Guides to setting up a company in 28 countries, written for investors and groups expanding across borders. Each guide follows the same structure, so the tax system, formation process, documents and timing of one country can be read directly against another — and against Turkey.
Where to start
Country Guides
Quick Shortlists
Three slices of the same data, taken from the figure each guide states. The guide explains the conditions behind every number.
- Dubai (UAE)0% to AED 375,000, then 9%
- Hungary9%
- Bulgaria10%
- Croatia10% / 18% by turnover
- Switzerland12–21% by canton
- Serbia15%
- Netherlands2–4 weeks
- United Kingdom1–3 weeks
- Azerbaijan1–3 weeks
- Romania2–4 weeks
- Bulgaria2–4 weeks
- Croatia2–4 weeks
- Czech Republic2–4 weeks
- United KingdomNone
- Dubai (UAE)None
- Hong KongNone
- Hungary0% to companies
- SingaporeNone
Dividend withholding is the domestic rate. Where Turkey has a treaty with the country, the treaty normally sets a lower ceiling and it applies only once the certificate of residence is in hand — see tax treaties in Turkey. Taiwan is the one market here with no treaty, so its domestic rate applies in full.
What Every Guide Covers
- Company types and which one foreign investors use
- The formation process, step by step
- Documents required, apostille and legalisation
- Whether a local partner or local director is required
- Directors, the board and compulsory insurance
- The tax system and how it compares with Turkey
- Accounting and operational alignment with Turkey
- Bank account opening for Turkey-linked companies
- Residence and permanent establishment assessment
- Social security and labour law
- How long formation takes
- Mistakes investors commonly make
- Frequently asked questions
Entering Turkey
Liaison office, branch or subsidiary — which one fits the activity planned in Turkey.
Compare the three →Joint-stock and limited liability companies: capital, registration and what follows.
Read the guide →Registration of a foreign company’s branch and its tax position against a subsidiary.
Read the guide →Permit scope, extension periods and payroll rules for non-commercial presence.
What a liaison office may not do →Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company abroad be set up without travelling?
In most of the countries covered, yes: the founder signs a power of attorney, has it apostilled or legalised, and a local firm completes the registration. The step that usually needs the founder’s presence or a video call is the bank account, which is why the guides give formation time and bank onboarding time separately.
Which countries require a resident director or local partner?
Among the 25 covered, India and Singapore require at least one resident director, Hong Kong requires a locally based company secretary, Switzerland requires a Swiss-resident signatory for some company types, and the United States requires a registered agent in the state of formation. None of the 27 requires a local shareholder.
Why does each guide include a comparison with Turkey?
Because the tax result of a company abroad is decided on both sides. The foreign rate is only half of it; the other half is how Turkey treats the dividends it receives, whether controlled foreign company rules apply, what withholding the treaty allows, and whether management from Turkey makes the foreign company resident in Turkey. Each guide covers that second half for its country.
Do these guides cover setting up a company in Turkey?
No. Setting up in Turkey is covered in the “Entering Turkey” section, which links to separate guides on liaison offices, branches and company formation in Turkey.
Does Ozbek CPA form the foreign company itself?
Formation in the foreign country is carried out by our partner firm in that jurisdiction. We coordinate the process, prepare the Turkey-side documents, and handle the Turkey-side tax position of the structure: treaty application, controlled foreign company assessment, transfer pricing and the accounting of the foreign investment.
Planning a company abroad or an entry into Turkey? We work with partner firms in each jurisdiction and handle the Turkey side of the structure.
Contact us