Decree No. 2012/3305 was repealed by Official Gazette dated 30 May 2025. Services for existing certificate holders continue uninterrupted.
New System · Decree No. 9903STB · Large-Scale Investment Incentive
For the major players in strategic sectors —
an enhanced support package.
Projects in strategic sectors — including chemistry, metallurgy, machinery, electronics and defence — that exceed the sector-specific minimum investment thresholds are eligible for this scheme. It offers a support package comparable to the Regional Investment Incentive while applying sector-defined minimum amounts; support rates are determined by sector, not by region.
Legal Basis
Article 9
Decree No. 2012/3305 — Large-Scale Investment Incentive Applications
Sector-Based Minimum Investment Amounts
Amounts are indicative based on the latest version of the Decree. Exact thresholds are confirmed during the preliminary analysis.
Scope of Services and Eligibility Conditions
The Large-Scale Investment Incentive is governed by Article 9 of Decree No. 2012/3305. It applies to projects defined in the sector list annexed to the Decree and exceeding the applicable minimum investment thresholds. A portion of the sectors supported under the Regional Investment Incentive may also be covered by this scheme; however, both schemes cannot be applied simultaneously.
Support rates are not determined by region but are applied at levels equivalent to those under the Regional Investment Incentive for the same region. In some sectors this makes the Large-Scale Incentive comparable to the Regional Incentive; where sector restrictions apply, it may be the sole accessible enhanced support model.
Once the project's sector code, investment amount and region are established, both applicable incentive schemes are analysed comparatively. For large-scale projects, this comparison can affect the total incentive value by hundreds of millions of lira.
Support Elements
Five supports,
tailored to large-scale investment.
The Large-Scale Incentive provides tax reduction, social security support and interest support in addition to the two elements of the General Incentive. Rates are comparable to the Regional Incentive depending on region and sector combination.
VAT Exemption
No VAT is charged on domestic and imported machinery and equipment purchases covered by the incentive certificate. Applied under standard conditions across all regions.
Customs Duty Exemption
Customs duty and mass housing fund on imported machinery and equipment are waived. Since the share of imported equipment tends to be high in large-scale projects, this support constitutes a significant sum.
Tax Reduction
Income generated from the investment is subject to a reduced corporate tax rate. Support rates correspond to the contribution and reduction rates applied under the Regional Investment Incentive for the region in which the investment is located.
Employer Social Security Premium Support
The employer's social security premium share for additional employment created within the scope of the investment is covered by the state. The duration is equivalent to that applied under the Regional Incentive for the region in which the investment is located.
Interest or Profit-Share Support
A portion of the interest or profit-share on investment loans is covered by the Treasury. Given the high loan amounts in large-scale projects, the absolute value of this support can reach significant figures.
Unlike the Regional Investment Incentive, the Large-Scale Incentive does not include investment site allocation. Projects that do not appear on the sector list or fail to meet the minimum investment threshold are directed to the Regional Incentive scheme.
Working Process
From sector analysis
to completion endorsement.
Large-Scale Investment Incentive applications require comprehensive file preparation due to the high investment amounts and sectoral complexity. The Ministry review is more detailed; every stage must be managed with precision.
Sector Code Identification and Threshold Analysis
The US-97 sector code of the investment is determined; it is then verified whether the project appears in the list annexed to Article 9 of the Decree and meets the sector-specific minimum investment threshold. For projects that do not meet the threshold, the Regional Incentive and General Incentive alternatives are assessed. This analysis prevents wasted time applying for the wrong incentive type.
Incentive Value Modelling
Based on the investment amount, sector and region combination, the total value of the applicable tax reduction contribution, social security support and interest support is calculated. For large-scale projects, a ten-year projection of these values directly influences strategic decisions; incentive values form the core input for the financing plan and investment return analysis.
Comprehensive File Preparation
For large-scale projects the Ministry requires a comprehensive investment plan, feasibility summary, machinery list and sector-specific capacity information. Machinery classification by GTİP code, project-based employment commitments and the financing structure are all documented. Inconsistencies in the file can cause serious delays under this scheme.
Ministry Application and Review Monitoring
Large-scale incentive applications are subject to a lengthier evaluation process at the Ministry. Additional information requests and technical reviews are frequent. Throughout this process Akbaş handles all correspondence with the Ministry, ensuring the client remains independent of the process.
Completion Endorsement and Incentive Rights
Following physical completion of the investment, machinery acceptance minutes, employment documents and accounting data are compiled to initiate the completion endorsement process. For large-scale projects this stage may span more than one year; interim commitment reports may need to be submitted prior to endorsement. The entire process is managed under Akbaş coordination.
Example Scenario
The incentive calculation
for a large-scale investment.
In a ₺300 million metallurgy investment, what value does each element of the Large-Scale Incentive generate? The calculation below illustrates the concrete scale of the incentive.
₺300M machinery & equipment × 20% VAT
₺120M imported equipment × avg. 5%
Region 3: 25% contribution rate · ₺300M investment
150 additional employees × avg. monthly SGK × 5 years
₺150M loan × 3 points × 3 years (estimated)
57% of the ₺300M investment
The social security figure is calculated on the basis of an assumed gross salary per employee. Interest support varies according to the loan utilisation period. The tax reduction contribution is spread across different years depending on the annual corporate tax base; the total value does not change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions on
the Large-Scale Incentive.
How should I compare the Large-Scale Incentive with the Regional Incentive?
Both contain similar support elements, but the eligibility conditions differ. The Regional Incentive is open to a broad range of investments within the sector list, whereas the Large-Scale Incentive applies only to specific sectors and high-value investments. If your project qualifies under both schemes, the total incentive value is calculated comparatively and the more advantageous option is selected.
How is the minimum investment threshold calculated?
The threshold is calculated on fixed investment expenditure: the sum of machinery and equipment, construction and, where applicable, land values. Financing costs, working capital and import expenses are excluded from the scope. If the investment is planned to be completed in multiple phases, the amount committed in the first application phase must meet the threshold.
What happens with mixed investments covering multiple sectors?
For mixed investments, the predominant activity code is taken as the basis. Whichever sector covers the largest portion of the investment determines the applicable code and threshold. In such projects, sector code identification becomes a strategic decision; misclassification may result in rejection of the application or a lower level of support.
Why is the threshold lower for defence industry investments?
Decree No. 2012/3305 treats defence industry investments separately due to their strategic importance. The minimum threshold for defence investments is set at ₺50 million; in recognition of their technology intensity and national security impact, the entry point has been made more accessible compared to other sectors. Defence industry investments are additionally assessed under the coordination of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB).
If the project is to be carried out in phases, does the incentive certificate cover the entire project?
The incentive certificate application can be structured to include the total investment commitment across the entire project. However, the minimum investment threshold must be met based on the total committed amount. For phased projects the certificate term is set to cover the investment schedule; the completion endorsement is obtained after actual completion.
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Does your project meet the threshold?
An eligibility analysis is conducted using your investment amount, sector code and region; the Large-Scale and Regional Incentives are assessed comparatively.
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