PayPal is not active in Turkey and Stripe does not accept Turkish accounts. It is possible to get past these barriers with a foreign phone number. BuyUKeSIM offers a solution by providing a real UK +44 carrier number.
The situation for PayPal in Turkey
PayPal has been closed in Turkey since 2016. Turkish citizens cannot open a personal or business account. Verification can be done with a combination of a UK address and a UK phone number; however, always check PayPal's current terms of use.
How does a UK number help?
- Phone verification - PayPal asks for an SMS code during sign-up and on suspicious logins.
- 2FA - two factor authentication with a UK number.
- Account recovery - the password reset SMS.
- Stripe verification - phone verification when applying to Stripe for a UK business.
Extra notes for Stripe
Stripe requires a genuine UK business address and a payout account. A UK number only solves the phone verification step. A complete solution needs a UK company registration (Companies House) and a payment account such as Wise.
Details: Stripe/PayPal/Wise merchant verification.
Wise (TransferWise)
Wise is accessible from Turkey to a certain extent, but with a UK number you get the advantage of a Turkish plus English interface, wider currency support and a UK IBAN. Wise guide.
Which finance apps work from Turkey with a UK number?
| Service | Access with a UK number |
|---|---|
| PayPal | Verification possible; a UK address is needed for full access |
| Stripe | Phone verification ✓ - a UK company is needed for full activation |
| Wise | SMS verification ✓ |
| Binance | SMS verification ✓ - regional account without KYC is limited |
| Coinbase | Phone verification ✓ |
Step by step
- Buy a UK eSIM.
- Install it on your phone with the QR.
- In the target app (PayPal/Stripe/Wise), open a new account or add the UK number to your existing account.
- Enter the UK number as your phone (+44 code).
- Enter the SMS code you receive.
Legal notice
Every service has its own terms of use. A UK number is a technology; the use you are responsible for must always comply with the rules of the platform in question. Tax obligations in Turkey apply to Turkish citizens.
