Turkey

Basics

Operators

There are three network operators in Turkey:

• Turkcell
• Vodafone
• Türk Telekom (formerly called Avea)

Turkey can be a complicated country to buy a local SIM, because there are some legal restrictions in place. Turkey is not an EU country, so roaming fees from many operators can be quite high. Generally, you can buy a local SIM card by showing your passport in a store.

Registration for foreign mobile phones

All mobile devices purchased outside Turkey using a Turkish SIM card must be registered with the government after a period of grace. In 2015, this grace period was extended to 120 days.

Because of the pandemic, this period has been temporarily extended to 365 days in February 2021.

After this period, the phone will be blocked from using all Turkish SIM cards. This applies only to Turkish SIM cards, and there is no restriction on using SIM cards from outside Turkey (including those from Northern Cyprus) for roaming in Turkey.

A few days after you start using your SIM on a (new) device, you'll get a SMS in Turkish with the exact grace period. It reads like this: "<14-digit IMEI number> IMEI no'lu cihaz kayit disi listesinde oldugu icin <day month="" year=""></day> da kullanim disi birakilacaktir. Hattiniz acik kalacaktir. Bilgi icin <phone no.=""> yi arayabilisiniz</phone>". In English: "<14-digit IMEI number> will be shut off on <day month="" year="">. Your line will remain open. Information at <phone no.=""></phone></day>".

If you are staying for more than 120 days, this registration can be done at the same time as purchasing a SIM card from a network operator's store. They will register the IMEI (the unique number that identifies your device) and the SIM. You can check the IMEI of most handsets by dialing *#06#. Once listed and connected to a Turkish SIM, it won't be possible to link the same device (or IMEI) to another Turkish SIM in the future.

Tax for foreign mobile phones

Before an operator will register your phone, they require a special document from the local Tax Office. In 2023 the fee for "importing" a foreign device was raised to horrendous ₺6091.33 (Turkish Lira) tax (around €305 or US$327). So you have to go to the tax office first and pay ₺6091.33 to have your phone registered for another ₺50 later to finally use a local SIM card. More info about this procedure from this website in English. There are exceptions made for temporary residents.

Workarounds

Turkey adopts this registration system to prevent theft and fraud, though some suspect other reasons too. As the grace period has now been extended to 120 days, workarounds are now not that relevant for the one-time visitor.

• If you plan to stay longer, you can buy a cheap Turkish phone or modem. You will need to provide paperwork showing who you are, but you don't have to pay the tax for registering a new device. You can also buy a mobile WIFI or MIFI device. They are officially imported devices, so the IMEI is already registered. You will need a delivery address and credit card to buy it.
• North Cyprus (KKTC) prepaid SIMs can work in Turkey without roaming surcharges on Telsim/Vodafone network or on discounted packages with Turkcell
• You can bring more than one device (or a Dual-SIM phone) and change them every 120/365 days, adding up time to block them all.
• You can use a roaming SIM card of a foreign provider instead. Some good offers are mentioned at the end of this article like Vodafone SIM cards from some countries.
• On your next visit to Turkey, better take a different phone with you, if your Turkish SIM is still valid and 120/365 days have been elapsed.
• Technically, the vulnerability of a whitelist approach based on an IMEI is that there are mobile devices on the market on which their IMEI number can easily be altered (changed, re-flashed).
• Many WiFi access points are available all over the country and offer a valid alternative.

Prices and availability

FROM 2024: prices for tourist SIM cards have increased massively. Expect to pay at least 30 USD even without any data. Other types of cards are now only available to Turkish nationals and residents. For short stays, roaming may be a better option.

Prices for new SIM cards vary widely in Turkey. Every 3rd shop in Turkey is a mobile store now. Shop around and negotiate and you will find lots of offers for starter packs. Most will have credit or data already included and will start around ₺150. If you don't speak Turkish, you will need to add at least ₺100 to package prices mentioned below for starting up with the SIM card in downtown stores. Shop around for the best deal. At the airports this fee is quite inflated and up to 5 times higher even in branded stores. So better buy in town instead.

Expiry

For the returning visitor who registers their own handset, the expiry rules are pretty complex. Given the relatively high start-up costs, you may think of keeping your SIM. In general, your credit and line will stay active for 6 months, before a top-up of at least ₺20 is required. This can be done online or from abroad by 3rd party top-up sites (with a fee). Failure to obey the registration and top-up rules will result in your device being blocked from future use in Turkey. The easiest workaround is to bring a different phone (or IMEI) for your next visit.

Frequencies and coverage

Like in Europe, 2G GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz. Nationwide Turkcell has the best coverage, followed by Vodafone and Avea. If you stick mainly to the cities, it does not make any difference which of the three providers to choose.

