How do I request an account maintenance fee refund from my bank?
How to reclaim an account maintenance fee: ask the bank in writing first, then escalate to the arbitration boards if it says no.
Short answer
Pull your account history and list every deduction date and description, then open a written refund request at the branch or call centre and get a reference number. If the bank refuses or misses its reply window, apply to the Banks Association of Turkey Individual Customer Arbitration Board, then to the Consumer Arbitration Board via e-Devlet. Keep every piece of correspondence.
What you need
Step by step
Find the deduction on your statement
Open your account in the mobile app and go to "Account Activity" or "Account Statement", then widen the date range to cover earlier periods. Look for lines described as "Account Maintenance Fee", "Maintenance Fee" or "Account Servicing Fee". Download that statement as a PDF, since it is the evidence your whole request rests on.
Check the agreement and disclosure form
In online banking, open "My Applications" or "My Documents / Agreements" and pull up the account opening framework agreement and the product disclosure form. Check whether this fee is named explicitly and whether there is any record of you consenting to it. A fee charged without consent or disclosure makes your refund case considerably stronger.
File a written refund request with the bank
In the app or online banking, use "Support", "Contact Us" or "My Requests and Complaints" to open a new record, and pick "Fee Objection" or "Fee Refund" as the subject. State your account number, the deduction descriptions and that you are asking for a refund. If you go to the branch instead, have a copy of your petition stamped and signed, and keep it.
Get the reference number and track it
Note the request or tracking number the system issues. If you opened the case by phone, ask the agent to read the number out to you. Follow the status under "My Requests" and wait for the bank's written reply, then save the screenshot or email, because you will attach it to your file at the next stage.
Escalate to the Banks Association board
Fill in the application form for the Banks Association of Turkey Individual Customer Arbitration Board and attach your statement plus the bank's reply. Applying to the bank first is a precondition at this stage, which is exactly why the paper trail matters. Your file is forwarded to the bank and the board's decision is sent to you.
Apply to the Consumer Arbitration Board
If the answer is still no, open the "Consumer Complaint Application (TÜBİS)" service on e-Devlet; the district or provincial board is assigned automatically based on where you live. Enter the refund of the bank fee as the subject and upload the statement, your petition and the bank's reply. Amounts above the monetary threshold are routed to the Consumer Court instead.
Get the decision enforced
If the board rules in your favour, send the decision to your branch or customer contact channel and ask for the refund to be credited to your account. If the bank ignores the ruling, enforcement proceedings are available. Also ask the branch to confirm your account's fee status in writing so the charge does not come back.
Tips
Watch out
Whether a fee can be reclaimed, and how long you have to apply, depends on the account type, your agreement and the rules in force. Do not decide questions like time limits or monetary thresholds on your own; confirm the current conditions with the bank and the relevant arbitration board before filing. Verbal requests with no paper trail usually leave no record and will not help you later.
Frequently asked questions
+Can I ask for a refund without closing the account?
Yes. You can open a refund request for past deductions while the account stays open, and closing it does not cancel a claim for earlier periods.
+What are my options if the bank refuses?
You can go to the Banks Association of Turkey Individual Customer Arbitration Board, then to the Consumer Arbitration Board through e-Devlet. Above the monetary threshold, the route is the Consumer Court.
+Do I need a lawyer to apply?
No. Arbitration board applications are designed to be filed by yourself through e-Devlet, and having your documents in order is usually enough.
+What if I cannot access my statement?
Ask the branch or call centre for a statement covering past periods. File the request in writing and specify exactly which date range it should cover.
+Could the same fee be charged again later?
Yes, if your account type is subject to the fee the charge can repeat. Ask the branch about fee-free account options, or close unused accounts with a written request.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 13 Eylül 2026. tell us. Procedure and institution names reflect the Turkish banking system: the Banks Association of Turkey Individual Customer Arbitration Board, Consumer Arbitration Boards and the e-Devlet TÜBİS service.
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.