Vergi numarası (vergi kimlik numarası) is a taxpayer identification number in Turkey. A foreigner needs one to buy property, open a bank account and sign most contracts; a sale cannot be registered at the land registry without it.
What you need it for
- registering the purchase and receiving the title deed;
- opening a Turkish bank account;
- water, electricity and internet contracts, and insurance policies;
- paying taxes: the title deed fee, the annual property tax and any capital gains tax when you sell.
You get the number once and use it for everything that follows, so it is best to obtain it as soon as you have chosen a property rather than on completion day.
How to get one
At the tax office. In Alanya the number is issued at the tax office (vergi dairesi) on presentation of your passport. One visit is usually enough and the number is issued the same day. Bring your original passport and ask whether a copy or translation is needed.
Online. You can also apply through the online services of the Turkish Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı), which is convenient if you are buying remotely.
Through a representative. If you have given a notarised power of attorney that includes this, your representative can obtain the number for you.
Tax number and bank account
Turkish banks open accounts for foreigners on the basis of a passport and tax number, although exact requirements vary between banks. The account makes it easy to pay taxes, aidat and utility bills, including by direct debit if you live abroad.
If you hold a residence permit
Once you receive a residence permit (ikamet), you are given a Turkish foreigner ID number starting with 99. It doubles as your tax number, so you do not need a separate one. If you obtained a number on your passport earlier, check with the tax office that the records are linked to your new ID to avoid mismatches.
Common mistakes
- Leaving it until the last minute. Without the number you cannot open an account or book the completion appointment.
- Spelling errors in your name. It must match your passport exactly, or you will have discrepancies on the title deed, at the bank and in contracts.
- Assuming only residents need one. Every buyer needs it, with or without a residence permit.
How we help
As part of our purchase support, we help you obtain a tax number in Alanya or online if you are buying from abroad, and make sure your details match across all documents. The steps are set out in our guide on how to buy a flat in Alanya as a foreigner, and the paperwork for a permit is in our residence permit checklist.