It is an informational estimate, not legal or financial advice and not a quote. Exact timelines and amounts depend on your specific case, and official fees and thresholds are set by regulation and updated periodically — confirm the current position with a lawyer.
How long does company formation take?
For a foreigner, incorporation in Türkiye is usually a matter of days to a few weeks once the paperwork is in order. The main variables are the company type and whether you attend in person:
- Limited company (Ltd.): the most common vehicle for small and mid-sized business; typically the quickest to register.
- Joint-stock company (A.Ş.): suited to larger structures, share transfers and certain regulated activities; a little more involved.
- Remote via power of attorney (PoA): a lawyer can incorporate on your behalf without you traveling — you grant a notarized, apostilled PoA from abroad. Add time for obtaining a tax number and translations.
- In person: can be faster for signatures but requires you to be in Türkiye.
What drives the cost of forming a company?
There is no single price. The total is built from several factors, each set by regulation or by market rates and updated periodically — confirm current amounts before you budget:
- Notary, translation and apostilleApostilApostilleA certificate added to a public document in its own country so that it is accepted as genuine in Türkiye, without consular legalisation.Glossary → costs for the PoA, passport and articles of association.
- Trade registry and chamber of commerce registration fees.
- Minimum capital for the company type you choose (set by regulation — confirm current).
- Professional fees for the lawyer and accountant who set up and register the company.
- Ongoing items such as a registered address, bookkeeping and tax registration.
Citizenship by investment: the three main routes
Türkiye allows foreigners to apply for citizenship through a qualifying investment. The three most common routes each carry a threshold set by regulation and a three-year holding requirement (you must keep the investment for three years):
- Property route: buy real estate at or above the threshold set by regulation (currently around USD 400,000 — confirm, it can change) and undertake not to sell for three years.
- Bank-deposit route: deposit a regulated minimum amount in a Turkish bank, held for three years.
- Capital route: make a fixed-capital investment at the regulated threshold, held for three years.
All thresholds are set by regulation and updated periodically — confirm the current figure for your route.
How long does the citizenship file take?
Citizenship by investment is a multi-stage file, not an instant grant. As a rough planning guide it usually takes several months from a completed investment to the decision, depending on the route, document completeness and authority workload:
- Make and document the qualifying investment (e.g. valuation report and title transfer for property).
- Obtain the certificate of conformity confirming the investment meets the rules.
- Apply for a short-term residence permit on the investment basis, then file the citizenship application.
- Wait for the review and decision across the relevant authorities.
How a lawyer runs it for you
Most of either process can be handled remotely. With a notarized, apostilled power of attorney, a Turkish lawyer can obtain your tax number, prepare and translate documents, deal with the notary and registries, and follow the application on your behalf — keeping you to the rules and the timeline.
This tool gives you ranges to plan with; for a route tailored to your situation, get in touch and we will map the realistic time and cost together.
The thresholds this estimate applies
| Figure | Applies |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by property investment — minimum value | 400,000 USD |
These figures are set by statute or regulation and change. Deadlines run from service or from the day you learned of the harm, and can be suspended or interrupted — the table is a map, not a calculation of your own deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tool a quote or legal advice?
No. It is an informational estimate that shows indicative time ranges and the cost factors involved. It is not legal or financial advice and not a fee quote. Your exact timeline and costs depend on your case; speak to a lawyer for a tailored assessment.
How fast can I form a company in Türkiye?
Once documents are in order, incorporation is often a matter of days to a few weeks. A limited company is usually quickest to register; a joint-stock company can take a little longer. Remote setup via power of attorney is possible but adds time for translations and obtaining a tax number.
Can I set up a company without coming to Türkiye?
Yes. By granting a notarized, apostilled power of attorney from abroad, a lawyer can incorporate, register and obtain your tax number on your behalf, so you do not need to travel. Attending in person can speed up some signatures but is not required.
What is the property threshold for citizenship by investment?
Citizenship through real estate requires an investment at or above the threshold set by regulation (currently around USD 400,000 — confirm, it can change), with a three-year holding undertaking. The threshold is set by regulation and updated periodically, so confirm the current figure before relying on it.
Do I have to keep the investment, and for how long?
Yes. All three routes — property, bank deposit and capital investment — carry a three-year holding requirement: you must keep the qualifying investment for three years. Selling or withdrawing early can affect the citizenship granted on that basis.
How long does the citizenship application take?
It is a multi-stage file rather than an instant grant and, as a rough planning guide, usually takes several months from a completed investment to the decision. The actual timeline depends on the route, document completeness and the workload of the relevant authorities.
