Investment
Overview of Turkiye
Why Turkiye?
A Strategic Investment Hub at the Crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East
With its strategic location bridging Europe, Asia and the Middle East, its developed logistics infrastructure, strong industrial ecosystem and young workforce, Turkiye is a major production, technology and trade centre for international investors.
Thanks to its high production capacity, large domestic market and access to global markets, Turkiye offers a competitive business environment for export-oriented investment.
About Turkiye
| Information | Value |
|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Turkiye |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Finance and business centre | Istanbul |
| Official language | Turkish |
| Currency | Turkish lira (TL) |
| Time zone | UTC (GMT)+3 |
| Geographical location | Between Europe and Asia |
| Neighbouring regions | Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East and the Mediterranean |
| Access to seas | The Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean |
A Strong and Diversified Economy
With an economic structure based on manufacturing, industry, services, technology and exports, Turkiye is among the largest economies in its region.
The national economy offers investors sustainable growth opportunities through;
Strong industrial infrastructure
A developing technology ecosystem
A dynamic private sector
A large domestic market
An international trade network
Export-oriented production capacity
Turkiye is an important part of global supply chains in many sectors, including automotive, machinery, electronics, defence industry, software, health technologies, textiles, chemicals and food.
Strategic Geographical Location
Turkiye lies on one of the world's most important trade corridors.
Thanks to this strategic location, investors can gain rapid access to;
European markets
Middle Eastern countries
North Africa
The Caucasus
Central Asia
Turkiye's logistics hubs, and Istanbul in particular, offer transport options that reach millions of consumers quickly and cost-effectively.
Advanced Transport and Logistics Infrastructure
Turkiye has strong transport infrastructure that supports international trade.
The main advantages are:
International air cargo networks
Modern ports and maritime transport
An extensive motorway network
Rail connections
Logistics centres
Organised industrial zones
Free zones and specialized free zones
This infrastructure supports fast access to global markets for exporting companies.
A Young, Qualified and Competitive Workforce
With its young population and developing education infrastructure, Turkiye offers investors a significant human resources advantage.
Notable features:
A young and dynamic workforce
Strong human resources in engineering and technical fields
A large number of universities and research centres
Professionals trained in software, IT and advanced technology
Competitive labour costs
Growing R&D and innovation capacity
This creates a significant competitive advantage, particularly for technology companies, production facilities and export-oriented businesses.
Turkiye's Advantages for Investors
Companies investing in Turkiye can benefit from many advantages, including;
A strategic geographical location
A large domestic market
Strong production infrastructure
An export-oriented industrial structure
A qualified workforce
A modern logistics network
Free zones and investment incentives
A technology and R&D ecosystem
Combine Turkiye's Advantages with the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone
The Istanbul Specialized Free Zone (ISBI) brings together Turkiye's strategic location with free zone incentives, an investment environment focused on advanced technology and modern infrastructure, offering domestic and international investors a business ecosystem with strong international competitiveness.
For companies engaged in software, IT, R&D, advanced technology manufacturing and foreign-currency-earning service activities, ISBI is a powerful investment and export base opening from Turkiye to the world.
Application Process
How Can You Operate in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone?
Company Formation and Operating Options at ISBI
The Istanbul Specialized Free Zone (ISBI) has a flexible investment structure that allows domestic and international investors to start operating quickly and easily.
You can operate at ISBI in one of the following ways:
You can establish a new company.
You can open a branch in the free zone for your existing company operating in Turkiye.
You can operate by opening a free zone branch in Turkiye on behalf of your company established abroad.
The ISBI expert team provides consultancy to investors at every stage of the application process, helping to ensure that procedures are completed quickly and correctly.
The ISBI Application Process in 7 Steps
1. Preliminary Meeting and Space Selection
The application process begins with a preliminary assessment held with ISBI specialists.
At this stage;
your field of activity is assessed,
the office, production area or warehouse best suited to your needs is identified,
a preliminary protocol is prepared,
the Operating Licence Application Form is completed.
2. Payment of the Application Fee
As part of the application, the one-off operating licence application fee set out in the relevant legislation is paid into the account of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye.
