Current Account Dispute in Turkey: How Can Foreign Companies Prove the Outstanding Balance? – 2026 Updated Guide

Learn how foreign companies can prove an outstanding commercial current-account balance in Turkey through statements, invoices, bank records, expert review and court proceedings.

A commercial current-account dispute in Turkey may arise when a foreign company and a Turkish customer conduct multiple transactions over time and later disagree about the outstanding balance.

This type of dispute is different from a simple bank-account issue. It concerns a commercial running account in which invoices, payments, returns, credits, services and other mutual transactions are recorded.

The foreign company must prove how the balance was calculated, which entries were accepted and why the Turkish debtor’s objection is unfounded.

This 2026 updated guide explains how foreign companies can prove an outstanding current-account balance in Turkey.

What Is a Commercial Current Account?

A commercial current account records mutual receivables and debts between two parties over a specific period. Instead of demanding payment for every transaction immediately, the parties record debit and credit entries and settle the final balance at the agreed closing date.

The entries may include invoices, deliveries, payments, returns, discounts, credit notes, commissions, interest and other agreed charges.

A commercial current account should not be confused with a bank account. It is a contractual and accounting relationship between commercial parties.

Is a Written Current-Account Agreement Necessary?

A written commercial current-account agreement is highly important and may be required for certain current-account claims. It should identify the parties, accounting period, currency, interest, closing date, payment terms and method of resolving discrepancies.

If there is no written current-account agreement, the foreign company may still have valid claims based on individual invoices, deliveries, services, loans or payments. However, it may be more difficult to claim the entire balance as a single current-account debt.

The supplier should therefore examine whether the parties’ correspondence, account statements and conduct establish an implied commercial arrangement.

What Must the Foreign Company Prove?

The foreign company should prove the underlying transactions, the entries recorded in the account, the payments received, the credits or returns granted and the final balance.

A complete account statement should show each transaction chronologically. It should be possible to match every debit entry with an invoice, delivery or service and every credit entry with a bank transfer, return or adjustment.

The final balance should also be supported by the contract, account reconciliation, payment demands and communications with the Turkish customer.

Why Is the Account Statement Important?

The account statement provides a clear calculation of the amount claimed. It should identify the opening balance, transactions during the period, payments, adjustments, interest and closing balance.

An account statement sent to the Turkish customer may have significant evidentiary value, particularly if the customer confirms it, makes a partial payment or fails to raise a specific objection within the applicable period.

However, the statement is not automatically conclusive. If the debtor disputes individual entries, the foreign company may need to prove the underlying invoices and deliveries separately.

What If the Turkish Debtor Objects to the Balance?

The debtor may dispute the entire balance or only particular entries. The objection may concern delivery, product quality, payment allocation, credit notes, interest, currency conversion or the authority of the person who approved the account.

The foreign company should request a detailed explanation identifying the disputed invoice or transaction. A general objection may not clarify the actual issue.

The supplier should respond in writing, preserve the customer’s objection and prepare a transaction-by-transaction reconciliation. Statutory notice periods may affect the evidentiary consequences of an objection or failure to object, so delay should be avoided.

How Can Invoices Support the Current-Account Claim?

Each invoice should be connected to an order, contract, delivery document, service report or customer acknowledgment.

The supplier should preserve purchase orders, signed delivery notes, transport records, customs documents, acceptance certificates, emails and business messages.

Invoices that were recorded in the customer’s accounting system, partially paid or never specifically rejected may carry greater evidentiary weight. Nevertheless, an invoice alone may not prove the entire current-account balance.

How Are Payments Allocated?

When the Turkish customer makes several payments without identifying the relevant invoice, a dispute may arise about which debt was settled.

The foreign company should maintain a consistent payment-allocation method and notify the customer in writing. The contract, customer instructions and applicable commercial rules may affect how payments are allocated.

Bank statements, payment confirmations, account reconciliations and previous allocation practices can help show how the payments should be applied.

What Evidence Can Prove the Outstanding Balance?

The strongest evidence may include the written current-account agreement, account statements, invoices, delivery records, bank statements, payment confirmations, credit notes and correspondence.

The foreign company should also preserve general ledger extracts, customer account records, electronic invoices, accounting exports and documents showing the customer’s acceptance of the balance.

In 2026 disputes, electronic records may be particularly important. Cloud accounting systems, digital invoices, email chains, online payment records and electronic document histories can help establish the chronology of the account.

Can an Accounting Expert Examine the Balance?

Yes. A court may appoint an accounting expert to examine the parties’ books, invoices, bank payments and account statements.

The expert may determine whether the entries are supported, whether payments were correctly allocated and whether the final balance is mathematically and contractually accurate.

