Entering Turkey from Qatar

What a Qatari company needs to know before setting up in Turkey or collecting from a Turkish customer: tax treaty rates, documents, staff and enforcement.

Last verified: 12 October 2026

Short answer

A Qatari company can own 100% of a Turkish company and register it in a day once the documents are in order. Dividends paid to the Qatari parent carry withholding tax of 5% if the Qatari parent holds at least 20% of the Turkish company, and 10% otherwise. Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention.

How much business do Turkey and Qatar do?

Trade between Turkey and Qatar was about USD 1.3 billion in 2025, and about 250 Qatari companies have invested USD 7.8 billion in Turkey, according to the Turkish Ministry of Trade. A trade and economic partnership agreement has been in force since 1 August 2025. A bilateral investment treaty has been in force since 2008.

How are dividends to a Qatari parent taxed?

A Turkish company pays 25% corporate income tax. When it pays a dividend to its Qatari parent, Turkey withholds tax. The domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty in effect since 1 January 2019 the rate is 5% if the Qatari parent directly holds at least 20% of the Turkish company, and 10% otherwise. Rates are from PwC Tax Summaries for Qatar, reviewed in September 2026. The full table for all countries is in the tax chapter.

Which documents does a Qatari shareholder need?

Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention. Company documents are notarised in Qatar, attested by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, legalised by the Turkish Embassy in Doha, and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey. Allow extra time for this chain.

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 Qatari staff to Turkey?

Yes, 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. There is no social security agreement between Qatar and Turkey, so posted staff are generally insured in Turkey. Qatari citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for tourist trips of up to 90 days within six months. Check the entry rules for your purpose before a business trip. 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 Qatari supplier?

You can start enforcement proceedings in Turkey without a judgment, and the debtor has 7 days to object. Qatar is not covered by the 1954 Hague Convention and we found no bilateral treaty on the point, so a Qatari creditor should budget for security for costs of 15% to 20% of the claim. There is no judgment treaty and no published precedent on reciprocity, so enforcement of a Qatari court judgment is uncertain. An arbitration clause is the safer choice in contracts with Turkish counterparties, because 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 Türkiye-Qatar 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

What is the dividend withholding tax between Turkey and Qatar?

Turkey's domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty in effect since 1 January 2019 the rate is 5% if the Qatari parent directly holds at least 20% of the Turkish company, and 10% otherwise.

Do Qatari company documents need an apostille for Turkey?

Does a Qatari creditor have to post security in Turkish courts?

Qatar is not covered by the 1954 Hague Convention and we found no bilateral treaty on the point, so a Qatari creditor should budget for security for costs of 15% to 20% of the claim.

Can a court judgment from Qatar be enforced in Turkey?

There is no judgment treaty and no published precedent on reciprocity, so enforcement of a Qatari court judgment is uncertain. An arbitration clause is the safer choice in contracts with Turkish counterparties, because awards are enforced under the New York Convention.