If the application is not approved, the application fee is refunded in accordance with the provisions of the legislation in force.
3. Submission of the Official Application
The application file is reviewed through;
the Directorate General of Free Zones of the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Trade or the relevant Free Zone Directorate.
4. Company Formation or Branch Opening
Following a positive outcome to the application, the investor;
can complete the formation of a new company, or
carries out the branch opening procedures in the free zone on behalf of the existing company.
These procedures are conducted before the relevant Trade Registry Directorate.
5. Signing of the Lease Agreement
A lease agreement is signed with ISBI for the office, production area or warehouse in which you will operate.
6. Approval of the Lease Agreement
The signed lease agreement and the required documents are approved by the relevant Free Zone Directorate and forwarded to the Directorate General of Free Zones of the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Trade.
7. Issue of the Operating Licence
Once the application is complete, an Operating Licence is issued in the name of the company.
With the operating licence in hand, the company can officially begin operating in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone and benefit from the free zone incentives and advantages offered under the relevant legislation.
ISBI Is at Your Side Throughout the Application Process
ISBI does not merely provide investors with office and production space; it offers professional support at every stage of the application process.
The main forms of support offered:
Assessment of the field of activity
Selection of office, production area and warehouse
Operating licence application consultancy
Guidance on company formation and branch opening
Follow-up of official application processes
Operational start-up support
Thanks to this comprehensive consultancy approach, investors can complete the process of entering the free zone quickly, securely and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can establish a company at ISBI?
Domestic investors, foreign investors, companies operating in Turkiye and companies established abroad can set up a company or open a branch at ISBI within the scope of the relevant legislation.
Can you operate in the free zone without an operating licence?
No. An Operating Licence is required before commercial activities can begin in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone.
Is consultancy support provided during the application process?
Yes. The ISBI expert team provides investors with consultancy and guidance throughout the entire process, from before the application until operations begin.
Note: Application fees, operating licence conditions and the required documents may be updated over time. We recommend contacting ISBI for the most up-to-date information.
Rental and Service Tariffs
Rental Tariff
| A-C-E-F-PR Blocks (Offices and Warehouses) | $ 13.31 m²/month |
| H-K-M Blocks | $ 13.31 m²/month |
| Plaza Warehouses | $ 13.31 m²/month |
| Plaza Offices | 20 $ X m²/month |
General Warehouse Tariff
| Between 01-15 days | Invoice Value X Days X 4 $/10,000 |
| 15 days and over | Invoice Value X Days X 3 $/10,000 |
Loading - Unloading - Stacking - Overtime - Parking - Vehicle Exit Tariff
| Loading / Unloading (Palletised Goods) | 14.00 $ X Tonne |
| Loading / Unloading (Bulk Goods) | 15.00 $ X Tonne |
| Loading / Unloading (Hanging Textile Products) | 13.00 $ X Staff X Hour |
| Loading or Unloading by Crane | Crane and Other Costs + 10% |
| Stacking - Arrangement - Goods Sorting (Private Warehouse) | 15.00 $ X Staff X Hour |
| Forklift Hire | 35.00 $ X Forklift X Hour |
| Overtime charge up to 15 tonnes (Palletised) | 120$ + 10$ for each additional tonne |
| Overtime charge up to 15 tonnes (Bulk) | 160$ + 14$ for each additional tonne |
| Transaction Form | 3 $ X Unit |
Transit Trade Tariff
| For goods that do not physically enter or leave the zone, the loading/unloading charge is collected as USD 4 x TONNE. |
Car Park Tariff
| Daily Truck / Lorry Parking Fee | 15.00 TL |
| Annual Vehicle Entry Card Fee | 25.00 $ |
Weighbridge Tariff
| Loaded or Empty Weighing Fee | 14.00 $ |
Restaurant Tariff
| Lunch Charge | 270.00 TL |
Licence Types
Who Can Operate in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone?
A Specialized Free Zone for Software, IT and Advanced Technology Investments
With its specialized free zone status, the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone (ISBI) hosts companies operating in software, information technologies, medium-high technology, advanced technology manufacturing and foreign-currency-earning service activities.
