Turkish SIM Cards in 2026: A Complete Guide to Purchase, IMEI, and the 120-Day Rule

Planning your stay in Alanya? Our guide explains how to get a Turkish SIM card, manage IMEI registration for foreign phones, and pay the 2026 fees with NTI.

New Time Investment is a real estate agency in Alanya (Antalya, Turkey). We help international buyers choose, buy and rent apartments, villas and commercial property, complete the deal, obtain a residence permit and manage property.

Foreigners purchase Turkish SIM cards using their passports at official stores of the three major providers: Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom. The account is registered directly in the user's name. If you insert a Turkish SIM card into a phone purchased abroad, it will function on the local network for 120 days from the date of your entry into the country. After that, an IMEI registration via e-Devlet is required, with a fee of 54,258 TL for 2026. Below is a guide on what to choose, where to buy, and how to avoid the most costly mistakes.

Operators: Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom

Turkey has three major mobile operators, each with its own network infrastructure. All three provide nationwide coverage, including Antalya, Alanya, and coastal resort areas, and offer both tourist packages and standard prepaid or contract plans.

Turkcell — the country’s largest operator by subscriber count. Tourist packages are available exclusively when opening a new line with a foreign passport.
Vodafone — the second largest; tourist plans must also be activated in person with a passport.
Türk Telekom — a former state-owned operator that provides both mobile service and home internet. Their official tourist portal lists "Welcome" packages for 7, 15, and 28 days.

For a resident of Alanya, the practical difference between them is minimal: all three networks perform reliably in the city center, Mahmutlar, Oba, and Kestel. If you are purchasing a property in a suburban area or the mountainous parts of the district, ask your neighbors which network offers the best reception at your specific address — this is more reliable than any coverage map.

Where to buy: Official stores over kiosks

SIM cards are sold at operator stores (at Antalya Airport AYT, Gazipaşa GZP, city centers, and shopping malls), by official dealers, and in small mobile accessory shops. Always purchase from a branded store or an authorized dealer who registers the contract using your passport in your presence. The reasons are:

The line must be registered to you. By law, the subscriber is the individual on whose document the contract is signed. Since June 25, 2026, new identity verification rules are in effect: for foreigners without a Turkish electronic ID card, verification is conducted through the Migration Management system (via a mobile app or a visit to the local Migration Management office). The operator reserves the right to restrict or terminate lines that do not pass verification.
SIM cards registered to another name are a liability. A number registered to a store clerk or an anonymous individual can be deactivated at any time, cannot be restored if lost, and all activities performed through it are legally tied to the contract holder. Such numbers are unsuitable for banking, e-Devlet, or confirming real estate transactions.
Airport prices are higher. While convenient, tourist packages in the arrival zone are often more expensive than in the city. If you need internet immediately, buy a basic package at the airport and look for a more suitable tariff in the city.

Upon purchase, verify that your name and passport number are entered correctly in the contract, save your PUK code, and confirm how long the line remains active without a top-up.

Documentation: Tourists vs. Residents with ikamet

Tourists register their line using their international passport. The passport number is entered into the contract in place of a Turkish identification number. According to reports in Turkish media regarding BTK (telecommunications regulator) decisions, one can open only one individual line per passport per operator if no Foreigner Identity Number (YKN) is provided.

Residents with a residence permit (ikamet) receive a Foreigner Identity Number starting with 99. This grants access to contract tariffs, e-Devlet, and online operator services. Per the same reports, the limit for YKN holders is three lines per operator, while it is six for Turkish citizens. For more details on obtaining a residence permit, refer to our article on residence permits in Turkey.

If you activated a line as a tourist and later received your ikamet, update your subscriber details at an operator store: bring your residence permit card so that the contract can be linked to your YKN. Restrictions have been introduced for foreigners who fail to update their registration; media reports suggest the start date for these was moved to March 5, 2027, with a final deadline of April 23, 2027. It is recommended to verify these dates with your operator.

Tourist Tariffs and eSIM

A tourist package is a prepaid line including a set amount of gigabytes, minutes, and SMS for 7–28 days. These are one-time packages: they cannot be renewed once they expire; you must then switch to a standard tariff or add credit. Prices fluctuate frequently depending on the point of sale, so check the price in-store and ask for the total cost inclusive of the SIM card.

Türk Telekom Welcome Package	Data	Minutes / SMS	Validity	Price on operator's website
Welcome 10 GB	10 GB	250 / 250	7 days	320 TL
Welcome 25 GB	25 GB	750 / 750	28 days	420 TL
Welcome 50 GB	50 GB	1500 / 1000	28 days	550 TL
Welcome 75 GB	75 GB	750 / 750	15 days	550 TL

Prices are based on the Türk Telekom tourist webpage as of October 26, 2026; the page does not list an update date, and the cost of the SIM card itself is not specified, so final prices in stores may differ. Turkcell and Vodafone release tourist offers as limited-time campaigns — you will get the current rate at the store.

eSIM. All three operators issue eSIMs, but for a foreigner without a Turkish ID, these are generally only issued in person at a store — online purchases are intended for citizens and residents. Alternatively, there are international eSIM services: these profiles work like foreign roaming. You do not receive a Turkish number, and calls to Turkish numbers or SMS from Turkish banks and government portals will not work through such profiles. This is sufficient for a holiday, but not for living in Turkey.

