How to Get a Turkish Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) as a Foreigner

1. What Is a Turkish Tax Identification Number?

In Turkey, the Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası – VKN) is a unique numeric code used by the tax administration to identify taxpayers and persons involved in financial or legal transactions.

• For Turkish citizens, the 11-digit Turkish Identification Number (T.C. Kimlik No) often serves as their tax identifier.
• For businesses and many foreign individuals, a 10-digit Vergi Kimlik Numarası (VKN) is used as the tax ID.

For foreigners who do not yet have a Foreigner Identification Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası) from a residence permit, the system issues a “Potential Tax Identification Number” (Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası). This functions as a tax number for official transactions.

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2. Why Do Foreigners Need a Tax Number in Turkey?

A Turkish tax ID is often required even if you are not a tax resident and even if you don’t plan to work in Turkey. Typical reasons foreigners need a VKN or potential tax ID include:

• Opening a Turkish bank account
• Buying property or signing a title deed (tapu)
• Setting up a company or becoming a shareholder/director
• Paying certain taxes and fees (property tax, stamp tax, etc.)
• Registering for utilities or certain government services
• Sometimes for residence permit, health insurance or mobile phone contracts

In short: if you want to do any serious legal, financial or investment transaction in Turkey, you will almost certainly need a Turkish tax number.

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3. Types of Numbers for Foreigners

It helps to distinguish three different numbers that foreigners may encounter:

1. Potential Tax Identification Number (Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası)
   • Issued by the tax administration to foreigners for tax and official transactions.
   • Can be obtained online or at a tax office with a passport.
2. Foreigner Identification Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası)
   • 99-starting 11-digit number given to foreigners with a residence permit.
   • Once you have this, it often becomes your primary ID number in dealings with authorities.
3. Tax ID vs. Citizen ID
   • For Turkish citizens, the T.C. ID number doubles as their tax ID.
   • For many foreigners, the VKN/potential VKN is the main number used for tax and financial procedures.

Some universities and institutions note that once a foreigner gets a Foreigner ID number, that number may replace the potential tax number in practice for many procedures, although the old VKN can still appear in records.

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4. How to Get a Turkish Tax ID as a Foreigner

Foreigners generally have two options:

1. Online application via the Interactive Tax Office (İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi)
2. In-person application at any local Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi)

Both options are free of charge; there is no official fee for obtaining a tax ID.

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4.1 Online Application (Interactive Tax Office)

The fastest and easiest way for many foreigners is to apply online through the Interactive Tax Office (İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi), operated by the Turkish Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı – GİB).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to the official foreigner application page
   • Use the Digital/Interactive Tax Office site and choose the section “Application for Non-Citizen’s Potential Tax Number” (Yabancılar için Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası Başvurusu).
2. Fill in the online form
   You will typically need to enter:
   • Full name (as in your passport)
   • Passport number and issuing country
   • Father’s and mother’s names (as requested in the form)
   • Date of birth
   • Address and contact details (phone/email)
3. Submit the form
   • After submitting, the system checks whether a tax number already exists for that passport.
   • If a number exists, it will show that number. If not, it will assign a new potential tax ID.
4. Download or print your official letter
   • The system usually generates a PDF letter that shows your T.C./Vergi Kimlik Numarası or Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası.
   • Make sure your browser allows pop-ups and cookies, otherwise the PDF may not open correctly.

You can then use this number immediately for bank, property, contract or other official transactions.

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4.2 In-Person Application at a Tax Office

If you prefer face-to-face assistance or have issues with the online system, you can obtain a tax ID at any local Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi).

Typical documents:

• Original passport,
• Photocopy of the passport ID page,
• Sometimes a simple request form/petition for a tax number (supplied by the tax office).

How it works:

1. Visit the nearest Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi) in the city where you stay or plan to conduct transactions.
2. Go to the desk labeled “YABANCILAR İÇİN VERGİ NUMARASI” or “SİCİL İŞLEMLERİ” (Registry Operations).
3. Say (or show a written note): “Yabancı uyrukluyum. Vergi numarası almaya geldim.”
4. Present your passport and copy; complete any short form they give you.
5. The process usually takes 15–30 minutes and you receive your tax ID on a print-out the same day.

If you cannot attend in person, you may authorise a lawyer with a power of attorney to obtain the tax number on your behalf.

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5. After You Get Your Tax ID

Once you obtain your Turkish tax ID (VKN or potential VKN):

• It can be used immediately for bank procedures, contracts, property transactions and other official matters.
• The number is generally valid indefinitely; you do not need to reapply or renew it.
• If you later receive a Foreigner Identification Number with a residence permit, some institutions may prefer or automatically switch to that ID, but your tax number remains in the system.

If you forget your tax number, you can usually:

• Check old documents (bank account opening forms, property contracts, tax receipts), or
• Use the Interactive Tax Office or contact a tax office to retrieve it based on your passport details. I

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6. Common Issues and Practical Tips

To make the process smooth, keep these points in mind:

1. Consistency of personal data
   • Make sure your name, surname, date of birth and passport number are always written exactly the same way on all forms and applications. Minor spelling differences can cause confusion later.
2. Passport changes
   • If you get a new passport (new number), the system may still hold your tax ID under the old passport number. In that case, inform the tax office so they can update your records.
3. Language barrier
   • Not all tax office staff speak English. Having an address and a short Turkish note printed (or going with a Turkish-speaking friend or lawyer) can help.
4. Keep a copy of the tax ID letter
   • Save the PDF or print-out of your tax ID in a safe place and scan it. You will be asked for this number in many procedures (bank, notary, land registry, etc.).
5. No fee – but watch indirect costs
   • The tax ID itself is free, but if you use a sworn translator, notary or lawyer, their services will have a cost.

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7. FAQ – Quick Answers for Foreigners

Do I need a tax number just for tourism?

• No. If you are only visiting Turkey as a tourist, staying in hotels and not doing any financial/legal transactions, a tax number is not normally required. It becomes necessary if you want to open a bank account, buy property, start a company or sign certain contracts.

Can I get a tax ID number from abroad?

• In many cases, yes, via the online application if you have already visited Turkey with that passport before. Otherwise, you (or your lawyer with PoA) may need to obtain it through a tax office.

Is the tax number the same as a residence permit or citizenship?

• No. A tax ID does not make you a resident or citizen; it only allows you to be identified for tax and official transactions.