At a glance
- Limited Şirket: simpler and cheaper, can be set up with a single partner, suits most small and medium businesses.
- Minimum capital, Limited: TRY 50,000, nothing paid before registration, payable within 24 months.
- Anonim Şirket: for larger projects, raising investment or activities the law reserves for joint-stock companies.
- Minimum capital, Anonim: TRY 250,000, at least 25% paid into a blocked bank account before registration, the rest within 24 months.
- Figures from January 2024; we confirm the current ones when we start.
Limited company (Limited Şirketi)
The limited company is the default for most foreign founders. It is simpler and less expensive to set up and run, can be founded by a single partner, and suits most small and medium businesses: trading, services, consulting, software, import and export. Under the current rules (since January 2024) its minimum capital is TRY 50,000, and nothing has to be paid in before registration: the capital can be paid within 24 months.
Joint-stock company (Anonim Şirketi)
The joint-stock company is meant for bigger projects, for bringing in investors, and for activities that by law must be run as a joint-stock company. It has more capital and more formalities: the minimum capital is TRY 250,000, and at least 25% of it must be deposited into a blocked bank account before registration, with the rest paid within 24 months.
Which one should you choose?
- One founder, or a few partners, starting a normal business: Limited.
- You want a work permit through your own company: usually Limited. The work-permit assessment looks at capital, Turkish employees, profit and your job title, whatever the type.
- You plan to raise investment or sell shares, or your sector requires it: Anonim.
- Not sure: decide on your business plan and the number of partners, not on prestige. You can talk it through in the free consultation.
What registration costs
With ATIELIT a standard limited company costs USD 1,200–1,500 end to end, including government and notary fees, and takes about 2–4 days. No Turkish partner is needed, and it can be done remotely with a power of attorney. A work permit through the company is a separate case, about USD 1,000.
Common questions
What is the difference between a Limited and an Anonim company in Turkey?
Limited is simpler and cheaper, can have one partner and suits most small and medium businesses. Anonim (joint-stock) is for larger projects, investors or activities that legally require it, with more capital and formalities.
What is the minimum capital for a company in Turkey?
Under the rules since January 2024: TRY 50,000 for a Limited company, payable within 24 months, and TRY 250,000 for an Anonim company, with at least 25% paid before registration. Figures can change.
Do I have to pay the capital before registering a Limited company?
No. For a Limited company nothing has to be paid in before registration; the capital is paid within 24 months.
Which company type is best for a foreigner?
For most foreign founders, the Limited company. Anonim makes sense for bigger projects, investors or sectors that require it.
This article is general guidance and doesn't replace a review of your own case. Rules and figures can change, and no one can guarantee a residence or visa approval.