Most independent agencies register as a limited company (LTD) rather than a joint-stock company, since LTD formation is faster and does not require a minimum of five shareholders. For the general incorporation steps, required documents and minimum capital, see our guide to forming a limited company in Turkey — this article focuses on what is specific to an advertising/digital marketing business.

Sector-Specific Registration: NACE Code and Chamber of Commerce

When registering with the Trade Registry, your company's activity field (NACE code) should reflect advertising services, media buying, or digital marketing consultancy as applicable — this affects which chamber committee you are assigned to and, in some cases, sector reporting obligations. Agencies that also produce video or photo content sometimes register a secondary activity code for content production.

VAT, Invoicing and Foreign Clients

Advertising and marketing services billed to clients outside Turkey are generally treated as export of services and may qualify for VAT exemption under Turkish VAT law, subject to documentation requirements (foreign currency invoicing, proof of service delivery abroad). See our VAT registration and compliance guide for the general mechanics; agencies serving international clients should set this up correctly from the first invoice to avoid retroactive corrections.

Platform Access and Media Buying Accounts

Running paid campaigns for clients typically requires agency-level access to Meta Business Manager, Google Ads MCC and local platforms. Banks may request your trade registry documents and tax certificate before approving business payment cards used for ad spend, so gather these early in the setup process.