Foreign investors considering Türkiye frequently ask one apparently simple question:

“How much money do I need to invest in Türkiye?”

The answer depends entirely on what the investor means by “invest.”

There is no single universal minimum foreign investment amount applicable to every foreign investor entering Türkiye.

Under Türkiye’s Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign investors are generally free to make direct investments and are subject to equal treatment with domestic investors, unless international agreements or special legislation provide otherwise. (invest.gov.tr)

Accordingly, Türkiye does not impose a general rule such as:

“Every foreign investor must invest at least USD 100,000.”

or:

“A foreign-owned company must have EUR 500,000 of capital.”

For an ordinary Turkish company, the minimum capital requirement usually depends on the type of Turkish company being established, not the nationality of its shareholder.

As of August 2026, the principal statutory minimum capital amounts are:

The Ministry of Trade confirms these amounts. (ticaret.gov.tr)

However, these are only company-law minimums.

Different and substantially higher thresholds may become relevant where the foreign investor wants to:

• obtain a Turkish work permit as a company partner;
• operate in a regulated sector;
• obtain an investment incentive;
• qualify for a special foreign direct investment regime;
• obtain residence or citizenship through investment; or
• satisfy licensing capital requirements.

Foreign founders should therefore distinguish between at least four separate concepts:

1. minimum company capital;
2. minimum foreign investment;
3. minimum capital for regulatory or work permit purposes; and
4. minimum investment for immigration or citizenship programs.

Confusing these figures can lead to an incorrectly structured investment.

1. Is There a General Minimum Investment Amount for Foreigners in Türkiye?

Generally, no.

Law No. 4875 on Foreign Direct Investments does not impose a blanket monetary threshold that every foreign investor must satisfy before making a direct investment in Türkiye.

Article 3 establishes the principles of:

• freedom to invest; and
• national treatment.

Foreign investors are generally free to make foreign direct investments and are treated equally with domestic investors, subject to international agreements and special legislation. (invest.gov.tr)

The law expressly recognizes foreign direct investment through methods including:

• establishing a new company;
• establishing a branch;
• acquiring shares of an existing Turkish company; and
• investing through various economic assets. (invest.gov.tr)

Therefore, the foreign investor is not normally required to invest a separate minimum amount merely because they are foreign.

2. Does a Foreign Investor Have to Invest More Than a Turkish Investor?

For an ordinary company, generally no.

A foreign investor establishing a Turkish limited liability company is generally subject to the same statutory minimum capital as a Turkish investor establishing the same company.

Similarly, a foreign investor establishing a joint stock company is generally subject to the same company-law capital requirement as a domestic investor.

This follows from the national treatment principle under Law No. 4875.

Türkiye’s current investment guidance also states that foreign investors may establish companies with 100% foreign ownership and that there are generally no nationality restrictions on shareholders outside specifically regulated sectors. (invest.gov.tr)

Therefore:

Foreign ownership does not, by itself, create a higher company capital requirement.

3. What Is the Minimum Capital for a Turkish Limited Liability Company?

As of 2026, the statutory minimum capital for a Turkish:

Limited Şirket – Ltd. Şti.

is:

TRY 50,000

The Ministry of Trade confirms that a limited liability company may generally be established by one to fifty individuals or legal entities and must have minimum capital of TRY 50,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

The shareholder may be:

• a Turkish citizen;
• a foreign citizen;
• a Turkish legal entity;
• a foreign company; or
• another qualifying legal entity.

Therefore, a single foreign founder may generally establish:

Foreign Founder – 100%

Turkish Ltd. Şti. – TRY 50,000 capital

provided that no special sector rule requires more.

4. Does the TRY 50,000 Have to Be Paid Before the Ltd. Şti. Is Registered?

Generally, no.

For limited liability companies, the subscribed capital may generally be paid within 24 months following registration.

The Ministry of Trade confirms that the entire minimum capital of the limited company may be paid within the 24-month period following registration. (ticaret.gov.tr)

This is different from the payment rule applicable to joint stock companies.

However, merely because the law permits delayed payment does not mean that every foreign founder should establish a company with only the legal minimum.

The business’s actual financing needs should also be considered.

5. What Is the Minimum Capital for a Turkish Joint Stock Company?

The statutory minimum capital for an ordinary:

Anonim Şirket – A.Ş.

is currently:

TRY 250,000

The Ministry of Trade confirms that the minimum capital of a joint stock company is TRY 250,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

There is generally no higher minimum merely because:

• the founder is British;
• the shareholder is a German company;
• the investor is a US fund; or
• the company is 100% foreign-owned.

