Turkey free zones in 2024

business registration services in Turkey free zone areasHealy Consultants assist our international Clients set up a business in one of the following free zones: Denizli, Tubitak, Istanbul Thrace, Mersin, Mardin, Aegean, Trabzon and Rize.

Advantages of an EPZ company

  1. Turkey boasts 21 Export Processing Zones (EPZ), offering export-oriented foreign companies indefinite corporate and duty tax exemption;
  2. Specifically, EPZ companies enjoy exemption from i) corporate tax ii) withholding tax on repatriation of funds iii) VAT iv) income tax v) all customs duties and vi) Resource Utilization Support Fund exemptions;
  3. For companies incorporated in an EPZ, there are no exchange controls, with easy repatriation of capital and profits, access to foreign currency accounts, and domestic and offshore borrowing. Investment by foreigners in the EPZ is unrestricted;
  4. Turkey has a Custom Union Agreement with the EU, allowing free circulation of exported goods into the EU market, without any import tax being levied on the goods;
  5. The EPZs in Turkey offer excellent export infrastructure, with ample amounts of serviced land and ready factory buildings. In addition, Zone developers provide 24 hour security, street lighting and landscaping. Office premises are available for lease in most zones.

Table comparing different free zones in Turkey

Summary at a glance Mersin Istanbul Tracia Ege Antalya Serbest
Established since 1987 1998 1990 1987
Trade volume 3.8B 3.2B 5.2B 3.6B
Size of workforce involved 7,829 2,820 19,970 3,627
Average annual Industrial space rent Click here Click here Click here Click here
Average free zone license application fee? €5,000 €5,000 €5,000 €5,000
How long to set the company up? 7 weeks 7 weeks 7 weeks 7 weeks
How long to open company bank account? 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks
Quality of Utilities Average Excellent Good Average
Allowed to sign sales contracts with Turkish Clients Yes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to invoice Turkish Clients Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate tax payable in Turkey 0% 0% 0% 0%
VAT tax payable in Turkey 0% 0% 0% 0%
Withholding taxation due in Turkey? 0% 0% 0% 0%
Custom duty payable in Turkey 0% 0% 0% 0%
Resource Utilization Support Fund exemption? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate bank account Citi Citi Citi Citi
Physical office space required Yes Yes Yes Yes
Industrial space availability Yes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to import raw materials? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to export goods? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wholly foreign owned Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Turkey? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Do you visit Turkey for company incorporation? No No No No
Minimum number of directors 1 1 1 1
Minimum number of shareholders 1 1 1 1
Tax registration certificate required Yes Yes Yes Yes
Individual shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate director(s) allowed No No No No
Public register of shareholders and directors No No No No
LLC company allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can apply for immigration visas Yes Yes Yes Yes
Annual audited financial statements Yes Yes Yes Yes
Annual tax return to be submitted Yes Yes Yes Yes
Access to Turkey double tax treaties Yes Yes Yes Yes

Frequently asked questions

Contact us

For additional information on our free zone company registration services in Turkey, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Petar Chakarov, directly:
client relationship officer - Petar
  • Mr. Petar Chakarov
  • Sales & Business Development Manager
  • Contact me!
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