21 May 2026
Obtain Business/Trade License in Turkey
Learn which business and trade licenses apply to companies in Turkey and how the procedure works. Our Turkish lawyers can handle the formalities for you.
A business license in Turkey is required before starting the activities as the owner of a company in this country. As there are several categories of trade licenses in Turkey, it is good to know the procedures and to turn to a team of specialists for guidance, such as our Turkish lawyers. We invite you to read this article and discover some information about how to obtain a business license in Turkey.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who needs a trade license in Turkey? | – companies with commercial activities, – manufacturers, – marketing agents, – food & beverages, etc. |
| When is a business license required? | Before starting the company activities in Turkey |
| Legislation | – Municipal Law No. 5393, – Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 |
| Required documents | – company’s Certificate of Incorporation, – standard form, – proof of tax ID, – registered business address. |
| Approvals | Issued by various Ministries: Health, Tourism, Finance, etc. |
| Processing time | A few days |
| Transferable business license | NO |
| Other types of licenses | for: – cryptocurrency services, – banks, – tour operators, etc. |
| License for travel agencies in Turkey | Tourism business certificate |
| License for health care clinics | Must operate with a health facilities license, issued by the Ministry of Health |
| Municipal workplace license | Required |
| Extra permits | Might be needed depending on the business activity |
| License for banking & insurance in Turkey | A financial license is required. |
| Trade license fee | Starting from USD 250 for a standard business license. |
| Working with our Turkish lawyers | To cover all the legal aspects of business license application in Turkey. Budget-friendly costs are offered to our customers. |
What types of business licenses exist in Turkey?
Certain activities can be carried out in Turkey only if a business license is obtained first. Here are the categories of businesses that need to apply for municipal trade licenses in Turkey:
- craftsmen institutions;
- companies and commercial establishments;
- health institutions.
These are some of the most important categories where a business license is required in Turkey before starting the activities. In the category of “health institutions,” enter any business related to:
- restaurants;
- bars;
- bakeries;
- coffee shops, etc.
The “Craftsmen institution” category includes the following:
- tailors;
- barber shops;
- carpentry shops, etc.
The “Companies and commercial establishments” license category includes:
- financial services firms;
- business consulting firms;
- commercial enterprises;
- real estate companies;
- clothing stores, etc.
We remind you that each category of business license in Turkey involves certain rules and conditions for obtaining it. But to benefit from the desired license right from the start, we advise you to contact our lawyers in Turkey. You can also explore this infographic:
What are the conditions for obtaining a business license in Turkey?
The trade license in Turkey can be obtained by complying with the formalities imposed at the municipal and national levels. Here are some of the documents required for opening a health institution:
- company documents – the Certificate of Incorporation of the company is needed;
- Property Title/Lease agreement – the commercial space of the company is provided with the lease contract or the property title;
- Chamber of Commerce registration certificate issued in Turkey;
- industry registration certificate;
- ID/passports of business owners.
As for commercial establishments in Turkey, the following documents are required to obtain a business license:
- company documents, such as Certificate of Incorporation;
- tax ID;
- building occupancy permit;
- approvals from the building residents/occupants;
- copy of the rental agreement/title deed;
- IDs/passports;
- Chamber of Commerce registration document;
- Turkish work permits for foreign employees in the firm.
These are some of the most important documents required when submitting the file to obtain a business license in Turkey. You can find out everything you need to know in this endeavor from our attorneys in Turkey. They collaborate closely with local authorities.
What are the legal framework & authorities for business licenses in Turkey?
These are the laws and authorities that are taken into account when applying for a business license in Turkey:
- Commercial Code in Turkey No. 6102
- Tax Procedure Law No. 213
- Municipal Law No. 5393
As for primary regulatory authorities, we list:
- Chambers of Commerce and Industry,
- Ministry of Trade,
- Ministry of Health,
- Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change,
- Ministry of Culture and Tourism,
- tax offices,
- local municipalities,
These are some of the important laws and authorities in Turkey that are involved in the process of obtaining a business/trade license.
What do you need to know when applying for a business license in Turkey?
If you want to open a business in a certain sector in Turkey, it is good to know the licensing conditions. For example, one must apply to the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (payment and e-money institutions) or the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (banks) if one wants to run a fintech business. Those interested in IT service providers must apply to the Information & Communication Technologies Authority in Turkey. It is important to note that the Ministry of Health in Turkey issues licenses for pharmacies and medical institutions, while construction permits are issued by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change in Turkey. Dedicated management agencies are located in special economic zones and can issue various types of licenses.
What happens if you carry out your activities without a license in Turkey?
Company owners are required to obtain a business/trade license before starting their activities. Those who do not comply with this and start offering their services without a license may be penalized. As such, the relevant authorities may impose various administrative fines and sometimes even close down the activities of the company in question. It is good to know this and avoid conducting operations in Turkey without a license. If you start a business in Turkey, our lawyers will ensure that all procedures and formalities are completed, including those related to licensing.
Our clients can benefit from other services besides those for obtaining a trade license in Turkey. For example, with the help of our immigration lawyers in Turkey, one can relocate more easily. Our specialists can help you obtain a residence permit in Turkey. On the other hand, we can also assist residents in getting citizenship by investment in Turkey. Please contact our law firm in Turkey and get personalized legal assistance. Our lawyers can also help you start a business in Turkey in approx. 2-3 weeks.