PayPal in Turkey
BannedIs PayPal Available in Turkey?
No. PayPal does not operate in Turkey.
How to Get PayPal in Turkey with a US LLC. PayPal was banned in Turkey in 2016. The ban remains in effect with no resolution in sight. A US LLC is the only path to PayPal Business for Turkish entrepreneurs.
Does PayPal work in Turkey?
No. PayPal does not operate in Turkey. PayPal has been banned in Turkey since June 2016 after PayPal refused to comply with Turkish banking regulations requiring a local license. The only way for Turkish entrepreneurs to get a PayPal Business account is to form a US LLC ($399 one-time) and open a US bank account.
Is PayPal Available in Turkey?
No. PayPal ceased operations in Turkey in June 2016 after the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) revoked its license. The BDDK required PayPal to obtain a Turkish payment institution license, and PayPal chose to exit the market rather than comply.
The ban has been in effect for over 10 years with no indication of resolution. Turkish citizens cannot create PayPal accounts, send money, receive payments, or use PayPal as a merchant with Turkish credentials.
Combined with Stripe's absence from Turkey, this leaves Turkish entrepreneurs with very limited options for international payment processing. A US LLC resolves both restrictions simultaneously.
Last verified: 2026-03-31
Step-by-Step Guide
How to Get PayPal Business from Turkey
Form a US LLC to open a PayPal Business account. This also gives you Stripe access, since Stripe is also unavailable in Turkey.
Form a US LLC from Turkey
Form a Wyoming or Delaware LLC through StartGlobal. The process is 100% remote, and how long it takes depends on the state. You do not need a US visa or SSN.
Learn moreOpen a US business bank account
Apply online with a provider that accepts residents of your country. Depending on where you live, that can be Mercury, Wise, Bluevine or Lili. Our free bank account checker shows which ones serve your country. No US visit required. Approval is at the provider’s discretion and timing varies.
Learn moreOpen a PayPal Business account
Sign up for PayPal Business using your LLC details, including its name, US registered agent address, and US bank account. Verification takes 2-5 business days.
Start sending and receiving payments
Send invoices, receive international payments, and integrate with e-commerce platforms. Transfer to Turkey via Wise for competitive TRY rates.
Requirements
What Turkish Founders Need for PayPal
Valid Passport
Your Turkey passport for identity verification during LLC formation and bank account setup.
US LLC
A registered US LLC in any state. Wyoming is recommended for international founders due to low fees and light annual compliance.
US Business Bank Account
A US bank account connected to your LLC. Providers decide by where you live, so check which ones serve your country before you apply.
Turkish Kimlik or Passport
Your Turkish kimlik (ID card) or passport for identity verification during PayPal onboarding.
Comparison
PayPal Alternatives in Turkey vs. US LLC
Papara
Turkish digital wallet. TRY-only, domestic focus, no international merchant capabilities, not accepted by international clients or platforms.
Payoneer
Available in Turkey for receiving international payments. Higher fees, no buyer/seller protection, limited e-commerce integration. Does not replicate PayPal's marketplace ecosystem.
Wise
Available for international transfers but not a payment processor. Cannot accept credit cards, no invoicing for clients, no e-commerce checkout integration.
US LLC + PayPal
A US LLC with PayPal Business gives you full capabilities: send and receive globally, buyer/seller protection, PayPal Checkout, invoicing, and marketplace integration. The same LLC also gives you Stripe access, solving all payment platform restrictions at once.
Common Concerns
Questions Turkish founders ask about PayPal
Why is PayPal banned in Turkey?
Turkey's BDDK (Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency) required PayPal to obtain a local payment institution license in 2016. PayPal chose to exit the market rather than comply. The ban has been in effect since June 2016.
Is it legal for Turkish citizens to own a US LLC?
Yes. US LLCs are open to non-citizens and non-residents from Turkey. You do not need a US visa, Green Card, or Social Security Number. This is a standard business structure used by international entrepreneurs.
What is the total cost?
StartGlobal forms your LLC for a one-time $399 (all state and government fees included), which covers your registered agent for the first year and bank account setup assistance. There are no hidden fees. Ongoing compliance, including the state annual report and registered agent renewal, is a la carte from $99/year, or you can have it all handled for you with Managed LLC ($149/month).
How long does the entire process take?
From Turkey, LLC formation time depends on the state. Bank account approval is handled by the provider, so we do not quote a timeline for that step or for the process overall.
Simple pricing
Form your US LLC for one flat fee.
Everything to form your company, with all state and government fees included.
What's included
- Business name check
- State filing, all fees included
- Registered agent, first year
- Included add-ons
- US business bank account help
- Compliance calendar and reminders
One payment. All state and government fees included, no surprises at checkout.
Then stay compliant your way: from $99/year a la carte, or $149/month fully managed. Cancel anytime.
FAQ
PayPal in Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
Everything Turkish founders need to know about accessing PayPal
No. PayPal does not operate in Turkey. PayPal has been banned in Turkey since June 2016 after PayPal refused to comply with Turkish banking regulations requiring a local license. The only way for Turkish entrepreneurs to get a PayPal Business account is to form a US LLC ($399 one-time) and open a US bank account.
PayPal ceased operations in Turkey in June 2016 after the BDDK revoked its operating license. The ban has been in effect for over 10 years.
Yes. Stripe is also unavailable in Turkey. A single US LLC gives you full access to both PayPal Business and Stripe. This is the standard solution for Turkish entrepreneurs who need international payment processing.
Yes. With a US LLC and PayPal Business account, you can receive payments from international clients on any platform that supports PayPal. This is widely used by Turkish freelancers on Upwork, Fiverr, and similar platforms.
PayPal deposits to your US bank account. Transfer to Turkey using Wise (competitive TRY rates), wire transfer, or other services. Many Turkish founders time their transfers to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.
PayPal suspended services in Turkey due to regulatory restrictions. The ban affects direct signups with Turkey addresses and bank accounts. However, Turkish entrepreneurs can access PayPal through a US LLC, which provides a legitimate US business entity.
There have been multiple announcements about restoring PayPal access in Turkey, but none have materialized. Rather than waiting, many Turkish founders form US LLCs to get immediate access to PayPal and other global payment platforms.
Not directly. PayPal does not support Turkey as a business country. However, Turkish founders can access PayPal by forming a US LLC, which gives them a legitimate US business entity to open an account with.
Yes. Forming a US LLC is a legitimate business practice used by international entrepreneurs worldwide. Your US LLC is a real US business entity, and PayPal accounts opened with valid US LLC credentials are fully compliant with their terms of service.
LLC formation time depends on the state. After that you open a business bank account and sign up for PayPal directly. Approval timing for the bank account and for PayPal is set by those providers, so we do not quote a duration for either. StartGlobal handles the formation step.
PayPal asks for details from your US LLC, including its Articles of Organization, operating agreement, and a US bank account. All of these are included in the StartGlobal formation package.
Form Your US LLC from Turkey
Get access to PayPal, US banking, and global payment processing. Join thousands of Turkish entrepreneurs who trust StartGlobal.
Start Your US LLC