Turkish Commercial Law in 2026: Comprehensive Practical Guide

Turkish commercial law forms the legal backbone of business life in Türkiye, governing how companies are established, operated, managed, and dissolved. As a dynamic emerging market bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye offers significant commercial opportunities—but success depends on understanding and complying with its legal framework.

At Akkas CPA & Turkish Accounting Firm, we have been advising local and international clients on Turkish commercial law since 2017. Our Istanbul-based, multilingual legal team supports businesses at every stage of their lifecycle, from market entry to exit strategies, ensuring full compliance with the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) and related regulations.

Table of Contents

With expertise in multiple languages, we simplify compliance, formation, and operations under Turkey’s dynamic legal framework. In this comprehensive 2026 article, discover the essential pillars of Turkish commercial law, from company formation in Türkiye to dispute resolution. Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an enterprise, these insights ensure your business thrives amid evolving regulations.

Legal Foundations of Turkish Commercial Law

The primary source of Turkish commercial law is the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, which entered into force in 2012 and has since been regularly updated to align with EU standards and international best practices. The TCC regulates:

• Commercial enterprises and merchants
• Company types and corporate structures
• Share capital, management, and liability
• Accounting, auditing, and transparency obligations
• Commercial contracts and negotiable instruments

In addition, commercial activities are influenced by the Turkish Code of Obligations, tax legislation, competition law, capital markets regulations, and sector-specific laws.

Evolution of Turkish Commercial Law: Key Milestones and 2026 Outlook

Turkish commercial law forms the backbone of business activities in Türkiye, governed primarily by the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC), Law No. 6102, enacted in 2011 and amended regularly to align with EU standards and global best practices. This modern code replaced the outdated 1956 version, introducing principles of corporate governance, shareholder protections, and transparency that mirror international norms.

In 2026, expect heightened focus on digital transformation. Recent amendments emphasize electronic general assemblies, blockchain for share registries, and data protection under the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK).

For foreign investors, the TCC facilitates seamless market entry while mandating compliance with capital maintenance rules and anti-money laundering directives. Our firm has witnessed how these evolutions have boosted FDI inflows, with Türkiye attracting over $10 billion annually in recent years.

Understanding this evolution is crucial. Businesses ignoring updates risk penalties, including fines up to TRY 1 million or dissolution. At Akkas & Associates, we provide tailored audits to future-proof your operations.

Core Principles of Turkish Commercial Law

At its heart, Turkish commercial law balances merchant autonomy with public interest. Key principles include:

• Freedom of Contract: Parties enjoy broad liberty in drafting agreements, subject to mandatory TCC provisions.
• Good Faith: Pervades all commercial dealings, enabling courts to void abusive clauses.
• Punctuality in Payments: Strict timelines for trade debts, with default interest rates tied to the Central Bank’s rediscount rate plus 9%.
• Commercial Registry: Mandatory for all merchants, ensuring public access to company data via the Trade Registry Gazette.

These principles underpin daily operations, from invoicing to partnerships. Non-compliance can trigger liability under TCC Articles 18-22, emphasizing the need for proactive legal counsel.

Company Formation Under Turkish Commercial Law

One of the most important aspects of Turkish commercial law is the legal process of establishing a company. Türkiye allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, and company incorporation procedures are efficient when properly managed.

Foreign and local investors commonly seek professional assistance during company formation in Türkiye to ensure accurate documentation, correct structuring, and regulatory compliance from day one. The choice of company type directly affects governance obligations, liability exposure, and future expansion opportunities.

Joint-Stock Companies (A.Ş.)

Joint-stock companies (Anonim Şirket) are preferred for large-scale investments, holdings, and companies planning public offerings. Under Turkish commercial law, these entities benefit from strong corporate governance mechanisms and flexible share structures.

The joint-stock company formation process requires a minimum share capital, formal articles of association, and a board of directors. Shareholders’ liability is limited to their subscribed capital, making this structure attractive for institutional investors and multinational groups.

Joint-stock companies are subject to stricter audit, reporting, and transparency obligations, which enhances investor confidence and regulatory credibility.

Limited Liability Companies (LTD.)

Limited liability companies (Limited Şirket) are the most common corporate form in Türkiye, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. They offer operational simplicity while maintaining limited shareholder liability.

Through limited liability company formation, entrepreneurs can establish a business with relatively lower capital requirements and simplified governance structures. However, Turkish commercial law imposes certain personal liabilities on managers for public debts, making professional legal structuring essential.

Shareholder Agreements and Capital Relations

While the articles of association define the company’s constitutional framework, shareholder agreements provide additional contractual protection for investors. Turkish commercial law recognizes the enforceability of such agreements, provided they do not contradict mandatory legal provisions.

Professionally drafted shareholder agreements regulate voting rights, dividend distribution, share transfers, exit mechanisms, and deadlock resolution. These agreements are particularly important in joint ventures, family businesses, and foreign-investor structures.

Corporate Governance and Compliance Obligations

Corporate governance is a central pillar of Turkish commercial law, especially for joint-stock companies. Governance rules aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable management practices.

Effective corporate governance includes proper board structures, internal controls, risk management systems, and compliance with financial reporting standards. In regulated sectors, governance obligations may be further enhanced by industry-specific authorities.

Failure to comply with governance requirements may lead to administrative fines, director liability, or shareholder disputes.

Commercial Contracts and Business Operations

Commercial law in Türkiye heavily regulates contractual relationships, including sales agreements, distribution contracts, franchising, agency, and licensing arrangements. Freedom of contract is a core principle, but mandatory provisions—particularly on termination, penalties, and liability—must be respected.

Legal review and contract drafting play a critical role in risk mitigation, especially in cross-border transactions where conflict-of-law and jurisdiction issues arise.

Company Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Disputes are an inevitable part of commercial life. Turkish commercial law provides specialized commercial courts to handle disputes arising from trade, company law, and commercial contracts.

Company litigation may involve shareholder disputes, director liability claims, unfair competition, or contractual breaches. Alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation are also widely used, particularly in international transactions.

Strategic litigation management requires both procedural expertise and a deep understanding of commercial realities.

Company Liquidation and Exit Strategies

When a business reaches the end of its lifecycle, Turkish commercial law offers structured exit mechanisms. Voluntary liquidation, mergers, spin-offs, and insolvency procedures are all regulated to protect creditors and shareholders.

The company liquidation process involves tax clearances, asset distribution, and deregistration from the trade registry. Proper legal guidance ensures that directors and shareholders avoid post-liquidation liabilities.

Why Turkish Commercial Law Expertise Matters in 2026

As Türkiye continues to attract foreign investment and modernize its regulatory environment, compliance with Turkish commercial law has become more complex and strategic. Digitalization of registries, enhanced audit requirements, and stricter enforcement make professional legal support indispensable.

At Akkas CPA & Turkish Accounting Firm, we combine over three years of experience with a forward-looking approach to commercial law, providing tailored legal solutions to international and domestic clients across industries.

Contact us for Turkish Commercial Law Services

Turkish commercial law offers vast opportunities but demands precision. Since 2017, Akkas CPA & Turkish Accounting Firm has empowered thousands with multilingual services in Istanbul.

If you require legal advice on Turkish commercial law, company formation, governance, or dispute resolution, we invite you to contact Akkas CPA & Turkish Accounting Firm. Our Istanbul-based team is ready to support your business with reliable, multilingual, and results-driven legal services tailored to your commercial objectives.