Opening a bank account and card in Turkey for International citizens provides an opportunity to pay for purchases abroad or transfer funds overseas. Turkey is attractive due to the absence of automatic information exchange, accessible real estate investment options.
What documents are required to open an account and card in Turkey remotely and in person?
To open bank account in Turkey remotely, you will need:
- A scanned copy of your international passport
- A power of attorney for account opening
To open an account, please contact us.
To open an account with on-site assistance, you will need:
- International passport: Must be valid, with a visa or residence permit in Turkey (if available).
- Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası): Required to open an account at a Turkish bank. This number can be obtained at any local tax office (Vergi Dairesi) in Turkey by presenting your passport.
For self-opening of an account in Turkey, you will need:
- International passport
- Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası): This can be obtained at a Turkish tax office (Vergi Dairesi) by presenting your passport.
- Residence permit: Almost all banks require a residence permit. Having this document significantly simplifies the account opening process. Without it, you would need assistance in opening an account “without residence permit,” which is a common workaround in Turkey.
- Bank application form: A standard application form provided by the bank must be filled out.
Remote application for a Turkish tax number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası)
First, visit the official website of the Turkish Tax Administration — gib.gov.tr. This site provides access to many services, including obtaining a tax ID number.
On the homepage, find the section for foreign citizens, usually called “Yabancı Uyruklular için Vergi Kimlik Numarası Başvuru” (Application for a Tax Identification Number for Foreign Citizens). It may be available in English, or you can use an automatic translator for convenience.
You will need to fill out an online form with the following details:
- Full name (as in your passport)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Residential address in Turkey (if any) or outside Turkey
- Contact details (email and phone)
Make sure all information is entered correctly, as your tax ID will be generated based on this data. After submission, your Vergi Kimlik Numarası (TIN) will be automatically generated and displayed on the screen or sent to your email. You can use this number immediately for financial operations in Turkey.
How to choose a bank and card in Turkey for remote account opening?
Turkey has many banks, both local and international, that offer services to foreign citizens. Important factors to consider when choosing a bank:
- Türkiye İş Bankası (İşbank): One of Turkey’s largest banks, offering multi-currency accounts and English-language support.
- Garanti BBVA: Provides convenient online services and support for foreigners.
- Yapı Kredi: Multi-currency accounts with favorable terms for non-residents.
- Ziraat Bankası: One of the oldest banks in the country, also working with foreign clients. . Details on opening a Ziraat account remotely are available.
- DenizBank: Easy application, forex exchange.
- VakifBank: One of the few Turkish banks where intenational citizens can make outgoing SWIFT transfers.
Where else can you open an account in Turkey remotely?
If remote account opening directly with Turkish banks is not possible, you may consider alternatives:
- Branches of international banks: Some international banks with offices in Turkey offer simplified procedures for their existing clients.
- International payment systems: Services such as Wise or Revolut allow you to open multi-currency accounts and conduct international transactions. This can be a temporary solution for doing business with Turkey.