4G/LTE

In 2015 the regulator auctioned off licenses on 800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz bands for 4G/LTE (Bands 3, 8, 1 and 20) . All three providers launched 4G/LTE in 2016. It has been marketed from the start as "4.5G", otherwise known as LTE+ or LTE Advanced, accelerated by carrier aggregation where available in major cities in all 81 provinces from the start. Coverage is generally quite good: Turkcell has the best, followed by Vodafone and Türk Telecom with the least.

Censorship

All Turkish providers have censored access to the internet in the past. As usual this censorship is not enforced on roaming SIM cards. Sites which are considered as offensive are simply blacked out. Their selection is somewhat erratic: e.g. one dating app is blocked, while its clone is still open to be used. The government has also blocked social media sites for days in the past like Facebook and Twitter in times of a major crisis.

These black-outs have severed in 2016/7 with the blackout of major sites like Wikipedia. They have also started to clamp down against VPN services used to bypass these blocks like the Tor network that is officially blocked since 2016. To have free access and ensure anonymity, better install a working VPN on your device, before entering the country or use a roaming SIM.

EU roaming

Be aware that Turkey is not part of the EU, nor the EEA, where from 2017 new international roaming rules are enforced. So roaming rates on most European SIM cards are not capped or regulated in Turkey and can be much higher. Better buy a local SIM in the country. But some Vodafone SIM cards from the UK and Spain work in Turkey same as roam like at home like another EU country.

Additionally, have in mind that all Turkey-issued prepaid SIM cards don't include international roaming. They only work domestic in Turkey and Northern Cyprus (KKTC - without Türk Telekom).

Turkcell

Turkcell is the biggest operator in the country with the best coverage nationwide. 2G is on 900 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz. In 2015 Turkcell’s population coverage was at 99.8% in 2G and 95% in 3G.

Turkcell launched their "4.5G" LTE in 2016 using tri-band aggregation of 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz frequency bands. 4G/LTE is free to prepaid. Turkcell is known to have the best coverage in the countryside.

Availabilty

A Turkcell prepaid SIM card costs more than ₺150 . This is added by variable amounts of call credit, SMS or data. You can check your balance by dialling *123#.

Recharges

Additional credit can be be bought from ₺20 in Turkcell stores and many other outlets. For balance check enter *123#.

Data feature packs:

Default rate outside of packages is ₺1 per 100 KB.

These data bundles in up to 4.5G are offered:

Time	Volume	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation
30 days	4 GB	₺140	€4,72/$5,15	YENI 4GB
	6 GB	₺150	€5,06/$5,52	YENI 6GB
	8 GB	₺170	€5,74/$6,25	YENI 8GB

For activation text code to 2200. You have to confirm the subscription by sending the word 'EVET'. When you want to cancel the service send an SMS to 2222 containing the word 'IPTAL YENI *GBINTERNET' where the * should be replaced by the DATA volume of the package. The message you receive later must be confirmed with the word 'EVET'. To find out how much data remains on your package, call *159#. You will get back a message showing what remains and the last date of usage.

If you need to set up a dial-up connection manually on your computer (phone as modem), dial *99**1*1# In some cases you may need to add an extra initialization key. In device manager->modem->advanced->extra initialization key, type: at+cgdcont=1,"ip","internet"

All included packs:

Plan	Data	Validity	Voice	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation (app is called Dijital Operatör)
Bolca 1200DK	250MB	28 days	1200 mins	₺130	€4,20/$4,55	SMS BOLCA 1200DK to 2200 or through app
Bolca 2GB	2GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺150	€5,06/$5,52	SMS BOLCA 2GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 4GB	4GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺170	€5,74/$6,25	SMS BOLCA 4GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 8GB	8GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺200	€6,75/$7,35	SMS BOLCA 8GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 12GB	12GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺230	€7,76/$8,46	SMS BOLCA 12GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 16GB	16GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺260	€8,78/$9,56	SMS BOLCA 16GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 20GB	20GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺290	€9,79/$10,66	SMS BOLCA 20GB to 2200 or through app
Bolca 24GB	24GB	28 days	1000 mins	₺310	€10,47/$11,40	SMS BOLCA 24GB to 2200 or through app
MUTLU MEGA 15GB	15GB	3 months	6000 mins	₺390/3 months	€13,17/$14,34	SMS MUTLU MEGA 15 GB to 2200 or through app
MUTLU MEGA 35GB	35GB	6 months	12000 mins	₺680/6 months	€22,96/$25,00	SMS MUTLU MEGA 35 GB to 2200 or through app
MUTLU MEGA 70GB	70GB	12 months	25000 mins	₺1000/12months	€33,76/$36,77	SMS MUTLU MEGA 70 GB to 2200 or through app

More info

• Tethering and VoIP are allowed

• APN (may need to be set manually): internet
• Website in Turkish: http://www.turkcell.com.tr
• English support page: http://www.turkcell.com.tr/english-support

Vodafone

Vodafone is the 2nd operator in terms of coverage. 2G on 900 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz, 4G/LTE was launched in 2016. It has a good coverage in the country, slightly worse than Turkcell, but better than Türk Telekom.

