Ziraat Bank Turkey: A Guide to Banking for Investors & Expats

Imagine that with a bank account in Turkey, you not only benefit from attractive Turkish Lira interest rates but also gain access to advanced digital services that make life easier for expatriates and investors. Ziraat Bank Turkey, the oldest and largest state-owned bank in the country, with over 160 years of experience, provides exactly these facilities. According to the Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) reports in November 2025, Ziraat Bank has more than 20 million active customers and processes over 15 billion transactions annually, statistics that make it one of the pioneers of banking in the Middle East and Europe.

If you are considering migrating to Turkey, investing in the country, or even transferring money securely to Turkey, this article is a comprehensive guide for you. We cover everything from the bank’s history to its key services, updated interest rates, and practical tips for opening an account at Ziraat Bank for foreigners.

History & Structure of Ziraat Bank Turkey

Ziraat Bank, officially named Türkiye Ziraat Bankası, traces its roots back to the Ottoman era. The bank was founded in 1863 by Sultan Abdulaziz, with the initial aim of supporting farmers and developing agriculture in the Ottoman Empire. The name “Ziraat” means “agriculture,” and from the beginning, the bank focused on lending to the agricultural sector.

At that time, farmers faced significant financial challenges, and the Turkish agricultural industry was in disarray. Meanwhile, the Ottoman government was virtually bankrupt and unable to establish a central bank to provide necessary support to farmers. As a result, farmers had to borrow from merchants and wealthy individuals at extremely high interest rates, which were often difficult or impossible to repay.

Eventually, as pressure on farmers increased and agricultural production declined, the Ottoman government decided to establish an investment fund and state-backed loans to support the sector. This investment fund worked well for years, but over time, with the increasing number of farmers and capital, the need for a modern financial structure became apparent.

Finally, after several years, Ziraat Bankası was established as Turkey’s first bank with a modern financial structure. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the founding of the Republic of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923, the bank was rebuilt as a key state institution, and its role in the national economy expanded.

Today, it is one of the biggest Turkish banks, fully owned by the Turkish Treasury, which provides high financial stability.

According to official bank statistics, Ziraat has over 1,650 branches in Turkey and more than 100 international branches (including in Germany, Qatar, Georgia, and more). Its total assets at the end of Q3 2025 exceeded 2.5 trillion TRY, showing a 15% increase compared to the previous year.

The bank also has subsidiaries such as Ziraat Katılım (Islamic banking) and Ziraat Sigorta (insurance). This structure makes Ziraat a complete financial ecosystem, covering everything from simple savings accounts to complex investments. Compared to private banks like Garanti or Yapı Kredi, Ziraat offers more competitive interest rates on deposits due to its state-owned nature, although it may lag slightly in new banking technologies.

Key Services & Interest Rates

The bank offers a wide range of services designed for both local customers and foreign expatriates. Below are the most important ones:

Deposits & Interest Rates

Ziraat Bank focuses on Turkish Lira deposits, which, given Turkey’s high inflation of over 30% in 2025, offer attractive interest rates. Standard savings accounts can be opened without a minimum deposit, and interest is calculated monthly.

For example, with a deposit of 100,000 TL, you can earn around 50,000 TL annually (Check the Turkish Lira exchange rate here).

 Additionally, in Islamic banking provided through Ziraat Katılım, deposit interest is non-usurious and is paid through participation in banking projects, which is very important for religious customers.

Loans & Facilities

Ziraat Bank is a market leader in housing and agricultural loans. In 2025, with supportive government policies under Erdoğan, mortgage rates have decreased to 35–40% (down from 50% in 2024).

• Mortgage Loans: Up to 80% of property value with 120-month repayment, available to foreigners with valid residence.
• Personal Loans: 40% rate up to 200,000 TL, for car purchase or education.
• Agricultural Loans: Subsidized 25% rate, ideal for farmers and even foreigners wishing to engage in agriculture in Turkey.

According to Bloomberg (October 2025), Ziraat holds 30% of the Turkish mortgage market. For real estate investment, the bank also provides special loans for foreigners—for example, buyers can borrow up to 70% of their property value.

Digital Services & Credit Cards

The Ziraat Mobil app is one of Turkey’s best banking apps, downloaded over 10 million times on Google Play. Its features include Bill payments, International transfers (via IBAN), Stock market investment, Worldcard credit card with a credit limit up to 50,000 TL.

