The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners (2024)

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The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners (1)


Banking is one of our necessities in everyday life, despite where you live or what occupation you have, because of the facilities and benefits it provides for handling our finances. Panorama Property suggests opening an account in Turkey if you are intending to buy a property and relocate to Turkey.

In Panorama Property we have listed the best banks in Turkey where foreigners can open a bank account, we have ranked them by order, starting from the best bank for foreigners in Turkey:

  • Ziraat Bankası
  • Garanti BBVA
  • İş Bankası
  • AKBank
  • Yapı Kredi Bankası
  • VakıfBank
  • DenizBank

During the last decade, the Turkish Banking system has seen many changes and has gone through major regulations that helped develop this sector, which made It easy for foreign investors to open a bank account in Turkey, despite the fact that they might not have a direct relationship with Turkey.

In Panorama Property we help our customers open a bank account in Turkey, bank accounts can be opened in Turkish Lira, but also in any currency needed or preferred (US Dollars, Euro, … etc.)

It’s a real advantage to open a bank account in Turkey because it will simplify all the payments, money transfers, tax collection, even a property purchase with installment will be easy.

We should consider some factors in order to open a bank account in Turkey as a foreign investor, for instance, the first thing a non-Turkish person would have in mind would be “Does this bank have English speakers?”, that would be in case a person doesn’t speak Turkish. Regarding that matter, mostly all the Turkish banks have English speakers, and also, an English interface in their websites, ATMs, and smartphone applications. Also, one of the most frequently asked questions is “Do I really need to open a bank account in Turkey?”, to answer that question we would say it’s recommendable to open it since it will simplify a lot of processes, and it will help you as an investor to put your money in any Turkish bank without facing any problems or obstacles.

The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners (2)

As mentioned above, we made a list of some Turkish banks, here we will describe each one of them:

  • Ziraat Bankası

Ziraat Bankası is a public bank, founded by Mehmet Sabit Sağıroğlu in 1863, it’s specialized in selling banking services, as well as insurances (like any other institutional bank). Ziraat Bankası has its headquarters in Ankara, with 1.773 branches throughout Turkey as of 2018, with 268 branches only in Istanbul. According to their website, their revenue represented 24 billion Turkish Lira in 2018 and a number of employees of 24.647 employees in total.

  • Garanti BBVA

Garanti bank was founded in 1946 and has its headquarters in Istanbul. Garanti bank had 49.85% of its share hold by the Spanish bank Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (known as BBVA). Their partnership has been agreed upon in 2015. According to their website, Garanti BBVA has 872 in Turkey, 282 of them are located in Istanbul. Their revenue in 2020 represented 42.3 billion Turkish Lira. Their number of employees was 18.636 in 2020.

  • İş Bankası

İş Bankası was founded in 1924 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, it’s the largest private bank by the size of its assets and equity. İş Bankası has its headquarters in Istanbul, specifically in Levent, İş Bank Tower 1. It has a total of 1.271 branches, 1.249 are located in Turkey, and 22 are abroad, İş Bankası’s branches are situated throughout Europe, the Middle East, and some Asian countries (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Northern Cyprus, Russia, Georgia, Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, Shanghai…)

According to their website, İş Bankası’s revenue represented 25,4 Billion Turkish Lira in 2019. And their number of employees is 24.053 employees in 2019.

  • AKBank

AKBank was founded in Adana in 1948, its headquarters is located in Istanbul. AKBank has a strategic partnership with Citigroup which was completed in 2007, where the agreement saw Citigroup acquire 20% of equity’s stake. Also, according to their website AKBank has 716 branches throughout Turkey, and 8 of them in Istanbul, their revenue represented 21 billion Turkish Lira in 2019. And they had 2 thousand employees as of 2019.

  • Yapı Kredi Bankası

Yapı Kredi Bankası was founded in 1944, it has its headquarters in Istanbul, it has a little sister company Yapı Kredi Sigorta, which is responsible only for insurances procedures.

According to Yapı Kredi’s website, their revenue in 2019 was 21.2 billion Turkish Lira and a number of employees 16.631 employees for that same year.

Yapı Kredi Bankası has 846 branches throughout Turkey.

