A Dutch company can own 100% of a Turkish company and register it in a day once the documents are in order. Dividends paid to the Dutch parent carry withholding tax of 10% or 15% if the Dutch parent holds at least 25% of the Turkish company, and 15% otherwise. The 10% rate applies while the dividend is not taxed in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Dutch company documents such as the Chamber of Commerce extract are notarised, apostilled by a Dutch court and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey.
How much business do Turkey and the Netherlands do?
Trade between Turkey and the Netherlands reached USD 13 billion in 2025. Around 3,000 companies of Dutch origin operate in Turkey, and Dutch direct investment since 2005 is close to USD 33 billion. A bilateral investment treaty has been in force since 1989.
How are dividends to a Dutch parent taxed?
Pending lawyer reviewA Turkish company pays 25% corporate income tax. When it pays a dividend to its Dutch parent, Turkey withholds tax. The domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty the rate is 10% or 15% if the Dutch parent holds at least 25% of the Turkish company, and 15% otherwise. The 10% rate applies while the dividend is not taxed in the Netherlands. Rates are from PwC Tax Summaries, reviewed in September 2026. The full table for all countries is in the tax chapter.
Which documents does a Dutch shareholder need?
Pending lawyer reviewThe Netherlands is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Dutch company documents such as the Chamber of Commerce extract are notarised, apostilled by a Dutch court and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey.
- Company registry extract or certificate of activity
- Resolution to establish the Turkish company and appoint its representative
- Power of attorney, if the formation is handled without travel
- Passport copies of the managers
The full process and our fixed price are on the company formation page.
Can you post Dutch staff to Turkey?
Pending lawyer reviewYes, with a work permit. The employer must have five Turkish employees for each foreign employee and paid-in capital of TRY 500,000, or meet the net sales or export test. A social security agreement between the Netherlands and Turkey has been in force since 1968. Dutch citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules are published by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Details are in the work permit chapter.
What if a Turkish customer does not pay a Dutch supplier?
Pending lawyer reviewYou can start enforcement proceedings in Turkey without a judgment, and the debtor has 7 days to object. The Netherlands and Turkey are both parties to the 1954 Hague Convention on Civil Procedure, which exempts Dutch companies from posting security for costs in Turkish courts. There is no judgment treaty between the two countries. Reciprocity is assessed by the Turkish court, and we found no published precedent either way, so a Dutch judgment should be reviewed before you rely on enforcing it. Arbitral awards are enforced under the New York Convention. Routes, costs and fixed prices are on the debt collection page.
Who can help on the ground?
For introductions and trade events, the Dutch Business Association Türkiye and the Türkiye-Netherlands Business Council of DEİK is the main bilateral business body. For the legal and tax side of your entry, we give you a written scope and one price.
Common questions
Pending lawyer reviewWhat is the dividend withholding tax between Turkey and the Netherlands?
Turkey's domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty the rate is 10% or 15% if the Dutch parent holds at least 25% of the Turkish company, and 15% otherwise. The 10% rate applies while the dividend is not taxed in the Netherlands.
Do Dutch company documents need an apostille for Turkey?
The Netherlands is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Dutch company documents such as the Chamber of Commerce extract are notarised, apostilled by a Dutch court and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey.
Does a Dutch creditor have to post security in Turkish courts?
The Netherlands and Turkey are both parties to the 1954 Hague Convention on Civil Procedure, which exempts Dutch companies from posting security for costs in Turkish courts.
Can a court judgment from the Netherlands be enforced in Turkey?
There is no judgment treaty between the two countries. Reciprocity is assessed by the Turkish court, and we found no published precedent either way, so a Dutch judgment should be reviewed before you rely on enforcing it. Arbitral awards are enforced under the New York Convention.
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