عاشق تركيا
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At a glance:In 2025, Türkiye stepped up support for domestically licensed card-payment infrastructure, notably TROY, the national card scheme established by the Interbank Card Center (BKM). The policy aims included retaining more financial activity within the domestic economy and reducing reliance on international networks. The specific measures and figures below describe that period.
What is TROY?
A Turkish card-payment scheme:- TROY is a payment network developed and managed in Türkiye; the individual bank or payment institution issues the card.
- It offers domestic infrastructure for:
- Shopping in stores.
- Withdrawing cash from ATMs.
- Online purchases, subject to the card and merchant supporting the transaction.
Growth in use:- BKM reported approximately 35 million TROY cards in the first half of 2024.
- The original discussion also forecast an 18–20% share by the end of 2025 without defining the measure. This is not presented as an observed outcome or a share of card numbers. Card counts and transaction-value shares must be distinguished, with the measurement date specified.
What changed in 2025?
Priority for domestic infrastructure in specified public-sector activity:- Presidential Circular 2025/1, published on 16 January 2025, gave priority to cards using Türkiye-based, licensed card-system infrastructure for public-sector payments, unless the user requested otherwise.
- It also addressed debit, prepaid and credit cards issued or renewed by state-owned banks, again subject to the customer requesting otherwise.
Does this bind every institution in the same way?- No. The public-sector circular should not be described as an identical compulsory rule for every private bank and retailer. Other institutions’ policies and card offers require their own terms and legal basis.
Promotional offers:- Depending on the issuer, merchant and campaign, TROY cardholders may find:
- Cashback.
- Additional reward points.
- Instalment offers at selected stores.
- Check validity dates, spending requirements and exclusions; these benefits are not universal features of every TROY card.
- Depending on the issuer, merchant and campaign, TROY cardholders may find:
Why promote a domestic payment scheme?
Financial and technological resilience:- Domestic infrastructure can reduce dependence on external networks and exposure to decisions taken outside Türkiye. It does not eliminate every international, operational or regulatory risk.
- Local operation gives domestic institutions a greater role in:
- Transaction fees and network arrangements.
- Interbank clearing and settlement.
- Security and privacy governance, which still depend on the actual controls and legal requirements.
Potential cost benefits:- A policy aim is to reduce fees paid to overseas networks.
- Possible benefits include:
- Lower costs for some merchants.
- More competitive card packages for customers.
- These are potential outcomes, not a promise that every TROY transaction or card is cheaper. Compare the issuer’s actual charges.
Digital payments:- Contactless, mobile and domestic QR-payment services may be available within the wider payment ecosystem.
- Availability depends on the issuer, card and supported service; a TROY logo alone does not confirm every mobile or TR QR feature.
What does it mean for residents and visitors?
If you have a local bank account:- Your bank may offer a TROY card alongside or instead of an international-scheme card, subject to its products and your eligibility.
- TROY’s official information describes acceptance across Türkiye’s ATMs and payment terminals. Whether a particular withdrawal or purchase succeeds also depends on your card, account permissions, the terminal and any charges.
- For online shopping, check whether the site and your card support the required payment, including any authentication or recurring-payment arrangement.
If you rely on a foreign-issued card:- These 2025 measures did not themselves announce a blanket prohibition on Visa or Mastercard. Continue checking merchant acceptance and your own issuer’s overseas charges.
- If you later open a local account, compare:
- The fees for the transactions you actually make.
- Any relevant TROY promotions and their conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use TROY outside Türkiye?
International use requires an appropriate partner-network logo on the card, with acceptance through that network. Ask the issuer about the card’s overseas ATM, in-store and online functionality; do not assume that a domestic-only TROY card works everywhere abroad.- Is TROY secure?
The scheme operates payment-security infrastructure and standards. Security also depends on the issuer, merchant and customer precautions; no scheme eliminates fraud. Features may include:- Contactless payments.
- Supported QR or mobile services.
- Data and transaction safeguards within the bank and BKM payment infrastructure.
- Will international card schemes disappear from Türkiye?
The cited policy promotes domestic infrastructure in specified settings. It is not an announcement banning all international cards or replacing every private-sector card contract.
Choosing a card
The 2025 policy direction sought to:- Strengthen domestic card-payment infrastructure, including TROY.
- Reduce reliance on overseas networks.
- Encourage take-up through products and promotional offers.
- Understand the functions and acceptance of the particular TROY card offered.
- Compare banks’ fees, account terms and overseas-use options.
- Use relevant shopping offers after checking their conditions.
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