Opening a Bank Account in Turkey – Personal and Corporate

Would you like to open a corporate bank account in Turkey or perhaps for personal use? We have updated information for 2026 that can help you better understand the conditions imposed in both cases. Plus, our lawyers in Turkey can provide personalized legal services so that your bank account can be functional in a few days. Read on about the key requirements.

Quick Facts
Mandatory local bank account for companies (YES/NO)	YES
Opening a Turkish bank account as foreigner	A local TIN (tax identification number) is required.
Bank account opening time	1-2 hours
Online bank account opening	Depends on the chosen bank
Required documents for companies	– Articles of Association, – application form, – ID documents of representatives, – proof of company address, – company tax number, etc.
Required documents for individuals	– ID documents, – application form, – proof of residence, – proof of signature form, etc.
Mandatory initial deposit	Depends on the bank
Types of accounts	– current accounts, – savings accounts, – investment accounts, – time-deposit account, – overdraft account, etc.
Main banks in Turkey	– Isbank, – Garanti Bankasi, – Akbank, – Yapi Kredi, etc.
Criteria for choosing the bank	– fees, – service quality, – branch locations, – online banking options, – range of services offered, etc.
Possibility of setting a withdrawal limit (YES/NO)	YES
Account accessibility	– account holder, – authorized signatories, – joint account holders, – individuals with power of attorney, – legal authorities, etc.
Regulatory institutions regarding banking in Turkey	– The Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Authority (BRSA), – The Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB), – The Insurance and Private Pension Regulatory and Supervisory Authority (IRSA), – Central Bank of Turkey, – The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK)
Closing a bank account	Closing a bank account might be complex in some cases. It is recommended to seek assistance from our company formation specialists for bank account closure procedures.
Assistance and additional services	Our team can help you select the right type of account and bank that suits your preferences. We can also offer payroll services in Turkey.

What types of bank accounts are available in Turkey?

Current accounts,
Savings accounts,
Deposit accounts,
Overdraft accounts,
Investment accounts, etc.

Do I need a residence permit to open a bank account in Turkey?

No.

What are the conditions to open a corporate bank account in Turkey?

Applicants should present:

the company documents, respectively the Certificate of Incorporation,
copies of ID or passport,
completed standard form,
tax ID or tax registration certificate,
proof of business address,
specimen signatures, etc.

IMPORTANT:

extra documents are solicited for international companies opening branches or subsidiaries in Turkey,
customer-acceptance procedures are imposed by banks in Turkey. Here is an infographic that explain tos you how to open a bank account in Turkey:

How do I open a bank account as a natural person/resident in Turkey in 2026?

You will have to present:

proof of address – residence permit, rental contract or a utility bill,
local phone number in Turkey,
Turkish tax ID issued by the Turkish Revenue Administration,
valid ID/passport.

NOTE: The papers can be submitted by our specialists on behalf of customers.

Is there a minimum deposit required for opening a bank account in Turkey?

Some banks in Turkey require a small deposit to activate the account.

What types of services are provided by banks in Turkey?

local and international money transfers,
invoice/bill payments,
loans,
multicurrency accounts,
mobile banking services,
investment services,
premium cards,
wealth management services and many more.

Can foreign students open bank accounts in Turkey?

Yes.

Can bank accounts be opened online?

Yes, most banks allow opening bank accounts online. However, in some cases, a visit to the bank branch is needed.

Do you assist in opening a bank account if I’m not in Turkey?

Yes, via power of attorney.

How can I choose the optimal bank in Turkey?

Considering:

the services offered for business or personal matters,
online banking options,
administration fees,
branch location, etc.

What is the timeframe to open a corporate bank account in Turkey? What about for personal use?

Corporate – 1 or 2 weeks,
Personal use – A few hours.

We also assist foreigners in getting a passport by investment in Turkey, if they already live in this country and are interested in this document. As for persons wanting a bank account here, we invite them to contact our Turkish law firm for guidelines or information. Our lawyers can also help you set up a business in Turkey in approx. 2-3 weeks.