Turkey, like the Russian Federation, is a country located in two parts of the world, Europe and Asia. As a jurisdiction for opening an account in 2022, Turkey is a leader among Russians. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is impossible to open an account in Turkish banks remotely, you need to come, at least for a few days.
The Turkish banking system offers a wide range of card products for non-residents from Russia. The process of opening an account can be complicated by the complete lack of communication in Russian, as well as the parties’ inability to always understand English.
However, the road is mastered by the one who walks it, and those who have opened an account advise not to give up after the first refusal, but to visit several branches of different banks, in which case success is practically guaranteed.
The banking sector of the Turkish Republic includes about 50 banks, including more than 30 with foreign capital. The conditions for opening an account for non-residents from Russia are different, and depend not only on the bank and branch, but also on the specific employee.
The most popular banks that Russians already know and that open accounts quite easily are three: Denizbank (Denizbank), Ziraat Bankasi (Ziraatbank) and VakifBank (Vakifbank).
You should also pay attention to the geolocation of the branches, according to the channel's reviews Relocatus opened cards, bank offices in the resort towns of Antalya, Alanya, etc. are more accustomed to Russians, it is easier and faster to open accounts.
In most cases, banks open a multicurrency card in dollars, euros, Turkish liras and rarely rubles. The card is debit, and the bank makes requirements for a deposit on the account, which must lie untouched for 1 to 3 months, depending on the conditions.
Its size is determined individually in negotiations with a bank employee, usually the amount is named in Turkish lira and starts from 10,000 lira, but can reach 10,000 US dollars.
As a rule, large deposits are announced in cases where the bank has no desire or ability to open an account. There are banks where there are no deposits, and you can only pay for the card issue, but the functionality of the card will be limited to conversion through liras, which accordingly entails additional exchange rate costs.
Current account ("Mevduat Hesabı") - this is what is usually opened for using the card; it assumes the usual functionality of an individual's bank account for daily use, replenishment and purchases, payment of bills, air tickets and hotels.
To open an account in a bank in Turkey, you will need a standard set, somewhat similar to the set of options for opening an account in Kazakhstan:
- a local mobile operator phone number (it is possible to apply for mobile banking on a Russian SIM card);
- a foreign passport with a stamp indicating legal entry into Turkey;
- Russian passport with permanent registration address (they often began to require a copy with a translation, sometimes certified by a notary, with a permanent registration address in the Russian Federation);
- Turkish INN (obtained by filling out a form on the website https://ivd.gib.gov.tr/ ), or during a personal visit.
- cash for deposit.
The time it takes to process a card depends on the bank and can range from a day to a week.
Zirrat Bank
In Ziraat Bank the probability of opening an account is lower than in Deniz Bank. The big disadvantage of Ziraat is that you cannot send a swift transfer online without a residence permit.
Card currency: USD, EUR, TRY
The card is not personalized, it is issued immediately. If it is personalized, the waiting period is about a week.
Deposit depends on the situation, there are cases of opening without a deposit.
The package of documents is standard; in rare cases they ask for a Russian Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
Deniz Bank
Deniz bank is the most common bank in Turkey among non-residents from the Russian Federation. It has support in Russian and English.
Card currency: USD, EUR, TRY
The card is personalized and issued immediately. Service is free.
Daily payment limit 30,000 lira
The daily limit for ATM withdrawal is 5,000 lira. Larger amounts can be withdrawn at a branch.
You can reduce the spending limit in the app, but you can only increase it through the branch where you opened the account.
You can't pay more than 1000 lira (~58 $) on services where there is no SMS confirmation of payment, most often this problem is Airbnb and Booking.
Good mobile app, ability to convert USD and EUR online.
If necessary, it is possible to apply for a Deniz Bank credit card. It has wider limits and allows online payment.
To apply for a card, you will need a minimum deposit of 13,000 lira, put it under 20.5%. At the same time, they give a credit limit of 10,000 lira. Among other advantages of the card is the ability to increase the limit by replenishing from your debit accounts. For example, your limit is 10,000 lira. Replenish from your debit account 30,000 lira. Your credit limit increases to 40,000 lira. You can also note the interest-free period of 60 days, a more favorable rate when buying, no restrictions when paying online (3d secure). The term for issuing a card is usually one to two weeks. There is an option for accelerated registration in 1 day.
Vakifbank
Card currency: USD, EUR, TRY, RUB
The card is unnamed and is issued immediately.
Deposit 504 lira, with a contribution of 505 lira-1 lira appears on the account. There are also cases of opening a card for 2020 Turkish lira without a deposit.
The package of documents is standard; the bank is not very common among non-resident Russians.
The advantages of Turkish bank cards are that you can:
- receive funds from all over the world from employers, customers, etc.;
- pay for foreign subscriptions and services not available in the Russian Federation;
- order products from online stores around the world, such as Ebay, Etsy, Amazon, etc.
- book hotels and pay for tickets, make purchases while traveling around the world.
Among the disadvantages we can note:
- the need for a deposit to open a card;
- lack of clear conditions and criteria for opening, which leads to the need to trade as if “on the market”;
- the need to visit several banks, offices and even cities in search of acceptable opening conditions.
If you need help opening an account in Turkey, write your questions in the telegram channel Relocatus.
In conclusion, we would like to remind you of the need to notify the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation about opening a bank account abroad. As well as about the movement of funds on it.