  • VakıfBank

VakıfBank was founded in 1954, it has its headquarters in Istanbul, VakıfBank has 939 branches throughout the whole country, and 236 of them are located in Istanbul. More than that, VakıfBank has 3 international branches located in New York, Bahrain, and Arbil. According to VakıfBank’s website, in 2021 their revenue was 10.9 billion Turkish Lira.

  • DenizBank

Denizbank was founded in 1938 in Istanbul, firstly it was owned by the financial service institution “Dexia”, then from 2012 to 2019 Russian bank “Sberbank” took the reins, afterward, it’s the Emirati group “Emirates NBD” who is fully in charge of the financial services DenizBank provides. Its headquarters is located in Istanbul. DenizBank has 740 branches throughout Turkey, 229 of them are in Istanbul. According to their website, DenizBank had a total asset of 301 million Turkish lire in 2021.

Now that you learned about the biggest banks in Turkey, you are might be interested in purchasing property with Panorama Property, please contact us immediately, and our expert team will be more than glad to support you with all of your requirements. We are a Turkish professional real estate agency that focuses completely on global investors looking to buy real estate in Istanbul, even if they are new to the market or expanding their investment.

The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners (2024)

FAQs

The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners? ›

Any overseas citizen established in Turkey and with a valid foreign identity number (YKN) in the country can open a bank account with no restrictions. A copy of the passport, the Turkish tax number, the bank forms and a utility bill will be necessary when opening a bank account.

Can a foreigner open bank account in Turkey? ›

Any overseas citizen established in Turkey and with a valid foreign identity number (YKN) in the country can open a bank account with no restrictions. A copy of the passport, the Turkish tax number, the bank forms and a utility bill will be necessary when opening a bank account.

What is the best bank to open an account in Turkey? ›

The Best Banks In Turkey. Turkey has a large number of excellently organized banks that provide wide services to individuals and companies. The most famous banks in Turkey are Akbank, Garanti bank, Akbank, and Ziraat Bank, as these banks represent more than 60% of the assets of the banking sector in Turkey.

Which US bank has a branch in Turkey? ›

Citi was first established in Turkey in 1975 and began to operate as a branch in 1981.

Which international banks are in Turkey? ›

Foreign deposit banks founded in Turkey
  • Alternatif Bank A.Ş. [ 16]
  • Arap Türk Bankası A.Ş. ( A&T Bank) [17]
  • Bank of China Turkey A.Ş. [ 18]
  • Burgan Bank A.Ş. [ 19]
  • Citibank A.Ş. [ 20]
  • Denizbank A.Ş. [ 21]
  • Deutsche Bank A.Ş. [ 22]
  • HSBC Bank A.Ş. [ 23]

Which country is the easiest to open a bank account as a foreigner? ›

10 best countries for you to open an offshore bank account
  1. Hong Kong. In the list of best countries to open an offshore bank account, Hong Kong has to be on the top. ...
  2. Switzerland. ...
  3. The Cayman Islands. ...
  4. Singapore. ...
  5. Germany. ...
  6. Belize. ...
  7. The USA. ...
  8. Panama.

Can I open online bank account in Turkey? ›

Opening a bank account in Turkey online is not difficult, as it requires a Turkish identity, proof of residence and a Turkish phone number, then call one of the bank numbers in which you want to open an account to start the account opening procedures and upload the required documents on their websites designated for ...

Can I open a bank account in Turkey from USA? ›

Can a tourist open a bank account in Turkey? Yes, there are no restrictions for tourists. They must prepare a copy of their foreign passport with notary certified translation and buy a SIM card from a local operator. Turkish tax individual number is also required.

What is the minimum bank balance for Turkey? ›

BANK ACCOUNT STATEMENT

If you receive your salary in cash bring the receipts of the last 3 months. The bank account must have 50 Euros per person (adult) per intended travel day in Turkey. For example, a family with 2 children (4 people) applying for a visa for 10 days must have on their account 2.000 Euros at minimum.

