Author: Attorney Emirhan KeskinPublished: 2026-09-02Updated: 2026-09-09General legal information

International legal services in Türkiye › Foreign companies

Legal Services for Foreign Companies in Turkey

About the author and office

Attorney Emirhan Keskin

Prepares legal information on proceedings in Türkiye and provides legal services from Mersin. Content is reviewed against current official Turkish sources.

Mersin Bar Association · Registration No. 5507

Legal information notice

This publication provides general information on Turkish law as of its stated review date. It does not create an attorney–client relationship; documents, time limits, jurisdiction and current rules require a matter-specific assessment.

Direct answer: Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey may cover market entry, company and branch matters, contracts, due diligence, unpaid receivables, corporate governance, shareholder or distributor disputes, commercial litigation and enforcement. The scope should be defined around the company's actual objective, documents, Turkish counterparty, deadline and risk rather than treated as a generic package.

This guide to legal services for foreign companies in Turkey is for overseas companies trading with Türkiye, holding shares or assets in Türkiye, operating through a Turkish subsidiary or branch, or facing a Turkish commercial problem from abroad. The office is based in Mersin and can receive documents electronically for an initial assessment. No outcome, timing or commercial result is guaranteed.

Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey: define the business problem

Company objective or problem	Documents to review first	Potential Turkish workstream
Enter the Turkish market	Group structure, intended activity, founders, management, sector and business plan	Entity and authority analysis, incorporation documents, contract framework
Recover an unpaid invoice	Contract, invoice, delivery, acceptance, objections and debtor information	Demand, enforcement, mediation, litigation and asset strategy
End a distributor relationship	Agreement, territory, exclusivity, sales, stock, notice and customer data	Exit analysis, notice, settlement or commercial claim
Resolve a shareholder conflict	Articles, shareholder agreement, registry, resolutions and accounts	Corporate remedies, interim protection, mediation or litigation
Enforce a foreign decision	Judgment or award, finality, service and Turkish asset information	Recognition, enforcement and execution
Assess a Turkish target or partner	Corporate documents, authority, contracts, assets, licences and disputes	Scoped legal due diligence and risk report

A scoped approach to legal services for foreign companies in Turkey may involve several workstreams. For example, a distributor termination can also involve debt recovery, trademark use, inventory, evidence preservation and an urgent injunction question.

Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey: core areas

1. Market entry and corporate structure

The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment and Finance Office provides an official guide to establishing a business in Türkiye. It explains that international investors may use company forms under the Turkish Commercial Code and describes the registration process. Current requirements must still be confirmed for the proposed entity and sector.

2. Company establishment and registry documents

Preparation may involve the articles of association, shareholder or parent-company resolutions, signatory and management decisions, powers of attorney, foreign corporate certificates and translated or legalised documents. Commercial registry procedures use the official MERSİS Central Registry Record System.

Documents issued abroad may require apostille or consular legalisation, official Turkish translation and notarisation. The required form should be confirmed before a foreign board adopts resolutions or sends originals. A company should also coordinate tax, accounting, employment and sector-licensing steps with the appropriate professionals; a registry filing alone does not complete every operational requirement.

3. Commercial contracts

Effective legal services for foreign companies in Turkey require contracts with Turkish customers, suppliers, manufacturers, agents or distributors to be reviewed for the real transaction rather than copied from an unrelated template. Party identity and authority, scope, price and currency, taxes, delivery, acceptance, warranty, limitation of liability, confidentiality, intellectual property, compliance, termination, force majeure, notices, governing law, jurisdiction and arbitration may all be material. If the relationship has already broken down, use the contract disputes in Turkey guide to organise the chronology, remedies and forum analysis.

The language and execution method also matter. A bilingual contract should address which text prevails if the versions diverge. Electronic signatures, corporate authority and incorporated general terms may require separate assessment.

4. Debt recovery and unpaid invoices

Foreign exporters and service providers frequently need legal services for foreign companies in Turkey after a Turkish counterparty fails to pay. The appropriate route may involve a documented demand, Turkish enforcement proceedings, mandatory mediation or commercial litigation. Delivery, objections, limitation, jurisdiction, security and assets should be reviewed before selecting a route. The asset investigation in Turkey guide separates lawful public research, authorised procedural inquiries and net recovery value.

