If you are considering living, investing, or purchasing property in Turkey, one of the terms you are likely to hear early in the process is:
Vergi Kimlik Numarası, or the Turkish Tax Identification Number.
At first, it may sound like something only business owners or companies need. In practice, however, the tax number is used in a variety of financial and administrative transactions that may also apply to foreigners in Turkey.
For this reason, investors should understand from the beginning:
What is the tax number? How can it be obtained? Do you need Turkish residency to receive one? And what does it have to do with buying property?
In this guide from OmranTRK, we explain the key information foreigners need to know about the tax number in Turkey.
What Is the Tax Number in Turkey?
The Turkish tax number, known as:
Vergi Kimlik Numarası – VKN
is an identification number used by the Turkish Revenue Administration in transactions connected to the financial and taxation system.
For foreigners who do not already have a tax number, the Turkish Revenue Administration provides a service for obtaining what is known as:
Yabancılar İçin Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası
which means:
Potential Tax Identification Number for Foreigners.
The Revenue Administration currently provides this service through the Dijital Vergi Dairesi, or Digital Tax Office, where foreigners can enter their personal information and passport details and apply for the number online.
How Many Digits Does the Turkish Tax Number Have?
The Vergi Kimlik Numarası used for foreigners consists of 10 digits.
It should not be confused with the T.C. Kimlik Numarası, the Turkish national identification number, which consists of 11 digits, or with the foreigner identification number used in certain cases.
Each number serves a different purpose within Turkey’s government systems.
Can a Foreigner Obtain a Tax Number in Turkey?
Yes.
Turkish citizenship is not required to obtain a tax number.
The Turkish Revenue Administration provides an online application form specifically for foreigners, where applicants can enter identity information, passport details, and contact information to request the number.
This makes the tax number one of the administrative procedures that an investor can often arrange relatively early in the investment process.
Why Does a Foreigner Need a Tax Number?
The tax number is used in a range of financial, tax-related, and administrative transactions.
Depending on the type of transaction and the institution involved, foreigners may be asked to provide it for purposes such as:
- Tax-related procedures
- Certain banking and financial transactions
- Payment of certain taxes and official fees
- Investment-related procedures
- Transactions connected to purchasing and owning real estate
- Certain official procedures requiring a tax identifier
For this reason, it is useful for foreign investors to know their tax number and keep it safely recorded, particularly if they plan to carry out multiple transactions in Turkey.
How Can You Obtain a Turkish Tax Number Online?
The process has become much easier thanks to the digital services offered by the Turkish Revenue Administration.
Foreigners can apply for a Potential Tax Identification Number through the official Dijital Vergi Dairesi platform.
Information Required for the Online Application
The official form may request information such as:
- First name
- Surname
- Gender
- Foreign identification number, if available
- Place of birth
- Mother’s name
- Father’s name
- Country
- Passport number
- Phone number
- Address
Once the information is entered and reviewed, the application can be submitted electronically through the official system.
Important Tip
All information should be entered exactly as it appears in the applicant’s passport and official documents.
Even small differences in the spelling of a name, passport number, or personal details may create problems later when information is matched across different institutions.
Is Obtaining a Tax Number Free?
Obtaining the tax number itself from the Turkish tax authorities is a government procedure and does not require purchasing a private service.
Foreigners should therefore be cautious of companies presenting the tax number as though it were a product that must be purchased.
If you hire a company or consultant to handle the process on your behalf, they may charge a fee for their service or administrative assistance, not for the government-issued number itself.
Can the Tax Number Be Obtained from a Tax Office?
In addition to the online process, certain tax-related procedures may also be handled through a local Vergi Dairesi, or tax office.
Some individual cases may require additional documentation or direct review by the relevant office.
Therefore, if the online process does not work, or if the applicant’s information needs to be reviewed, it is advisable to confirm the required procedure with the tax office or through the official channels of the Revenue Administration.
What Does the Tax Number Have to Do with Buying Property in Turkey?
For real estate investors, the importance of the tax number comes from the fact that buying property involves several financial and tax-related procedures.
Buying real estate is not simply a matter of signing a contract and paying the purchase price.
The process may involve:
Financial transfer → Taxes and official fees → Transfer of ownership → Ongoing obligations related to the property
For this reason, it is better to organize the buyer’s tax and financial information at the beginning of the purchase process rather than waiting until the title deed transfer appointment.
Is a Tax Number Alone Enough to Buy Property?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Obtaining a tax number does not automatically mean that you are ready to complete the entire real estate acquisition process.
Foreign property transactions involve additional requirements that may vary according to the buyer’s status and the property itself.
The Turkish General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre states that passports or foreign identity documents are among the key documents used in transactions involving foreigners.
Title deed procedures also currently make use of the Yabancı Kimlik Numarası – YKN, or Foreigner Identification Number, and in certain cases the land registry authority may facilitate obtaining this number as part of the transaction if it does not already exist.
The tax number should therefore be viewed as one part of the investor’s financial and administrative file, not as the only document required to purchase property.
What Is the Difference Between a Tax Number and a Foreigner Identification Number?
These two numbers are often confused.
Tax Identification Number
Known as:
Vergi Kimlik Numarası
It is primarily associated with taxation and financial transactions.
Foreigner Identification Number
Known as:
Yabancı Kimlik Numarası – YKN
This is an identification number associated with foreigners within Turkish government systems.
