Debt Collection Agency Turkey: Creditor's Guide to Istanbul
Collecting a B2B commercial debt in Turkey proceeds through the İcra Dairesi (Enforcement Office) under the İcra ve İflas Kanunu (IIK), and uniquely among major commercial jurisdictions, does not require a prior court judgment — a signed invoice, delivery confirmation, or promissory note is sufficient to open an enforcement file. The İcra Dairesi issues a formal ödeme emri (payment order) under IIK Article 58, officially served on the debtor. The debtor then has 7 days to file an objection for ordinary claims, or 5 days for kambiyo senetleri (commercial paper: promissory notes and cheques). If no objection is filed, the creditor proceeds directly to haciz (attachment) of bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and receivables — without any additional court hearing. For debtors who file a bad-faith objection and lose the subsequent itirazín iptali (objection invalidation) proceeding at the Commercial Court, the IIK imposes a mandatory 20% icra inkâr tazminatı (denial penalty) on the claim amount — a structural deterrent to frivolous objections that has no direct equivalent in EU commercial procedure. The general limitation period for B2B commercial contracts is 10 years under TCO Article 146; promissory notes have a shorter 3-year limitation under TCC Article 749.
Your Istanbul-based textile distributor accepted delivery of three consignments, acknowledged the invoices in two email exchanges, and stopped responding 80 days ago. You have a signed invoice and a promissory note (bonolu senet) from the distributor. The promissory note matters significantly: it qualifies as kambiyo senetleri under Turkish law, which means the İcra Dairesi objection window is 5 days rather than 7, the grounds for objection are restricted to a narrow list, and a bad-faith objection triggers the 20% denial penalty automatically. A Turkish attorney with İcra takip experience can file the enforcement proceeding at the competent Istanbul enforcement office within days of receiving your file. An uncontested Istanbul enforcement file typically closes in 6 to 10 weeks.
The Legal Framework Governing Debt Collection in Turkey
Turkish Limitation Periods
How does debt collection work in Turkey?
File directly at İcra Dairesi with written proof — no court judgment needed. Enforcement office issues ödeme emri under IIK Art.58. Debtor has 7 days to object (5 for commercial paper). No objection → haciz: bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, receivables. 6–10 weeks uncontested in Istanbul. Bad-faith objection → 20% penalty (icra inkâr tazminatı). General limitation: 10 years TCO Art.146. Promissory notes: 3 years TCC Art.749.
You know the debt is real. What you need now is someone on the ground in the right jurisdiction who can make it cost the debtor more to ignore it than to pay it. Contact Cosmopolite for a free case assessment. No win, no fee.
