What Documents Are Necessary to Open a Bank Account?

To open an account in the banks of Northern Cyprus, one needs a passport and IKAMETAH BELGESI (certificate confirming the address of residence), obtained from the mukhtar (head of the local administration of the d

Foreigners in Northern Cyprus can open an account at a local bank. Here is what you need to do.

• Documents required to open a bank account in TRNC
• Banks that open accounts for foreigners
• Frequently asked questions about banking in TRNC

Documents required to open a bank account in TRNC

To open an account at one of the banks in Northern Cyprus, you will need the following set of documents. Keep in mind that you can only open an account if you have a valid residence permit.

• International passport
• Ikamet (residence permit, you can show it on your phone, but it's better to print it out)
• A certificate from the mukhtar with a confirmed residential address

Banks that open accounts for foreigners

Generally, all banks operating in Northern Cyprus do. However, the conditions vary. The most popular and foreigner-friendly bank is Credit West. Near East Bank and Capital Bank are also well regarded.

Additionally, you can open accounts in Turkish banks, such as Ziraat, Garanti, and Is Bank. However, they may require a substantial deposit of several thousand euros.

Frequently asked questions about banking in TRNC

Why do you need a local bank account?

If you are renewing your residence permit, you will need to deposit money into a local account to prove sufficient income. For the initial residence permit, a statement from a foreign bank is also acceptable.

Where can I find a list of banks in Northern Cyprus?

The Cyprus-FAQ website has a page listing all the banks present in Northern Cyprus.

Can you use TRNC bank cards abroad?

Regular debit cards — no, but some banks offer credit cards that can be used outside of Northern Cyprus.

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istrict) where one resides on the ground of a lease or sale agreement.

But there are nuances everywhere. By law, you may open an account in any bank, but in reality, Turkish financial institutions sometimes refuse. The guarantees of opening an account in a Turkish bank are a residence permit or a right to work. In other cases, they may open an account or not. Therefore, it is better to turn to the banks of Northern Cyprus.