Turkey · Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Turkish banking is modern and digital. Foreigners can open accounts, usually needing a passport, a Turkish tax number and proof of address; many banks also ask for a residence permit (ikamet), though some open one without it. The CBRT and BDDK regulate banks.
Banks in Turkey are supervised by the CBRT and the BDDK; eligible deposits are protected by the TMSF. Foreigners can open accounts, usually with a passport, a Turkish tax number and proof of address.
- Banks are supervised by the Central Bank (CBRT) and the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK); deposits are protected by the TMSF.
- Foreigners generally need a passport, a Turkish tax number (vergi numarası) and proof of address; a residence permit (ikamet) or work permit helps.
- FAST enables instant payments; KYC/AML checks have tightened (2025–26).
- Opening a corporate account generally requires the trade-registry and tax records.
- Both conventional and participation (Islamic) banking are available.
- Foreign-exchange transactions are subject to central-bank rules.
- 1
Get a Turkish tax number
A free tax identification number (vergi numarası) from the tax office (online or in person) is required to open an account.
- 2
Confirm your residency documents
Many banks ask for a residence permit (ikamet) or work permit, though some open an account with a passport and tax number alone.
- 3
Choose a bank
A major bank (Ziraat, İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Yapı Kredi) or a digital bank; you generally open the account in person at a branch.
- 4
Gather your documents
Passport, Turkish tax number, proof of address (residence-permit address, notarised rental contract or utility bill) and a Turkish phone number.
- 5
Complete identity and KYC checks
Banks apply stricter identity and anti-money-laundering checks (2025–26).
- 6
Activate the account and set up payments
Receive your card and app, then set up FAST / EFT transfers and bill payments.
- Passport
- Turkish tax number (vergi numarası)
- Proof of address (residence-permit address, rental contract or utility bill)
- Turkish phone number
- Residence permit (ikamet) or work permit — often required
- Initial deposit (if required by the bank)
- Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT)
Central bank.
- BDDK
Banking regulation and supervision agency.
- Interactive Tax Office (tax number)
Issues the Turkish tax identification number.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a Turkish bank account without a residence permit?
Some banks open an account with just a passport and Turkish tax number, but many now ask for a residence permit (ikamet) or work permit; policies vary by bank.
How do I get a Turkish tax number?
It is free from the tax office, online or in person, and is needed for banking and most official transactions.
What protects my deposits?
Eligible deposits are protected by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) up to the standard limit (TRY 1,200,000 per person per credit institution for 2026 — the limit is revalued every year, so check the current figure).
Government portals
- e-Devlet — Turkish e-Government Gateway — Single sign-on to thousands of state services, residence and tax records included.
- Revenue Administration (GİB) — Tax number for foreigners, income and corporate tax, VAT and e-invoicing.
- Presidency of Migration Management — Residence permits, work-permit interaction, and the foreigner ID (yabancı kimlik) number.