QNB Syria
The Syrian subsidiary of QNB Group, the first bank to enable international card acceptance in Syria and to issue a locally issued Mastercard enabled for international use.
About QNB Syria
QNB Syria (QNB Syria, listed on the Damascus Securities Exchange) is the Damascus-based subsidiary of Qatar National Bank Group, founded in 2009. After the Central Bank of Syria allowed local banks to work with Visa and Mastercard on 4 May 2026, QNB Group announced on 5 May that it was the first bank in the world to enable international card and digital payment acceptance in Syria. In September 2026 QNB Syria and Mastercard announced a locally issued Mastercard for eligible customers, enabled for international use.
Key Features
- International Card Acceptance: Eligible merchants, including hotels, restaurants and government entities, can accept international cards through QNB terminals.
- Locally Issued Mastercard: Eligible QNB Syria customers can get a card enabled for use abroad.
- Retail and Corporate Banking: Accounts, loans and payment services for individuals and businesses.
- Digital Payments: Digital payment acceptance for merchants, rolled out in phases.
How to Get Started
- Visit a QNB Syria branch with your identity documents, or check the bank's official website.
- Ask which accounts and cards you are eligible for.
- Open an account and apply for a card if you qualify.
- As a visitor, look for the QNB acceptance sign at hotels and shops that take international cards.
Card acceptance is being introduced step by step and by eligible merchants only, so your card may not work everywhere, and cash is still needed. Eligibility and the conditions for opening an account are set by the bank. Syria is still working through limits on cross-border banking, so check the current rules before relying on foreign cards for important payments.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does QNB Syria work with a foreign bank card in Syria? Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is QNB Syria available in English? Not officially — the interface is mainly in the local language.
Do I need a local phone number to use QNB Syria? No, an international phone number generally works for QNB Syria.
Do I need local ID or residency for QNB Syria? Yes, QNB Syria requires local ID or residency status.