What is the best bank card to use in Turkey? ›

6 travel money cards for Turkey compared
ProviderTypeDelivery fee
RevolutDebitVariable fee based on location and account tier
Post OfficeDebitVariable fee based on location
MoneseDebitVariable fee based account tier
BarclaysCreditNo fee
2 more rows

Which US banks are international? ›

In this article, we've rounded up some of the best international banks in the US that are great options for international travel.
  • Citibank. ...
  • HSBC. ...
  • Capital One. ...
  • Charles Schwab Bank. ...
  • First Republic Bank. ...
  • Bank of America. ...
  • Citibank. ...
  • HSBC.

How to get a residence permit in Turkey? ›

The required documents for a Turkish residence permit are as follows:
  1. Residence permit application form.
  2. Four biometric photographs according to Turkey requirements.
  3. Original passport.
  4. Notarized copy of the passport or travel document.
  5. Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay.

Which bank is the International bank? ›

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries.

Is Wells Fargo in Turkey? ›

Wells Fargo does not have offices outside of the U.S. that provide services to consumer or small business customers. For assistance with your accounts when traveling internationally, refer to our international access codes for phone numbers, or visit our travel resource center.

What is the best international bank? ›

Revolut: Best Digital Bank for International Accounts. HSBC: Best for No Monthly Fees. Capital One 360: Best for No Foreign Transaction Fees. Bank of America: Best for Multiple Currencies.

Where can a non resident open a bank account? ›

However, larger banks such as US Bank, TD Bank, Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will allow non-residents to set up a checking account and a savings account. Instead of your SSN, they'll ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and other documents.

Can I open a US bank account as a foreigner? ›

Yes, a foreigner can open a bank account in the U.S., it just takes some additional paperwork to make it happen. If you have a foreign government ID, passport or resident alien number from a green card, those will help. If you don't have a Social Security number, you'll need an ITIN.

Can a US citizen open an international bank account? ›

It's 100% legal for US citizens to have foreign bank accounts. You just need to tell the IRS and report it properly. In fact, we've found hundreds of banks still willing to accept US clients.

Can a foreigner open US bank account from abroad? ›

Having a checking account can be a way to build a solid foundation for your financial life in the U.S. Some non-residents sometimes believe they're ineligible to open a bank account in this country. Fortunately, that isn't true. Many financial institutions offer U.S. bank accounts for non-residents.

Can I open Chase bank account from Turkey? ›

Foreign US residents and non-residents with a US address can open Chase checking accounts, subject to meeting any other account conditions.

Which is the best bank to withdraw money from Turkey? ›

We would advise you to use VakıfBank to withdraw money from your bank account. VakıfBank is a trustworthy state-owned bank that offers a range of financial services to both residents and foreign visitors in Turkey. It is very popular with locals, but also with international travelers.

Is my money safe in a Turkish bank? ›

Turks advise using government nationalised banks, but it's as safe to spread your money around several banks in amounts not exceeding 100,000 lira. Of course, if the lira devalues totally, all bets are off.

Can Turkey transfer money to USA? ›

The cheapest way to send money from Turkey to the USA is through an online provider. Among the 5 available, TransferGo was most often the cheapest provider (in 57.9% of the searches on Monito.com in the past 3 months).

How to open a HSBC account in Turkey? ›

You can open a new demand or time deposit account with a simple instruction through HSBC Bank Telephone Banking 0850 211 0 111 or HSBC Bank Retail Internet Banking www.hsbc.com.tr. Prospective customers can visit any HSBC Bank Branch to open an account.

How can someone in Turkey send money to someone in USA? ›

Sending money from Turkey to United States is a breeze with CurrencyTransfer.com. Whether you need to buy property abroad, repatriate funds, compensate overseas employees, or even pay overseas suppliers you can safely send large sums of money without the hassle or the fees.

How many dollars can you carry to Turkey? ›

- There is no limit to the amount of foreign and Turkish currency to be brought into Türkiye. - More than US$5000 worth of Turkish currency can not be taken out of the country. - Up to US$5000 worth of foreign currency can be taken out of the country.

Which is the safest bank in Turkey? ›

The Best Banks in Turkey for Foreigners
  • Ziraat Bankası
  • Garanti BBVA.
  • İş Bankası
  • AKBank.
  • Yapı Kredi Bankası
  • VakıfBank.
  • DenizBank.
Dec 4, 2022

How much money do you need to show for Turkish visa? ›

The Turkish authorities want you to show you have enough money to support yourself during your trip to Turkey. You should have about €50 for every day you plan to spend for Turkey. You can prove that you have the needed money through: Bank Statements for the last three months.

