Ownership
State-owned (T.C. Ziraat Bankası).
Private, majority-owned by Spain's BBVA.
Branches nationwide
~1,700 branches across Turkey — largest network.
~900 branches concentrated in urban centers.
Account opening with tourist visa
Accepts tourist visa holders with passport + tax number + Turkish phone. Branch discretion varies.
Accepts tourist visa holders in most urban branches. More consistent than Ziraat.
Minimum opening deposit
Typically none for basic TRY account, 100 USD for FX accounts.
Typically none for basic accounts; minimum balance rules may apply.
Monthly account fees
Low — generally 30-50 TL/month for maintenance. State bank pricing.
Higher — 80-150 TL/month depending on product tier.
Foreign currency accounts
USD, EUR, GBP standard. Limited additional currencies.
13+ currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, AUD, CAD, SEK, NOK, DKK, RUB, AED, SAR, and more.
English-language support
Limited. Staff English varies heavily by branch and individual. Call center Turkish-first.
Strong. English-speaking staff standard in Istanbul and Ankara branches. English app and call center.
Mobile banking app
Functional, in Turkish. English mode exists but inconsistent translation.
Polished English interface, widely considered the best banking app in Turkey.
Online account opening
Limited online onboarding for foreigners — branch visit typically required.
Partial online application, branch visit still needed for verification.
Debit card issuance
On-the-spot or within 3-5 business days.
On-the-spot or within 3-5 business days.
Credit card for foreigners
Requires residence permit and documented Turkish income. Conservative limits.
Residence permit required. More flexible with international income proof. Bonus loyalty ecosystem.
SWIFT wire fees (outbound)
~25 USD per transfer + correspondent fees.
~30-50 USD per transfer + correspondent fees.
SWIFT wire fees (inbound)
Free to low (10-20 USD).
Free for most inbound wires.
ATM network
Largest ATM network in Turkey (~7,500 ATMs).
~5,000 ATMs, heavy urban concentration.
KKM (currency-protected deposit) availability
Available — state banks led the rollout.
Available, but program terms are being unwound in 2026.
Participation (Islamic) banking option
Separate brand: Ziraat Katılım.
None — Garanti is conventional-only. (Use Kuveyt Türk or Albaraka for Islamic banking.)
Bill payment & auto-pay
Supports all utilities, taxes, traffic fines via mobile app.
Supports all utilities, taxes, traffic fines via mobile app.
Business banking for foreigners
Strong — Turkish company accounts handled smoothly.
Strong — preferred by expat entrepreneurs for English service.