Bank Holidays in Turkey: Planning Around Them

Living as an expat in Turkey brings excitement and practical challenges. You juggle work, residency paperwork, and everyday logistics in a country where bank holidays interrupt normal services. These interruptions affect banking, government offices, postal deliveries, and medical appointments. Planning around Turkish bank holidays saves time, reduces stress, and keeps your life running smoothly.

Understand the Turkish Holiday Calendar

Start by learning which days receive official closures. Turkey observes a mix of national and religious holidays. National holidays include New Year’s Day, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (April 23), Labour Day (May 1), Commemoration of Atatürk (November 10), Republic Day (October 29), and Victory Day (August 30). Religious holidays follow the lunar calendar and move each year. The main religious holidays are Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) and Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha).

Religious holiday lengths can vary. Expect multi-day closures that sometimes extend into weekends. Banks, municipal offices, and many shops close on official holidays, while essential services keep limited hours.

• Bank closures affect transfers and in-branch services.
• Government offices shut on official holidays and reschedule appointments.
• Postal and cargo services reduce operations and create delivery delays.
• Healthcare centers may run limited clinics or emergency services only.

Banking and Financial Planning

Plan financial moves around holidays to avoid disrupting rent, bills, and salary transfers. Banks close on official holidays and do not process interbank transfers on those days. Internet banking continues to allow scheduling, but clearing times slow during extended holiday periods.

Follow these practical steps to protect your cash flow:

• Schedule recurring payments a few business days earlier than usual.
• Initiate international transfers at least 2–3 business days before a holiday.
• Keep a small cash reserve for weekends and multi-day closures.
• Use mobile banking features to queue payments and check transaction statuses.

Example: If your rent is due on a day that falls immediately after Kurban Bayramı, set the transfer for three business days earlier. That action prevents late fees and avoids extra calls to your landlord.

Appointments, Residency, and Official Paperwork

Government offices and embassies close for national and religious holidays. That reality affects residence permit appointments, notary services, and document apostilles. Holidays can also create backlogs of paperwork once offices reopen.

Apply these practices to reduce risk:

• Book official appointments well in advance and avoid scheduling them near known holidays.
• Renew residency documents at least one month early to absorb any holiday delays.
• Confirm embassy hours before traveling for visa or consular work.
• Request digital confirmations and receipts when possible to provide proof of timely submission.

Example: An expat who plans to renew a residence permit schedules the biometric appointment three weeks earlier than the expiration date to account for a national holiday that falls in between. That buffer prevents legal complications and the stress of emergency appointments.

Travel, Deliveries, and Healthcare

Expect travel services to modify timetables during long holiday periods. Airlines often sell out around long weekends and religious festivals. Public transport may run reduced schedules on official holidays.

Delivery companies and pharmacies also adjust their operations. Cargo delays commonly spike after multi-day holidays, and pharmacies may close except for declared emergency locations.

• Book flights and ferries early if your plans overlap with major holidays.
• Order important deliveries at least one week before a long holiday.
• Refill prescriptions ahead of time and identify 24-hour pharmacies in your area.
• Keep travel insurance details accessible in case you must change plans at short notice.

Example: If you plan a return trip home during a summer holiday, reserve your ticket weeks in advance. Doing so secures better prices and avoids last-minute cancellations that strain your schedule.

Daily-Life Tips and Real-World Scenarios

Bridge daily routines with holiday realities by adopting small habits that pay off. Use digital tools, maintain a checklist, and communicate proactively with service providers and landlords.

• Set calendar reminders two weeks and two days before each holiday.
• Keep a translated list of emergency phone numbers and nearby open clinics.
• Establish backup plans for childcare, deliveries, and essential errands.
• Join local expat community groups to share real-time updates about closures and tips.

Scenario 1: Money transfer. You need to send tuition fees from a foreign account. You initiate the transfer five business days before Ramazan Bayramı. The bank completes the transaction and the school confirms receipt before the holiday. You avoid stress and maintain good relations with the school.

Scenario 2: Medical appointment. You need a specialist visit three weeks from now, but Kurban Bayramı falls in that window. You book the appointment one week earlier to ensure the doctor sees you before the holiday. You also request a digital prescription so you can collect medication on short notice.

Scenario 3: Residence renewal. Your permit expires near a national holiday. You upload documents and book your appointment early, then follow up with the immigration office. The office processes your application before the closure, so you avoid legal complications.

Bank holidays in Turkey present logistical challenges, but they also offer predictable windows to plan around. By knowing the holiday calendar, scheduling key tasks early, and keeping simple contingency plans, you protect your finances, paperwork, and daily life. These small actions save time, reduce frustration, and let you enjoy life in Turkey with a steadier routine.