A Guide to Company Formation for Foreigners in Alanya

At Rufina Taştan Law Office we advise foreign entrepreneurs who live in Alanya or plan to invest here on the company formation process, in Turkish and Russian. Türkiye grants foreign natural and legal persons broadly equal treatment with Turkish nationals when forming a company: there is no requirement for a local partner and, in most sectors, a company may be 100% foreign-owned. This guide sets out, carefully and without overpromising, which company type a foreigner may choose in Alanya, the capital requirements, the tax ID and MERSİS steps, and the obligations that follow incorporation.

Which Company Type Can Foreigners Form in Alanya?

The structure most commonly chosen by foreign investors is the Limited Liability Company (Limited Şirket, Ltd. Şti.). Because it can be formed even with a single shareholder, offers flexible management and carries a comparatively modest capital requirement, it suits the real estate, tourism, consultancy and trading activities typical of Alanya. For larger investments, or where shares change hands frequently, a Joint-Stock Company (Anonim Şirket, A.Ş.) may be preferable.

• Limited Liability Company (Ltd. Şti.): as of 1 January 2024 the minimum capital is 50,000 TL. The capital need not be paid upfront, but the committed capital must be fully paid within twenty-four months of formation.
• Joint-Stock Company (A.Ş.): as of 1 January 2024 the minimum capital is applied as 250,000 TL (higher for companies adopting the registered-capital system). Its ease of share transfer and corporate structure make it suitable for growing businesses.

In both types, foreign natural and legal persons may act as shareholders and directors. The choice of structure should reflect the field of activity, the number of shareholders, the liability profile and tax planning. We help you select the right structure in line with your commercial goals.

First Step: Tax ID and Preparation

Before a foreign shareholder or director can form a company, they must first obtain a potential Turkish tax number. This is issued by the tax office against an apostilled, sworn-translated copy of the passport, and is usually granted the same day. Where a foreign legal entity is a shareholder, that parent company's documents must likewise be apostilled and sworn-translated.

You do not need to be physically present in Alanya at every stage. With a properly drafted power of attorney we can carry out much of the incorporation on your behalf, which is a significant convenience for investors residing abroad.

The Formation Process Step by Step

Registering a company in Alanya is a series of official steps that begin in the MERSİS system and conclude at the Trade Registry Directorate. We manage the process as follows:

• A unique trade name is chosen and all company data is entered online into the MERSİS system.
• The articles of association are drafted to match the field of activity and the shareholding structure.
• Signatures and required documents are certified before a notary; powers of attorney and translations are completed for foreign shareholders.
• Any mandatory fees, such as the competition-authority contribution, are paid.
• The company is registered at the Trade Registry Directorate (Ticaret Sicil) and announced in the Trade Registry Gazette.
• Tax registration is opened, an e-signature is obtained, a bank account is opened, and the statutory books (notarized or e-ledger) are kept.

Completing the formation usually takes around 3-5 weeks; however this depends on the readiness of documents, translation and apostille steps and the workload of the authorities, so we share the timeline as an approximate estimate.

Documents Required

For forming a company with foreign shareholders in Alanya, the following documents are typically requested:

• Apostilled, sworn-translated passport copies of shareholders and directors.
• The potential tax number document.
• Apostilled and translated registry/activity certificates for a foreign corporate shareholder.
• A sworn-translated power of attorney for the incorporation steps.
• Passport photographs and contact details of the shareholders.
• Address details for the company's registered office and, where needed, a lease agreement.

Post-Formation Obligations and Permits for Foreign Directors

Registration is the start of the process, not the end. A company operating in Alanya has ongoing accounting and tax obligations that must be met on time, typically with the support of a certified public accountant (SMMM). Because late filings can lead to penalties, it is important to plan this calendar from the formation stage onward.

• Keeping accounting records and preparing filings on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• Value added tax (VAT/KDV) returns and, where applicable, withholding obligations.
• Corporate tax returns and advance (provisional) tax periods.
• Keeping the statutory books and complying with electronic obligations such as e-ledger and e-invoice.

Where a foreign shareholder also actively works as a director (manager) in the company, work permit and related residence permit matters must be assessed separately. A work permit application through the company depends on criteria such as capital, employment and activity. For foreign investors living in Alanya we plan these matters together with the incorporation, setting out in advance which step should be taken and when.

Contact us for a free initial consultation. At Rufina Taştan Law Office we manage your company formation in Alanya from start to finish, in Turkish and Russian, following a realistic roadmap and handling the process diligently without promising any particular outcome. WhatsApp or phone: +90 538 838 63 66, e-mail: info@avrufinatastan.com. Address: Güllerpınarı Mah. Keykubat Bulvarı, Alanya.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Turkish partner to form a company in Alanya as a foreigner?

No. Foreign natural and legal persons enjoy broadly equal rights with Turkish nationals when forming a company; there is no local-partner requirement and, in most sectors, you may form a 100% foreign-owned company.

What is the minimum capital to form a limited company in Alanya?

As of 1 January 2024 the minimum capital for a limited liability company is 50,000 TL. It does not have to be paid upfront; it is enough that the committed capital is fully paid within twenty-four months.

Do I have to travel to Alanya to form the company?

Not necessarily. If you grant a properly drafted power of attorney, we can carry out much of the incorporation on your behalf, so you do not need to remain in Alanya throughout the process.

How long does company formation in Alanya take?

Formation usually takes around 3-5 weeks. This is an approximate estimate, as it can vary with the readiness of documents, apostille and sworn translations, and the workload of the authorities.

What obligations do I have after forming the company?

After formation you take on periodic obligations such as regular accounting (through a certified accountant, SMMM), VAT (KDV), withholding and corporate tax filings. A foreign director may also need an assessment regarding work and residence permits.

How do I obtain the tax number?

A potential tax number is obtained by applying to the tax office with an apostilled, sworn-translated copy of your passport, and is usually issued the same day. We can also handle this under a power of attorney on your behalf.