Limited company or joint stock company?
The two company types almost every founder chooses between, side by side.
| Limited company (Ltd. Şti.) | Joint stock company (A.Ş.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Similar to | LLC, GmbH, SARL, Ltd | Corporation, AG, SA, plc |
| Minimum capital | 50,000 TL | 250,000 TL (500,000 TL under the registered capital system) |
| Capital payment | All within 24 months after registration | At least 25% before registration, the rest within 24 months |
| Shareholders | 1 to 50; individuals or companies | One or more; individuals or companies |
| Share transfer | Needs general assembly approval | Free as a rule |
| Management | One or more directors; at least one must be a shareholder | Board of directors; one member is enough |
| Public offering | Not possible | The only type that can list on the stock exchange |
| Liability | Up to committed capital; shareholders also answer for uncollectible public debts pro rata | Up to committed capital |
Banks, insurers, holding companies and some other regulated businesses must be joint stock companies and need Ministry of Trade permission to be established.
Next: setup stepsOfficial sources
- Ministry of Trade — Establishing Company in Turkey (2026)
- Invest in Türkiye — Establishing a Business
- Revenue Administration — Tax number application for foreigners
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Procedures change; confirm with the trade registry, the tax office or a licensed accountant (mali müşavir) before you file.