A UK company can own 100% of a Turkish company and register it in a day once the documents are in order. Dividends paid to the UK parent carry withholding tax of 15%, whether or not the UK parent holds a qualifying stake. The United Kingdom is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Companies House documents and resolutions are notarised, apostilled by the Legalisation Office and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey.
How much business do Turkey and the United Kingdom do?
Trade between Turkey and the United Kingdom reached USD 26 billion in 2025. UK investment in Turkey is reported at USD 14.5 billion over the last decade. A bilateral investment treaty has been in force since 1996.
How are dividends to a UK parent taxed?
Pending lawyer reviewA Turkish company pays 25% corporate income tax. When it pays a dividend to its UK parent, Turkey withholds tax. The domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty the rate is 15%, whether or not the UK parent holds a qualifying stake. 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 UK shareholder need?
Pending lawyer reviewThe United Kingdom is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Companies House documents and resolutions are notarised, apostilled by the Legalisation Office 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 UK 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 UK and Turkey has been in force since 1961. UK citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism. 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 UK supplier?
Pending lawyer reviewYou can start enforcement proceedings in Turkey without a judgment, and the debtor has 7 days to object. The United Kingdom is not covered by the 1954 Hague Convention, but a 1931 convention between Turkey and the UK on legal proceedings has the same effect, and Turkish courts have applied it to exempt UK companies from security for costs. There is no judgment treaty, but Turkish courts accept that reciprocity exists in practice with the UK, so a final UK judgment can be enforced in Turkey through an enforcement action. Routes, costs and fixed prices are on the debt collection page.
Who can help on the ground?
For introductions and trade events, the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey 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 United Kingdom?
Turkey's domestic rate is 15%. Under the tax treaty the rate is 15%, whether or not the UK parent holds a qualifying stake.
Do UK company documents need an apostille for Turkey?
The United Kingdom is a party to the Apostille Convention, so Companies House documents and resolutions are notarised, apostilled by the Legalisation Office and then translated by a sworn translator in Turkey.
Does a UK creditor have to post security in Turkish courts?
The United Kingdom is not covered by the 1954 Hague Convention, but a 1931 convention between Turkey and the UK on legal proceedings has the same effect, and Turkish courts have applied it to exempt UK companies from security for costs.
Can a court judgment from the United Kingdom be enforced in Turkey?
There is no judgment treaty, but Turkish courts accept that reciprocity exists in practice with the UK, so a final UK judgment can be enforced in Turkey through an enforcement action.
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