Turkish government forecasts one TROY card for every bank customer by end of 2025

Türkiye’s government body, responsible for economic policy management, the Economic Coordination Committee (EKK), has issued a roadmap for expediting the transition to the national payment system TROY (Türkiye’s Payment Method).

According to unveiled details, the roadmap projects that every bank customer will have one TROY card by the end of the year, according to recently disclosed details.

Following the latest meeting in Konya on Friday, the EKK issued a statement emphasizing steps to promote the use of TROY and shared its roadmap with committee members.

According to business-focused CNBC-e, the EKK’s roadmap set the primary goal for this year as “ensuring every card user has a TROY card,” aiming to keep resources within the national economy and minimize economic risks.

Efforts will focus on ensuring that every consumer wishing to obtain a TROY debit or credit card can access it without exception. Banks will enhance their application infrastructure across all sales channels by distinguishing TROY debit and credit cards.

Key insights from the TROY roadmap

• Enhanced benefits for cardholders: To encourage usage, benefits like points and installment options will be offered, as seen with Turkish Airlines. Institutions operating in Türkiye are required to include TROY as a payment option under Central Bank regulations. Existing incentive programs with banks will also be enhanced, and efforts to ensure adaptation across institutions will be closely monitored.

• Increased usage in e-commerce: With the recent surge in user numbers and transaction volume garnering attention on international platforms, TROY’s usage in e-commerce and digital platforms will be expanded. The national card will be prioritized for prepayments, social aid disbursements, scholarships, student loans, and support payments for farmers, tradespeople, and similar professional groups.
• Adoption in public transportation: In the coming period, TROY cards will be usable for all modes of public transportation, including subways, ferries and buses across Türkiye.

Developed by the Interbank Card Center (BKM), TROY was introduced in 2017 as the country’s national card payment system. Currently, it boasts 31 members, including 26 banks and five electronic money institutions, representing 100% of Türkiye’s card payment market.

TROY is compatible with all POS devices, ATMs and e-commerce platforms in the country.