategy on a sound legal footing.
Incentives & Investment
We assess the opportunities to benefit from the supports available under investment-incentive legislation and provide guidance throughout the application and documentation processes.
Permits & Licences
We identify sector-specific permit, licence, and authorisation requirements, prepare the relevant administrative applications, and track the processes.
How Does the Process Work?
We plan and implement the investment in three clear stages, from strategy to compliance.
01 · Entry Strategy
We assess the investor’s objectives, sector, and risk appetite, and determine the most suitable entry model and legal structure.
02 · Structuring & Incorporation
We incorporate the company according to the chosen structure and fully handle the articles of association, shareholding relationships, and required registration procedures.
03 · Incentives & Compliance
We apply for the applicable incentives and guide the investor through post-incorporation permit, licence, and regulatory-compliance obligations.
A single bridge that knows both markets
The success of a foreign investment often depends as much on command of local legislation as on having an advisor who understands the investor’s own language and business culture. With our offices in İstanbul, Berlin and Kyrenia, we build this bridge directly.
- Holistic legal design for market entry into Türkiye
- End-to-end management of incorporation and structuring
- Support with applications and documentation under investment-incentive legislation
- Experience in sector-specific permit and licence processes
- Integrated advisory in Turkish, German and English
Specialised Sub-Services
Foreign Direct Investment — the focused applications of this service for particular needs.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Exceptional Turkish citizenship through real-estate and financial investment channels: eligibility analysis, transaction security, management of annotations and undertakings, family scope, and the application process.
Explore →Investment Protection & Arbitration
The protective architecture of an investment: bilateral investment treaties, contractual protections, ICSID/ICC arbitration strategy, and positioning before a dispute begins.
Explore →Other Services in Transactional Advisory
When needed, the same team can seamlessly extend its work to our other solutions in this area.
Related Areas & Legislation
The focus areas, practice areas, desks and legislation connected with this service.
Our Matters in This Service
The anonymised examples of our work that relate to this service.
Structuring an incentivised manufacturing investment
Management of company formation, the incentive certificate and compliance processes in a greenfield investment.
Review the matter →Market AccessEstablishing a distribution network in Türkiye
Designing a market entry strategy, distributorship agreements and competition compliance.
Review the matter →Advisory · CitizenshipStructuring a citizenship-by-investment application
Structuring a citizenship application via real-estate investment in compliance with the valuation, undertaking, and family-scope conditions.
Review the matter →The Team Delivering This Service
With our multilingual team of lawyers, well-versed in Turkish and German law, we are by your side.
Related Publications
Fresh perspectives and guides from the Knowledge Centre.
For most steps, no. The greater part of the incorporation, tax and banking work can be done without you travelling, on a power of attorney issued at a consulate or executed abroad, apostilled under the Hague Convention and translated into Turkish. The Foreign Direct Investment Law (No. 4875) puts nothing in the way of a foreign investor incorporating remotely.There is one practical caveat, and it is a banking one ra…
There is no minimum capital requirement aimed at foreign investors as such: the Foreign Direct Investment Law (No. 4875) puts a foreign investor on the same footing as a domestic one. The only floor is the statutory minimum every company has to meet under the Turkish Commercial Code (No. 6102) — TRY 50,000 for a limited liability company (Ltd. Şti.), TRY 250,000 for a joint-stock company (A.Ş.), and TRY 500,000 init…
Once the company is established, ongoing obligations relating to the trade registry, tax, social security, and sector-specific legislation come into play. In addition, there may be certain notification and reporting requirements concerning foreign investments. We map out these obligations from the outset and guide the investor throughout the compliance process.
The suitable structure varies according to the size of the investment, the field of activity, and the investor's objectives. An independent capital company, a branch, or a liaison office intended solely for representation each meets different needs. We assess the legal and tax consequences of each option and determine the most suitable model for you together.
As a rule, foreign investment legislation allows the transfer abroad of profits, dividends, and sales proceeds. These transfers are carried out in compliance with the relevant banking and tax regulations. When we set up the investment structure, we also plan these exit and transfer mechanisms from the outset.
Yes; as a rule, Turkish legislation treats foreign investors on an equal footing with domestic investors and permits foreigners to establish companies. A company with foreign capital can be established through the same procedures as a domestic company. Only in certain regulated sectors may special permits or restrictions apply.
Türkiye offers various incentive mechanisms depending on the sector, region, and scale of the investment. To benefit from these supports, the investment must be documented within the appropriate scope and the necessary applications must be made. We assess which incentives your investment qualifies for and guide you through the application process.
Get the right legal support for Foreign Direct Investment.
Let us determine the solution best suited to your needs, drawing on our experience in Türkiye and the DACH region.