Thanks to its structure supporting technology-focused investment, ISBI offers domestic and international investors free zone advantages together with modern infrastructure and a strong technology ecosystem.
Incentives Offered According to Export Performance
The operating licence term and the additional support available at ISBI are assessed according to a company's export performance over the last three years.
Companies Meeting the Criterion of USD 2,250M in Total Exports Over the Last 3 Years
Companies meeting the relevant export criterion can benefit from additional support programmes as well as free zone incentives.
Incentives and Support Offered
A 20-year operating licence
100% corporate tax exemption
100% employee income tax exemption (for personnel working in the free zone, within the scope of the relevant legislation)
100% VAT exemption
100% stamp duty exemption
100% customs duty exemption
Rent support of up to 50% (up to USD 75,000 per year, for 5 years)
Salary support for 10 qualified employees (up to a total of USD 150,000 per year, for 5 years)
35% social security employer premium support (for 7 years, on condition that an Investment Incentive Certificate is obtained)
Rent and personnel support are applied on condition that at least USD 1 million in annual exports is achieved and the relevant performance criteria are met.
Companies Not Yet Meeting the Criterion of USD 2,250M in Exports Over the Last 3 Years
Companies that do not yet meet the specified export threshold can also operate in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone and benefit from free zone incentives.
Incentives Offered
A 3-year operating licence
100% corporate tax exemption
100% employee income tax exemption
100% VAT exemption
100% stamp duty exemption
100% customs duty exemption
Additional Support Available After Performance
At the end of the first 3-year operating period, companies that meet the conditions of;
achieving at least USD 1 million in annual exports,
demonstrating an increase in export performance
may;
apply for rent support,
benefit from personnel salary support.
Rent and salary support are not applied during the first 3-year operating licence period.
Software and IT Companies Operating in the Istanbul Specialized Free Zone
The Istanbul Specialized Free Zone hosts leading Turkish software, IT, gaming technology, artificial intelligence, fintech, telecommunications and R&D companies.
The more than 70 technology companies operating in the zone work in fields such as software development, digital transformation, payment systems, data analytics, gaming technologies, cloud computing and advanced technology.
Note: Tax exemptions, operating licence terms and support programmes are applied in line with the Free Zones legislation in force and the conditions determined by the relevant public authorities.
The ISBI Incentive and Support Model
The Istanbul Specialized Free Zone (ISBI) offers companies operating in software, IT, medium-high and advanced technology different incentive and support models according to their export performance.
A company's export performance over the last three years is taken as the basis for determining the operating licence term and eligibility for additional support.
Companies With Total Exports of USD 2.25 Million Over the Last 3 Years
Companies meeting the specified export criterion can benefit from additional support programmes as well as a long-term operating licence.
Advantages Provided
A 20-year operating licence
Corporate tax exemption*
Employee income tax exemption*
VAT and stamp duty exemption
Customs duty exemption
Additional Support
Where the relevant conditions are met;
50% of workplace rental costs may be supported, up to USD 75,000 per year, for 5 years.
The salaries of up to 10 qualified employees may be supported, up to USD 150,000 per year, for 5 years.
Support is provided on condition that at least USD 1 million in annual exports is achieved and the relevant performance criteria are met.
Companies Not Yet Meeting the USD 2.25 Million Export Criterion Over the Last 3 Years
Companies that do not yet meet the export criterion can also begin operating while benefiting from free zone tax advantages.
Opportunities Offered at the Initial Stage
A 3-year operating licence
Corporate tax exemption*
Employee income tax exemption*
VAT and stamp duty exemption
Customs duty exemption
At the end of the first three-year operating period, companies achieving at least USD 1 million in annual exports and increasing their export performance;
may apply to the rent support and personnel salary support programmes.
Rent and personnel salary support are not applied during the first 3-year operating licence period.
Information Documents
You can find detailed information about application conditions, support programmes and implementation principles in the documents below.
View the Incentive Brochure
View the Procedures and Principles Document
* Tax exemptions and support schemes are applied within the scope of the Free Zones legislation in force and the conditions determined by the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Trade.