Yes — you can open a Turkish company without travelling to the country. The incorporation is completed end-to-end by a local representative, usually your accountant (mali müşavir) or lawyer, acting under a power of attorney (PoA) that you sign in your home country. This is the standard route for the majority of non-resident founders.
A power of attorney is a legal document that authorises a named person to act for you within clearly defined limits. For a Turkish company formation it should specifically empower your representative to obtain your tax number, sign the articles of association, register the company at the Trade Registry, deal with the tax office and social security, and — where the bank permits — carry out banking steps. The more precisely these powers are listed, the fewer obstacles you will meet later.
To be valid in Türkiye, the PoA must be executed before a notary and then legalised for international use. If your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is attached; otherwise the document is legalised at a Turkish consulate. Finally it is translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. Turkish notaries and consulates can often prepare the PoA directly in a bilingual format, which is the smoothest option.
With the PoA in place, almost the entire setup happens without you: tax registration, name reservation, articles of association, MERSIS filing, Chamber of Commerce registration and tax-office enrolment can all be handled locally. You simply supply a clear passport copy, your address details and the signed, legalised PoA.
The one step that is not always fully remote is opening the corporate bank account. Turkish banks apply their own anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer procedures, and many still ask the authorised signatory to appear in person or to complete a video-identification call. Some banks accept account opening under a specific PoA, and practice varies by bank and branch, so it is worth confirming your bank's current policy before you file.
Managing the company afterwards is also remote-friendly. Filings are submitted electronically by your accountant, invoices are issued through the e-invoice and e-archive systems, and you can monitor your tax account online. If you later decide to obtain a residence or work permit, or to open certain personal accounts, that will require a visit — but running the business day to day does not.
Choosing the right representative matters as much as the paperwork. Because your attorney-in-fact can commit the company within the powers you grant, work with a licensed, insured professional — a certified mali müşavir or a lawyer — and agree the scope in writing before you sign. A reputable advisor will also arrange the company electronic signature (e-imza) and financial seal that let returns and official documents be filed digitally on the company's behalf once it is live, so the business is fully operational from abroad from day one.
In short, distance is not a barrier to owning a Turkish company. A well-drafted power of attorney, prepared correctly and legalised in advance, is what turns a cross-border setup into a routine one — and choosing the specific powers carefully at the outset is the difference between a two-week formation and weeks of back-and-forth.
Key facts (2026)
Official & authoritative sources
- https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/investmentguide/pages/establishing-a-business-in-turkey.aspx
- https://www.ticaret.gov.tr/