Open a Representative Office in Turkey

Ready to start your liaison office in Turkey and need assistance? You can explore the following lines for information about the registration process and then access our online services.

Quick Facts
Liaison office in Turkey – definition	A liaison office in Turkey is an establishment that acts as a communication channel between a foreign parent company and its suppliers or customers in Turkey, without engaging in any commercial activities.
Activities performed by liaison offices in Turkey	– market research, – representation, – promotion for the goods and services provided by the parent company, – control of the suppliers, – technical support, – communication and information, – regional management center, etc.
Procedure of opening a liaison office in Turkey	– obtain approval from the General Directorate of Incentive Implementation and Foreign Investment (Ministry of Industry and Technology), – submit the necessary documents, – foreign investors need to obtain an identity number from the tax department
Authorization validity	3 years
Liability	The parent company is responsible for all activities of the representative office in Turkey.
Minimum share capital required (YES/NO)	No
Necessary documents for opening a representative office	– the parent company's certificate of registration, – a short presentation, – the previous year's balance sheet, – a declaration outlining future plans for the liaison office, etc.
Can it hire employees? (YES/NO)	Yes
Accounting and financial operations	The foreign company is responsible for directly financing all transactions and activities of the liaison office, including salaries and social security payments for representatives and personnel. For assistance with financial matters, you can contact our accountants in Turkey.
Differences from a branch	Branches are allowed to conduct commercial activities, whereas liaison offices are limited to non-commercial services and must be fully financed by the parent company. Branches may earn income and keep their own books, but they are not separate legal entities.
Differences from a subsidiary	A subsidiary in Turkey is a separate legal entity with its own identity. It can engage in commercial activities and must comply with the provisions for annual accounting and reporting.
Taxes	Since a representative office does not engage in commercial activities, it does not have to pay any taxes, except for the social security tax for employees (if appliable).
Closing liaison offices in Turkey	– Obtain a "termination and examination of business note" document from the tax office and social security institution; – Submit it to the Ministry of Industry and Technology along with a closure notification; – Only the remaining balance after fulfilling all debts and obligations can be transferred out.
Timeframe for opening the representative office (approx.)	5 days
Advantages of opening a representative office in Turkey	– no taxes paid, fast and straightforward incorporation process, – hired employees do not pay income tax or stamp tax liabilities, – a great opportunity to research a potential new market in Turkey
Assistance	Our team can help you in opening a liaison office, as well as in the process of setting up a company in Turkey.

How is a liaison office known in Turkey?

Representative office,
RO,
Irtibat bürosu in Turkey.

Who can open a representative office in Turkey?

Any businessman who wants to test the Turkish market before starting commercial activities.

What are the activities of a liaison office in Turkey?

marketing & advertising activities,
contracting local customers and potential business partners,
market research,
advertising activities, etc.

Can a liaison office in Turkey use the same business name as the parent company?

Yes.

Is a representative agent needed for opening a liaison office in Turkey?

Yes, this is mandatory.

Can invoices be issued when having a liaison office?

No. A liaison office cannot develop commercial activities, and therefore, it cannot issue invoices.

Can business partnerships be developed through a RO in Turkey?

Absolutely.

Do I need to register the liaison office for taxation in Turkey?

Yes, with the Turkish Revenue Administration. A tax ID will be issued.

You can watch the video below for more information on how to set up a representative office in Turkey:

Can a liaison office in Turkey hire foreign staff? What about local staff?

Both options are permitted.

NOTE: Staff must be registered with the Social Security in Turkey.

Who supports the costs for opening a liaison office in Turkey?

The foreign company that opens a liaison office in Turkey.

Do I need to travel to Turkey to open a RO?

There is no need. Our Turkish agents can represent clients via proxy/power of attorney in Turkey.

Where is a liaison office registered in Turkey?

At the Ministry of Industry and Technology in Turkey.

IMPORTANT:

applicants must ensure a registered business address in Turkey,
copies of the foreign company documents must be presented,
copies of IDs or passports of shareholders, plus authorized digital signatures are required,
activation of a liaison office is done once the tax registration certificate is issued.

What types of documents are requested for setting up a representative office in Turkey?

The foreign company documents, among which:

the Certificate of incorporation,
balance sheet for the previous year,
Certificate of Activity, etc.

What is the time frame to register a liaison office in Turkey?

About 4-8 weeks until all approvals are issued.

How much time can a liaison office activate in Turkey?

The license is issued for 3 years.

Ready to get complete support and personalized services in opening a liaison office in Turkey? Feel free to contact our specialists in company formation in Turkey and get your quota today. Simple and fast, with our local services!