Unternehmensgründung in der Türkei

Von Nese Yahya, Geschäftsführerin von Expatia

Der rechtliche Rahmen

Starting a business in a new country is challenging, as it is everywhere. As a foreigner, if you intend to set up a business in Turkey, you first have to look at and get familiarized with the Foreign Direct Investment Law (No: 4875), which was introduced in Turkey in 2003. The most important principles introduced by this law are those of non-discrimination and equal treatment, as they set the legal framework of the liberal investment environment in Turkey.

Nach dem Gesetz über ausländische Direktinvestitionen sind die Voraussetzungen und Pflichten für die Gründung eines Unternehmens mit ausländischem Kapital mit denen für einheimische Unternehmen identisch. Folglich entfallen nun die verschiedenen Genehmigungspflichten, die in der Vergangenheit bei der Gründung eines Unternehmens mit ausländischem Kapital erforderlich waren. Unternehmen, die nach den Regeln des türkischen Handelsgesetzbuchs mit ausländischem Kapital gegründet werden, gelten als türkische Unternehmen. Daher sind alle Pflichten und Verantwortlichkeiten unabhängig von der Art der Kapitalbeschaffung des Unternehmens identisch.

Additionally, within the new FDI law, there are no rules requiring Turkish participation in the capital or management of a company with foreign capital. A company may be established with 100% foreign capital, and almost all sectors are open to foreign capital. The company’s establishment procedures have also been simplified to a great extent. Now, with the efficient procedures, a company’s registration and establishment of a company in Turkey can be completed in as little as one day. Companies must submit a standard form at one location and will not need to submit applications to many authorities for approvals. Also, the law provides that it is no longer mandatory to establish either a limited liability company or joint stock company. These are all important points to be taken into consideration by foreign investors who plan to do business in Turkey.

In der Praxis

If you are opening a company in Turkey, you basically have a couple of options. For instance you can open a liaison office. To undertake this route however, it is important to keep in mind that there should not be any commercial activities on behalf of this company; basically, it is not possible to issue invoices from a liaison office. Another alternative is to open a branch of a foreign company. To pursue this alternative, you need to get permission form the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Ankara, and it is possible to undertake commercial activities. Otherwise, you can set up a limited company or set-up a joint stock company. For the former, you need a minimum capital of 5.000 YTL and minimum two shareholders, all of whom can be foreigners, if necessary. For the latter, a minimum capital of YTL 50.000 is required and the number of founding shareholders should be at least five. For both options, the shareholder liability is limited to the capital paid by each shareholder. It is also feasible to transfer shares from an already established company, and thus become a shareholder.

Was die Beschäftigung von ausländischem Personal in einem Unternehmen in der Türkei betrifft, so ist dies möglich. Ausländer, die in der Türkei leben und arbeiten möchten, müssen jedoch eine Arbeitserlaubnis vom Ministerium für Arbeit und soziale Sicherheit einholen und gleichzeitig eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis vom Innenministerium bzw. der örtlichen Polizeidirektion erhalten. Das Verfahren zur Erlangung einer Arbeitserlaubnis ist jedoch recht kompliziert und schwierig.

Investieren in der Türkei

“Invest in Turkey”, is a governmental agency, that aims to assist foreign investors in their business ventures in Turkey and provide data and information on the business climate in our country. If you are planning considerable investment in Turkey, it is advised to get in touch with the agency established under the Undersecretariat of Treasury and be active in this environment for several years.

According to the data provided by the agency, around 15.000 companies with foreign capital are in operation in Turkey, as of end of 2006. The majority of them are in wholesale and retail trade, as well as manufacturing. Half of these companies are set up by nationals or entities of the EU Member countries, while Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are the leading countries in the group of foreign investors.

Below are some useful links worth exploring if you are really into setting up a business in Turkey.

Gewerkschaften und Organisationen

• Verband ausländischer Investoren www.yased.org.tr
• Amt für Außenwirtschaftsbeziehungen www.deik.org.tr
• Türkischer Industrie- und Geschäftsverband www.tusiad.org

Regierungsstellen

• Investieren in der Türkei www.investinturkey.gov.tr
• Büro für Investor Relations www.hazine.gov.tr/iro.htm
• Unterstaatssekretariat des Premierministeriums für Außenhandel www.dtm.gov.tr
• Republik Türkei Premierministerministerium Unterstaatssekretariat für Zoll www.gumruk.gov.tr

Mitwirkendes Unternehmen:
Expatia-Beratung. Istanbul, Türkei. www.expatia.net
Kontakt: Nese Yahya. [email protected]