In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Zn(C(9)H(7)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(3)]·2H(2)O, the Zn atom and the apical aqua ligand are located on a crystallographic twofold axis, with the Zn(II) ion in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry composed of five O atoms, two from the monodentate methyl-terephthalato group and three from water mol-ecules. The resulting complex and the two hydrate water mol-ecules are inter-connected by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.