Dollar and Euro Prices in Turkey; Currency Market Report for July 18, 2026

Latest Currency Rate Status in Turkey's Free Market

In morning trading on Saturday, July 18, 2026, the Turkish Lira's exchange rate against major global currencies saw minor fluctuations. According to reports published by local sources, including Bursa TV, the price of one US Dollar in the free market reached approximately 47.19 Lira [1][2]. Meanwhile, the Euro, the common European currency, is trading around 54.02 Lira, crossing previous thresholds [3].

Relative stability at these price levels reflects the market's reaction to recent monetary policies and macroeconomic data. The British Pound was also priced at approximately 63.12 Lira on this day, indicating continuous pressure on Turkey's national currency in international markets [1].

Central Bank Monetary Policies and Interest Rates

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) has followed a strict contractionary approach in recent months. According to the latest data, the bank interest rate has been stabilized at 37% [5]. Central Bank officials have stated that these high rates will be maintained until a sustainable downward trend in inflation is observed [4].

Fatih Karahan, the Governor of the Central Bank, emphasized in recent speeches that the main priority is to curb inflationary expectations and strengthen the Lira's value by controlling domestic demand. Analysts believe the Central Bank will not change interest rates until its next meeting in late July to assess the delayed effects of previous policies [6].

Inflation and the 2026 Economic Outlook

The annual inflation rate in Turkey reached approximately 32.6% in May 2026, according to the latest official statistics [5]. Although this figure has decreased compared to previous years, it remains above the government's medium-term targets. Rising energy costs and fluctuations in food prices are cited as the main factors for the persistence of inflation this summer [6].

Investors and citizens in cities like Bursa are closely following currency market developments, as changes in the Dollar rate directly impact the price of imported goods and living costs [1]. Economic forecasts suggest that if current policies continue, there is a possibility of a gradual decrease in inflation in the second half of 2026, although geopolitical risks remain a decisive variable [4].