Tax Number in Turkey: How to Obtain It Online Step by Step

The tax number in Turkey, or "Vergi Numarası", is a nine-digit number granted by the Turkish Revenue Administration to every individual or company wishing to carry out any financial activity in the country. You need it to open a bank account, buy property, or register a phone number, and it is completely free. You can obtain it online within minutes through the official website of the Turkish Revenue Administration, without the need to visit any government office in person.

In this guide, we explain every step, including the correct official link that most Arabic sources currently overlook, and where exactly this number intersects with your property purchase journey in Turkey.

What is the tax number in Turkey?

The tax number is a unique nine-digit identification number, locally known as Vergi Numarası, issued by the Turkish Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı) to anyone wishing to carry out financial transactions in the country, whether a Turkish citizen, a resident foreigner, or even a non-resident.

This number is entirely separate from the national ID number (T.C. Kimlik No) granted to citizens and residents for more than six months, which consists of 11 digits, not 9.

Important Note: You can obtain the tax number immediately even if you are not yet a resident, while the national ID requires prior actual residency.

Why do you need the tax number in Turkey?

You will be asked for this number in several practical situations:

• Opening a bank account: No Turkish bank can open an account for you without it.
• Buying property: It is required to complete any freehold property transaction and register the title deed.
• Registering a local phone number or purchasing a device: Required for some telecommunications transactions.
• Paying bills and taxes: Such as income tax, annual property tax, or transfer tax upon purchase.

Therefore, any serious financial step in Turkey, from opening a bank account to buying property, practically begins with this number.

How to obtain the tax number in Turkey online

Follow these steps on the official website of the Turkish Revenue Administration (dijital.gib.gov.tr):

1. Go to the website and select the service "Potential Tax Number for Foreigners" (Yabancılar İçin Potansiyel Vergi Kimlik Numarası).
2. Enter your personal information: first name, surname, father's and mother's names, gender, date and place of birth.
3. If you are a foreigner, choose the option "Place of birth outside Turkey" from the list.
4. Enter your passport details: issue date and expiry date.
5. Enter your phone number and address in Turkey (if available).
6. Click the search or submit button (Sorgula), and you will receive your number directly on the screen.

Important Note: All information must be entered strictly in uppercase Turkish letters; an error in this step may invalidate the application or delay its processing.

How to obtain the tax number directly from the tax office

If you prefer to attend in person, or encounter a problem with the online method, you can go directly to the nearest tax office (Vergi Dairesi) in the province where you reside, bringing your passport or a lease contract notarized by a notary public. The process inside the office usually takes only a few minutes, and you receive the number printed on an official paper immediately upon completion.

The tax number and property purchase in Turkey

If your goal in this search is to buy property, the tax number is not a minor administrative detail, but a foundational step that precedes everything else.

• Before signing the preliminary sales contract, most real estate offices and developers require this number as part of the buyer's file, not just at the final registration.
• When transferring the property value financially, the foreign buyer often needs to open a Turkish bank account to complete the transfer safely and officially, and opening this account requires having the tax number in advance—a point that often surprises buyers at the last minute because they did not plan for it early.
• After completing the purchase, the tax number remains linked to the property for paying the annual property tax (Emlak Vergisi) and any subsequent tax obligations related to ownership.

If your plan includes later applying for Turkish citizenship through real estate investment, obtaining the tax number early is considered one of the first practical steps in this process, even before officially applying for the real estate residence itself.

Read more: Conditions for buying property in Turkey for foreigners

Can the tax number be retrieved if lost?

Yes. If you lose your number, you can retrieve it in two ways: either by visiting the local tax office and submitting a retrieval request with your personal documents, or by inquiring directly through the inquiry service on the dijital.gib.gov.tr website itself, by entering your basic personal information (name, date of birth, nationality).

Frequently asked questions about the tax number in Turkey