International trade covers the rules that apply to the movement of goods, services and investments between countries. This heading sets out the basic framework of the related fields.
International trade law
International trade law covers the rules that apply to commercial transactions between parties located in different countries. Türkiye is a party to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG); unless the parties agree otherwise, the Convention applies to sales between a seller and a buyer located in different Contracting States. The place of delivery and the transfer of risk are usually determined by the International Chamber of Commerce's Incoterms rules, and payment by instruments such as letters of credit.
- The Vienna Sales Convention (CISG)
- Incoterms delivery terms
- Letters of credit and international payment methods
- International distribution and agency
- Applicable law
Foreign trade law
Foreign trade law governs the rules that apply when goods enter or leave Türkiye. The customs clearance of goods, customs duties and customs regimes are governed by the Customs Law (Law No. 4458). Imports and exports are also subject to regimes set by Presidential decisions and communiqués of the Ministry of Trade; trade policy measures, such as anti-dumping duties, may apply to certain products.
- Customs regimes and customs duties
- Import and export regimes
- Inward processing and incentives
- Anti-dumping and safeguard measures
- Customs administrative fines and objections
Foreign investment law
Foreign investment law covers the rules on foreign investors making investments in Türkiye and on the protection of those investments. Under the Foreign Direct Investment Law (Law No. 4875), foreign investors are subject to equal treatment with domestic investors and may freely transfer profits, dividends and liquidation proceeds abroad. Investments may be expropriated only in the public interest and against payment of compensation. The bilateral investment treaties Türkiye has signed with many countries and the ICSID Convention, to which Türkiye is a party, may provide for international arbitration in disputes between an investor and the State.
- Principle of equal treatment
- Company, branch and liaison office
- Transfer of profits and capital
- Bilateral investment treaties
- Investment incentives
- Investor-State arbitration (ICSID)
Law on foreigners
The law on foreigners governs the rights and obligations in Türkiye of persons who are not Turkish citizens. Visas, residence permits and deportation of foreigners are governed by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law No. 6458), and work permits by the International Labour Force Law (Law No. 6735). Acquisition of Turkish citizenship is regulated by the Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901), and the acquisition of real property by foreigners by Article 35 of the Land Registry Law (Law No. 2644).
- Visas and residence permits
- Work permits
- Acquisition of Turkish citizenship
- Acquisition of real property by foreigners
- Remedies against deportation orders
Renewable energy and infrastructure
Electricity generation from renewable sources is carried out within the framework of the Electricity Market Law (Law No. 6446) and the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources for the Purpose of Generating Electrical Energy (Law No. 5346). As a rule, generation requires a licence; in the cases listed in the regulation it may be carried out without one. The support mechanism known as YEKDEM is based on Law No. 5346. Projects often require grid connection, land-use rights, and zoning and environmental permits at the same time. Infrastructure investments such as power plants and motorways may also be carried out under build-operate-transfer (Law No. 3996), and facilities such as city hospitals under the public-private partnership model (Law No. 6428).
- Licensed and unlicensed electricity generation
- YEKDEM and renewable energy support schemes
- Grid connection and system use agreements
- Land use: lease, easement and expropriation
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and building permits
- Build-operate-transfer and public-private partnership models
Energy law
Energy law covers the rules on the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of energy sources such as electricity, natural gas and petroleum. The electricity market is subject to Law No. 6446, the natural gas market to Law No. 4646 and the petroleum market to Law No. 5015. Activities in these markets are, as a rule, carried out under a licence issued by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) and are subject to its supervision. Decisions of EPDK may be challenged before the administrative courts.
- Electricity, natural gas and petroleum market licences
- EPDK regulations and supervision
- Administrative fines and avenues of objection
- Energy trading and bilateral agreements
Sustainability and regulation
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) rules govern the impact of companies' activities on the environment and society, and how that impact is to be reported. The Climate Law (Law No. 7552), published in the Official Gazette of 9 July 2025, regulates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions trading system; general environmental rules are set out in the Environmental Law (Law No. 2872). The Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS) have applied to companies within their scope since 2024. The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has affected exports of certain products since 1 January 2026.
- The Climate Law and the emissions trading system
- Sustainability reporting under TSRS
- The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Environmental and human rights obligations in the supply chain
- Corporate governance and internal policies
This text is for general information purposes only; it is not legal advice.