SWIFT/BIC codes in Türkiye

Bank SWIFT codes for Türkiye

For Türkiye our database holds 1459 SWIFT/BIC codes from 222 banks. Each code points to an institution or one of its branches and tells other banks where an international payment should go.

Each bank has its own page showing the head office code and if there are any, codes for branches and departments. The rest of this page explain the structure of the codes, the cost of transfers and how to avoid mistakes before a payment.

How long does a transfer to Türkiye take?

An international transfer to Türkiye typically takes anywhere from one to several business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Public holidays in Türkiye or in the sending country can add extra days to the journey.

A growing number of banks use SWIFT gpi, which lets them follow a payment from bank to bank. Each payment gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR that banks can use to see where the money is. Specialist transfer services often show a status in their app so you can follow the payment.

Most SWIFT codes in Türkiye: Turk Ekonomi Bankasi A.s.

Of the 222 banks in Türkiye, Turk Ekonomi Bankasi A.s. has the most SWIFT codes. Its head office code is TEBUTRISXXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

Many codes often means that the bank registers branches and departments separately, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. Making a payment to Turk Ekonomi Bankasi A.s.? Use TEBUTRISXXX unless a specific branch code is requested.

What a sender needs to pay you in Türkiye

Someone abroad who wants to pay you needs several details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. Give them your name as registered with the bank, the IBAN or account number, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address, which some banks require.

Look up the bank in the list on this page to check its code – your bank statement is the final word. You can include the name and city of your bank, since some payment forms ask for it.

Expect that the incoming amount is below the amount on the sender’s receipt. Fees for incoming transfers vary per bank. For business payments, agree how the fees are split.

What the letters in a Türkiye BIC mean

A BIC is either 8 or 11 characters long and the parts always come in the same order. The first four letters stand for the bank, the fifth and sixth characters are the country code and the next two mark the location.

You can spot a code from Türkiye by letters five and six: they always show the ISO country code of Türkiye. If the country letters point to another country, you are looking at a bank in another country.

The long version ends in a branch code – XXX stands for the head office. Use a branch code only when the recipient explicitly gives you one.

What a transfer to Türkiye really costs

An international bank payment to Türkiye can cost more than you think. You pay a transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks and, most importantly, the margin on the exchange rate.

That exchange rate margin tends to be the largest part of the cost because it is hidden in the rate. Compare the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate, the midpoint you see on financial news sites.

Specialist money transfer services frequently offer rates closer to the mid-market rate with clearer fees. GoldexPay compares what recipients in Türkiye receive with different providers, so you can pick the cheapest route.

International payments to Türkiye and the BIC

For Türkiye you will usually need a SWIFT/BIC code – Türkiye is not a SEPA country. Without the BIC, your bank cannot send the transfer at all.

Not every country uses IBAN numbers – where there is none, the local account number is enough. The receiving bank often has instructions for payments from abroad, and it is worth following them to the letter. International transfers sometimes go via correspondent banks, each of which may deduct a fee.

Paying in TRY: what conversion costs you

Türkiye uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). Money sent in a different currency is exchanged into TRY.

Which bank converts the payment makes a difference: every bank has its own margin. In many cases you pay less if you send TRY straight away through a provider with a good rate rather than letting the receiving bank convert. With bigger transfers, a seemingly small gap in the rate adds up quickly.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Türkiye

The best place to find the correct BIC is a document from the bank itself. An incorrect BIC may lead to delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory is compiled from public sources and is updated regularly. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes and our data may lag behind. For a payment that matters, check the BIC with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.

Be wary of invoices containing a new account, especially when they come by email. A real SWIFT code tells you nothing about whether a request is genuine – scammers use the codes of real banks.