6. How Much of an A.Ş. Capital Must Be Paid Before Registration?

At least one quarter of cash capital subscribed in a joint stock company must generally be paid before registration.

The remaining amount must generally be paid within twenty-four months following registration.

The Ministry of Trade confirms this payment schedule. (ticaret.gov.tr)

For example:

A.Ş. capital:

TRY 1,000,000

Minimum generally payable before registration:

TRY 250,000

Remaining:

TRY 750,000

to be paid within the statutory period.

7. What Is the Minimum Capital Under the Registered Capital System?

For a non-public joint stock company adopting the registered capital system, the minimum initial capital is currently:

TRY 500,000

The Ministry of Trade confirms the TRY 500,000 threshold. (ticaret.gov.tr)

The registered capital system may provide additional flexibility concerning future capital increases, but it is not necessary for every startup.

Whether it is appropriate depends on matters such as:

• investment plans;
• governance;
• capital raising strategy; and
• corporate structure.

8. Important 2026 Rule for Existing Companies

The current date is particularly important because Türkiye is in a transitional period concerning the increased minimum capital requirements.

The statutory minimums were increased effective January 1, 2024.

Companies that remained below the new statutory thresholds are required under the current transitional framework to raise their capital to the required minimum by:

December 31, 2026

The Ministry of Trade states that companies failing to comply with the transitional requirement may be deemed dissolved under the applicable legislation. (ticaret.gov.tr)

Therefore, a foreign investor buying an older Turkish company in 2026 should check whether its registered capital complies with the current minimum.

This should be included in legal due diligence.

9. Example: Foreign Founder Establishing a Consulting Company

Assume a British entrepreneur wants to establish a consultancy business.

The company:

• will have one shareholder;
• will employ two people;
• will not seek venture capital;
• has modest operating costs; and
• does not operate in a regulated sector.

A standard Ltd. Şti. may legally be established with:

TRY 50,000 minimum capital.

There is no separate general requirement that the British founder invest:

• USD 100,000;
• EUR 500,000; or
• another fixed foreign investment amount.

10. Example: Foreign Founder Establishing a Venture-Backed Startup

Assume two US founders intend to establish an artificial intelligence startup.

They plan to:

• raise seed investment;
• give equity to employees;
• bring in international VC funds;
• complete multiple investment rounds; and
• potentially sell the startup.

Although an Ltd. Şti. could initially require only TRY 50,000 minimum capital, an A.Ş. may be commercially more appropriate.

The A.Ş. statutory minimum would currently be:

TRY 250,000.

But even TRY 250,000 may be commercially inadequate for a startup intending to employ fifteen developers and operate for eighteen months before revenue.

The legal minimum and the commercial funding requirement are different concepts.

11. Legal Minimum Capital Is Not Recommended Operating Capital

Foreign founders frequently ask:

“What is the cheapest amount with which I can establish the company?”

That is not always the correct question.

A better question is:

“How much capital should the company realistically have for its business plan?”

Suppose an AI startup expects annual costs of:

• TRY 12 million payroll;
• TRY 2 million office and infrastructure;
• TRY 4 million cloud services;
• TRY 3 million marketing.

A statutory TRY 250,000 A.Ş. capital may satisfy the Turkish Commercial Code.

It does not mean the company is adequately financed.

12. Does the Capital Have to Remain Permanently Frozen?

No.

Once properly contributed to and made available to the company according to the applicable corporate procedures, capital is part of the company’s assets.

The company may use its resources for legitimate business purposes such as:

• employee salaries;
• rent;
• software;
• inventory;
• equipment;
• marketing;
• suppliers;
• professional fees; and
• other commercial expenses.

However, capital does not become the personal money of the shareholder.

The shareholder should not treat the company’s bank account as their own account.

13. Can a Foreigner Own 100% of a Minimum-Capital Company?

Generally, yes.

For an ordinary non-regulated business, a foreign investor can generally own:

100%

of a Turkish company.

Türkiye’s investment guidance states that companies established under Turkish law with foreign shareholding are generally subject to equal treatment and foreign investors may establish companies with 100% foreign ownership. (invest.gov.tr)

There is therefore no general requirement to introduce a Turkish shareholder merely to satisfy a foreign investment rule.

14. Does a Foreign Company Need More Capital Than a Foreign Individual?

Not merely because the shareholder is a legal entity.

For example:

German GmbH → 100% Turkish Ltd. Şti.

and:

German Individual → 100% Turkish Ltd. Şti.

are generally subject to the same statutory Turkish Ltd. Şti. capital requirement.

The foreign corporate shareholder will, however, need additional corporate documentation during establishment.

15. Is There a Minimum Percentage That a Foreign Investor Must Acquire?

Not as a general company investment rule.

