Company Formation in Ankara, Step by Step

Short answer: Company formation in Ankara involves choosing the company type, preparing the articles of association on MERSİS, signing and registering at the Ankara Trade Registry Office, then tax registration, inspection and e-Notification setup. With complete documents, a limited company is usually registered within a few business days. As of 2026, minimum capital is TL 50,000 for a limited company and TL 250,000 for a joint-stock company.

Company formation looks like a one-off task, but decisions made in the first month last for years. Name, business purpose, capital structure and shareholding can be changed later, but each change costs time and money. Setting things up correctly from the start matters.

1. Decide on the company type

The first question is which structure suits your business. A sole proprietorship suits those starting alone at low cost; a limited company suits those wanting partners, a corporate image and limited liability; a joint-stock company suits those planning to bring in investors or go public. For a detailed comparison, see sole trader or limited company.

Topic	Sole proprietorship	Limited company	Joint-stock company
Minimum capital	None	TL 50,000	TL 250,000
Number of partners	1	1⁠–⁠50	At least 1
Where to register	Tax office, chamber	Trade registry (MERSİS)	Trade registry (MERSİS)
Tax	Progressive income tax	Corporate tax	Corporate tax
Books	Usually business ledger	Balance-sheet basis	Balance-sheet basis
Liability	Unlimited	Limited; public debts pro rata to shares	Limited

Opening a sole proprietorship follows different steps, covered in how to open a sole proprietorship. The rest of this guide focuses on limited and joint-stock companies.

2. Name, business purpose and address

The company name must not be confusable with another name on the trade registry. The business purpose is written in the articles; reasonably including activities you plan for the future reduces later amendments. For the address, a lease, title deed or virtual office agreement is prepared. Many founders in Ankara use central areas such as Çankaya, Kızılay and Yenimahalle; remember the address will be verified by a tax office inspection.

3. Articles of association and MERSİS application

Limited and joint-stock company formation starts on the Ministry of Trade's Central Registry System (MERSİS). The articles are prepared in the system with partner details, capital, share distribution and manager or board details. Once complete, an application number is created and an appointment is booked with the Ankara Trade Registry Office.

4. Required documents

• Identity documents of partners and officers; passport and foreign ID number for foreign partners.
• Articles of association and formation petition prepared on MERSİS.
• Signature declaration of the company manager or board member.
• Receipt for the Competition Authority fee (four ten-thousandths of capital).
• For a joint-stock company, proof that at least a quarter of cash capital was deposited in a bank.
• Lease agreement or title deed for the business address.

In limited companies, cash capital can be paid within twenty-four months of registration. Planning when and how capital is paid eases cash flow in the first months.

5. Registration, tax and inspection

Once signatures are taken and registration is completed, the company gains legal personality and is announced in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette. The registry notifies the tax office, which inspects the premises, and tax liability begins. An e-Notification address is opened; it is mandatory for corporate taxpayers.

6. The first month after formation

• Bank account: A commercial account is opened in the company's name.
• Books: Paper books are certified by a notary; if within e-ledger scope, the application is completed.
• Invoicing: e-Archive or e-Invoice is set up. See e-invoice and e-archive requirements.
• Social security workplace registration: Required if you will hire.
• Partners' Bağ-Kur status: Limited company partners are generally covered by Bağ-Kur; see Bağ-Kur premium 2026.

7. Cost items of formation

• Trade registry registration and announcement fees.
• Ankara Chamber of Commerce registration and annual dues.
• Competition Authority fee (four ten-thousandths of capital).
• Notary fees for book certification and, if needed, signature declaration.
• Address costs: rent, deposit or virtual office fee.
• Financial seal, e-signature and e-invoicing service fees.
• Formation advisory and monthly accounting afterwards.

Some of these are updated every year. Preparing a cost list with current amounts before formation avoids unexpected expenses.

8. Differences for joint-stock companies

The basic steps are similar, with a few key differences. Minimum capital is TL 250,000 and at least a quarter of cash capital is deposited before registration. The company is managed by a board elected by the general assembly. Shares transfer more easily than in a limited company, which makes the joint-stock form attractive for startups seeking investors. In some sectors, such as finance and insurance, the joint-stock form is mandatory.

9. How is the tax burden formed?

Profits of limited and joint-stock companies are subject to corporate tax, and dividend distributions are subject to withholding. In sole proprietorships, profit is taxed on the progressive income tax scale. As profit grows, the more advantageous structure may change; estimate income tax with our income tax calculator.

10. Common mistakes

The most common mistakes are writing too narrow a business purpose, setting shareholding without thinking ahead, preparing incomplete address documents and missing the first month's filing calendar. VAT and withholding returns start right after formation, even with no transactions. Follow the dates in our 2026 tax calendar. Later changes such as a new partner, address or name also require registry procedures; see company changes and liquidation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does limited company formation in Ankara take?

With complete documents and an available appointment, registration takes a few business days. Including tax inspection, e-Notification and invoicing setup, the company is usually fully operational within about a week.

Do I need to deposit capital up front for a limited company?

Minimum capital is TL 50,000; cash capital can be paid within twenty-four months of registration. At formation, the Competition Authority fee of four ten-thousandths of capital is paid.

Can a single-person limited company be formed?

Yes. The sole partner can also be the manager and is generally covered by Bağ-Kur.

Can a home address be used as the company address?

If the activity allows, yes. The tax office will inspect it, so the address must be usable and the lease or deed ready. A virtual office is also common.

Can a company be formed in Ankara with a foreign partner?

Yes. Foreign individuals or legal entities can form limited or joint-stock companies. A tax number, a certified passport translation and sometimes extra documents are needed, so preparation may take a little longer.

When is the first tax return filed?

VAT and withholding returns start the month after formation, even with no sales or payments. Provisional and corporate tax follow in their periods.

Can I form the company myself?

Yes; MERSİS is open to everyone. However, errors in the articles, capital plan or tax registration create later costs. Planning formation together with accounting gives an orderly start from the first month.

Final Word

Company formation in Ankara can be completed in a few business days with proper preparation. The real difference shows in how orderly the first months begin.

We handle the whole process from choosing the type to tax registration. See our company formation page or contact us to meet at our Kızılay office.