See the detailed debt collection in Turkey guide for enforcement options, debtor objections, interim attachment and the initial evidence checklist.

5. Distributor, supply and contract disputes

Disputes may concern exclusivity, sales targets, territory, customer ownership, stock, rebates, price changes, quality, late delivery or termination. A notice sent too early, late or through the wrong channel can affect the company's position. The contract, amendments and actual performance record must be read together.

The related commercial law in Turkey pillar explains contract, distributor, shareholder and litigation issues in more detail.

6. Shareholder and corporate governance disputes

A foreign shareholder may face restricted access to information, disputed resolutions, management deadlock, unauthorised transactions, dilution concerns, profit-distribution disputes or disagreement over a share transfer. The articles of association, shareholder agreement, registry, general assembly and board decisions, accounts and correspondence are central.

Remedies and time limits depend on the company type and challenged act. A contractual shareholders' agreement does not automatically override mandatory corporate law or registry rules. Interim protection may need to be considered where company assets, voting or evidence are at immediate risk.

7. Legal due diligence

Due diligence should have a written scope. Depending on the transaction, it may cover corporate status and authority, material contracts, known disputes, security, property, licences, employment documents, intellectual property and compliance records. Findings are limited by the documents and lawful data sources available; due diligence cannot guarantee that no undisclosed issue exists.

The useful output is a prioritised risk record: what was checked, what remains unavailable, which risks require a condition precedent or warranty, and which points may change price, structure or closing.

8. Commercial litigation, mediation and interim measures

Jurisdiction, applicable law, evidence, limitation and mandatory pre-action steps should be reviewed before a Turkish claim. Some commercial claims require mediation before filing. Interim attachment, injunctions or evidence-related measures may be available only when the statutory requirements are supported by the facts and documents. For an urgent monetary claim, use the interim attachment in Turkey guide to prepare the evidence, security and execution timetable.

The Turkish Commercial Code, Law No. 6102, is available through the official Resmî Gazete; consolidated current legislation should be checked through the official legislation database.

9. Foreign judgments and arbitral awards

A foreign court judgment is generally not directly executable against Turkish assets without the required Turkish legal process. Finality, proper service, defence rights, public policy and other conditions may be reviewed. Foreign arbitral awards follow a separate framework that can involve the New York Convention and Turkish law; use the foreign arbitral award enforcement guide for award-specific documents, defences and execution planning.

See recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in Turkey for the distinction between recognition and enforcement, core conditions, documents and remote representation.

A practical 6-step workflow

Define the business objective: payment, exit, performance, protection, information, settlement or enforcement.
Identify the parties: confirm exact company titles, registry information, authority and relevant group entities.
Build the chronology: record agreements, performance, notices, payments, objections and deadlines.
Preserve evidence: retain contracts, emails, messages, delivery records, accounts and corporate decisions lawfully.
Select the legal route: compare negotiation, mediation, enforcement, court, arbitration and interim protection.
Plan execution: consider costs, service, translations, assets and how any settlement or decision will be enforced.

Documents useful for an initial assessment

An initial assessment of legal services for foreign companies in Turkey usually begins with the business objective, complete party details, the relevant documents and any urgent deadline.

a short chronology and the company's desired commercial outcome;
complete legal names and registry details of all relevant entities;
contracts, annexes, general terms, purchase orders and amendments;
invoices, payment records, delivery and acceptance documents;
notices, emails, messages and meeting records;
articles of association, shareholder agreements and resolutions where relevant;
foreign judgment, arbitral award or existing proceeding documents;
information about known Turkish assets, security or urgent risks; and
any limitation, filing, renewal or termination deadline.

Electronic copies are normally enough to begin a preliminary review. The need for originals, sworn translations, notarisation, apostille or legalisation depends on the document and its intended use.

