Licensing Advisory
Workplace Opening and Operating Licence Application
Classifying the workplace as a sanitary establishment, a non-sanitary establishment or a public place of rest and entertainment, identifying the competent administration and preparing the company and operator details for the application.
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Overview
In Türkiye, a workplace may not be opened or operated without a workplace opening and operating licence (işyeri açma ve çalışma ruhsatı) duly obtained from the competent administration. Workplaces opened without a licence are closed by the competent administrations. (Regulation on Workplace Opening and Operating Licences, Art. 6)
The Regulation divides workplaces into three groups. Non-sanitary establishments (gayrisıhhi müessese) are workplaces that may harm the environment and human health during their activities, and are divided into three classes: those that must be kept away from housing and other places intended for human habitation are first class, those that need not be kept away are second class, and those for which sanitary supervision is sufficient are third class. Public places of rest and entertainment (umuma açık istirahat ve eğlence yerleri) are places opened for people’s entertainment, rest or accommodation, such as casinos, bars, taverns, cinemas and internet cafés. Every other type of workplace is deemed a sanitary establishment (sıhhi müessese). (Regulation, Art. 4)
The application is made by the natural or legal person after the workplace has been brought into compliance with the Regulation. Application and declaration form Sample 1 (Örnek 1) is used for sanitary workplaces and public places of rest and entertainment, and Sample 2 (Örnek 2) for non-sanitary establishments. The applicant receives a receipt showing the name and title of the person accepting it and the date and time; missing documents are stated on this receipt, and the time limits start when the missing items are completed. (Regulation, Art. 6)
The licence is issued by the competent administration. KEYBIZ CPAs & Advisors checks that the operator and company details on the application form are consistent with the trade registry and tax records, and monitors the time limits on transfers, relocations and changes of the scope of activity. Zoning, fire safety, environmental permits and technical compliance are the field of the relevant authorities and professionals.
Licensing Procedure and Time Limits by Workplace Type
| How the Licence Is Issued | Time Limits | |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitary Establishment | If the application meets the criteria, the licence is issued on the basis of the declaration without any further procedure. A declaration-based licence does not create an acquired right (Regulation, Art. 12) | The licence is issued on the same day. The workplace is inspected within one month at the latest of the licence date; if no inspection is carried out, the licence becomes final. A one-time period of 15 days is given to remedy non-compliance (Regulation, Art. 12, 13) |
| Second and Third Class Non-Sanitary Establishment | If the Sample 2 form meets the criteria, the licence is issued and the person concerned may open the workplace on the basis of this document (Regulation, Art. 23) | The licence is issued within five days. If no inspection is carried out within one month, the operating licence is deemed obtained. A one-time period of 15 days is given to remedy non-compliance (Regulation, Art. 23) |
| First Class Non-Sanitary Establishment | The review board carries out on-site examinations at the site selection and opening stages; for facilities requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED), a positive ÇED decision replaces the site selection permit. A health protection buffer zone is left around the facility (Regulation, Art. 15, 16, 18, 19, 21) | The site selection examination is carried out within seven days at the latest of the application. The opening examination is carried out within seven days following the application; if found suitable, the licence is issued within three days. A trial permit may not exceed one year (Regulation, Art. 18, 20, 21) |
| Public Place of Rest and Entertainment | The application is made with the Sample 1 form. The competent administration obtains the opinion of the law enforcement authorities before the licence (Regulation, Art. 32) | The law enforcement authorities give their opinion within seven days through the local administrative chief (mülki idare amiri). Applications are concluded within one month (Regulation, Art. 32) |
Current text of the Regulation on Workplace Opening and Operating Licences on mevzuat.gov.tr (November 2026).
Competent Administration Issuing the Licence
The competent administration is determined by the location of the workplace (Regulation, Art. 4/a):
Municipality: Within municipal boundaries and adjacent areas (mücavir alan), the licence is issued by the municipality. Within metropolitan municipality boundaries, the metropolitan municipality is competent for matters within its authority, and the district municipality for other matters.
Special provincial administration: In places outside municipal boundaries and adjacent areas, the competent administration is the special provincial administration (il özel idaresi).
Organised industrial zone and industrial zone: Within the boundaries of an organised industrial zone, the organised industrial zone legal entity is competent, and within the boundaries of an industrial zone, the Ministry of Industry and Technology. In these zones, no review board is formed for first class non-sanitary establishments. (Regulation, Art. 15)
Public places of rest and entertainment are licensed by the municipality within municipal boundaries and adjacent area boundaries, and by the special provincial administration outside these areas. (Regulation, Art. 32) For the company starting operations at a new address, see our Branch Opening page.
