Good to know
Good to Know
- Use ATMs from Halk Bank or PTT (Post Office) to avoid withdrawal fees. Ziraat Bank, once fee-free, now charges fees as of mid-2026.
- Always decline the ATM's currency conversion offer and withdraw in Turkish Lira only—accepting DCC can add hidden fees of up to 12%.
- Cards work well in Antalya's central areas, hotels, and restaurants, but always carry some cash (50–200 TRY) for markets, small shops, and street vendors.
- Tipping is expected in restaurants (5–10%) but optional elsewhere. Always tip in Turkish Lira cash, handed directly to staff—card tips often don't reach employees.
- Most Turkish ATMs accept 4-digit PINs and offer English-language screens. Some older stores still require magnetic stripe cards, not just chip-and-PIN.
- For taxis, rounding up the fare is the norm; full tips are only expected for longer journeys or luggage assistance.
Account Types
Current Account (Mevduat Hesabı)
- Description
- Standard checking account for everyday payments; most common for expats
Time Deposit Account (Vadeli Hesap)
- Description
- Interest-bearing savings account, typically offering higher rates than checking
Multi-currency Accounts
- Description
- Available in TRY, USD, EUR, GBP and other currencies
Account Opening Process
- Cost
- Account opening is free; no fees charged
- Timeframe
- After obtaining tax ID, account opening takes approximately 2 hours at a bank branch. Most major banks no longer require in-person visits for some account types
- Residence Permit
- Not legally required by Turkish banking law, though some banks impose internal policies requiring one; non-residents can open accounts
Requirements For Foreigners
- Valid passport (original + copies)
- Turkish Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) — obtained free at local tax office in 15-30 minutes
- Turkish mobile phone number
- Proof of address (rental contract, utility bill from last 90 days, or employer letter)
Recommended Banks For Foreigners
Ziraat Bankası
- Type
- State-owned
- Services
- English online banking, debit cards, international transfers
- For Foreigners
- Most accessible for non-residents; branches nationwide
DenizBank
- Type
- Private
- Services
- SWIFT transfers, flexible account options
- For Foreigners
- Explicitly accepts non-residents; typically requires ~$2,500 USD minimum deposit
Garanti BBVA
- Type
- Private
- Services
- Excellent mobile app (iGaranti) in English, English-speaking specialists, multi-currency accounts
- For Foreigners
- Preferred by European expats; top choice for international transfers
Akbank
- Type
- Private
- Services
- English online/mobile banking, multi-currency accounts, good digital tools
- For Foreigners
- Familiar with foreign customers, especially in resort areas
Yapı Kredi
- Type
- Private
- Services
- Foreign currency and TRY accounts, deposits, savings, credit cards in English
- For Foreigners
- Caters to foreigners with residence permits
Türkiye İş Bankası (İşBank)
- Type
- Private
- Services
- Multi-currency accounts, online banking in English
- For Foreigners
- Large network, English support; good for salaried employees
International Banks
- Options
- HSBC Turkey, Deutsche Bank, Citibank Turkey, ING Bank Turkey
- Note
- Offer multi-currency, corporate, and high-net-worth services; typically require proof of residency
ATM Fees
- Overview
- Most Turkish ATMs charge withdrawal fees between 50–150 TRY. Some banks offer zero-fee withdrawals up to a limit.
- Dcc Warning
- Declining Dynamic Currency Conversion at the ATM is critical—accepting it can result in conversion fees up to 12% on top of the ATM withdrawal fee.
Fee Avoidance Tips
- Use Halk Bank or PTT ATMs for zero-fee withdrawals
- Decline the ATM's Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) offer to avoid additional hidden charges; instead choose withdrawal in Turkish Lira only
- Use ATMs attached to bank branches rather than isolated machines
- Prefer major bank ATMs in central areas over remote/standalone machines
ATM Access
- Availability
- ATMs are abundant throughout Antalya and Turkey. ATMs are located at the airport, bank branches, popular tourist areas, and resorts.
- Withdrawal Limits
- Typical per-transaction limits are between 1,500–5,000 TRY, though limits vary by ATM operator and your bank.
Recommended Banks
- Halk Bank (no fees)
- PTT (Post Office ATMs, no fees)
- Ziraat Bank (was no-fee but now charges fees as of mid-May 2026)
- ING Bank
- Şekerbank
- Fibabanka
Tipping Norms
- General Notes
- Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Tips in Turkish Lira are preferred. Always tip in cash, and hand it directly to the service provider when possible. Service staff earn relatively modest wages, so tips are genuinely valued.
Taxis
- Phrase
- Say 'Üstü kalsın' (keep the change) or 'Tamam' (okay) to indicate the driver should keep the remainder.
- Standard
- Not required. Customary to round up the fare to the nearest significant amount (e.g., 20.60 TL becomes 21 TL).
- Longer Journeys
- 10% tip is common for longer journeys or if the driver helps with luggage.
Hotel Staff
- Reception
- 10 EUR or 100–200 TRY when checking out for exceptional service
- Housekeeping
- 5 EUR or 50–100 TRY, left on the bed at the end of stay
- Porters And Bellhops
- 2–5 EUR or 50–100 TRY per bag
Tour Guides
- Standard
- 10% of tour cost
- Group Tours
- 10–15 EUR per guide per day, shared among the group
Hammam And Spa
- Standard
- 15–20% of service cost, shared among attendants
Restaurants And Cafes
- Standard
- 5–10% of the bill for good service
- Exceptional Service
- 10–15%
- Service Charge Note
- Some restaurants, especially higher-end or very touristy establishments, may include a service charge (servis ücreti) of 10–15%. Check your bill; if included, no additional tip is necessary.
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Cards are widely accepted in Antalya and major cities, but cash is still essential for many venues.
Accepted Cards
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Maestro
Where Cards Accepted
- Most restaurants in Antalya and other major cities
- Hotels and accommodations
- Shopping centers and malls
- Entrance tickets to tourist attractions
- Most coffee shops and bakeries
- Tours and organized activities
Where Cash Preferred Or Required
- Smaller local shops and markets
- Traditional bazaars
- Street food vendors
- Some taxis (especially outside ride-hailing apps)
- Guesthouses and smaller accommodations
- Dolmuş (shared minibuses)
Important Notes
Important Notes
- Physical signature typically required in person, especially for non-residents
- Tax ID number is the single most critical requirement — without it, no bank will open an account
- Private banks in major cities like Antalya are most experienced with foreign clients
- Policies for foreigners vary by branch; confirm requirements before visiting
- Many banks charge low/no fees for standard checking; most offer interest on savings accounts
International Transfers
- Timeframe
- Typically 1-3 business days
- Infrastructure
- FAST system enables 24/7 real-time payments between all Turkish banks
- Notes
- Most banks provide English-language online banking for international transfers
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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- 2.atmfeesaver.com
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- 4.tripadvisor.com
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- 35.tolerance-homes.com
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- 37.turkeyhomes.com
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- 42.expatexchange.com
- 43.doctorsa.com
- 44.bilmiyo.com
- 45.xe.com
- 46.wise.com
- 47.alanchand.com
More About Antalya
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.