Turkey free zones in 2023

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 glanceMersinIstanbul TraciaEgeAntalya Serbest
Established since1987199819901987
Trade volume3.8B3.2B5.2B3.6B
Size of workforce involved7,8292,82019,9703,627
Average annual Industrial space rentClick hereClick hereClick hereClick here
Average free zone license application fee?€5,000€5,000€5,000€5,000
How long to set the company up?7 weeks7 weeks7 weeks7 weeks
How long to open company bank account?2 weeks2 weeks2 weeks2 weeks
Quality of UtilitiesAverageExcellentGoodAverage
Allowed to sign sales contracts with Turkish ClientsYesYesYesYes
Allowed to invoice Turkish ClientsYesYesYesYes
Corporate tax payable in Turkey0%0%0%0%
VAT tax payable in Turkey0%0%0%0%
Withholding taxation due in Turkey?0%0%0%0%
Custom duty payable in Turkey0%0%0%0%
Resource Utilization Support Fund exemption?YesYesYesYes
Corporate bank accountCitiCitiCitiCiti
Physical office space requiredYesYesYesYes
Industrial space availabilityYesYesYesYes
Allowed to import raw materials?YesYesYesYes
Allowed to export goods?YesYesYesYes
Wholly foreign ownedYesYesYesYes
Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Turkey?YesYesYesYes
Do you visit Turkey for company incorporation?NoNoNoNo
Minimum number of directors1111
Minimum number of shareholders1111
Tax registration certificate requiredYesYesYesYes
Individual shareholders allowedYesYesYesYes
Corporate shareholders allowedYesYesYesYes
Corporate director(s) allowedNoNoNoNo
Public register of shareholders and directorsNoNoNoNo
LLC company allowedYesYesYesYes
Can apply for immigration visasYesYesYesYes
Annual audited financial statementsYesYesYesYes
Annual tax return to be submittedYesYesYesYes
Access to Turkey double tax treatiesYesYesYesYes

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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