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Uluslararası ticaret hukuku

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.

Uluslararası ticaret hukuku

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.

Uluslararası ticari tahkim

Disputes between parties in different countries may be resolved before state courts or through arbitration. This heading covers arbitration, the effect of foreign decisions in Türkiye and the law applicable to international contracts.

Uluslararası ticari tahkim

Arbitration is the resolution of a dispute by arbitrators chosen by the parties instead of a state court. The International Arbitration Law (Law No. 4686) applies to disputes seated in Türkiye that involve a foreign element. Arbitration may be conducted under institutional rules (for example ISTAC or ICC) or under a procedure determined by the parties. An arbitral award may be challenged by an action for annulment only on the limited grounds listed in the Law.

• Arbitration agreement and arbitration clause
• Institutional and ad hoc arbitration
• Appointment of arbitrators
• Annulment of arbitral awards
• Interim relief in arbitration

Recognition and enforcement

Recognition is the acceptance in Türkiye of the res judicata effect of a foreign decision; enforcement allows the decision to be executed in Türkiye. Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments are governed by the Code on Private International and Procedural Law (Law No. 5718, MOHUK); enforcement requires, among other things, that the judgment be final, that reciprocity exist and that the judgment not be manifestly contrary to public policy. Foreign arbitral awards are subject to the 1958 New York Convention, to which Türkiye is a party. Certain decisions, such as divorce judgments, may also be recognised before administrative authorities.

• Enforcement of foreign court judgments
• Recognition and res judicata effect
• Foreign arbitral awards and the New York Convention
• The reciprocity requirement
• Recognition of foreign divorce judgments

International contract law

Where the parties to a contract are in different countries, or the contract is to be performed in another country, the questions arise of which country's law applies and where a dispute is to be resolved. Under the Code on Private International and Procedural Law (Law No. 5718, MOHUK), the parties may choose the law applicable to their contract; absent a choice, the law of the country most closely connected with the contract applies. In obligations involving a foreign element, the parties may also agree on the jurisdiction of a foreign court.

• Choice of law
• Jurisdiction agreements
• Language and interpretation of the contract
• International supply and licence agreements
• Force majeure and adaptation

This text is for general information purposes only; it is not legal advice.

Sözleşmeler ve uyuşmazlıklar

The formation, effects and termination of contracts are governed by the Turkish Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098); rules specific to commercial matters are governed by the Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102). The parties may agree on the law applicable to the contract, the competent court, or the resolution of disputes by arbitration. For commercial receivables and compensation claims concerning the payment of a sum of money, applying to a mediator before filing a lawsuit is a precondition to suit under Article 5/A of the Turkish Commercial Code. The International Arbitration Law (Law No. 4686) applies to disputes involving a foreign element where the seat of arbitration is Türkiye, or where the parties or the arbitrator(s) have chosen this Law.

Commercial law

Commercial law governs the activities of merchants, companies and the rules specific to commercial matters. The most common company types in Türkiye are the joint-stock company and the limited liability company; their formation and the relations between shareholders are subject to the Turkish Commercial Code. Negotiable instruments such as cheques and promissory notes are regulated both in that Code and in the Cheque Law (Law No. 5941). In commercial cases concerning the payment of a sum of money, applying to a mediator before filing a lawsuit is mandatory. For companies in financial difficulty, concordat (composition with creditors) is regulated by the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law (Law No. 2004).

• Joint-stock and limited liability companies
• Share transfers and general meetings
• Negotiable instruments: cheques and promissory notes
• Mediation in commercial cases
• Concordat (composition with creditors)

Consumer law

Consumer law governs the relationship between a person who acquires goods or services for non-commercial purposes and the seller or provider. A consumer who buys defective goods may choose to withdraw from the contract, request a price reduction, free repair or replacement of the goods. In distance sales, for example online purchases, there is as a rule a 14-day right of withdrawal. Disputes below an amount updated every year are referred to consumer arbitration committees; before filing a lawsuit in the consumer court, applying to a mediator is also generally required.

• Defective goods and services
• Distance sales and the right of withdrawal
• Subscription and instalment sale contracts
• Consumer arbitration committees
• Mediation in consumer disputes

Construction law

Construction law covers contracts for the construction of buildings and the public-law rules that apply to that process. The relationship between a contractor and the employer is usually a contract for work under the Turkish Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098). A construction contract in exchange for land share must be executed in official form before a notary, since it includes a promise to transfer real property. Building permits and inspection are governed by the Zoning Law (Law No. 3194) and the Law on Building Inspection (Law No. 4708), and the transformation of buildings at risk by Law No. 6306.

• Contract for work
• Construction contract in exchange for land share
• Building permit and occupancy permit
• Defective construction and the contractor's liability
• Urban transformation

Employment law

Employment law governs the formation of the employment contract, working conditions and the termination of the contract. For claims such as severance pay, notice pay, overtime pay and annual leave pay, applying to a mediator before filing a lawsuit is mandatory under the Labour Courts Law (Law No. 7036). In workplaces employing thirty or more workers, an employee with at least six months' seniority whose employment contract is terminated without a valid reason may seek reinstatement; for this, a mediator must be applied to within one month of the notice of termination.

• Types of employment contracts
• Severance pay and notice pay
• Reinstatement
• Overtime and annual leave
• Occupational accidents and occupational diseases
• Mediation in employment disputes

Administrative law

Administrative law governs the organisation and functioning of public authorities and their relations with individuals. An action for annulment may be brought to set aside an unlawful administrative act, and a full remedy action to recover damage suffered as a result of an act or action of the administration. Unless a special time limit is provided, the time limit for filing an action is 60 days before administrative courts and 30 days before tax courts, running from the notification of the act.

