Open a Bank Account in Turkey for a Non-Resident Private Person

In 2023, even a non-resident who does not have a residence permit or citizenship can open an account with a Turkish bank. 

How does it work? How to open an account in the bank of Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, and any other city in this southern jurisdiction without a residence permit? Who has the right to use banking services in Turkey? 

Read the article to find out the answers to these questions.

Opening a Bank Account in Turkey for a Foreign Citizen Without a Residence Permit

If you have chosen a bank in the Republic of Turkey and decided to open a bank account there for personal use (to keep money or make transfers), a bank employee will most often require you to show a foreigner’s identification number. You can get it even if you do not have a residence permit, but it is important to know all stages of the procedure and local regulations.

Any private person, regardless of status and residency, can open an account with a bank in the jurisdiction.

The easiest way to do it is without getting a residence permit – unless you are planning to buy real estate or register a company in Turkey. 

There are also undesirable clients for Turkish financial institutions, such as citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and the EU blacklisted countries. 

If you are not one of these, look at other requirements to be met to get your bank account in Turkey approved:

• deposit a large amount of cash into the account and inform the bank employee about it
• open a foreign currency account for long-term use and money transfers within and outside the country
• explain the reason and the need for a current account. You may wish to make payments and pay for goods/services in Turkey, intend to receive a residence permit or buy real estate in the future, store and accumulate funds for treatment and recreation, and receive a fee from private commercial activity under the contract, and so on.

Which Bank of Turkey Should a Non-Resident Choose?

Currently, there are almost 50 banks and thousands of branches in the country, including those designed to serve foreign nationals. It is hard to say which bank to choose. 

It all depends on your needs regarding account maintenance and Internet banking requirements, as well as the loyalty of bank employees who can reject non-residents due to the frequent opening of “empty accounts” for one-day use.

Choosing a Bank Account is Important

Many foreigners who choose to open an account with a bank in Turkey are unaware of additional payments that may be charged to them. 

Here are the undesirable fees imposed by some Turkish banks:

• for data processing
• for the use of a credit/debit card
• commission for cash withdrawal at a third-party ATM
• for transfers between accounts in different currencies converted at the bank’s exchange rate on the terms that are not favorable for the client

It is essential to carefully study the contract terms or entrust this procedure to professionals who will choose the best account for you, with loyal service and payment terms.

How to Get an Identification Number in Turkey for a Foreigner Without a Residence Permit

Non-residents without a residence permit can obtain a taxpayer identification number in Turkey by contacting the tax service at the site where the account was opened and providing the following documents:

• an original foreign passport
• a copy of the first page of the passport with a photo
• a copy of the passport page with a stamp of entry into the country to prove that the terms of stay have not been violated

This can be done independently or with the support of our Turkish partners who are ready to open a bank account in Turkey for you quickly and at an affordable cost. 

A Quick and Profitable Way to Open a Bank Account in Turkey for a Private Person

Contact the managers of our international portal to receive a detailed guide on how to open a bank account with the support of our Turkish partners.

The main part of the procedure includes several stages:

• we make an agreement with you, listing the services, terms, and amount of payment for opening an account with a Turkish bank
• your interests are represented by a proxy, so you have to provide a power of attorney
• you make an advance payment to our current account and transfer the remaining amount when the bank agreement is signed in Turkey
• you also need to transfer a package of documents to start the procedure (the list is given below, but it can be changed at the bank’s discretion)
• our partners then receive the tax number
• at the last stage, you come to Turkey for 2-3 days to pass a mandatory security procedure and sign the final documents for opening a bank account

What is Included in the Overall Amount Paid to Open a Bank Account in Turkey?

The amount starting from 3800 USD includes the following services provided by our Turkish partners:

• consultation provided to the applicant
• preparation of documents and support of bank agreement conclusion
• obtaining a tax number in Turkey in the client’s name
• passing a mandatory security procedure (the client is checked for involvement in financial fraud, terrorism, and money laundering).
• bank account activation and e-banking connection

Other services are provided for a fee and can be included in the general list when you make a contract with our portal.

Documents Required to Open a Bank Account in Turkey for a Private Person

The procedure of opening an account for Turkish or foreign subjects does not differ much. 

Below are the requirements for the citizens of Turkey and foreigners holding a residence permit or Turkish passport who wish to open a bank account:

1. Documents submitted to the bank include a taxpayer number, residence permit and residence card, or a Turkish passport.
2. You can open an account in local currency (lira) or in euros and dollars. 
3. The bank card is issued within 7 days.
4. Both domestic and international transactions are permitted.

If you are a foreign citizen who does not have a residence permit in Turkey and you need a bank account, the following documents will be required:

1. a foreign passport that expires no earlier than 6 months
2. an extract from the place of residence at the bank’s request
3. three 3 x 4 photos as in the passport
4. the taxpayer number that the proxy receives
5. a Turkish mobile operator SIM card to use Internet banking

Don’t forget that a foreign citizen’s stay in Turkey must be legal, which is confirmed by a visa or entry marks under a visa-free regime.

Opening a bank account using the services provided by our portal and our Turkish partners takes from 2 to 15 days. As mentioned above, you will have to come to the country to sign the final documents and agreements on opening an account (2-3 days).

Our international portal also provides assistance in the selection and opening of offshore accounts in other jurisdictions, registration of companies in Turkey, and accounting services. The full list of offers is available on the website.

Applications are accepted at info@offshore-pro.info