Do Turkey prefer cash or card? ›

Is it better to use a card or cash in Turkey? Both methods have their pros and cons. However, we suggest you have both because you need cash to spend money in local streets as local shops or vendors don't accept card payments. On the other hand, a wide range of hotels and restaurants accepts card payments.

Can I use my Wells Fargo card in Turkey? ›

All Wells Fargo cards should work internationally wherever the card's network is accepted – however, there's often a 3% foreign transaction fee, plus ATM withdrawal costs if you're overseas.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Turkey? ›

1. Change your money in Turkey. You always get a better rate for Turkish Lira in Turkey than you will in your home country. 2.

Can a foreigner open a Wells Fargo account? ›

Wells Fargo offers checking accounts to foreigners who hold the documents required for verification. If you're not a US resident or citizen you can also choose to use the Wells Fargo international investment services which are available online, in branch and by phone.

Which bank is cheapest for international transfers? ›

What are the best international banks?
  • ICICI - 750 INR + exchange rate markup + agent or intermediary bank charges.
  • HDFC - 500 to 1,000 INR + exchange rate markup + correspondent bank fees.
  • PNB - 500 to 1,000 INR transfer fee + 500 INR SWIFT fee + exchange rate markup + agent or intermediary bank charges.
May 2, 2023

Which bank debit card is best for international transactions? ›

  1. SBI Global International Debit Card. With SBI Global International Debit Card, you can access your fund whenever and wherever you want. ...
  2. ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card. ...
  3. Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card. ...
  4. HDFC EasyShop Platinum Debit Card. ...
  5. HSBC Premier Platinum Debit Card. ...
  6. Yes World Debit Card.
Jun 13, 2023

How long can US citizens stay in Turkey? ›

If you are planning to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days within a 180-day period, for any reason, including tourism, you must get a Turkish residence permit.

Can a US citizen get permanent residency in Turkey? ›

Yes, the permanent residency can be issued when the foreign meet a set of requirements, such as proving their ownership to a property with an adequate financial funds, also can be granted if the foreign residing in Turkey for 8 years. The response will be issued directly from Turkish government within 2 months.

Does a US citizen need a visa for Turkey? ›

U.S. citizens do typically need an e-visa to enter Turkiye, but cruise ship passengers are permitted to come ashore without a visa for day visits by special arrangements. In short, you may visit Turkiye on the day trip from your cruise ship without being in possession of your passport.

How do I get an international bank account? ›

What you'll need
  1. your employment, income and tax details.
  2. proof of ID, like your passport, driving license or national ID.
  3. proof of address, like a bank statement or utility bill.
  4. additional documents, subject to qualification status, local laws and regulations.

Is Citibank a foreign bank? ›

Citibank India is a foreign bank in India with a full service onshore platform. Its Indian headquarters is at Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a subsidiary of Citigroup, a multinational financial services corporation headquartered in New York City, United States.

What is the biggest international bank? ›

With $5.5 trillion in assets, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited is the largest bank in the world, as measured by total assets. Given its size and dominance, it's no surprise that ICBC China has earned high marks for financial stability and profitability.

Can I use Wells Fargo ATM internationally? ›

Wells Fargo charges a flat $5 fee for withdrawing cash from international ATMs; however, this fee is waived for Portfolio by Wells Fargo® checking account holders with unlimited non-network ATM withdrawals.

Does Bank of America have international branches? ›

Connect with our offices around the world

Click here. Tokyo, Japan | BofA Securities Japan Co., Ltd. Bank of America Singapore Ltd. Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Does U.S. bank have international locations? ›

We also have a significant international presence, with employees located in 13 countries.

What is the safest international bank? ›

Established in 1948, KfW Bank's primary goal is to support domestic and international economic development. With an excellent credit rating and strong backing from the German government, KfW Bank ranks as the safest bank globally.

Which international bank account is safest? ›

Switzerland. Switzerland is synonymous with offshore banking thanks to its long-standing reputation for safety and privacy. In fact, Switzerland has a sophisticated and diverse banking system that's regarded as one of the best in the world, plus a strong and stable currency and economy.