The General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre indicates that the foreigner identification number is now part of title deed procedures where a foreign national is one of the parties to the transaction.
Therefore, VKN and YKN should not be treated as the same number.
Do You Need a Turkish Residence Permit to Obtain a Tax Number?
The official online service is specifically designed for foreigners and allows applications using personal details and passport information.
Therefore, not having a Turkish residence permit does not necessarily prevent a foreigner from requesting a tax number.
However, it is important to distinguish between:
Obtaining the tax number
and:
Meeting the requirements of the transaction for which the number will be used.
A bank, land registry office, or other institution may have additional documentation requirements that are independent of simply having a VKN.
Is a Tax Number Required to Open a Bank Account?
A tax number or another suitable identification number may be among the information requested by financial institutions.
However, the requirements of all Turkish banks should not be assumed to be identical.
Bank account opening policies for foreigners may vary depending on:
- The bank
- The customer’s nationality
- Residency status
- Type of account
- Available documentation
- Customer verification and compliance requirements
If you need a Turkish bank account for a property purchase, it is advisable to confirm the selected bank’s requirements before starting the process.
Why Is It Better to Obtain the Tax Number Early When Investing in Real Estate?
The investment process becomes more organized when basic administrative procedures are arranged early.
Instead of choosing a property first and then discovering missing documents during the transfer, payment, or title deed stages, investors can prepare their administrative file while searching for suitable real estate.
This can be particularly important for investors who are visiting Turkey for a short period.
In such cases, every day may matter.
Organizing the process in advance can help reduce delays between:
Choosing the property → Completing financial procedures → Completing the title deed transaction
What Should You Do If You Lose Your Tax Number?
Losing the paper or document containing the tax number does not necessarily mean that the number itself has been lost.
The number is associated with the individual’s information in the Turkish tax system.
If it is needed again, the investor can use the Revenue Administration’s digital services or contact a tax office to verify the tax number linked to their information.
It is generally advisable to keep digital copies of important investment documents in a secure file.
Common Mistakes When Obtaining a Turkish Tax Number
1. Writing the Name Differently from the Passport
Even a small difference in spelling may create problems when matching records later.
2. Confusing VKN with YKN
The tax number and the foreigner identification number are not the same and do not always serve the same function.
3. Relying on Unofficial Websites
The primary source for the online service should be the official platform of the Turkish Revenue Administration.
4. Assuming the Tax Number Alone Is Enough to Purchase Property
Buying real estate as a foreigner involves additional stages and documents.
5. Waiting Until the Title Deed Appointment to Prepare Documents
Preparing the buyer’s administrative file early can reduce the risk of delays.
Tax Number and Turkish Citizenship by Investment
If the property purchase forms part of a plan to obtain Turkish citizenship through real estate investment, document organization becomes even more important.
This type of process involves more than the property purchase itself.
It may include:
- Financial transfers
- Property valuation
- Title deed procedures
- Citizenship-related legal documentation
For this reason, all information used throughout the process should be consistent.
The name in the passport, bank account, property documents, official records, and financial documents should all be coordinated accurately.
Can a Real Estate Company Assist the Investor with These Procedures?
An important part of a professional real estate company’s role goes beyond simply presenting properties.
A foreign investor needs to understand the correct sequence of steps before completing a transaction:
What should I prepare?
When will I need each document?
When are taxes and fees paid?
How is the title deed application submitted?
Which authority is responsible for each stage?
At OmranTRK, we aim to explain the ownership process clearly to investors from the property selection stage through the completion of the procedures related to the purchase, in coordination with the relevant authorities and specialists for each transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tax Number in Turkey
What is the Turkish name for the tax number?
It is known as:
Vergi Kimlik Numarası
and is commonly abbreviated as VKN.
How many digits does the VKN have?
The Turkish tax identification number, VKN, consists of 10 digits.
Can a foreigner obtain a Turkish tax number online?
Yes.
The Turkish Revenue Administration provides the Yabancılar İçin Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası Başvurusu service for foreigners through the Dijital Vergi Dairesi.
Is the tax number the same as a residence permit number?
No.
The tax number and the foreigner identification number used within Turkish government systems are different, even though both may appear at different stages of a foreigner’s official transactions.
Does having a tax number mean I can buy any property in Turkey?
No.
Foreign ownership of real estate is subject to separate regulations and procedures related to the buyer’s nationality, the property itself, its location, and the applicable official requirements.
Should I obtain the tax number before traveling to Turkey?
It may not be necessary or possible in exactly the same way for every case, but completing any procedures that can be handled in advance may help investors save time after arriving in Turkey.
The tax number in Turkey is an important identification detail that foreigners may need when carrying out financial or investment-related transactions in the country.
One advantage today is that the Turkish Revenue Administration provides an official online service through which foreigners can apply for a Potential Tax Identification Number, making the process easier than in the past.
However, real estate investors should remember one essential point:
The tax number is not the property acquisition process itself. It is one step within that process.
A successful real estate purchase begins with selecting the right property, but it also requires properly organizing the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of the transaction.
Understanding these steps before starting can save investors considerable time and provide a much clearer picture of the entire investment process.
At OmranTRK, we believe successful real estate investment does not begin when the contract is signed. It begins by understanding the entire process before making the purchase decision.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. Requirements may vary depending on the individual, the type of transaction, and the relevant authority. Investors should verify current requirements with the Turkish Revenue Administration, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, relevant official institutions, or qualified professionals before taking any action.
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