Foreign Judgment Against a Turkish Company: How Can Assets Be Seized in Turkey? – 2026 Updated Guide

Learn how foreign creditors can recognize and enforce a foreign judgment against a Turkish company and seize bank accounts, real estate, shares, vehicles and other assets in Turkey.

A foreign creditor may be able to seize assets belonging to a Turkish company, but a foreign court judgment usually cannot be sent directly to a Turkish enforcement office. The creditor will generally need to obtain recognition and an enforceability decision from a competent Turkish court before beginning local enforcement proceedings.

Once the foreign judgment is recognized and declared enforceable, the creditor may pursue Turkish bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, company shares, receivables, inventory and other assets. Urgent protective measures may also be considered where there is a serious risk that the Turkish company will transfer or conceal its assets.

Can a Foreign Judgment Be Directly Enforced in Turkey?

In most cases, no. A judgment issued by a foreign court does not automatically have the same enforcement power as a Turkish judgment.

The creditor generally must first apply to a Turkish court for recognition and enforcement. The court will examine whether the foreign judgment satisfies the applicable legal conditions, including finality, proper service, jurisdiction, public policy and procedural fairness.

After the Turkish court issues the required decision, the creditor can begin enforcement proceedings against the Turkish company and request seizures over identifiable assets.

The exact process may differ depending on the country that issued the judgment, applicable treaties, the type of claim and whether the judgment concerns money, property, status or another legal remedy.

What Is the Difference Between Recognition and Enforcement?

Recognition means that Turkey accepts the legal effect of a foreign court judgment. This may be relevant where the creditor wants to establish that a legal status or right has already been determined abroad.

Enforcement goes further. It allows the creditor to use Turkish enforcement mechanisms to collect money or implement the judgment against assets located in Turkey.

A monetary judgment against a Turkish company will usually require an enforceability decision before the creditor can request seizure and sale of the debtor’s Turkish assets.

What Conditions Must the Foreign Judgment Satisfy?

The foreign creditor should verify the following matters before filing an enforcement application:

• The judgment is final or enforceable under the law of the issuing country.
• The foreign court had an acceptable basis for jurisdiction.
• The Turkish company was properly served and given a genuine opportunity to defend itself.
• The judgment does not violate fundamental principles of Turkish public policy.
• The judgment is not inconsistent with an existing Turkish judgment.
• There is no serious procedural unfairness.
• Any applicable reciprocity or international treaty requirement is satisfied.
• The judgment is supported by properly authenticated and translated documents.

A judgment issued in default may still be enforceable, but the creditor must be prepared to prove that the Turkish company received valid notice and had the opportunity to participate.

How Does the Recognition and Enforcement Procedure Work?

The process commonly involves the following steps:

1. Obtain a certified or official copy of the foreign judgment.
2. Obtain proof that the judgment is final or enforceable.
3. Complete authentication or legalization requirements where necessary.
4. Prepare an accurate translation into the required language.
5. Prepare corporate authorization and power of attorney documents.
6. File the recognition and enforcement application in Turkey.
7. Respond to any objections raised by the Turkish company.
8. Obtain the Turkish court’s recognition or enforceability decision.
9. Begin enforcement proceedings against the company.
10. Identify and seize available Turkish assets.

The foreign creditor should not wait until the company has transferred its assets. Asset tracing and protective applications should be evaluated at the beginning of the process.

Can the Creditor Request a Precautionary Attachment Before Enforcement?

In appropriate circumstances, the foreign creditor may request a precautionary attachment or other interim protection before the recognition and enforcement procedure is completed.

This is not automatic. The creditor generally needs to show a credible claim, urgency and a risk that the debtor’s conduct will make future enforcement difficult. The court may also require security.

Evidence may include unpaid debts, transfer of assets to related companies, attempts to sell real estate, closure of business locations, unusual payments, liquidation steps or information showing financial distress.

A foreign judgment can be persuasive evidence of the claim, but the creditor must still satisfy the requirements for the requested Turkish interim measure.

Which Assets Can Be Seized in Turkey?

After obtaining the necessary Turkish court decision, the creditor may investigate and pursue assets such as:

Bank Accounts

The creditor may request enforcement measures concerning bank accounts held by the Turkish company. The amount sought should correspond to the enforceable debt, interest and eligible costs.

Real Estate

Land, commercial buildings, offices, factories and other registered property may be subject to seizure and sale, provided that the company is the registered owner and there are no legal restrictions preventing enforcement.

Company Shares

Shares owned by the Turkish company or by individual guarantors may be subject to enforcement, depending on the ownership structure and applicable company rules.

Vehicles and Machinery

Company vehicles, industrial machinery, equipment and inventory may be identified, seized and sold through the relevant enforcement process.

Receivables

Money owed to the Turkish company by customers, distributors or business partners may potentially be attached. This can be effective where the debtor has limited cash but continues to trade.

A seizure does not guarantee immediate payment. The creditor must consider valuation, sale costs, prior security interests and competing creditors.

