Company formation
Company formation in Türkiye for Chinese companies: from choosing a structure to the tax certificate, all in one place
Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) helps Chinese companies and investors set up a limited company, joint-stock company, branch or liaison office in Türkiye. Our team and the licensed certified public accountant (SMMM) in our team handle the whole process with communication in Chinese: from the apostille and sworn translation of the parent company's documents in China to the articles of association, from the MERSİS (Central Registry System) application to trade registry registration, and from tax registration to the bank account.
Setting up a company in Türkiye, from the parent company resolution to the tax certificate
Limited, joint-stock or branch? Start by looking at your business
The structures most often chosen by Chinese investors in Türkiye are the limited company and the joint-stock company. Both are independent legal entities, and 100% foreign ownership is common. A limited company has a simple structure and flexible management, making it suitable for trading, services and mid-sized projects. A joint-stock company is better suited to projects with many shareholders, those planning to bring in investors or go public in the future. We make recommendations based on your business volume, shareholding structure and long-term plans.
If you want the parent company in China to operate directly in Türkiye, you can also open a branch. A branch is not an independent legal entity, and liability rests with the parent company; its accounting and tax filings, however, are done separately in Türkiye. If you will only carry out market research, liaison and promotion without direct commercial sales, a liaison office may be considered; this requires permission from the relevant ministry. Requirements for each structure may be updated by legislation; we clarify them for you according to current law.
Parent company documents: apostille in China, sworn translation in Türkiye
When a shareholder is a Chinese company, the trade registry office usually asks for the parent company's business registration certificate, its articles of association, a board or shareholders' resolution on setting up a company in Türkiye, and a power of attorney granted to the authorized signatory. These documents usually first go through notarization and apostille in China, and are then translated into Turkish by a sworn translator in Türkiye and notarized. At the very beginning, we give you a checklist in Chinese explaining where each document should be prepared and what it must say.
The wording of the board resolution is very important: the company name, capital, shareholders and managers, scope of business and the name of the authorized person must match the later Turkish documents exactly. We can draft the resolution in Chinese first and have it signed in China; that way its translation fully matches the articles of association, and no step has to be repeated because of a single difference in a name or title. The Latin-letter spelling of Chinese names is also checked letter by letter against passports.
The full route of formation, from MERSİS to the tax certificate
Once the documents are complete, we enter the company details into MERSİS, the central registry system, and prepare the Turkish articles of association. For foreign shareholders and managers, a potential tax number is usually obtained first. After the articles of association are signed, an application is made to the trade registry office; the registration details are published in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette, and the company is officially established.
After registration, the tax office inspects the company address to confirm it is real and usable, and the company then receives its tax certificate. During the same period, capital-related bank procedures are completed, the company bank account is opened and, if required, the foreign capital notification is filed. The licensed accountant in our team simultaneously opens the books and starts the e-invoice registration, so the company can issue invoices, collect payments and hire staff as soon as it is established.
Address, scope of business and manager: three decisions to make early
The first is the address. A Turkish company must have a real head office address, and the tax office checks it on site, so the lease and address details should be settled early. We can help you find an office or present office options suited to your stage of business. The second is the scope of business: if it is written too narrowly, adding a new line of business requires amending the articles of association; if written too broadly, it may affect certain permits. We find the right balance together.
The third is the manager or board member. Many Chinese companies want an executive in China to serve as manager; this is entirely possible if the passport, tax number and signature declaration are prepared in advance. If the manager will not be in Türkiye permanently, a representative can be authorized by power of attorney for day-to-day matters. We also keep following up in Chinese on post-formation matters such as work permits, bank authorizations and the annual general meeting.
Subsidiary, individual investment, branch or liaison office
Chinese companies setting up a subsidiary in Türkiye
A limited or joint-stock company in which the Chinese parent company is a shareholder, for sales, production or regional operations. We guide the preparation, apostille and translation of parent company documents. After registration, you can move straight on to our accounting and payroll service.
Chinese entrepreneurs investing individually
Those setting up a trading, e-commerce, restaurant or service business in Türkiye as individual shareholders. We are with you through the potential tax number, signature declaration and articles of association. After formation, we continue to support work permit and residence procedures.
Chinese companies wanting to open a branch
Companies that want to take on projects or operate directly in Türkiye under the parent company's name. The branch's books and tax returns are kept separately in Türkiye, and our accountant handles this from start to finish. Suitable for contracting and project-based work.
A liaison office for those who want to get to know the market first
Companies that want to carry out liaison, research and promotion activities in Türkiye before making sales. We prepare the documents and translations for the liaison office permit application. When the business matures, we also plan the transition to a company structure together.
Structure recommendation, articles of association, registration, tax and bank
Company structure recommendation
We compare the limited company, joint-stock company, branch and liaison office based on your business, shareholding structure and long-term plans. We explain the management model, liability and ongoing obligations of each in Chinese. This way you choose the right structure from the start.