Licence Application Process
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Classifying the Workplace
Based on the scope of activity, we determine whether the workplace is a sanitary establishment, a non-sanitary establishment (first, second or third class) or a public place of rest and entertainment. The list of non-sanitary establishments is set out in the annex to the Regulation. (Regulation, Art. 4, Annex 2)
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Identifying the Competent Administration
The administration to apply to is determined according to whether the workplace is within municipal and adjacent area boundaries, metropolitan boundaries, an organised industrial zone or an industrial zone. (Regulation, Art. 4/a)
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Preparing the Company and Operator Details
The trade name, address, scope of activity and tax details on the application form are compared with the trade registry and tax office records. The competent administration may verify identity, tax certificate (vergi levhası), title deed and trade registry gazette information electronically. (Regulation, Additional Art. 1) If the company has not yet been established, see our Company Formation page.
No document other than those listed in the Regulation may be requested in the licence application. (Regulation, Art. 12)
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Application and Review
The form and its attachments are submitted to the competent administration and a receipt is obtained. The subsequent steps depend on the type of workplace:
- Sanitary workplace: The licence is issued on the same day; an inspection is carried out within one month. (Regulation, Art. 12, 13)
- Second and third class non-sanitary establishment: The licence is issued within five days; an inspection is carried out within one month. (Regulation, Art. 23)
- First class non-sanitary establishment: The site selection, trial permit if necessary, and opening stages are completed; the licence is issued within three days after the opening examination. (Regulation, Art. 18, 20, 21)
- Public place of rest and entertainment: The opinion of the law enforcement authorities is obtained and the application is concluded within one month. (Regulation, Art. 32)
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After the Inspection and Changes
If non-compliance is found at the inspection, a one-time period of 15 days is given; if not remedied, the licence is cancelled and the workplace is closed. (Regulation, Art. 13, 23) After the licence, the following situations are monitored:
- If the workplace is transferred with the same scope of activity, area and address, the licence is reissued in the name of the new operator. (Regulation, Art. 8)
- Where the licence must be renewed or adapted, an application is made to the competent administration within three months at the latest; on the death of the workplace owner, this period is six months for the heirs. (Regulation, Art. 8)
- Moving the workplace to another address requires a new licence. (Regulation, Art. 8)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Workplace Be Opened without a Licence?
No. A workplace may not be opened or operated without a licence from the competent administration; workplaces opened without a licence are closed by the competent administrations. (Regulation, Art. 6)
When Is a Sanitary Workplace Licence Issued?
If the application meets the criteria, the licence is issued on the basis of the declaration on the same day. The competent administration inspects the workplace within one month at the latest of the licence date; if no inspection is carried out within this period, the licence becomes final. (Regulation, Art. 12, 13)
How Are the Classes of Non-Sanitary Establishments Distinguished?
Those that must be kept away from housing and places intended for human habitation are first class, those that need not be kept away are second class, and those for which sanitary supervision is sufficient are third class non-sanitary establishments. (Regulation, Art. 4) Which activity falls into which class is shown in the Annex 2 list of the Regulation.
Who Issues the Licence in an Organised Industrial Zone?
Within the boundaries of an organised industrial zone, the competent administration is the organised industrial zone legal entity. (Regulation, Art. 4/a) In these zones, no review board is formed for first class non-sanitary establishments. (Regulation, Art. 15)
Is There a Distance Rule for Public Places?
Yes. Public places such as taverns, coffee houses, kıraathane (traditional coffee and reading houses), bars, electronic game centres and internet cafés must be at least one hundred metres, door to door, from the institutions listed in the Regulation, such as schools, dormitories and nursery schools. The scope of the rule and its exceptions are set out in Article 32 of the Regulation. (Regulation, Art. 32)
What Happens to the Licence If the Workplace Is Transferred?
For a workplace transferred without a change in the scope of activity, area or address, the licence is reissued in the name of the new operator. Where renewal or adaptation is required, an application is made to the competent administration within three months at the latest. (Regulation, Art. 8)
Must a Food Business Also Obtain a Registration or Approval Certificate?
Yes. Food businesses obtain a registration or approval certificate from the provincial directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; these certificates do not replace the licences that must be issued by other institutions. For details, see our Food Registration and Approval Certificate page.
Legal Basis
- Regulation on Workplace Opening and Operating Licences (İşyeri Açma ve Çalışma Ruhsatlarına İlişkin Yönetmelik) Art. 4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 32, Additional Art. 1, Official Gazette 10.08.2005, 25902
- Law No. 3572 on the Adoption with Amendments of the Decree Law on Workplace Opening and Operating Licences (3572 sayılı İşyeri Açma ve Çalışma Ruhsatlarına Dair Kanun Hükmünde Kararnamenin Değiştirilerek Kabulüne Dair Kanun) Official Gazette 17.06.1989, 20198
- Regulation on Registration and Approval Procedures for Food Businesses (Gıda İşletmelerinin Kayıt ve Onay İşlemlerine Dair Yönetmelik) Art. 13, Official Gazette 17.12.2011, 28145
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