A foreign investor can potentially acquire:

• 1%;
• 5%;
• 10%;
• 20%;
• 49%;
• 51%; or
• 100%

of an ordinary Turkish company, subject to:

• company documents;
• shareholder agreements;
• special sector restrictions; and
• any applicable regulatory approvals.

Law No. 4875 expressly recognizes share acquisitions by foreign investors within its definition of foreign direct investment. (invest.gov.tr)

16. Does Buying Existing Shares Require a Minimum Investment?

Generally, there is no blanket minimum purchase price applicable simply because the buyer is foreign.

For example, a foreign investor may theoretically acquire:

10% of a startup for EUR 50,000

or:

80% of another business for EUR 50 million.

The purchase price is determined primarily by:

• company valuation;
• negotiation;
• investment terms;
• financial performance; and
• transaction structure.

Special regulatory rules may apply in particular industries.

17. What About a Turkish Branch of a Foreign Company?

A branch is different from a subsidiary.

A Turkish branch:

• is not a separate legal entity from the foreign parent;
• has no shareholders; and
• generally operates as part of the foreign company.

Official Invest in Türkiye guidance states that a branch office has no statutory capital requirement, although sufficient budget should naturally be allocated for its Turkish operations. (invest.gov.tr)

This is another example demonstrating why there is no single universal “foreign investment minimum.”

18. Does a Liaison Office Require Share Capital?

A liaison office is not an ordinary commercial company.

It generally cannot conduct commercial revenue-generating activity in Türkiye and requires the appropriate operating permission.

The legal and funding rules for liaison offices are therefore fundamentally different from those applicable to:

• Ltd. Şti.;
• A.Ş.; or
• branches.

Foreign investors should first decide what presence they actually need in Türkiye before asking about capital.

19. The Biggest Confusion: Company Capital vs Work Permit Capital

A foreign founder may legally establish a Turkish company while still failing to satisfy the criteria required to obtain a work permit as an active foreign company partner.

This is one of the most important practical distinctions.

Company Law

Ltd. Şti. minimum:

TRY 50,000

Foreign Company-Partner Work Permit

Under the current ordinary evaluation criteria, the foreign company partner generally needs substantially more capital.

As of August 2026, the Ministry of Labour requires, under the ordinary company-partner framework:

• at least TRY 500,000 paid-in capital in the company;
• at least TRY 500,000 capital share attributable to the foreign partner; and
• at least 20% shareholding by the foreign partner. (csgb.gov.tr)

This means that a company can be perfectly valid under corporate law while still being inadequately capitalized for the founder’s intended work permit route.

20. Example: Valid Company but Work Permit Problem

Assume:

Company:

Technology Ltd. Şti.

Capital:

TRY 50,000

Foreign Founder:

100% shareholder

From a basic company-law perspective, the statutory minimum capital requirement may be satisfied.

The founder then wants to:

• move to İstanbul;
• act as company manager;
• work full time;
• hire staff; and
• operate the business.

The founder discovers that the ordinary company-partner work permit criteria require a substantially higher capital structure.

The company therefore may need restructuring or recapitalization.

This could have been avoided by planning immigration and corporate structure together before incorporation.

21. What Is the Five Turkish Employee Rule?

Under the ordinary foreign company-partner work permit rules, the company must generally employ at least:

five Turkish citizens.

For the initial permit of the foreign company partner or business owner, the Ministry states that this requirement generally begins from the:

start of the seventh month of the permit. (csgb.gov.tr)

Therefore, capital is not the only relevant work permit requirement.

Employment planning also matters.

22. Is There a USD 100,000 Work Permit Exception?

Yes.

The Ministry’s current company-partner criteria provide that where the foreign partner’s capital share is at least:

USD 100,000

certain ordinary company-partner financial and employment criteria are not applied in the same manner. (csgb.gov.tr)

However, this should not be misunderstood.

USD 100,000 is not the minimum amount required for every foreigner to establish a company in Türkiye.

It relates to a specific work permit evaluation context.

This is exactly why different legal thresholds should not be mixed.

23. Does the New August 2026 Work Permit Rule Change the Analysis?

Türkiye introduced an important new general work permit evaluation rule effective August 3, 2026.

Under the updated criteria, certain foreigners who have legally remained in Türkiye for at least one year during the previous three years may benefit from an exemption from ordinary financial and employment criteria for specified domestic work permit applications, subject to detailed conditions. (csgb.gov.tr)

However, company partners are also governed by their own specific evaluation criteria.

Accordingly, foreign founders should not automatically assume that the new general exception eliminates the company-partner requirements.

The exact permit category must be reviewed.

