Turkey is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a document notarised in Turkey and apostilled by the district governorship or provincial governorship is generally accepted in India without embassy attestation. Indian citizens can also sign before the Indian consular officer in Ankara or Istanbul. Turkish companies can usually invest in India under the automatic route. Turkey is not a reciprocating territory, and India and Turkey have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Turkish notary and apostille, or Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Turkey all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- In force: apostille accepted
Turkish business in India and Indians in Turkey
Turkish companies have built tunnels, metros and airports in India, and sell machinery, marble, dry fruits and chemicals to Indian buyers, while India sells cotton yarn, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and chemicals to Turkey. Indian IT and pharmaceutical companies have offices in Istanbul, and Indian students and professionals live in Istanbul and Ankara. Turkey is also a popular wedding and tourism destination for Indian families, and marriages between Indian and Turkish partners are increasingly common.
We help with Indian company setup, supply, construction and services contracts, international arbitration, marriage registration, and buying and selling Indian property, along with powers of attorney.
Signing documents in Turkey for use in India
Turkey has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1985, so documents can be apostilled rather than legalised. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary (noter) in Turkey with your passport, usually with a sworn translation prepared by a translator registered with the notary.
- Obtain the apostille from the district governorship (kaymakamlık) or provincial governorship (valilik), or from the justice commission for court documents.
- Send the original to India by courier; it is stamped there within three months and then presented to the relevant office.
Indian citizens can also sign before the consular officer at the Embassy of India in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul. Turkish documents need a certified English translation; many notaries can attach one.
Most requested services from Turkey
These six services cover most of what people and businesses in Turkey need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Turkey, including the apostille, and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
An apostilled power, or one signed at an Indian mission, lets someone act for you in India.
Company Setup for Foreigners
Turkish companies set up Indian subsidiaries under the automatic route.
Commercial Contracts
Construction, machinery, textile and food contracts with Indian partners.
Marriage Registration
Indian and Turkish couples register their marriage for visas, OCI and property.
Buying & Selling Property
Indians in Turkey buy and sell Indian homes through an attorney holder.
International Arbitration
ICC and Istanbul arbitrations and enforcing awards against Indian parties.
Turkish investment in India
Turkey does not share a land border with India, so a Turkish company can usually own up to 100 percent of an Indian company under the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps and conditions. The investment is reported to the RBI in Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment. Turkish construction and engineering companies bidding for Indian public projects often work through Indian subsidiaries or joint ventures, and need to check eligibility rules in the tender.
The India and Turkey tax treaty and moving money
India and Turkey have a double taxation avoidance agreement in force since 1997. Turkish tax residents can claim treaty rates on Indian dividends, interest, royalties and technical fees with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. NRIs in Turkey can buy and sell Indian property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely, and repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax. Turkish citizens without OCI status generally cannot buy property in India.
Turkish judgments, arbitration and family matters
Turkey has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Turkish judgment can only found a fresh suit in India. Turkey is a party to the New York Convention, so awards from the Istanbul Arbitration Centre, the ICC or other institutions can generally be enforced in India. Marriages registered in Turkey are recognised in India if valid there, and a Turkish spouse can usually apply for OCI after two years of a registered marriage.
All services for clients in Turkey
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Turkey
The Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul provide passport, OCI and attestation services.
- Embassy of India, Ankara
- Consulate General of India, Istanbul
Frequently asked questions
Does India accept Turkish apostilles?
Yes. Yes, as both countries belong to the Apostille Convention.
Can a Turkish company own 100 percent of an Indian company?
In most sectors yes, under the automatic route.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the Consulate in Istanbul?
Yes, if you hold an Indian passport, before the consular officer.
Can a Turkish judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. A fresh suit is needed.
Can an Istanbul arbitration award be enforced in India?
Usually yes, under the New York Convention.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Turkey?
Yes, in force since 1997.
Can my Turkish spouse get OCI?
Generally yes, once the registered marriage is two years old.
How do we communicate?
Over video calls, email and WhatsApp messages. Turkey is 2 hours 30 minutes behind India.