• Actions for annulment and full remedy actions
• Time limits for filing actions
• Stay of execution
• Administrative fines
• Expropriation and zoning acts

Criminal law

Criminal law determines which acts constitute offences, the sanctions applicable to them and the rules of the proceedings. Suspects and defendants have the right to remain silent, to the assistance of defence counsel and to request the collection of evidence. For certain offences, an investigation is initiated only upon a complaint, which must be filed within six months of learning of the act and the perpetrator. For certain offences listed in the law, the parties may settle through reconciliation.

• Investigation and prosecution stages
• Rights of suspects and defendants
• Complaint and the time limit for complaints
• Reconciliation
• Legal remedies: objection, appeal and appeal on points of law

This text is for general information purposes only; it is not legal advice.

Kişiler hukuku

The law of persons, family law and inheritance law are governed by the first three books of the Turkish Civil Code (Law No. 4721). This heading covers a person's identity and personality, family relations and the transfer of an estate.

Personality and identity

The law of persons governs who can hold rights, who can exercise those rights, and how a person's name, identity and personality are protected. In Türkiye these rules are set out in the first book of the Turkish Civil Code (Law No. 4721). Some of these matters require a court decision: under Article 27 of the Turkish Civil Code, a change of name may be requested from the judge only on just grounds; under the Civil Registration Services Law (Law No. 5490), civil registry records are also, as a rule, corrected by court decision. A person whose personality rights are unlawfully infringed may, under Articles 24 and 25 of the Code, request that the infringement be prevented or stopped and that compensation be paid.

• Change of name and surname; correction of civil registry records
• Protection of personality rights; pecuniary and non-pecuniary (moral) damages
• Capacity to act, majority and emancipation by court order
• Guardianship, restriction of capacity, guardian and legal adviser
• Declaration of absence and determination of death
• Formation and management of associations and foundations

Family law

Family law governs the formation of marriage, the rights and obligations of spouses, the dissolution of marriage and decisions concerning children. Divorce may be sought on one of the specific grounds listed in the Code or on the ground that the marital union has broken down irretrievably. Unless the spouses agree otherwise, the statutory matrimonial property regime is participation in acquired property. Custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child. Protective measures against domestic violence are regulated by Law No. 6284.

• Divorce by mutual consent and contested divorce
• Types of alimony
• Custody and personal contact with the child
• Matrimonial property regime and division of property
• Protective measures under Law No. 6284

Inheritance law

Inheritance law governs how a person's estate passes to the heirs upon death. Statutory heirs are determined by their degree of kinship to the deceased. A person may dispose of their estate by will or by an inheritance contract; however, the reserved shares of heirs such as descendants, parents and the spouse are protected. Disclaimer of inheritance must, as a rule, be made within three months. A certificate of inheritance is obtained from a notary or a civil court of peace.

• Statutory inheritance and reserved shares
• Wills and inheritance contracts
• Disclaimer of inheritance
• Certificate of inheritance
• Action for abatement and partition of the estate

This text is for general information purposes only; it is not legal advice.

Sigorta hukuku

Insurance contracts are governed by the sixth book of the Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102), and the activities of insurance companies by the Insurance Law (Law No. 5684). Disputes between the insured and the insurance company may be resolved in court or before the Insurance Arbitration Commission. This heading covers the most common subject: traffic accidents and the compensation claims arising from them.

Traffic accidents

In motor vehicle accidents, the operator of the vehicle and the owner of the enterprise to which it is attached are jointly and severally liable for the resulting damage under Article 85 of the Highway Traffic Law (Law No. 2918). Every motor vehicle must have compulsory motor third-party liability (traffic) insurance; the injured party may apply directly to the insurance company within the policy limits. Under Article 97 of the Law, a written application must be made to the insurance company before filing a lawsuit or initiating arbitration. For bodily injury caused by uninsured or unidentified vehicles, an application may be made to the Guarantee Account. Compensation claims are subject to the limitation periods in Article 109 of the Law.

• Degree of fault and the accident report
• Compulsory traffic insurance and coverage limits
• Written application to the insurance company
• Guarantee Account
• Motor own-damage (kasko) insurance and recourse
• Limitation periods

Property damage and bodily injury

The reduction in assets resulting from a tort is property (pecuniary) damage; harm to a person's physical integrity is bodily injury. For damage to a vehicle, the cost of repair and the drop in the vehicle's market value (diminished value) may be claimed. Under Article 54 of the Turkish Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098), bodily injury losses comprise medical expenses, loss of earnings, losses resulting from reduced or lost capacity to work, and losses resulting from impairment of economic prospects. In the event of death, funeral expenses and the losses of persons deprived of the deceased's support may be claimed under Article 53 of the Code.

• Vehicle damage and diminished value
• Medical expenses
• Temporary and permanent incapacity
• Loss of earnings
• Compensation for loss of support
• Disability report and actuarial calculation

Non-pecuniary (moral) damages

Non-pecuniary (moral) damages are a sum of money awarded to provide a measure of redress for the pain and suffering a person has experienced. Under Article 56 of the Turkish Code of Obligations, in the event of harm to physical integrity, the judge may, taking into account the particular circumstances of the case, order an appropriate sum of money to be paid to the injured party as non-pecuniary (moral) damages. In cases of serious bodily injury or death, non-pecuniary damages may also be paid to the relatives of the injured or deceased person. Non-pecuniary damages are outside the coverage of compulsory traffic insurance; they are therefore, as a rule, claimed from the driver, the vehicle operator or the enterprise to which the vehicle is attached.

• Non-pecuniary damages for the injured person
• Non-pecuniary damages for relatives
• Criteria considered in determining the amount
• Exclusion from compulsory traffic insurance coverage

This text is for general information purposes only; it is not legal advice.