Documents to open a bank account in Turkey
Documents to open a bank account in Turkey: your checklist
Select your nationality, residence status and account currency. You will see the documents banks usually request and the points they check.
The list is general; each bank may ask for more documents or decline to open an account.
Documents to open a bank account in Turkey: KYC checks and reasons for refusal
Documents to open a bank account in Turkey for foreigners are usually a passport, a Turkish tax number or a residence permit card, proof of address and documents showing the source of income. Banks carry out customer due diligence under Law No. 5549 on the Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime; they may ask for additional documents or decline the application. For nationals of some countries, such as Iran, many banks apply stricter checks, so clear evidence of the source of funds is especially important.
List of documents to open a bank account in Turkey
- Original passport, valid for the duration of the banking relationship
- Turkish tax identification number, obtained from a tax office if you have no residence permit
- Residence permit card with the foreigner ID number (starting with 99), which replaces the tax number
- Proof of address: rental contract, utility bill, a residence certificate from e-Devlet or the civil registry, or proof of address from your home country
- Turkish mobile number for SMS codes and online banking
- Proof of income: employment contract, payslips, tax certificate or bank statements for recent months
Translation and certification
Some banks accept a passport without translation; others ask for a notarised Turkish translation. Having foreign income documents translated also speeds things up. If a foreign document must be certified, an apostille is enough for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention; other countries require consular legalisation. Ask the branch in advance which form it accepts so you do not pay twice.
How does customer due diligence work when opening an account?
Under Law No. 5549 and the Regulation on Measures for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, the bank must record your identity, the beneficial owner, the purpose of the relationship and the source of funds. Typical questions are:
- What is the account for: property, a company, living costs, studies?
- Where do the funds come from, and from which account will they be sent?
- What monthly volume and which counterparties are expected?
Additional documents for a company account
- Trade registry record and Turkish Trade Registry Gazette announcement
- Articles of association and signature circular
- Company tax certificate or tax registration
- IDs of the managers and information on the beneficial owners
For setting up a company: company formation in Turkey.
Opening an account as a national of a sanctions-related country
Because of compliance policies, some Turkish banks do not open accounts for nationals of certain countries such as Iran, or they restrict transfers. A residence permit, traceable income documents and funds held outside the sanctioned country strengthen an application, but no outcome is promised. Our office does not assist in any way with circumventing international sanctions.
Common reasons why an application is refused
- No verifiable proof of address or income
- Unclear source of funds or purpose of the account
- Internal bank policy for certain nationalities or for customers without a residence permit
- Contradictory statements or missing translations
A bank does not have to give reasons for a refusal. After fixing the missing documents, applying to another bank is usually the most practical route.
Preparation in four steps
Tax number
Details: Turkish tax number for foreigners.
Income and address documents
Collect the documents and have them translated where needed.
Branch appointment
Complete the due diligence and tax residency forms.
Activation
Activate the bank card, online banking and any foreign currency sub-accounts.
Have your documents checked before the appointmentSend your nationality, residence status and the purpose of the account. Consultations are held in Turkish, English, Arabic or Persian.
Overview: opening a bank account in Turkey. For transfers: international money transfer documents.
Questions about documents to open a bank account in Turkey
Can I open a bank account in Turkey with only a passport?
Usually not. In addition to the passport, banks ask for a tax number or residence permit, proof of address and proof of income.
Does my passport need to be translated?
It depends on the bank; some ask for a notarised Turkish translation.
Can Iranian nationals open an account in Turkey?
At some banks, yes; however, the review is stricter and transfers may be restricted.
Why does the bank not give a reason for refusal?
Banks have no duty to give reasons; common causes are missing documents or internal policy.
This guide is based on the official legislation of the Republic of Türkiye and was last updated on .
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice on a specific case. No particular outcome of any application or proceeding is promised.
Skyland İstanbul, Huzur, Azerbaycan Cd. No:4 A Blok Kat:26 No: 580, 34773 Sarıyer/İstanbul
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