Parent company documents and translation
We provide a preparation checklist and a Chinese draft resolution for the business registration certificate, articles of association, board resolution and power of attorney. We guide the notarization and apostille procedures in China. When the documents arrive in Türkiye, our sworn translator translates them and we obtain notarization.
Articles of association and MERSİS
We prepare the Turkish articles of association with a Chinese version and submit them to you clause by clause for approval. We enter the company details into MERSİS and obtain potential tax numbers for foreign shareholders and managers. We organize the signature declaration and the signing of the articles of association.
Trade registry registration and publication
We file the registration application with the trade registry office and follow the process. Once the registration is published in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette, we deliver the company documents to you with explanations in Chinese. All critical stages are shared on WeChat.
Tax registration and tax certificate
We accompany the tax office's address inspection, complete the tax registration and obtain the tax certificate. At the same time, our accountant opens the books and applies for e-invoicing. The company can issue proper invoices as soon as it is established.
Bank account and office address
We are with you for capital-related bank procedures and the opening of the company account, providing Chinese interpreting at the bank. We help you find an office or a suitable office solution. Where required, we complete the foreign capital notification.
Service summary and requirements
| Company types | Limited · Joint-stock · Branch · Liaison office |
|---|---|
| Delivery team | Consultant + sworn translator + certified public accountant (SMMM) |
| Pricing | Package by company type · official fees separate |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Passport scans of shareholders and managers (names as in passports)
- Parent company's business registration certificate, articles of association and board resolution (notarized and apostilled)
- Planned company name, scope of business and capital
- Office address or lease agreement in Türkiye
- If a representative is to be authorized: power of attorney (notarized and apostilled)
Four stages: planning, documents, registration and opening the books
- 1
Consultation and planning in Chinese
We listen to your business, shareholders and timeline, and recommend a company structure. We provide the full document list and roadmap. With your approval, we begin document preparation.
- 2
Preparing parent company documents
We provide the Chinese draft resolution; it is signed in China and notarized and apostilled. Once the originals reach Türkiye, sworn translation and notarization are completed. During the same period, the address and scope of business are finalized.
- 3
Signing the articles of association and registration
Details are entered into MERSİS, and the potential tax number and signature declaration are obtained. Once the articles of association are signed, the application is filed with the trade registry. When the registration is published, the company is officially established.
- 4
Tax certificate, bank and opening the books
The tax office inspection is completed, the tax certificate is obtained and the company bank account is opened. Our accountant opens the books and activates e-invoicing. You then move straight on to the monthly accounting and payroll service.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners set up a 100% foreign-owned company in Türkiye?
Yes. In Türkiye, a foreign individual or foreign company can set up a limited or joint-stock company as the sole shareholder; companies 100% owned by Chinese investors are very common. Some regulated sectors may have additional requirements; we clarify them for you according to current legislation.
Should I choose a limited company or a joint-stock company?
A limited company has a simple structure and flexible management, and suits most trading and service businesses. A joint-stock company is better suited to projects with many shareholders, planned financing or frequent share transfers. We assess your business and future plans together and give you a comparative recommendation in Chinese.
I'm in China; do I need to come to Türkiye?
Most steps can be completed remotely. Parent company documents are signed and certified in China and then sent; for signing procedures, a representative can be authorized with an apostilled power of attorney. Some procedures, such as opening a bank account, may require your presence in person; we plan the schedule in advance so you can complete everything in a single trip.
Why does the Chinese business registration certificate need an apostille?
China and Türkiye are both parties to the Apostille Convention; documents issued in China for official use in Türkiye usually require an apostille obtained in China. Since the apostille is done in the country where the document was issued, it is best to complete it before sending the documents. Our sworn translator then translates them into Turkish and we obtain notarization.
Does all the capital have to be paid in immediately?
In Türkiye, the capital amount and payment method depend on the company type; in some cases, capital can be committed and paid later. Capital-related bank procedures also differ by company type. We clarify the amount and timing for you according to current legislation and accompany you through the bank procedures.
Is a physical office required?
The company must have a real head office address, and the tax office inspects this address. Depending on your stage of business, you can rent an office or choose a suitable office solution. We help you find a compliant address and accompany you during the inspection.
What needs to be done after the company is set up?
After formation, accounting records are kept every month and VAT and withholding tax returns are filed; provisional tax is declared quarterly and corporate tax annually. When staff are hired, SGK (Social Security Institution) registration and payroll are required, and work permits are obtained for foreign employees. The licensed accountant in our team continues to handle all of this.
The articles of association are in Turkish; how can I check the content?
We prepare a Chinese version of the articles of association and explain the meaning of each clause one by one, such as shareholder rights, manager powers and profit distribution. Signing proceeds after your approval. Whenever the articles of association are amended later, we provide a Chinese explanation in the same way.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