Remote representation and power of attorney

Many legal services for foreign companies in Turkey can begin without an officer travelling to Türkiye. Documents can be sent electronically and meetings can be held remotely. A suitable power of attorney can often be issued before a competent foreign authority, subject to corporate signatory authority, apostille or legalisation and Turkish translation. The power of attorney for Turkey from abroad guide explains why the private-individual consular route should not be assumed to apply to foreign legal entities.

For a corporate principal, evidence showing the foreign company's current status and the signatory's authority may be needed. The wording and certification path should be checked before signature. Physical attendance may still be necessary for an exceptional procedural or transaction-specific step.

Frequently asked questions

Does a foreign company need a Turkish subsidiary to bring a claim?

Not necessarily. Standing, capacity, jurisdiction, security for costs and document requirements depend on the claim and company. The foreign entity's status and authority documents may need certification and translation.

Can a company send documents electronically?

Yes, electronic copies are generally suitable for an initial review. Formal proceedings or transactions may later require originals or properly certified versions.

Is apostille always required?

No. The issuing country, applicable treaty, document type and receiving Turkish authority determine the required certification route.

Can proceedings continue without a director travelling to Türkiye?

Many matters can proceed through authorised representation. Personal attendance depends on the procedure, evidence and directions of the relevant court or authority.

Can the office replace a Turkish accountant or tax adviser?

No. Legal, tax and accounting workstreams may overlap but require their respective professional analysis. Where needed, responsibilities and document flow should be coordinated.

How can the company contact the office?

Send a concise chronology and core documents by email, or make initial contact by telephone or WhatsApp. Avoid sending original documents until the required form and delivery method have been confirmed.

What legal rule applies to Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey: define the business problem?

What legal rule applies to Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey: core areas?

Legal services for foreign companies in Turkey may begin with a choice between a Turkish joint-stock company, limited-liability company, branch, liaison office or a contractual route depending on the intended activity. These structures do not have the same legal personality, management, reporting, capital, tax or operational consequences. Sector-specific approvals can also change the analysis. The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment and Finance Office provides an official guide to establishing a business in Türkiye. It explains that international investors may use company forms under the Turkish Commercial Code and describes the registration process. Current requirements must still be confirmed for

What legal rule applies to A practical 6-step workflow?

Define the business objective: payment, exit, performance, protection, information, settlement or enforcement. Identify the parties: confirm exact company titles, registry information, authority and relevant group entities. Build the chronology: record agreements, performance, notices, payments, objections and deadlines. Preserve evidence: retain contracts, emails, messages, delivery records, accounts and corporate decisions lawfully. Select the legal route: compare negotiation, mediation, enforcement, court, arbitration and interim protection. Plan execution: consider costs, service, translations, assets and how any settlement or decision will be enforced.

What legal rule applies to Documents useful for an initial assessment?

An initial assessment of legal services for foreign companies in Turkey usually begins with the business objective, complete party details, the relevant documents and any urgent deadline. a short chronology and the company's desired commercial outcome; complete legal names and registry details of all relevant entities; contracts, annexes, general terms, purchase orders and amendments; invoices, payment records, delivery and acceptance documents; notices, emails, messages and meeting records; articles of association, shareholder agreements and resolutions where relevant; foreign judgment, arbitral award or existing proceeding documents; information about known Turkish assets, security or urgent risks; and any li

Request a review: legal services for foreign companies in Turkey

Send the company's complete legal name, the Turkish party or entity involved, a short chronology, the contract or corporate records, the requested outcome and any urgent deadline. Avukat Emirhan Keskin's office is located in Mersin and assists foreign companies with Turkish legal matters according to the agreed scope.

Telephone / WhatsApp: +90 552 224 43 66
Email: avukatemirhankeskin@gmail.com

General information only. The applicable law and procedure depend on the company's objective, structure, documents, facts and current legislation.

Choose the Turkish operating model before signing commitments

A foreign business can interact with Türkiye through cross-border contracts, a distributor or agent, a liaison office where permitted, a branch, a Turkish subsidiary, a joint venture or a targeted acquisition. These models do not create the same liability, tax, management, employment or registration position. The commercial objective, duration, local staff, regulated activity, revenue flow and need to hold assets should be mapped before a structure is selected.

