R&D Intensive SMEs

Turkish competition enforcement has entered a phase in which the Authority's most consequential interventions increasingly arrive before, rather than after, a finding of infringement. This Summer 2026 edition covers eight developments spanning digital markets policy, merger remedies, physical access to retail infrastructure, labour market information exchange, AI distribution channels, procedural cooperation obligations and the transition between fining regimes.

In today's globalized trade environment, many companies engage in commercial relations with other firms and conduct international trade.

This article examines the establishment and continuing management of a foreign business presence in Türkiye. It compares subsidiaries, branches and liaison offices, and considers capital, corporate documentation, governance, representative authority, investment reporting, work authorisation and data protection. Judicial decisions concerning corporate organisation and management duties are considered in their relevant context. The analysis argues that the choice of vehicle should follow the proposed activity, ownership arrangements and expected life of the investment. Effective legal preparation connects incorporation with the company's subsequent compliance, financing, decision-making and exit arrangements rather than treating registration as the final objective.

Turkey's e-commerce sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with transaction volume reaching 4.57 trillion TL—a 52.2% year-over-year increase. The Ministry of Trade's comprehensive report reveals how artificial intelligence integration, quick commerce models, and sustainability initiatives are reshaping consumer behavior and business operations.

According to the first paragraph of Article 5 of the Communiqué on Share Buybacks No. II-22.1 (the "Communiqué"), a share buyback program can only be approved by a general assembly resolution.

The Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (“CMB” or the “Board”), through its principle decision No. i-SPK.15.2 (dated 03.09.2026 and numbered 54/1614) (“Resolution”), has lowered to 3% the minimum shareholding disclosure threshold under the Material Events Disclosure Commu-niqué No. II-15.1 (“Communiqué”). The Reso-lution will apply as from the end of the day on 11.09.2026.

In any high-stakes investment, Merger & Acquisition (M&A), or private equity deal in Turkey and real estate engagements, the financial statements of the target company are the primary focus. While accountants and financial analysts review these numbers for performance and profitability, an experienced corporate lawyer reads them differently.

One of the economic purposes of joint stock companies is to generate profits through their business activities and to distribute such profits among their shareholders in accordance with the rules stipulated by law and the articles of association.

New regulations have been introduced in relation to joint-stock companies with bearer shares according to the Law on Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction numbered 7262.

Turkey's Capital Markets Board has lowered the public disclosure threshold for shareholding changes in listed companies from 5% to 3%, effective September 11, 2026. This regulatory amendment requires earlier disclosure of shareholder structure changes and updates the Central Securities Depository's reporting requirements, though indirect shareholding data remains informational only for certain capital markets regulations.

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into potential gun-jumping violations by XXXLutz and Porta regarding XXXLutz's proposed acquisition of Porta, an Austria-Germany furniture retail transaction announced in January 2025. The investigation examines whether the parties may have implemented the merger before obtaining required regulatory approval, despite the transaction having an EU dimension requiring Commission notification.

The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Sanofi over allegations that the pharmaceutical giant abused its dominant market position through a misleading communication campaign disparaging a competitor's influenza vaccine. The probe examines whether Sanofi falsely portrayed CSL Seqirus' Fluad vaccine as scientifically inferior while promoting its own Efluelda product to healthcare professionals in Germany and France.

The Turkish Competition Authority has conditionally approved Uber Technologies' acquisition of Getir's food and grocery delivery operations, marking a significant consolidation in Turkey's digital marketplace. As part of the approval, Uber committed to investing USD 500 million in Turkey to support employment and strengthen the country's digital technology ecosystem.

The Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Türkiye, ratified in July 2026, establishes a comprehensive framework extending far beyond simple tariff reductions. While the agreement introduces product-specific customs duty eliminations and phased reductions, it also creates binding rules for services trade, commercial establishment, electronic commerce, and state-to-state dispute resolution.

Turkey's Capital Markets Board has lowered the public disclosure threshold for shareholding changes in listed companies from 5% to 3%, effective September 11, 2026. This regulatory amendment requires earlier disclosure of shareholder structure changes and updates the Central Securities Depository's reporting requirements, though indirect shareholding data remains informational only for certain capital markets regulations.

Turkey's Capital Markets Board has introduced a comprehensive new framework for calculating free float ratios of publicly traded companies on Borsa Istanbul. The regulation establishes detailed criteria for determining which shareholdings should be excluded from free float calculations, including direct and indirect ownership structures through funds and other listed companies.

Turkey has introduced a significant 20-year income tax exemption for foreign-sourced earnings of individuals who establish residency in the country. This comprehensive guide examines the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and critical conditions that must be met to benefit from this tax incentive designed to attract wealthy individuals and skilled professionals to Turkey.

The Capital Markets Board of Turkey has introduced a new framework for calculating shares in actual circulation for companies listed on Borsa İstanbul's Equity Market, fundamentally changing how free float ratios are determined. The updated regulations establish comprehensive exclusion criteria for certain shareholdings and introduce a novel approach that accounts for indirect shareholdings through hedge funds and other publicly traded entities. This regulatory shift requires monthly reporting obligati

The European Commission has issued Statements of Objections to construction chemicals manufacturers in France, Germany and Spain, along with three national trade associations, over suspected price coordination. The preliminary assessment suggests manufacturers coordinated future price increases for chemical additives and admixtures between 2021 and 2022 in response to rising raw material costs following the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine.

The European Commission has determined that Google violated the Digital Markets Act through anti-competitive practices in its Search and Play services. The investigation revealed systematic preferential treatment...