Turkey’s Card Payments Reach 3 Trillion Lira in July 2026
The Interbank Card Center (BKM) has released the latest report on card payments in Turkey for July 2026, revealing a significant milestone as total transaction volumes neared 3 trillion TL. Throughout the month, Turkish consumers completed 2.0 billion transactions, underscoring a robust shift toward digital financial habits. With 476.2 million active cards now in circulation across the country, the data highlights that four out of every five physical store payments are completed via contactless technology. This substantial increase in volume reflects the country’s accelerating transition toward a cashless society, supported by widespread adoption of modern payment systems among retail customers.
- Total card payments in Turkey reached 3 trillion TL in July 2026.
- The number of active cards increased by 4 percent to exceed 476 million units.
- Contactless transactions accounted for 80 percent of all physical retail payments.
- E-commerce transaction volumes grew by 34 percent to reach 908.9 billion TL.
Total Active Card Count Surpasses 476 Million
The landscape of payment instruments in Turkey experienced a notable shift over the past year. While the total number of cards reached 476.2 million, representing a 4 percent growth, the distribution among card types varied significantly. Credit cards led the growth, rising 11 percent to 151.7 million units. Meanwhile, bank cards grew by 4 percent to 223.2 million, whereas prepaid cards saw a 3 percent decline, falling to 101.3 million.
Credit card expenditures remain the dominant driver of the Turkish economy’s payment ecosystem.
Credit Cards Maintain the Largest Share of Spending
Data indicates that credit cards remain the primary choice for consumers, accounting for 2.54 trillion TL of the total 2.97 trillion TL expenditure in July. Bank card usage followed with 425.8 billion TL in total spending. Although prepaid cards experienced a contraction in user volume, the overall trajectory of card-based payments shows a strong year-over-year expansion. Specifically, credit card spending rose by 38 percent, while bank card transactions saw a 39 percent increase.
E-commerce Transactions Grow by 34 Percent
Digital commerce continues to capture a larger portion of the retail market. In July 2026, the volume of transactions through e-commerce channels climbed to 908.9 billion TL, a 34 percent rise compared to the previous year. Internet-based transactions now represent 30 percent of the total card payment volume in Turkey, confirming that consumers increasingly prefer online platforms for their shopping needs.
Contactless payment technology has become the standard for modern physical retail shopping.
Contactless Payments Become the Standard for Retail
The preference for speed and hygiene has solidified the role of contactless payments in physical stores. As of July 2026, the number of contactless transactions hit 1.33 billion, with the total volume of these transactions jumping by 44 percent to 1.01 trillion TL. With 80 percent of all in-store card payments now being contactless, it is clear that this technology is no longer an alternative but the primary method for daily consumer transactions.
We are interested in hearing your perspective on the rapid shift toward digital payments in Turkey. Do you find yourself using your physical wallet less frequently due to the rise of contactless and mobile payment options? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below.
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