24. Regulated Industries May Require Much Higher Capital

The TRY 50,000 and TRY 250,000 minimums apply to ordinary Ltd. Şti. and A.Ş. structures.

But merely incorporating the company does not mean it can conduct every business activity.

Certain sectors have their own:

• minimum capital;
• licence;
• shareholder suitability;
• governance;
• technical infrastructure; and
• regulatory approval

requirements.

These can be substantially more demanding.

25. Which Sectors Should Foreign Investors Check Carefully?

Examples include:

• banking;
• payment services;
• electronic money;
• insurance;
• capital markets;
• crypto asset services;
• energy;
• civil aviation;
• broadcasting;
• maritime activities;
• licensed warehousing; and
• other specially regulated industries.

A foreign founder planning a regulated business should therefore determine the licensing regime before choosing the company’s capital.

26. Example: “We Are a Fintech Startup”

A foreign founder establishes an A.Ş. with:

TRY 250,000 capital.

The company is validly incorporated.

The founder later explains that the business will:

• hold customer funds;
• process payments;
• issue electronic money; or
• provide another regulated financial service.

The ordinary A.Ş. minimum does not automatically authorize these activities.

The relevant financial regulator may impose substantially higher capital and licensing requirements.

Therefore:

corporate registration ≠ regulatory authorization.

27. Example: Crypto Asset Business

The same principle applies to crypto businesses.

A company may validly incorporate as an A.Ş., but if its activities constitute regulated crypto asset services, the company must comply with the applicable SPK and related regulatory framework.

Foreign founders should therefore not use the general TRY 250,000 A.Ş. capital threshold as evidence that a crypto business is properly licensed.

Corporate capital and regulatory capital are separate concepts.

28. Sector-Specific Capital Can Change Over Time

Another reason to obtain current advice is that regulatory capital requirements can be amended.

A fintech business plan prepared using an old statutory threshold may become obsolete before the licence application is filed.

For regulated businesses, the relevant capital rules should therefore be checked:

• before incorporation;
• before licence application;
• before investment closing; and
• before any major restructuring.

29. What About Investment Incentives?

Foreign investors may be eligible for Turkish investment incentive programs.

However, incentive eligibility is different from the minimum capital required merely to establish a company.

Certain programs contain:

• minimum fixed investment amounts;
• sector thresholds;
• regional requirements;
• technology requirements; and
• project-specific criteria.

These thresholds determine whether the investor qualifies for a particular incentive, not whether the foreign investor may legally establish an ordinary Turkish company.

30. Example: HIT-30 Program

Türkiye’s HIT-30 high-technology investment program illustrates the difference.

The Ministry of Industry and Technology currently states that projects within the relevant high-technology program must generally have a minimum fixed investment amount of:

TRY 2 billion

to be considered under the program. (sanayi.gov.tr)

This clearly does not mean every technology startup in Türkiye requires TRY 2 billion capital.

It simply means that a project seeking to fall within that specific incentive program must satisfy the program’s investment threshold.

31. Company Capital and Fixed Investment Are Different

Foreign investors should distinguish:

Share Capital

The capital registered in the company’s corporate structure.

Fixed Investment

The investment made in assets or projects such as:

• machinery;
• buildings;
• production facilities;
• equipment;
• infrastructure; or
• certain qualifying project expenditure.

A company might have:

TRY 10 million registered capital

while undertaking:

TRY 500 million fixed investment.

Conversely, registered capital and fixed investment may interact differently depending on project financing.

32. Does Foreign Investment of USD 500,000 Give Special Rights?

Potentially, depending on the legal route.

One widely known threshold concerns immigration and citizenship.

A foreign investor who makes a qualifying fixed capital investment of at least:

USD 500,000

or equivalent foreign currency may potentially satisfy one of the investment categories relevant to exceptional Turkish citizenship, subject to certification by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and all other applicable legal requirements. (invest.gov.tr)

However:

USD 500,000 is not the general minimum required to establish a Turkish company.

It is a threshold associated with a particular investment-based immigration/citizenship route.

33. Can I Establish a Company With TRY 50,000 and Get Citizenship?

Merely establishing a TRY 50,000 limited company does not by itself satisfy the current fixed-capital investment route for exceptional citizenship.

The current fixed-capital investment threshold for that specific route is:

USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency, subject to competent-authority confirmation. (invest.gov.tr)

Company incorporation and citizenship eligibility should therefore not be confused.

