Need a loan for a new workbench, a vehicle or pre-season stock? Loans offered to tradespeople and artisans through Halkbank are far cheaper than market rates because the state (the Treasury) covers part of the interest.
This article explains who can benefit, how large the discount is and how to apply, step by step.
How big is the interest discount?
The discount is applied to the loan rate the bank charges on the day. The rates set for 2025–2027 are:
- Tradespeople and artisans in general: the Treasury covers 50% of the interest.
- 100% discount (interest-free): specific groups such as traditional and cultural crafts listed in the decree, eligible holders of a mastership certificate and young entrepreneurs under 35.
- 60% discount: projects supported by partner institutions under a protocol.
How much can you borrow?
The upper limits were raised in July 2026:
- Working capital loan: up to TRY 1,500,000, maximum 48-month term
- Investment loan: up to TRY 3,500,000 (up to 72 months for buying business premises, 60 months for commercial vehicles and machinery/equipment)
These are maximum amounts. How much you are granted depends on your cooperative’s and the bank’s assessment of your business, income and payment history. The discounted loan can be used at most 3 times during the period.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your registrations. You need to be registered in the tradesperson and artisan registry and with your professional chamber, and have a tax registration. Make sure your chamber registration certificate is up to date.
- Check your tax and social security debt. Look up your tax and Bağ-Kur debt status on e-Devlet. Since August 2026, new rules apply to tradespeople with debt (see below).
- Visit the Tradesmen and Artisans Credit and Guarantee Cooperative in your district. Most of these loans are granted with the cooperative’s guarantee. You will be asked to become a member and pay a membership share.
- Prepare your documents. ID, tax certificate, chamber registration certificate and documents showing your income are usually requested. Get the current full list from your cooperative.
- Be clear about the purpose. Working capital, premises, vehicle or machinery? Investment loans may require an invoice or pro forma.
- Wait for the cooperative and Halkbank assessment. Once approved, you sign an undertaking and the loan is disbursed by Halkbank.
- Use the loan for its purpose and pay on time. If the loan is found to have been used for something other than its stated purpose, the interest discount may be clawed back.
If you have tax or social security debt
Under the regulation that took effect on 27 August 2026, applicants must now provide an up-to-date document showing they have no overdue tax or social security debt, or that their debt has been restructured. For tradespeople with debt, options were introduced such as allocating part of the loan (up to 25%, maximum TRY 300,000 per year) to paying off the debt; in these cases lower discount rates may apply.
If you have debt, explain your situation to your cooperative before applying and work out together which option suits you.
✅ Do it today
- I checked that my chamber registration and tax certificate are up to date
- I checked my tax and Bağ-Kur debt on e-Devlet
- I found the address and phone number of my district’s credit guarantee cooperative
- I wrote down what I need the loan for and how much
- I worked out how much I can repay each month
See our Supports page for other grants and support programmes.
Sources: Anadolu Agency — Interest-discounted loan support for tradespeople from Halkbank · Upper limits raised for tradesperson loans (July 2026) · Decision No. 11648 (August 2026) · Halkbank — Loans for tradespeople and artisans
This article is for general information only; ask your cooperative and Halkbank branch for exact conditions. Last updated: October 2026