Business licenses (Ruhsat) assistance

What is the municipal license (Ruhsat) and why is it mandatory?

Every commercial establishment operating in Turkey, regardless of its type of activity or size, is required under national legislation to obtain an opening and operating license (Ruhsat) from the municipality within whose boundaries the establishment is located, before actually starting its activity. This requirement is governed by the official regulation "İşyeri Açma ve Çalışma Ruhsatlarına İlişkin Yönetmelik," issued by the Turkish state and applied in all municipalities nationwide.

This regulation classifies commercial establishments into different categories based on the nature of their activity and its impact on public health, the environment, and safety, but the general principle remains the same: no establishment, whatever its commercial activity, size, or number of employees, may begin operating without first obtaining this license. This means the requirement is not limited to specific sectors, but covers various types of commercial, office, and service activities.

Important points to know

• Officially registering the company with the trade registry, or signing a lease for the workplace, does not in any way substitute for obtaining the municipal operating license. These are two entirely separate procedures from the municipal license, and combining them does not make the establishment legally licensed to operate
• Operating without a valid operating license exposes the establishment to serious legal action, most notably closure of the workplace by the relevant municipal authorities, in addition to other administrative liabilities set out in the regulation
• A change of ownership of an existing establishment, or a change in its type of activity or location, requires reviewing its licensing status again — an old license does not automatically transfer with every change in ownership or activity
• Some commercial activities are subject, in addition to the general municipal license, to additional sector-specific licenses or registrations depending on the nature of the business, meaning the municipal license alone may not be sufficient for certain types of activity

Frequently asked questions

Is registering the company in the trade registry considered an alternative to the municipal operating license? No. Company registration is a legal procedure entirely separate from the license to open and operate the workplace. A company may be officially and legally registered, yet its place of business remains unlicensed for actual activity unless it obtains the required municipal operating license under national regulation.

Are all types of commercial activity subject to the same operating license requirements? The general principle that a license is mandatory before starting activity applies to all commercial establishments. However, the regulation classifies activities into different categories based on their nature and potential impact on public health, safety, and the environment, and some activities may require additional sector-specific requirements or licenses beyond the general municipal license.

What are the legal risks of operating a commercial establishment without a valid license? This can lead to closure of the workplace by the relevant municipal authorities, in addition to other administrative consequences. Signing a lease contract or actually carrying out the activity without a valid license does not protect the establishment from these actions.

Last updated: 2026-09-07