34. What Other Citizenship Investment Thresholds Exist?

Current official investment guidance identifies several alternative qualifying routes, including:

• qualifying fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000;
• qualifying real estate investment of at least USD 400,000;
• creation of at least 50 jobs;
• qualifying bank deposit of at least USD 500,000;
• qualifying government bond investment of at least USD 500,000;
• qualifying real estate investment fund or venture capital investment fund units of at least USD 500,000; and
• certain qualifying private pension investments of at least USD 500,000,

subject to the specific statutory holding periods, certification requirements and conditions applicable to each route. (invest.gov.tr)

These thresholds are immigration/citizenship thresholds—not ordinary corporate capital requirements.

35. Does Investing USD 500,000 Automatically Give Citizenship?

No.

Meeting an investment threshold does not mean citizenship is automatically issued at the moment the money is transferred.

The investment must:

• fall within the qualifying category;
• satisfy the statutory conditions;
• be confirmed by the competent authority;
• satisfy any required holding period or restrictions; and
• proceed through the relevant citizenship procedure.

The ultimate legal process remains separate from company incorporation.

36. Can the Same Capital Serve Several Purposes?

Potentially.

A properly structured foreign investment might simultaneously:

• capitalize the Turkish company;
• strengthen its balance sheet;
• help satisfy work permit criteria;
• potentially count toward an investment-based immigration strategy; and
• support business operations.

But these outcomes are not automatic.

Each legal regime uses its own definition of:

• investment;
• capital;
• paid-in capital;
• fixed investment;
• investor; and
• qualifying expenditure.

A lawyer should therefore verify whether one investment actually satisfies several separate legal tests.

37. Example: USD 500,000 Investment Into a Startup

Suppose a foreign entrepreneur transfers USD 500,000 into a Turkish technology company.

That fact alone does not tell us what the legal consequences are.

Questions include:

• Was it registered as share capital?
• Was it share premium?
• Was it a shareholder loan?
• Was it invested into fixed assets?
• Who made the payment?
• Did the investor receive shares?
• Has the company documented the investment?
• Is the investor seeking a work permit?
• Is the investor seeking citizenship?
• Has a competent authority certified a qualifying fixed investment?

The same USD 500,000 transfer can therefore produce very different legal consequences depending on its structure.

38. Should a Startup Use the Minimum Possible Capital?

Not necessarily.

For an early-stage startup, low registered capital may appear attractive.

However, several practical issues should be considered.

Banking

Banks may ask whether the company has adequate financial substance.

Work Permit

Foreign founder work permit rules may require higher paid-in capital.

Investor Due Diligence

A very weak balance sheet may raise questions.

Commercial Contracts

Large customers may review financial strength.

Regulatory Requirements

The industry may require more capital.

Cash Flow

The company still needs sufficient money to survive.

Therefore, minimum legal capital should not automatically become the company’s financing strategy.

39. Should an International Group Use Minimum Capital for Its Turkish Subsidiary?

Again, not automatically.

Assume a multinational group expects its Turkish subsidiary to:

• employ 100 employees;
• sign major leases;
• hold inventory;
• enter significant customer contracts; and
• incur substantial monthly expenses.

Although the subsidiary may technically be incorporated at a much lower statutory minimum, the parent may choose substantially higher capitalization.

Adequate capitalization can support:

• solvency;
• bank relationships;
• supplier confidence;
• regulatory compliance;
• intercompany financing; and
• corporate governance.

40. Can Capital Be Increased Later?

Yes.

A Turkish company can generally increase its capital through the required corporate procedures.

Foreign investors frequently use capital increases when:

• new investors enter;
• additional financing is needed;
• work permit criteria require higher paid-in capital;
• regulatory requirements change;
• losses weaken equity;
• expansion is planned; or
• the group restructures its Turkish business.

However, additional legal and administrative steps will be required.

Choosing an appropriate initial capital can therefore reduce later restructuring.

41. Can Capital Be Contributed in Foreign Currency?

Foreign investment may be brought into Türkiye in convertible foreign currency through the banking system.

Law No. 4875 expressly includes cash capital in convertible currency among the assets foreign investors may bring from abroad as foreign direct investment. (invest.gov.tr)

However, Turkish corporate records and registered capital are subject to Turkish corporate and accounting requirements.

Where an investment is negotiated in:

• USD;
• EUR;
• GBP; or
• another currency,

the parties should determine how currency conversion will be reflected in:

• registered capital;
• share premium;
• valuation;
• accounting; and
• investment documentation.

42. Can Machinery or Intellectual Property Be Contributed as Capital?

Turkish law allows certain non-cash assets to be contributed as capital, provided that applicable corporate-law conditions and valuation rules are satisfied.

Law No. 4875 specifically recognizes investment assets such as:

• machinery and equipment; and
• industrial and intellectual property rights

within the foreign investment framework. (invest.gov.tr)

However, contributing software, patents or machinery is more complex than simply transferring cash.

