Branch and Liaison Office Formation Consultancy

Foreign companies wishing to operate in Türkiye may prefer to open a branch office or a liaison office rather than incorporate a company. The difference between the two structures is decisive: a branch office can carry out commercial activity and generate income, whereas a liaison office cannot engage in commercial activity and may only perform work such as representation, market research and coordination.

Liaison office permits are granted for a fixed term by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and are monitored through activity reports. At BKT we determine the structure that suits your objective, handle the apostille and sworn translation of the parent company's foreign documents, and prepare the application file.

Who is it for?

• Foreign companies wishing to enter the Turkish market
• Organisations wishing to open a representative office without carrying out commercial activity
• Foreign manufacturers who will sell and distribute in Türkiye
• Companies extending the term of a liaison office permit
• Those wishing to convert a liaison office into a branch office or a company
• Foreign companies that will assign foreign staff in Türkiye

Required documents

The list below is for a typical case. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality, the type of application and the practice of the relevant authority; the definitive list is given to you in writing at the initial consultation.

• Apostilled certificate of activity and trade registry record of the parent company
• The parent company's articles of association and most recent annual activity report
• Authorisation and representative appointment documents (apostilled)
• Identity or passport documents of the representative in Türkiye
• Tenancy agreement for the office address
• Notarised sworn translation of all foreign documents

The process step by step

1. 1

   Structure analysis

   The difference between a branch office and a liaison office and their tax consequences are compared against your business plan.

2. 2

   Obtaining the documents

   The parent company documents are obtained, and their apostille certification and sworn translations are completed.

3. 3

   Permit application

   For a liaison office, the Ministry permit process is handled; for a branch office, trade registry registration.

4. 4

   Opening procedures

   Tax office registration, social security and banking procedures are completed.

5. 5

   Activity monitoring

   For liaison offices, the annual activity notification and the term extension timetable are monitored.

Common mistakes

• Assuming that invoices can be issued through a liaison office
• Submitting parent company documents without an apostille or with an out-of-date issue date
• Failing to make the annual activity notification on time
• Having the representative's authorisation document drawn up too narrowly in scope
• Leaving the term extension application until after the permit has expired