Can US citizens open bank accounts in Europe? ›

It's possible to open a bank account in Europe for many US citizens. However, providers, such as Wise offer multi-currency accounts in several different European currencies. You can also get a card that lets you spend like a local in over 170 countries.

What banks don't require SSN? ›

Here are some banks and credit unions that don't require you to have an SSN to open an account:
  • Bank of America.
  • Chase.
  • Wells Fargo.
  • Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
  • Self-Help Federal Credit Union.
  • Latino Credit Union.
Nov 16, 2022

Do I need a SSN to open a bank account? ›

You are not required to have a social security number to open a checking or savings account. To open a checking or savings account, the bank or credit union will need to verify your name, date of birth, address, and ID number.

Which US bank does not require SSN? ›

Bank of America: You can open an account with an ITIN, but it's not required. Chase: You need an ITIN and a photo ID. Citibank: No SSN or ITIN required; you will need to verify your address. PNC: No SSN or ITIN required.

Which bank can a foreigner open an account? ›

However, larger banks such as US Bank, TD Bank, Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will allow non-residents to set up a checking account and a savings account. Instead of your SSN, they'll ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and other documents.

Can I open a bank account with only a foreign passport? ›

Frequently asked questions. Can a foreigner open a bank account in the U.S.? Yes, a foreigner can open a bank account in the U.S., it just takes some additional paperwork to make it happen. If you have a foreign government ID, passport or resident alien number from a green card, those will help.

Is my money safe in a turkish bank? ›

Turks advise using government nationalised banks, but it's as safe to spread your money around several banks in amounts not exceeding 100,000 lira. Of course, if the lira devalues totally, all bets are off.

Can I open a bank account in another country without being a citizen? ›

Can I open a bank account in another country without being a citizen? Yes, but you will likely need to provide extra documentation to verify your identity, place of residence, and the legal purpose of the account.

Can a US citizen have a foreign bank account? ›

It's 100% legal for US citizens to have foreign bank accounts. You just need to tell the IRS and report it properly. In fact, we've found hundreds of banks still willing to accept US clients.

Which bank is foreigner friendly in US? ›

Here are the best US banks for foreigners and non-residents in the USA:
  • HSBC.
  • Citi.
  • Bank of America.
  • Capital One.
  • Chase.
  • Charles Schwab Bank.
  • Wells Fargo.
  • Wise.
Jan 20, 2023

Can I open a Wells Fargo account with my foreign passport? ›

What documents will you need to open a Wells Fargo foreigner account? You'll usually have to provide 2 pieces of ID to open a Wells Fargo checking account. These can include: Primary ID: such as a US issued ID or driving license, Green Card, passport.

How much cash can you carry into Turkey? ›

- There is no limit to the amount of foreign and Turkish currency to be brought into Türkiye. - More than US$5000 worth of Turkish currency can not be taken out of the country. - Up to US$5000 worth of foreign currency can be taken out of the country.

Can you withdraw dollars from a Turkish ATM? ›

Fees: You may be charged a currency exchange fee by your card issuer or the ATM operator for using an ATM in Turkey to withdraw cash. This fee can vary depending on the card issuer and the exchange rate at the time of the transaction.

How much can I withdraw from Turkish ATM? ›

The daily cash withdrawal limit is TL 1,500. For transactions in excess of this amount, you can withdraw cash by paying a commission. (The TL 1,500 limit does not apply to our customers who take their retiring pensions via our bank.)

Can a US citizen open a bank account without an address? ›

A federal banking regulation set forth by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) requires banks to obtain identification and a physical address for all customers who want to open a bank account to help prevent money-related crimes like identity theft, embezzlement, and money laundering.

Which banks are international banks? ›

This will make it easier to address any concerns or inquiries that may arise while using your bank account internationally.
  • J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. J.P. Morgan Chase is a multinational investment bank and financial services holding company. ...
  • Bank of America. ...
  • CitiGroup. ...
  • HSBC. ...
  • Standard Chartered.
Mar 10, 2023

What banks can you open online? ›

Yes, you can open a Chase bank account and a Bank of America account online. Other national banks, including PNC, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, also offer the option to open bank accounts online.

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