Can the Creditor Seize Assets of a Related Company?

Normally, a judgment against one Turkish company does not automatically permit seizure of assets owned by another company, even if the companies share directors, shareholders or an address.

If the debtor transferred assets to a related company to avoid payment, the creditor may need to bring a separate legal challenge. Evidence of a sham transaction, an undervalue sale, lack of genuine payment, continued control or coordinated asset transfers may be important.

The creditor should not assume that the corporate separation can be ignored. A separate claim or enforcement strategy may be required to challenge the transfer and recover the assets.

What Defenses Can the Turkish Company Raise?

The Turkish company may challenge recognition or enforcement by arguing that:

• The foreign judgment is not final.
• The foreign court lacked jurisdiction.
• The company was not properly served.
• The company was denied a fair opportunity to defend itself.
• The judgment conflicts with a Turkish judgment.
• Enforcement would violate Turkish public policy.
• The judgment concerns a matter reserved for Turkish courts.
• The documents are incomplete, unauthenticated or inaccurately translated.
• The claim has already been paid or settled.
• The foreign court decision is inconsistent with an arbitration agreement.

The creditor should prepare evidence addressing these issues before filing. Deficiencies in service, finality or documentation can cause significant delay.

What Happens If the Turkish Company Is Insolvent?

If the Turkish company has entered liquidation, restructuring or insolvency proceedings, individual enforcement may be affected. The creditor may need to register the claim in the relevant collective process and comply with deadlines.

Priority may depend on secured rights, existing attachments, employee claims, public debts and other legally protected categories. A creditor who acts early may have a better opportunity to preserve assets, but the final recovery will depend on the company’s available assets and competing claims.

How Can Foreign Creditors Trace Assets in 2026?

In 2026, digital business records, electronic invoices, payment platforms, corporate databases, electronic signatures and cloud accounting systems may provide important evidence of a Turkish company’s assets and transactions.

The creditor should preserve:

• The original foreign judgment.
• Proof of finality.
• Service records.
• Contracts and invoices.
• Bank transfer information.
• Company ownership documents.
• Property and vehicle records.
• Evidence of related-party transfers.
• Emails and electronic communications.
• Digital accounting and payment records.

A foreign company should use lawful procedures to obtain asset information. Unauthorized access to private accounts or systems may create separate legal risks.

Why Immediate Legal Support Matters

The period between obtaining a foreign judgment and completing enforcement in Turkey can be critical. A Turkish company may sell property, transfer receivables, move funds, change its address or place assets under the control of another entity.

A coordinated strategy may combine recognition and enforcement, asset tracing, precautionary attachment, injunctions, evidence preservation and challenges to fraudulent transfers.

Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya assists foreign creditors with recognition of foreign judgments, Turkish enforcement proceedings, asset seizure, interim measures and cross-border debt recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a foreign judgment be enforced directly against a Turkish company?

Usually, the creditor must first obtain recognition and an enforceability decision from a Turkish court.

2. Can a foreign creditor seize a Turkish company’s bank account?

Yes, after satisfying the applicable recognition and enforcement requirements and beginning the relevant Turkish enforcement process.

3. Can assets be protected before the foreign judgment is recognized?

In suitable cases, the creditor may request a precautionary attachment or interim measure by showing a credible claim, urgency and a risk to future recovery.

4. What if the Turkish company was not properly served abroad?

The company may challenge enforcement by arguing that it did not receive valid notice or a fair opportunity to defend itself.

5. Can the creditor seize Turkish real estate owned by the company?

Yes, registered real estate may be subject to enforcement after the necessary Turkish court and enforcement procedures are completed.

6. Can the creditor seize assets of a company’s shareholder?

Not automatically. Separate liability, a guarantee, fraudulent transfer or another legal basis may be required.

7. Can receivables owed to the Turkish company be attached?

Potentially, yes. Receivables owed by customers or business partners may be targeted through appropriate enforcement procedures.

8. What documents are needed for enforcement in Turkey?

The creditor generally needs the foreign judgment, proof of finality, authenticated documents, accurate translations and corporate authorization documents.

9. What happens if the Turkish company transfers assets to a related company?

The creditor may need to challenge the transfer through a separate legal action or enforcement remedy supported by evidence of fraud or asset concealment.

10. How long does enforcement of a foreign judgment take in Turkey?

The duration depends on service, objections, document formalities, court workload, appeals and the location of the debtor’s assets.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting a lawyer about your specific circumstances to avoid any loss of rights.

Legal Support for Foreign Judgment Enforcement in Turkey

Foreign creditors should act quickly when a Turkish company refuses to pay or begins transferring assets. Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office provides professional legal support throughout Turkey and internationally for recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, asset tracing, precautionary attachment, injunctions and debt recovery.

Call Now: +90 312 434 22 22
WhatsApp: +90 532 769 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
Address: Mevlana Boulevard No:221, Yildirim Tower, Office No:148, 06520 Balgat, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey