IT Company Registration in Turkey: Tech Startup Guide 2026

Registering a software or tech company in Turkey follows the same basic Trade Registry framework as any business, but founders quickly hit tech-specific questions: which legal form fits a startup that plans to raise funding, whether a technopark (Teknokent) location is worth the paperwork, and how to bring foreign engineers onto the payroll. This guide focuses on the decisions that actually matter for an IT company, not the generic incorporation checklist.

Choosing a Legal Form: LTD First, AŞ Later

Most tech startups in Turkey incorporate as a Limited Şirket (LTD) — minimum capital of 50,000 TRY, simpler governance, and lower ongoing compliance cost than an Anonim Şirket (AŞ). An AŞ becomes the better fit once you're planning to bring in institutional investors, issue different share classes, or eventually list — situations where share transferability and a formal board matter. If that's on your roadmap, our overview of when to choose an AŞ over an LTD walks through the trade-offs in more detail.

Technopark (Teknokent) Status and Tax Incentives

Software companies operating inside a certified Technology Development Zone (Teknokent) can benefit from corporate tax and income tax exemptions on qualifying R&D and software-development revenue, plus a VAT exemption on software delivered as a qualifying export. These incentives are tied to specific activity codes and to physical or virtual residency inside an approved technopark — eligibility and the exact exemption scope should be confirmed with an accountant before you commit to a location, since the rules are periodically revised.

Registering the Company: The Practical Steps

1. Reserve the company name (MERSİS system) and draft the articles of association.
2. Deposit the minimum capital and obtain the bank letter.
3. Complete notarization of signature circulars and required documents.
4. Register with the relevant Trade Registry and Chamber of Commerce.
5. Obtain a tax identification number and register with the tax office.
6. Register employees with the Social Security Institution (SGK) before their start date.

Hiring Foreign Engineers and Work Permits

Many tech founders need to bring in foreign co-founders or specialist engineers. A work permit application is generally tied to the company's registered activity and payroll capacity, and certain digital/tech roles have qualified for streamlined processing in recent years — but requirements shift, so confirm current quotas and salary thresholds with an immigration specialist before making hiring commitments.

Getting Set Up Right the First Time

Company structure, technopark eligibility, and the first employment contracts are the three areas where tech founders most often need to redo paperwork later — get them reviewed before you file. Our tech startup consulting service covers structuring, registration, and the first-year compliance calendar together, and general company-formation support is available through commerce startup consulting if you're combining software with another business line.

Tax incentive rules, minimum capital figures, and work permit quotas are all subject to periodic government revision — contact our team to confirm what currently applies to your specific business model before you file.

This article reflects the framework understood to be in force as of September 2026; always confirm current incentive scope and capital thresholds with a licensed accountant or attorney before incorporating.