INVESTING IN TÜRKİYE IN 2026: COMPANY FORMATION, RESIDENCE AND STRATEGIC ENTRY ROUTES

Türkiye’s relevance for international capital is increasingly linked to its position as a production, trade and service platform.

The country’s goods exports reached a record USD 273.4 billion in 2025, reflecting the depth of its manufacturing base and export-facing business activity. In 2026, the government also advanced measures designed to support manufacturing exporters, qualifying service exports and selected financial-sector activity. These measures demonstrate the direction of policy: attracting activity that creates exports, services, technology, employment and longer-term operating substance.

For an international investor, this creates several possible entry models:

• establishing a Turkish company to serve the domestic market;
• creating a regional sales, sourcing or coordination platform;
• locating export-oriented manufacturing or service activity;
• developing a technology, software, gaming, health-service or digital business;
• participating in tourism, hospitality, logistics or infrastructure-related operations;
• assessing a longer-term strategic asset or selected investment project.

The appropriate structure depends on the sector, the target customer, the capital available, the intended duration and the regulatory requirements of the activity.

Company formation is often the most direct route for investors who intend to create real commercial activity in Türkiye.

The most common corporate forms are the limited liability company, known as a Ltd. Şti., and the joint-stock company, known as an A.Ş. The best structure depends on factors such as shareholder plans, capital needs, governance, future financing, sector regulation and the possibility of bringing in additional investors.

Foreign ownership is generally possible in many sectors, subject to sector-specific rules, licences, approvals and restrictions. This does not mean that every company can simply be registered and operate immediately. Banking, tax registration, accounting, employment, premises, permits, commercial contracts and operational compliance must all be considered.

A Turkish company should never be created merely as a paper vehicle for a residence objective or a future idea. It should have a credible commercial rationale, a clear activity description, an appropriate capital plan and a realistic understanding of how it will operate.

For foreign capital, the strongest company structure is one that can answer practical questions from the beginning:

• What will the company sell, produce or coordinate?
• Who are the customers?
• Where will the activity be performed?
• What licences or permits may be needed?
• How will the company be funded?
• What is the expected source of revenue?
• Who will manage the operation locally?
• What banking and accounting requirements must be met?

These are not administrative details. They are the foundation of a credible market entry.

International investors often assume that owning a company automatically creates a right to live or work in Türkiye. In practice, company ownership, residence status and work authorisation are separate matters.

A foreign shareholder may have a commercial interest in a Turkish company without automatically receiving a residence permit or the right to work in the business. Residence permits, work permits and citizenship-related applications each follow their own legal procedures and eligibility criteria.

This distinction is important because many projects fail at the planning stage when personal mobility and corporate activity are treated as the same issue.

A serious investor should first decide whether the objective is:

• personal residence in Türkiye;
• management of an operating business;
• passive ownership of an investment;
• a work-authorised executive role;
• family relocation;
• a citizenship-related investment route;
• or a combination of these objectives.

Only after that should the correct legal and operational route be assessed.

Türkiye has an exceptional citizenship framework for qualifying investment routes. Commonly referenced pathways include eligible real-estate investment at or above USD 400,000, subject to the applicable title-deed restrictions and holding period, as well as selected alternative investment categories at or above USD 500,000.

These figures should never be treated as a guaranteed passport outcome.

The investment must meet the applicable legal requirements, the funds must be traceable, the underlying transaction must be properly documented, and the relevant public authorities must confirm eligibility. The application itself remains subject to official review.

For this reason, an investor should not select an asset, open a bank account or transfer capital solely because a brochure states that a threshold exists. The correct sequence is to verify the route first, confirm the documentary and banking requirements, assess the asset or activity independently, and only then proceed.

A citizenship-related route may be relevant for some investors, but it should not replace commercial logic. A sound project must remain sensible even without assuming a particular immigration outcome.

Türkiye’s current policy direction includes incentives linked to exports, advanced services, manufacturing and qualifying activities in selected frameworks.

For international investors, the correct approach is not to start with the incentive. It is to start with the business case.

A credible project should first demonstrate market demand, operating capacity, management, funding, compliance readiness and realistic economics. Incentives may strengthen that project, but they should not become the only reason for entering the country.

Before relying on any incentive, investors should verify:

• whether the sector and activity are eligible;
• whether location, structure and operational substance matter;
• what registration, reporting or certification is required;
• whether employment, export or investment conditions apply;
• how long benefits may remain available;
• whether there are clawback, compliance or audit obligations.