The 120-day rule and IMEI registration

Every phone on a Turkish network is identified by its IMEI (you can find yours by dialing *#06#). Phones officially imported and sold in Turkey are already in the "white list." Phones brought from abroad will work with a Turkish SIM card for a limited time: according to BTK rules, registration must be completed within 120 days of entering Turkey. Operators will send reminders via SMS. If the deadline passes without registration, the phone is disconnected from all Turkish networks and can no longer be registered.

A phone using your home SIM card in roaming will continue to work — the restriction applies specifically to usage on the Turkish network with a Turkish number.

Registration costs in 2026

Registration is subject to a fee: this is a state tax for the "authorization to use a phone brought by a passenger." The amount for 2026 was established by the General Communiqué on the Law on Fees No. 98 (Official Gazette No. 33124 of December 31, 2025) and has been in effect since January 1, 2026.

Indicator	Year 2026
Registration fee for one phone brought by a passenger	54,258 TL
Usage period without registration on the Turkish network	120 days from the date of entry
If the phone is used without paying the fee	the device is blocked, and the fee is collected with a 50% penalty plus interest
Registration frequency	one device every several calendar years (see below)

The amount is significant compared to the cost of many phones, so for lower-cost models, it is almost always more economical to purchase a handset in Turkey and use the imported one for only 120 days.

How to register

Log in to e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr) and check the BTK services section to see if you are eligible to register a device. According to the BTK press release, you can register one phone every two calendar years; however, 2026 publications occasionally mention a three-year term, so rely on the system's status rather than hearsay.
Pay the registration fee — this can be done at the tax office, an authorized bank, or online during the application process via banks connected to e-Devlet.
In the "IMEI Kaydet" service, enter your IMEI number (for dual-SIM phones, provide both) and the passport details you used to enter the country.
Complete the application until you receive a tracking number. Note that simply paying the fee does not constitute a completed registration.

As of July 2, 2026, registration applications must be submitted via e-Devlet; the relevant amendments to the BTK regulations were published in Resmî Gazete No. 33298. Consequently, registration is effectively impossible without an e-Devlet password. Residents receive a password upon obtaining a residence permit (ikamet izni) — the process is detailed in our article e-Devlet in Turkey. If you do not have a Foreign Identity Number (YKN), consult with your mobile operator to see if there is an alternative path before paying the fee.

Checking phone numbers and device status via e-Devlet

A resident with e-Devlet access has three useful BTK services at their disposal:

Mobil Hat Sorgulama — A list of all mobile lines registered under your ID number across all operators. Check this every few months: if you find a number you did not open, close it through the operator immediately.
IMEI Sorgulama — Verifies if a phone was imported legally and ensures it has not been reported as lost or stolen. This is mandatory before purchasing a used phone.
Device Loss/Theft Reporting — Blocks the IMEI to prevent the device from being used within Turkey.

A Turkish mobile number in your own name is essential for more than just calls: it receives verification codes from banks, e-Devlet, and government agencies. Without it, opening a Turkish bank account and confirming digital payments becomes significantly more difficult.

Common issues

Phone lost connection to the Turkish network. This almost always means the 120-day limit has expired. Check your IMEI status in e-Devlet; if the period has passed, you can no longer register this device. Your remaining options are using roaming with your home SIM or purchasing a new phone locally.
The number is registered to a real estate agent, landlord, or seller. Transfer the line to your own name at an operator's store (usually both parties with ID are required) or open a new one. During identity verification checks, such lines are the first to be suspended, and you will not be able to recover a SIM card that isn't in your name.
The line was disconnected due to lack of top-up. Prepaid lines have a lifespan without a top-up; ask about it when purchasing and top up via the operator’s app, bank, or terminal.
Purchased a used phone, but it doesn't work. It is possible the IMEI is blacklisted or the phone was imported without proper registration. Always check the IMEI via e-Devlet before paying.
Dual-SIM phone and two IMEIs. Provide both IMEI numbers for the same device: BTK rejects registrations where submitted numbers belong to different devices.

FAQ

Can I buy a Turkish SIM card at Antalya Airport?

Yes, operator kiosks operate in the AYT arrivals area. You will need your passport. Prices there are typically higher than in the city.

How long does a foreign phone work with a Turkish SIM card?

120 days from the date of entry. Within this period, the phone must be registered via e-Devlet, along with the payment of the 54,258 TL fee (as of 2026), or it will be blocked from Turkish networks.

Is a residence permit (ikamet izni) required to buy a SIM card?

No, tourists only need their passport. A residence permit provides a YKN, e-Devlet access, contract-based plans, and the right to hold multiple lines.

Can I buy a Turkish eSIM immediately?

Yes, but as a foreigner without a Turkish ID, you can usually only set this up in a store using your passport. International eSIM services provide data but do not provide a local Turkish phone number.

What should I do if the SIM card is not registered in my name?

Re-register it to your own name at an operator’s store or open a new line with your passport. Using someone else's line long-term is risky: it can be terminated at any time, and you will not be able to recover it.

Is a Turkish SIM card required to buy an apartment?

Formally, the law does not require it, but in practice, a number in your name is necessary for banking, e-Devlet access, payment confirmations, and communication with the property management company after buying real estate in Turkey.