A short-term sales project may not justify a company, while repeated local activity can create legal and tax questions even without one. A liaison office is not a substitute for a revenue-generating entity, and a branch is not a separate shareholder-owned company in the same sense as a subsidiary. Turkish legal, tax, customs and accounting advice should be coordinated before the foreign company signs leases, hires staff or invoices through a proposed model.

Incorporation: documents, capital and authority

A Turkish joint-stock or limited-liability company requires articles, founders, management, registered address, capital commitments, registry filings and other current formalities. The correct form depends on governance, financing, share transfer, planned investors and regulation—not simply on which form appears cheaper. Sector licences or minimum capital rules may override the ordinary starting position.

Foreign corporate founders must prove legal existence and the authority of the signatory. Registry documents, resolutions and powers of attorney issued abroad may require apostille or legalisation and sworn Turkish translation. Names, registration numbers and representation rules should be consistent across all documents. Banking and beneficial-ownership checks can require additional records and time.

Corporate governance after registration

Registration is the beginning of governance, not the end. The company should maintain lawful books and records, hold required meetings, document resolutions, update registry information and manage representation authority. A person described internally as “country manager” may not possess registered authority to bind the Turkish company, while a registered representative may remain empowered after an internal role changes unless formal steps are completed.

Delegations, signature circulars, board rules, shareholder reserved matters and conflict-of-interest procedures should be aligned. Group policies cannot simply replace mandatory Turkish corporate rules. A governance calendar and approval matrix reduce the risk that contracts, payments or employment decisions are made without valid authority.

Shareholder agreements and articles of association

A private shareholder agreement can address voting, funding, reserved matters, transfer restrictions, deadlock, information rights, non-compete obligations and exit. Its provisions should be coordinated with the articles of association and mandatory Turkish law. A contractual promise between shareholders may not automatically bind the company, the registry or third parties in the same way as a valid corporate provision.

Deadlock and exit terms should be operational: valuation method, timetable, funding, regulatory approval, security and dispute forum matter. Imported template clauses may rely on corporate mechanisms that do not function identically under Turkish law. The agreement should state its language and which version prevails.

Commercial contracts adapted for Türkiye

Supply, services, distribution, agency, licence, logistics, construction and software contracts should identify the correct Turkish counterparty and authorised signatory. Scope, acceptance, price, tax, currency, payment, quality, intellectual property, data, confidentiality, compliance, termination and dispute clauses require local review. A foreign master agreement may need Turkish schedules for mandatory or operational issues.

Notices and electronic signatures deserve special attention. The method used in ordinary business correspondence may not satisfy a contractual or statutory form requirement for a critical default or termination. The company should keep signed versions, amendments, delivery records and a contract owner who monitors renewals and deadlines.

Counterparty and transaction due diligence

Legal due diligence should start with a defined question. For a supplier, the focus may be identity, authority, licences, capacity, sanctions and material litigation. For an acquisition, it may extend to title, shares, governance, contracts, debt, security, employees, disputes, intellectual property, data protection, permits and related-party dealings. Public registry information is valuable but does not prove every operational statement.

Findings should distinguish confirmed facts, documents not provided and risks requiring commercial acceptance or a contractual solution. Conditions precedent, warranties, indemnities, escrow, retention, security or a price adjustment can address different problems. A report does not guarantee that an undisclosed act will not exist.

Employment, immigration and workplace arrangements

Hiring in Türkiye engages mandatory employment and social-security rules. Employment terms, payroll, working time, leave, confidentiality, remote work, workplace safety, disciplinary process and termination should be structured locally. Calling an individual an “independent contractor” does not determine the legal classification if the actual relationship is employment.

Foreign employees may require work and residence permissions. The employer’s eligibility and ongoing obligations must be checked under current rules. A foreign shareholder or director title does not automatically authorise day-to-day work. Immigration planning should begin before travel or assignment dates.

