Information only. This is a factual profile based on publicly available information. Istanbul Vibes does not rate, rank or recommend banks or financial services, does not arrange accounts or transfers and receives no payment per customer. It is not financial advice. Please check licence, conditions and current fees with the provider and with the competent regulator.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a London-based fintech company that specializes in international money transfers and multi-currency accounts. In Turkey, Wise offers limited but useful services for sending money abroad and receiving transfers from overseas. The service is particularly relevant for travelers, expats and anyone managing international finances across Turkey and other countries.
Since May 2023, Turkish residents face restrictions on certain features due to local data protection regulations. However, Wise remains effective for specific use cases: sending money from Turkey abroad, receiving transfers into Turkish bank accounts, and spending with the Wise card if your account was registered outside Turkey.
Current access notice: As of October 2026: Service restrictions for Turkey-based customers remain in effect. New Turkey-registered accounts cannot receive money into Wise balances, hold multiple currency accounts, or use the Wise card. These restrictions have been in place since May 2023.
Quick Facts
| Website | wise.com/tr |
|---|
How to Get to Wise
Wise is an entirely digital service accessed through its website (wise.com) or mobile app. There are no physical offices for individual customers to visit in Istanbul or elsewhere. To use Wise, download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or access the website directly. Account verification typically takes a few days and requires passport or national identity information and proof of address.
Accessibility
Wise is accessible via smartphone app or web browser on desktop and mobile devices. The service operates 24/7 online with no physical locations. Text-based interface is standard; the app includes standard accessibility features available on iOS and Android platforms. For accessibility support, contact Wise customer service through the app or website.
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FAQ: Wise
Can I use Wise if I live in Turkey?
Yes, you can open a Wise account as a Turkey resident. However, accounts registered in Turkey have limited features: you can send money abroad from a Turkish bank account, but cannot receive money into your Wise balance, add multiple currencies, or use the Wise card. If you registered your account outside Turkey before relocating, you retain more features.
What happened to Wise services in Turkey in 2023?
In May 2023, Wise restricted certain features for Turkey-based customers due to local data protection regulations. Affected features include receiving money into Wise accounts, creating new currency balances, topping up from Turkish lira, and card issuance. Wise attributes these changes to regulatory requirements and has provided no timeline for restoration.
Can I send money from Turkey abroad with Wise?
Yes. Turkey-based customers can fund international transfers directly from a Turkish bank account or debit card. You can send to over 80 currencies, and the recipient receives funds in their local bank account. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees shown upfront.
Can someone send money to me in Turkey using Wise?
Yes. Anyone with a Wise account abroad can send money to your Turkish bank IBAN. The transfer arrives as Turkish lira via domestic transfer, usually within one working day. Provide your Turkish bank's 24-digit IBAN (starting with TR) to the sender.
Can I use the Wise card in Turkey?
The Wise card works in Turkey only if your account was registered outside Turkey. If your account is registered in Turkey, Wise does not issue or renew cards. Cards from outside-Turkey accounts can be used to spend and withdraw cash at Turkish ATMs and shops, subject to Wise's terms.
What exchange rate does Wise use?
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, which is the real market rate with no hidden markup. A transparent, small percentage fee is charged separately and shown before you confirm the transfer. This differs from traditional banks, which often add hidden markups to exchange rates.
Is Wise legal to use in Turkey?
Yes, Wise is legal and regulated in Turkey. It operates in compliance with the Central Bank of Turkey and UK financial authorities. However, your country of residence may have its own regulations; check with your foreign ministry and bank before using the service, particularly for large transfers.
What currencies can I hold in a Wise account from Turkey?
Turkey-registered accounts cannot create new currency balances or hold multiple currencies in the Wise app. You can only use the account to send international transfers. Outside-Turkey accounts can hold over 40 currencies; check the Wise website for the current list.
Before you decide anything
Services listed by the provider
- International money transfers to over 80 currencies
- Multi-currency account (with restrictions for Turkey-based residents)
- Wise debit card (for accounts registered outside Turkey)
- Receiving money into Turkish bank accounts
- Currency conversion at mid-market rates
- Sending money from Turkish bank accounts abroad
Languages and customer groups according to the provider
- English
- Turkish
Licence and protection (as stated by the provider)
Wise is regulated by financial authorities in the United Kingdom and Turkey. The service operates under partnerships including Birleşik Ödeme and Fibabanka in Turkey. Rules and service availability change and differ by location and account registration status; consult the official Wise website for current restrictions applicable to your situation and check with your own country's regulations before using the service.
We have not verified this. Please check the register of the competent regulator.
- This page is information. It is not financial, investment, tax or legal advice, and not a recommendation to use or buy any product, or to choose any bank, service or country.
- Fees, rates, limits and rules change often and depend on your nationality, residence and the product. Ask the provider for its current written conditions.
- Investments can lose value, and you can lose money. Past results say nothing about the future.
- Check that a provider is licensed in the official register of the BDDK, SPK, TCMB, SEDDK.
- Payment limits can affect which services work for visitors from your country. Check with your own bank before you travel or send money.
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This page was prepared with the help of AI and checked by automatic rules. It is general information only, not financial, investment, tax or legal advice and not a recommendation to use any bank, service or product. Mistakes can still happen, and fees, rules and availability change without notice. Please check important details with the provider, the competent regulator and a licensed adviser before you decide anything.
