LTD vs. A.Ş.: Which Structure Fits a Consulting Business

Most independent consulting practices choose a limited company (LTD) over a joint-stock company (A.Ş.), since LTD formation is faster, requires no minimum five shareholders, and suits the typically smaller team size and simpler capital structure of a professional services firm. An A.Ş. becomes more relevant if you plan to bring in multiple outside investors or eventually list shares, which is uncommon for a pure consulting practice in its early years.

Foreign Ownership and Where You Actually Need to Be Based

Consulting is one of the sectors most open to full foreign ownership with no local partner requirement, and — unlike a retail or manufacturing business — a consulting company's physical presence requirement can be genuinely minimal if most client work is remote or project-based. Confirm this does not conflict with any sector-specific licensing requirement if your consulting practice touches a regulated area (financial advisory, legal-adjacent consulting), which can carry additional requirements beyond general company law.

Positioning for Domestic vs. Export Consulting Revenue

A consulting firm serving Turkish clients faces standard 20% VAT on domestic invoices, while consulting services genuinely exported to a client based abroad can generally qualify for VAT exemption under Turkish VAT law, subject to correct documentation — see our VAT registration and compliance guide. Decide early whether your practice will be primarily domestic, export-focused, or a mix, since this affects your invoicing setup and, over time, your tax planning conversations with your accountant.

Professional Liability and Sector Credibility

Unlike some professions, general business or management consulting does not require a specific professional licence in Turkey, but this also means the market has no formal barrier to entry — professional liability insurance and membership in relevant industry associations, while not legally mandatory for most consulting sub-fields, function as credibility signals that clients increasingly expect from serious firms.