Valuation and corporate procedures must be handled correctly.

43. Can a Foreign Investor Finance the Company Through a Loan Instead of Capital?

Potentially, yes.

A foreign shareholder may finance its Turkish company through:

• equity;
• shareholder loans; or
• a combination.

However, a loan is not registered share capital.

Foreign loans may trigger:

• foreign exchange rules;
• banking documentation;
• interest;
• transfer pricing;
• withholding tax;
• thin capitalization; and
• repayment issues.

Therefore, a founder should not assume that a USD 500,000 shareholder loan satisfies every rule requiring USD 500,000 capital.

The terminology matters.

44. Paid-In Capital Is Not the Same as Shareholder Loan

Suppose:

Registered capital:

TRY 50,000

Foreign shareholder loan:

TRY 5 million equivalent

The company may have substantial cash.

But its paid-in share capital can still remain TRY 50,000.

A legal rule requiring:

TRY 500,000 paid-in capital

is not automatically satisfied merely because the company owes its shareholder TRY 5 million.

This distinction is especially important in work permit applications.

45. What Should a Foreign Investor Check Before Choosing the Capital Amount?

Before incorporating or investing, determine:

• What company type will be used?
• Is an Ltd. Şti. sufficient?
• Is an A.Ş. preferable?
• Will the registered capital system be used?
• What is the statutory minimum capital?
• How much working capital does the business actually need?
• Will the founder actively work in Türkiye?
• Are work permit capital thresholds relevant?
• Will employees need to be hired?
• Will the company operate in a regulated sector?
• Does the regulator require higher capital?
• Is an investment incentive being sought?
• Does the incentive have minimum fixed investment requirements?
• Is citizenship by investment relevant?
• Is the investment intended to satisfy a USD 500,000 threshold?
• Is the investment equity or debt?
• Will shareholder loans be used?
• Will the company raise venture capital?
• Is share premium expected?
• What happens after future dilution?
• Will capital need to be increased later?

Only after answering these questions should the capital figure be finalized.

46. Common Mistake No. 1: “Foreigners Must Invest USD 100,000”

This is not a general Turkish company formation rule.

The USD 100,000 figure can arise in specific work permit criteria involving foreign company partners.

It should not be presented as a universal foreign investment minimum.

A foreign investor establishing an ordinary company without relying on that work permit route may be subject to entirely different requirements.

47. Common Mistake No. 2: “Foreigners Must Invest USD 500,000”

Again, not generally.

USD 500,000 is relevant in specific contexts, particularly certain investment-based citizenship and residence routes.

It is not the ordinary minimum capital required for every foreign-owned Turkish company.

An ordinary Ltd. Şti. may have a statutory minimum capital of TRY 50,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

48. Common Mistake No. 3: “TRY 50,000 Is Enough for Every Foreign Founder”

Also incorrect.

TRY 50,000 may satisfy the minimum capital requirement for an ordinary Ltd. Şti.

But the founder may need significantly more capital where:

• a work permit is required;
• the business is regulated;
• an incentive program is sought;
• citizenship investment is planned; or
• the company needs substantial operational funding.

The legal question must always be linked to the actual objective.

49. Common Mistake No. 4: Confusing Registered Capital With Investment Amount

Suppose a foreign investor purchases founder shares for:

EUR 10 million.

The company may still have registered capital of:

TRY 1 million.

The EUR 10 million purchase price does not automatically become company capital because it was paid to the selling shareholders.

Similarly, the size of the transaction does not necessarily equal the registered capital.

50. Common Mistake No. 5: Confusing Company Capital With Company Valuation

A startup may have:

registered capital: TRY 250,000

while investors value the company at:

USD 20 million.

These figures measure completely different concepts.

Registered capital is a corporate-law figure.

Valuation reflects the negotiated economic value of the company.

A high-value startup does not necessarily have registered capital equal to its market value.

51. Common Mistake No. 6: Assuming Investment Capital Automatically Gives Residence

It does not.

Ordinary company ownership and residence status are separate.

Certain qualifying investment amounts may support special residence or citizenship routes, but simply establishing an ordinary company does not automatically provide immigration status.

52. Common Mistake No. 7: Ignoring Existing Company Capital During Acquisition

A foreign investor buying an existing Turkish company in 2026 should verify:

• current registered capital;
• whether capital is fully paid;
• whether it falls below statutory thresholds;
• whether the company has complied with the December 31, 2026 transition deadline;
• whether capital has been impaired; and
• whether recapitalization will be needed after closing.

