Before you even attempt to buy property or get a residence permit in Turkey, you will need a Tax Identification Number.

Whether you are a student looking to study in Turkey full-time or as an exchange student, coming for work or to carry out research, or looking to spend your retirement here, the first thing you’ll need to get is a tax ID number to engage in official activities — regardless of whether you intend to stay here permanently or not.

A tax number is essentially your ID number in Turkey. It is a prerequisite for any financial transactions and registration procedures for non-residents.

For Turks, national ID numbers are automatically considered as their tax ID numbers. The only instance where Turkish citizens need a different tax number is when they want to establish a business. They have to obtain a tax certificate on behalf of the business and take note of the number listed here to use when making financial transactions.

As a foreigner, you will need a Turkish tax ID number if you want to:

  • Open a bank account in Turkey,
  • Buy or invest in real estate,
  • Get health insurance,
  • Receive healthcare,
  • Subscribe to utility services,
  • Give power of attorney,
  • Engage in notarial services,
  • Establish a company,
  • Get a driver’s license,
  • And, of course, apply for a residence permit.

Having a tax ID number is important because most administrative and legal procedures will require you to have a foreign national identification number which won’t be readily available until after you have got your residence permit.

And no, just because you have a tax number does not mean you have to pay taxes in Turkey; it is a formality for all procedures.

Thankfully, gone are the days when you had to queue for hours at tax offices with no digital alternative whatsoever. The procedure is now very fast and straightforward; most appointments last about 15 minutes.

To Obtain a Tax ID number, you will basically need 3 things, which are:

  • Your passport (must be valid),
  • A photocopy of the ID page on your passport,
  • A tax ID number application form.

There are 2 ways you can obtain a tax ID number in two ways: online and in-person.

Both ways are free of charge, bar photocopying fees, getting a Turkish phone number (if applying online), and traveling to the tax office.

To get a Turkish tax ID number online from the comfort of your home, you will need:

  • A valid Turkish phone number,
  • A digital copy of your passport’s ID page on your computer (PDF, jpeg, or png are the most widely accepted formats and should be smaller than 1 MB).

A step-by-step guide (online application)

  1. Go to the official webpage of the Digital Tax Office (Dijital Vergi Dairesi) at https://dijital.gib.gov.tr/
  2. Please scroll down to the center of the page where you can find a section titled 'Potential Tax Identification Number Application.' Click on this tab and you will see a choice that reads 'Application for Non-citizens Potential Tax Number'. Click on this option to proceed.
  3. A new window will pop up with your application form when you click on the application. The application form has English translations next to the Turkish.
  4. Please fill out the form carefully using CAPITAL LETTERS. Make sure to complete all the required fields correctly and submit it by clicking on the 'APPLY' button at the very bottom.
  5. Once you complete everything and click submit via the “Tamam” button, the system will give you your tax ID number as an official letter in PDF format. You must enable pop-up windows and cookies in your browser to receive the document.
  6. The T.C. Vergi Kimlik Numarası or the Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası listed in the letter is your Tax ID number.

If you lack a Turkish phone number, it's okay to use your foreign number, but we suggest using a Turkish number. For assistance with the form, contact us. Another option is to visit a Tax Office to apply for a tax ID number.

For that, you will need the following:

  • Your passport,
  • A photocopy of your passport ID page,
  • Your Tax ID Application Form is filled and signed.

A step-by-step guide (in-person application)

  1. Make sure to have a photocopy of your passport and fill out the application form accurately, including the first names of both parents. If you are not aware of one of your parents, you may indicate 'Unknown' in the relevant field.
  2. Every city and district in Turkey has a tax office. Choose the one closest to you or the easiest to get to. Once inside the tax office building, look for a sign that reads “Sicil İşlemleri” (Registration Procedures).
  3. A word of warning: Clerks and other staff working at the tax office may not know English, so it is best to have someone with you who knows Turkish. Or you could always take a paper with you that says: “Yabancı uyrukluyum ve vergi numarası almaya geldim. Yardımcı olabilir misiniz?” (I am a foreign national, and I am here to obtain a tax ID number. Could you help me?)
  4. Once everything is completed, they will give you an official letter with your tax ID number.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check to see if I already have a tax ID number or have successfully obtained it?

Go to the official webpage of the Digital Tax Office (mentioned above) and click on the “Potential Tax Identification Number Application and then 'Application for Non-Citizen’s Potential Tax Number” option.

A new window will appear with a heading that reads 'Potential Tax Number Application for Foreigners.' You must enter your passport number and date of birth and select your country from the drop-down menu. Enter the father and mother's first name. After you click on the blue “basvur” (check/submit) button, you can see if you have already obtained a valid tax ID number.

What happens if you lose or damage the paper with your tax ID?

Don't worry if you lose your tax form. You can request a reprint at the tax office or download it from the website.

How long is the validity period of a Turkish tax ID number?

Once you obtain a tax ID number, it remains yours indefinitely.