Introduction: Does a Foreign Buyer Become Liable for the Turkish Company’s Old Tax and SGK Debts? A foreign company considering the acquisition of a Turkish business should investigate one issue before almost everything else: Who will ultimately bear the target company’s historical tax and Social Security Institution (SGK) liabilities after closing? The answer depends primarily […]
Introduction: Does Becoming a Shareholder in a Turkish Company Automatically Require a Work Permit? No. A foreign person does not automatically need a Turkish work permit merely because they acquire shares in a Turkish company. This distinction is extremely important for foreign investors. Turkish law separates: ownership of a company from working for or actively […]
Introduction: Can Foreigners Buy or Transfer Shares in a Turkish Company? Yes. Foreign individuals and foreign companies may generally acquire shares in companies established in Turkey and may subsequently transfer those shares to Turkish or foreign investors. Turkey’s foreign direct investment regime is based on the principle of equal treatment. The official Investment Office confirms […]
A foreign investor contributes EUR 2 million to a Turkish startup and receives 20% of the company. One year later, the founders decide that the company needs additional capital. New shares are issued. The foreign investor does not participate. Its ownership falls from: 20% to 12%. Has the investor been unlawfully diluted? Not necessarily. Share […]
SEO Title: How Can Foreign Investors Protect Minority Shares in a Turkish Startup? Meta Description: Foreign minority investor in a Turkish startup? Learn how to protect your investment through board rights, vetoes, information rights, pre-emption, anti-dilution, special audit, tag-along and legal remedies under Turkish law. Suggested URL Slug: protect-minority-shareholding-turkish-startup A foreign investor does not need […]
A Practical Legal Guide to Share Dilution, Pre-Emptive Rights and Minority Shareholder Protection Under Turkish LawLast Updated: August 2026 A foreign investor may acquire 10%, 20%, 30% or even 49% of a Turkish company and reasonably expect that percentage to represent its continuing economic and voting position. However, one of the most significant risks faced […]
Introduction: What Should Foreign Investors Check Before Investing in Turkey? Turkey offers foreign investors access to a large domestic market, a developed corporate and banking system, manufacturing infrastructure, technology companies, real estate opportunities and a strategic location connecting Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and surrounding markets. From a legal perspective, Turkey generally welcomes foreign […]
Introduction: Starting a Business in Turkey Is Easy—Structuring It Correctly Is More Difficult Turkey provides a relatively open legal environment for foreign direct investment. International investors are generally subject to the principle of equal treatment and may establish the company forms available under the Turkish Commercial Code under substantially the same rules applicable to domestic […]
Introduction: What Residence Permit Can a Foreign Investor Obtain in Turkey? Foreign nationals who invest in Turkey have several possible routes to lawful residence, but there is no single immigration status called simply an “investor visa” that applies automatically to every person who buys property, establishes a company or transfers capital into Turkey. The correct […]
Introduction: Can an Investor’s Spouse and Children Obtain Turkish Citizenship? Yes. One of the most important advantages of Turkey’s citizenship-by-investment system is that a qualifying foreign investor may potentially obtain Turkish citizenship together with certain members of the investor’s family. Under the current exceptional citizenship framework, the relevant category includes the qualifying foreign investor’s foreign […]