Data protection and cross-border information flows

Turkish personal-data rules can apply to employee, customer, supplier and website data. The company should identify the controller or processor roles, legal bases, notices, retention, security, vendor terms and data-subject request process. Cross-border transfers require the mechanism available under current Turkish law; a group policy or foreign-law clause alone may be insufficient.

Due diligence and disputes also involve personal data. A data room should use role-based access and exclude irrelevant personal material. Cyber incidents require a documented response covering containment, evidence, contractual notices and any regulatory assessment. Sensitive file details should not be sent into ordinary marketing analytics.

Intellectual property, brand and digital assets

A foreign registration does not automatically create every Turkish trade-mark or design right. Brand availability, Turkish registration strategy, domain names, software ownership, employee-created works, licences and enforcement should be considered before launch. Distributors and local managers should not register the group’s marks or domains in their own name without a deliberate and documented arrangement.

Technology contracts should address source code, updates, service levels, open-source components, security, data return and exit assistance. Confidentiality alone may not establish ownership of commissioned work. Sector-specific regulation may apply to platforms, finance, health, telecommunications, e-commerce or consumer activity.

Property, leases and operational premises

A registered office, warehouse, factory, shop or project site creates different requirements. The title, landlord authority, zoning, use, licences, building records, term, currency, rent adjustment, deposit, fit-out, subletting and termination should be reviewed. A long lease should not be signed solely on the assumption that a planned licence or activity will be approved.

If the company will acquire property, corporate approvals, title due diligence, tax and foreign-investment structure must be coordinated. See the property law guide for foreign buyers and owners.

Dispute prevention and escalation

An internal escalation matrix should identify who can send default notices, suspend performance, approve settlement and instruct Turkish counsel. Staff should preserve evidence and avoid admissions or threats in informal messages. The legal team should review limitation, notice, mediation, court or arbitration requirements before commercial talks consume the available time.

If receivables are unpaid, the company should reconcile the account and performance evidence, verify the debtor and assess assets before choosing enforcement or litigation. The detailed debt collection guide explains those routes, while the unpaid invoice in Turkey guide gives a focused evidence, demand, enforcement and mediation workflow. A foreign judgment or award requires separate Turkish enforcement planning.

An annual legal health-check

Verify registry, address, representation and beneficial-ownership records.
Review board, shareholder and delegation documents.
Check material contracts, renewals, notices and guarantees.
Reconcile licences, sector approvals and operating scope.
Review employment templates and work-permit status.
Update privacy notices, transfer mechanisms and vendor terms.
Confirm trade marks, domains, software and licence records.
Check leases, property obligations, insurance and security.
Review litigation, enforcement, claims and limitation dates.
Document corrective actions, responsible owners and deadlines.

Documents for an initial corporate review

foreign parent and Turkish company registry documents;
articles, shareholder agreement, resolutions and signature authority;
group chart and beneficial-ownership information;
material customer, supplier, finance, distribution and licence contracts;
employee and consultant lists and work-permit information;
leases, title, permits and sector licences;
privacy, security, transfer and incident documents;
trade-mark, domain, software and other IP records;
pending litigation, enforcement, mediation and claims; and
the planned transaction or operational decision and target date.

Further questions from overseas management

Must a foreign shareholder live in Türkiye?

Not merely because it owns shares. Management, representation, tax, banking, immigration and sector rules must nevertheless be assessed for the actual operating model and appointed persons.

Can a foreign parent sign contracts for the Turkish subsidiary?

They are separate legal persons. Authority and the identity of the contracting party must be clear. Group ownership alone does not allow one company to bind another.

Can all corporate work be handled remotely?

Many formation, governance and contract tasks can be coordinated remotely through authenticated documents and a suitable power of attorney. Banking, regulated activities or identity procedures may still require additional steps.

Does incorporation guarantee a bank account or licence?

No. Banks and authorities conduct their own legal and compliance assessments.

Official Turkish sources checked

Legal-source control date: 3 September 2026. Registry forms, capital, licences, data-transfer rules, tariffs and procedural deadlines must be checked for the current transaction.

Related English guides: Commercial disputes · Debt collection · Property · Immigration · Foreign decisions