Advantages & Disadvantages

As Turkey’s largest state bank, Ziraat offers a combination of high security, attractive interest rates, and modern services. Advantages include:

✅ State Stability: Deposits fully insured by TMSF (up to 400,000 TL).

✅ High Interest Rates: Special accounts offer up to 50% annual interest, ideal against inflation.

✅ Extensive Network: 1,650 branches and 25,000 ATMs in Turkey, plus over 100 branches internationally.

✅ Digital Services: Ziraat Mobil app with 24/7 Persian support and free domestic transfers.

✅ International Transfers: With a Turkish passport, easy SWIFT transfers to/from foreign banks.

Disadvantages include:

❌ Bureaucracy for Foreigners: Document verification can take up to three weeks, especially for some countries.

❌ Currency Volatility: Lira depreciation against USD can reduce real returns.

In summary, if you have residence in Turkey and want to keep your money safe long-term, Ziraat is an excellent choice. For short-term transfers, private banks like İş or Garanti are faster and less cumbersome.

How Expats Can Open a Bank Account at Ziraat Bank Turkey

Ziraat Bank offers a simple and secure process for foreigners:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

To open an account as a foreigner, you need:

1. Valid passport & kimlik card
2. Turkish tax ID number (can be obtained from the local tax office)
3. Proof of residence in Turkey (rental contract or utility bill)

For non-residents, some branches may allow account opening with just a passport.

Step 2: Visit a Ziraat Bank Branch

Go to the nearest Ziraat Bank branch. Major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have staff who speak English in select branches, which makes the process easier for expats.

Step 3: Choose Your Account Type

Ziraat Bank offers:

• TL Savings Accounts: High interest rates, ideal for long-term savings
• Foreign Currency Accounts (USD/EUR): Protects against Lira volatility
• Special Accounts: Fixed-term deposits with higher interest rates

Step 4: Fill Out the Application

Bank staff will guide you through the paperwork. Make sure all information matches your passport and tax ID.

Step 5: Deposit Funds and Activate Your Account

You can deposit cash in TL or foreign currency. Once the account is active, you’ll receive a debit card, online banking credentials and access to Ziraat Mobil app for payments, transfers, and investments.

💡Tips for Expats:

Some branches take 1–3 weeks to verify foreign documents, so be patient.

International transfers are easier if you have a Turkish residence permit.

Use Ziraat Mobil app for convenient bill payments, SWIFT transfers, and currency protection.

Updates & Digital Services at Ziraat Bank

2025 has been a transformative year for Ziraat Bank, the backbone of Turkey’s state banking system, reflecting an increasing focus on digital innovation, sustainability, and emerging markets expansion.

In January, the bank invested 200 million TL to launch cryptocurrency services via Ziraat Mobil, allowing over 10 million users to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to Bloomberg, this made Ziraat a pioneer in crypto banking in the Middle East.

In March, a strategic partnership with Binance introduced collateralized crypto loans (up to 100,000 TL at 32%) to help expatriates and foreign investors, convert digital assets into cash.

Aligned with Erdoğan’s green policies, subsidized ecological loans (30% rate) were launched for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture projects. By September, over 500 million TL was allocated, with 20% for border-region farmers (e.g., Van near Iran).

According to Reuters (October 2025), Ziraat allocated 10% of Q3 revenue (≈150 billion TL) to fintech development, including AI fraud detection and multilingual support in the app.

Ziraat Bank Branches Abroad

Ziraat has branches in 18 European and Asian countries. The highest number is in Bosnia and Herzegovina (33 branches), followed by Azerbaijan (13), Northern Cyprus (8), and Germany and Turkmenistan (7 each).

Other countries with Ziraat branches include Uzbekistan, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, Russia, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo, and the UK.

How to Transfer Funds to Turkey Ziraat Bankası?

If you plan to obtain residence through property purchase or need to transfer funds from another country to your Turkish account, you have multiple options.

A key issue with using exchange services for transferring funds to Turkey is fraud and misuse, which has been reported frequently. EZDEX provides a secure environment where users can safely choose the best and most reliable exchange service. It is a platform with many exchange partners worldwide, allowing you to select the best provider based on services and user reviews. Using this platform, you can pay any amount in any country and receive it in Turkey in Ziraat Bank or any other bank, or even in cash at a hotel or airport.

Conclusion: Why Ziraat Bank is a Smart Choice

Ziraat Bank Turkey is not just a financial institution but a bridge to economic opportunities in Eurasia. Attractive 2025 interest rates, advanced digital services, international client focus, and borderless digital banking make this bank a solid foundation for migration or investment.