The Ministry of Trade’s current guidance makes the 2026 deadline particularly important for older companies below the new statutory minimums. (ticaret.gov.tr)

53. Practical Example: Foreign SaaS Founder

A Canadian founder wants to establish a SaaS business.

No work permit initially because the founder will remain abroad.

No regulated financial activity.

No citizenship application.

No institutional funding in year one.

In that case, the relevant capital analysis may largely begin with the ordinary Turkish Commercial Code requirements.

The founder may choose an Ltd. Şti. with at least:

TRY 50,000 capital.

Whether a higher amount is commercially advisable is a separate question.

54. Practical Example: Founder Moving to İstanbul

Same startup.

But the founder will now:

• live in İstanbul;
• manage the company;
• work full time;
• obtain a work permit as company partner.

The analysis changes significantly.

The company-partner work permit criteria currently generally require:

• at least TRY 500,000 paid-in company capital;
• at least TRY 500,000 capital share of the foreign partner;
• at least 20% ownership; and
• five Turkish employees from the applicable stage of the permit. (csgb.gov.tr)

The company capital may therefore need to be structured above the ordinary statutory minimum.

55. Practical Example: Foreign VC Investing EUR 5 Million

A foreign VC invests:

EUR 5 million

into a Turkish A.Ş.

The investment is structured through:

• capital increase;
• nominal share issuance;
• share premium.

The company’s registered nominal capital does not necessarily need to become exactly EUR 5 million equivalent.

The investment documentation can distinguish between:

• nominal capital; and
• amounts paid above nominal value,

subject to Turkish corporate and accounting law.

Therefore, investment size and statutory capital should not be treated as identical.

56. Practical Example: Foreign Investor Seeking Citizenship

A foreign entrepreneur wants both:

1. to establish a Turkish business; and
2. to explore exceptional citizenship through qualifying investment.

Simply establishing:

Ltd. Şti. with TRY 50,000

does not satisfy the fixed-capital investment route.

Current official guidance identifies the qualifying fixed capital threshold as at least:

USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency, subject to confirmation by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. (invest.gov.tr)

The investment should therefore be structured specifically for the immigration objective.

57. Practical Example: High-Tech Incentive Project

A foreign semiconductor investor wants to build a large manufacturing facility and qualify under a high-technology incentive program.

The company may technically be incorporated as an A.Ş. with ordinary corporate-law capital.

However, qualification for a particular incentive may require a dramatically larger fixed investment.

For example, the HIT-30 framework currently requires a minimum fixed investment of TRY 2 billion for projects within its applicable high-tech categories. (sanayi.gov.tr)

The investor therefore needs to analyze both:

corporate capital

and

project investment threshold.

58. A Simple Decision Matrix

This table demonstrates why there is no single correct answer to:

“What is the minimum foreign investment in Türkiye?”

Conclusion: How Much Capital Does a Foreign Investor Need in Türkiye?

For ordinary foreign direct investment, Türkiye does not impose one universal minimum investment amount solely because the investor is foreign.

Law No. 4875 establishes freedom to invest and equal treatment between foreign and domestic investors, subject to special laws and international agreements. (invest.gov.tr)

For ordinary company formation, the current statutory minimum capital amounts are:

• TRY 50,000 for a Limited Liability Company (Ltd. Şti.);
• TRY 250,000 for a standard Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.); and
• TRY 500,000 initial capital for a non-public A.Ş. adopting the registered capital system. (ticaret.gov.tr)

These amounts generally apply regardless of whether the company is:

• 100% Turkish-owned;
• 100% foreign-owned; or
• jointly owned.

However, these figures answer only the company formation question.

A foreign entrepreneur may need much higher amounts for other purposes.

For example, the current ordinary foreign company-partner work permit framework generally requires:

• at least TRY 500,000 paid-in company capital;
• at least TRY 500,000 capital attributable to the foreign partner;
• at least 20% foreign partner shareholding; and
• employment of at least five Turkish citizens from the applicable stage of the permit. (csgb.gov.tr)

Likewise, regulated industries may impose their own substantially higher capital requirements.

Investment incentive programs may contain separate minimum fixed investment thresholds.

And a foreign investor seeking exceptional Turkish citizenship through the qualifying fixed-capital investment route currently needs at least:

USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency, subject to the relevant legal conditions and competent-authority certification. (invest.gov.tr)

The practical question should therefore never be merely:

“What is the minimum capital?”

Instead, the investor should ask:

“Minimum capital for what purpose?”

The answer may be:

TRY 50,000 for establishing an ordinary limited company.

TRY 250,000 for establishing an ordinary joint stock company.

TRY 500,000 under particular work permit or company-law contexts.