The foreign company should prepare a clear reconciliation before litigation. Inconsistent statements or unexplained adjustments may weaken the claim and create unnecessary expert disputes.

Can the Foreign Company Start Enforcement?

If the balance is due and sufficiently documented, the foreign company may be able to initiate a monetary enforcement proceeding in Turkey.

The Turkish debtor may object to the enforcement. If an objection is filed, the enforcement process may be suspended or become contested. The foreign company may then need to challenge the objection or prove the current-account balance through a commercial lawsuit.

If the claim is based on a negotiable instrument or another special document, a different enforcement route may be available.

Can a Commercial Lawsuit Be Filed?

A commercial lawsuit may be necessary where the debtor disputes the current-account agreement, individual entries or the final balance.

The foreign company may seek payment of the principal balance, contractual interest, default interest, currency losses and damages where legally available.

For certain commercial monetary claims, pre-litigation mediation may be mandatory. The applicable jurisdiction, contract clauses and procedural requirements should be reviewed before filing.

Can Provisional Attachment Be Requested?

A foreign company may request provisional attachment if there is a due monetary claim and a risk that recovery will become difficult.

Depending on the circumstances, the request may concern the debtor’s bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, shares, inventory or receivables from third parties. The court may require security.

Provisional attachment does not finally establish the balance, but it may protect assets while enforcement or litigation continues.

What If the Debtor’s Accounting Records Differ?

Differences between the parties’ accounting records do not automatically determine who is correct. The court may examine the source documents behind each entry.

The foreign company should compare its records with invoices, delivery documents, payment confirmations and customer communications. If the debtor recorded a payment against a specific invoice or acknowledged a closing balance, that evidence may be important.

A court may also evaluate whether one party failed to keep reliable commercial records or refused to provide relevant documents.

Can a Foreign Company Act from Abroad?

A foreign company does not always need to travel to Turkey. A Turkish lawyer may act under a power of attorney issued before a Turkish consulate or a local notary.

Depending on the country where the power of attorney is issued, legalization, apostille and official translation may be required. Foreign corporate records may also need certification and translation.

Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya assists foreign companies with current-account disputes, account reconciliation, commercial enforcement, expert accounting and debt recovery in Turkey.

2026 Legal Considerations

In 2026, current-account disputes increasingly depend on digital accounting systems, electronic invoices, cloud records, online banking documents and business communications.

Foreign companies should preserve complete account histories rather than relying only on a final spreadsheet. Every entry should be supported by an original document and linked to the relevant transaction.

The applicable rules on current-account agreements, objection periods, enforcement, mediation, interest and commercial litigation should be reviewed before legal action begins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a commercial current-account dispute in Turkey?

It is a dispute about the balance resulting from multiple mutual transactions, invoices, payments, credits and adjustments between commercial parties.

2. Is a written current-account agreement necessary?

A written agreement is highly important and may be required for certain current-account claims. Without one, individual transaction claims may still be possible.

3. Is a final account statement enough to prove the balance?

It may support the claim, but disputed entries may need to be proven through invoices, deliveries, payments and other records.

4. What if the Turkish debtor disputes only some invoices?

The foreign company should prepare a detailed reconciliation and prove each disputed entry separately.

5. Can bank records prove the outstanding balance?

Bank records can prove payments and help calculate the balance, but they should be connected to invoices and account records.

6. Can an accounting expert review the current account?

Yes. An accounting expert may examine the parties’ books, source documents, payments and calculations.

7. Can the foreign company begin enforcement based on the balance?

In many cases, yes. If the debtor objects, further proceedings may be required.

8. Can the creditor request provisional attachment?

A provisional attachment may be requested if the legal requirements are met and there is a risk to collection.

9. Is mediation required before a current-account lawsuit?

It may be mandatory for certain commercial monetary claims. The specific dispute should be assessed before filing.

10. Can a foreign company pursue the balance without traveling to Turkey?

In many cases, yes. A Turkish lawyer may act under a valid power of attorney.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting a lawyer about your specific circumstances to avoid any loss of rights.

Expert Legal Support for Current-Account Disputes

A disputed commercial balance should be supported by a complete transaction history, not only a final statement or spreadsheet. Proper reconciliation and evidence preservation can significantly strengthen a foreign company’s recovery strategy.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office provides professional legal support to foreign companies in current-account disputes, invoice recovery, accounting examinations, enforcement proceedings, mediation and commercial litigation.

Call: +90 312 434 22 22
WhatsApp: +90 532 769 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
Address: Mevlana Boulevard No:221, Yildirim Tower, Balgat, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey