Establishing a Travel Agency in Turkey

Turkey's growing tourism industry offers lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors interested in opening travel agencies. Whether you are a foreign investor or a local entrepreneur, setting up a travel agency in Turkey requires compliance with specific legal procedures and obtaining the appropriate license from the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (“TÜRSAB”).

At NPartners Law & Consultancy, we offer comprehensive legal support for individuals and companies seeking to establish travel agencies in Turkey, including company registration, license application, and operational compliance.

Travel Agency License Types in Turkey

According to Turkish law, every travel agency must obtain a license from TÜRSAB. There are three types of travel agency licenses:

• Type A (Group A License): Allows full-scale operations, including domestic and international tour organization, ticket sales (airline, bus, ferry), accommodation booking, car rentals, and package tours. This is the most common and commercially viable license. A deposit must be paid to TÜRSAB as part of the Group A license application. For the year 2025, the required deposit amount for Group A certification is TRY 7,000 (approximately USD 180).

• Type B (Group B License): Limited to certain travel services, mainly domestic and restricted tour arrangements. Not suitable for full-service operations. A deposit must be paid to TÜRSAB as part of the Group B license application. For the year 2025, the required deposit amount for Group B certification is TRY 6,000 (approximately USD 150).

• Type C (Group C License): Typically granted to public institutions, educational organizations, or special-purpose travel operations. Not used for commercial purposes. A deposit must be paid to TÜRSAB as part of the Group C license application. For the year 2025, the required deposit amount for Group C certification is TRY 5,000 (approximately USD 125).

Legal Requirements to Open a Travel Agency in Turkey

To establish a travel agency and obtain a Type A license, the following steps must be completed:

1.       Establish a Limited or Joint Stock Company – Must include travel-related activity codes in the company’s articles of association.

2.       Application for Travel Agency Title - In order to obtain the “agency” title, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A government fee is charged for this application, which amounts to TRY 35,000 (approximately USD 890) for the year 2025.

3.       Hire a Licensed Travel Agency Manager – The company must employ a responsible manager certified by TÜRSAB.

4.       Obtain a Workplace Qualification Certificate – The physical office must meet TÜRSAB's criteria (minimum space, signage, equipment).

5.       Membership & Application to TÜRSAB – File the application, submit documents, pay the TÜRSAB membership and guarantee fees. As part of the membership process, applicants are required to pay both a one-time entrance fee and an annual membership fee to TÜRSAB. For the year 2025, these fees are as follows:

·         TRY 517,395 (approx. USD 13,155) – One-time membership entrance fee

·         TRY 25,869.76 (approx. USD 660) – Annual membership fee

6.       License Issuance – Upon approval, the company receives its Type A Travel Agency Certificate and becomes an official TÜRSAB member.

It is important to note that, there is no residency requirement for foreigners to open a travel agency in Turkey. Foreign investors can establish and operate a licensed travel agency in Turkey without holding a Turkish residence permit, as long as the company meets the legal requirements outlined above. This makes Turkey an attractive destination for international entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

Acquisition of a Licensed Travel Agency in Turkey

For foreign investors or entrepreneurs who wish to start operating quickly and minimize administrative procedures, acquiring a company that already holds a valid Group A Travel Agency Certificate is a highly efficient alternative to incorporating a new entity.

Instead of going through the standard licensing and inspection procedures required by TÜRSAB, buyers can directly take over an existing travel agency and benefit from a significantly shorter timeline and reduced operational obligations.

Key Advantages of Acquiring an Existing Licensed Travel Agency:

•          No office rental or site inspection required

TÜRSAB’s physical office inspection and workplace qualification process is not required if the company already holds a valid Group A license. This eliminates the need to secure or furnish a travel agency office for licensing purposes, which can significantly lower setup costs.

•          Faster transition and operational readiness

Once the share transfer and necessary filings are completed, the new owner can begin operations immediately under the existing license. The shareholding change must be reported to TÜRSAB with standard documentation, and the entire process is typically finalized within 7 to 10 business days.

•          Cost transparency and legal due diligence

Our firm offers due diligence services to assess the legal and financial standing of target companies. This ensures a secure transaction and smooth transfer of operational control. Legal assistance includes drafting of share purchase agreements, amendment of commercial registry records, and compliance with TÜRSAB requirements.

If you are interested in this route, NPartners can provide you with a list of eligible companies available for purchase and guide you through the acquisition process, including all legal steps, documentation, and communication with TÜRSAB.

Why Work with NPartners?

•          Full legal support from company formation to license issuance

•          Expertise in working with foreign-owned businesses in tourism

•          Drafting and reviewing contracts, employment agreements, and service policies

•          Guidance on tax, labor, and data protection compliance

•          Multilingual legal service in English, Turkish, and Persian

Get Started with Confidence

With extensive experience in travel law and commercial setup for foreign investors, NPartners is your trusted legal partner in establishing a licensed travel agency in Turkey.