USD 500,000 for a particular qualifying citizenship investment.

Or significantly more for a regulated or incentive-supported project.

For foreign founders, the most effective approach is to determine at the beginning:

company type + business licence + work permit strategy + investment plan + tax structure + immigration objective

and only then decide how much capital should actually be placed into the Turkish company.

The cheapest legally permissible capitalization is not necessarily the most effective investment structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum investment amount for foreigners in Türkiye?

There is no single universal minimum foreign investment amount applicable to every foreign investor. Foreign investors are generally subject to equal treatment with domestic investors under Law No. 4875. (invest.gov.tr)

What is the minimum capital for a Turkish Ltd. Şti. in 2026?

The minimum capital is TRY 50,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

What is the minimum capital for a Turkish A.Ş. in 2026?

The minimum capital is TRY 250,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

What is the minimum initial capital for a non-public A.Ş. using the registered capital system?

Currently TRY 500,000. (ticaret.gov.tr)

Do foreigners need more capital than Turkish citizens to establish the same ordinary company?

Generally, no. Türkiye applies the national treatment principle to foreign direct investors, subject to special sector legislation.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a TRY 50,000 limited company?

Generally, yes, where no special sector restriction applies.

Does a foreign founder need to invest USD 100,000?

Not for ordinary company formation. The USD 100,000 figure may become relevant under specific foreign company-partner work permit criteria but is not a universal foreign investment requirement.

Does a foreign founder need USD 500,000 to establish a company?

No. USD 500,000 is relevant to specific investment regimes, including a qualifying fixed-capital route for exceptional citizenship. It is not the ordinary company incorporation minimum.

How much capital does a foreign founder need for a work permit?

Under the current ordinary company-partner criteria, the company generally needs at least TRY 500,000 paid-in capital, the foreign partner’s capital amount must generally be at least TRY 500,000, and the foreigner must generally hold at least 20%. (csgb.gov.tr)

Does the company also need Turkish employees for the founder’s work permit?

Under the ordinary company-partner framework, generally yes. The five-Turkish-citizen employment requirement generally applies from the beginning of the seventh month of the initial permit, subject to applicable exceptions. (csgb.gov.tr)

Can a foreign investor buy 10% of a Turkish company?

Generally, yes, subject to the company’s corporate documents and any sector-specific restrictions.

Is there a minimum price for buying shares in an existing Turkish company?

There is no general fixed foreign-investor purchase price applicable to every transaction. Valuation, tax, corporate and regulatory considerations determine the structure.

Does a Turkish branch of a foreign company require minimum capital?

Official investment guidance states that a branch has no general statutory capital requirement, although an adequate operating budget should be allocated. (invest.gov.tr)

Are regulated companies subject to different minimum capital requirements?

Yes. Banking, payment services, electronic money, capital markets, crypto assets and other regulated industries may be subject to separate and substantially higher capital requirements.

Does the ordinary TRY 250,000 A.Ş. minimum mean I can operate a fintech company?

No. Incorporation as an A.Ş. does not replace regulatory licensing or sector-specific capital requirements.

Can a foreign investor qualify for incentives with ordinary minimum company capital?

Possibly, but incentive programs have their own eligibility and fixed-investment thresholds. Company-law capital and investment-incentive thresholds are separate.

How much fixed capital investment is required for the qualifying citizenship route?

Current official guidance identifies a minimum qualifying fixed capital investment of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency, subject to confirmation by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. (invest.gov.tr)

Is registered capital the same as company valuation?

No. A company with TRY 250,000 registered capital may have a multi-million-dollar commercial valuation.

Is a shareholder loan counted as paid-in share capital?

Generally, no. A shareholder loan is debt and should not automatically be treated as paid-in equity capital.

Can foreign currency be contributed as investment capital?

Yes. Law No. 4875 recognizes cash investment in convertible foreign currency within the foreign direct investment framework. (invest.gov.tr)

Can intellectual property or equipment be used as foreign investment?

Potentially, subject to Turkish corporate-law valuation and contribution requirements. Law No. 4875 recognizes machinery, equipment and industrial and intellectual property rights within the foreign investment framework. (invest.gov.tr)

Do old Turkish companies need to increase their capital in 2026?

Companies falling below the new statutory minimums are subject to the current transition requirement ending December 31, 2026. Foreign investors acquiring an existing company should therefore review this issue in due diligence. (ticaret.gov.tr)

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information concerning Turkish foreign investment, corporate, immigration and investment law and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Minimum capital requirements vary according to company type, work permit strategy, regulated sector, incentive program and immigration objective. Monetary thresholds may be amended, and the legislation in force on the date of incorporation or investment should always be reviewed.