Availability

Vodafone SIM cards are available in all Vodafone stores (locator). The retail price often depends on your bargaining skills and origin and should be around ₺150 plus some allowances added. Most shops want to push you to their pricey Holiday Line (see below).

Required documents for purchase are a passport with a valid expiry date. For passports in Arabic or any non Latin letters additionally a notarized translation by a sworn translator is required.

To top-up visit the nearest Vodafone shop to buy a top-up voucher. Many of our stores have automated top-up machines make topping up your phone even faster. Call 7500 and enter 12-digit number on your top-up voucher press #, enter 5-digit number on your top-up voucher press #.

For balance check enter *123#.

Data feature packs

Vodafone has shifted its prepaid plans to all-in combo packages recently for their prepaid plans, there are only a few weekly packages left.

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation (app is called Vodafone Yanımda)
Haftalik 1GB	1GB	7 days	₺41	€1,38/$1,51	through app
Haftalik 3GB	3GB	7 days	₺56	€1,89/$2,06	through app
Haftalik 5GB	5GB	7 days	₺72	€2,43/$2,65	through app
Haftalik 10GB	10GB	7 days	₺92	€3,11/$3,38	through app

All included packs:

Plan	Data	Validity	Voice	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation (app is called Vodafone Yanımda)
Kolay Paket 5 GB	5GB	28 days	750 mins	₺137	€4,62/$5,04	through app
Kolay Paket 7 GB	7GB	28 days	750 mins	₺158	€5,33/$5,81	through app
Kolay Paket 9 GB	9GB	28 days	750 mins	₺158	€5,33/$5,81	through app
Kolay Paket 10 GB	10GB	28 days	750 mins	₺183	€6,17/$6,73	through app
Kolay Paket 12 GB	12GB	28 days	750 mins	₺183	€6,17/$6,73	through app
Kolay Paket 14 GB	14GB	28 days	750 mins	₺203	€6,85/$7,46	through app
Kolay Paket 25 GB	25GB	28 days	750 mins	₺264	€8,75/$9,70	through app
Kolay Paket 3 Ay 30 GB	30GB	3 months	5000 mins	₺345	€11,65/$12,68	through app
Kolay Paket 3 Ay 45 GB	45GB	3 months	5000 mins	₺406	€13,71/$14,93	through app
Kolay Paket 6 Ay 60 GB	45GB	6 months	10000 mins	₺599	€20,22/$22,02	through app

Vodafone Passes

Turkey is one of the few countries where Vodafone has released its passes for unlimited social media and streaming to prepaid plans:

• Social Pass for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: ₺35,6 weekly
• Video Pass for YouTube: ₺35,6 weekly
• Chat Pass for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp: ₺15,30 weekly

Tourist SIM

For visitors they have revamped their 'Vodafone Holiday line', now also called "Holiday Tariff". The packages vary from 20 to 70GB and the price isn´t put online so you have to check it in shop. It's exclusive for foreign customers (excluded Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Palestine and Israel). In maximum, 3 prepaid lines can be activated for a foreigner.

More information

• APN: internet
• Website in Turkish: http://www.vodafone.com.tr

Türk Telekom (formerly called Avea)

NEW Türk Telecom logo

In 2016 Türk Telekom rebranded its mobile network from Avea, but you see their old sign still sometimes. It's the smallest provider in Turkey in terms of coverage, but they have still good speeds in the cities and a fair coverage in the countryside.

2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz, 4G/LTE was launched in 2016. It still has the lowest coverage in the countryside, but is strong in cities.

Availability

Their official SIM cards start at ₺150 with 750 mins and 10 GB for a month. They are sold in their stores (locator). Türk Telekom is the cheapest of the three providers, especially if you bring along a local who can negotiate in English.

Data feature packs

Default data rate is: ₺0.2 for 10 kB, overuse charge: ₺0.5 per 100 KB.

For data only they offer the biggest variety of packages up to 4.5G at the lowest prices in Turkey right now:

Validity	Volume	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation to 5555
1 day	1 GB	₺20	€0,68/$0,74	GUN1
7 days	1 GB	₺80	€2,70/$2,94	HAFTA1
7 days	10 GB	₺120	€4,05/$4,41	HAFTA10GB
30 days	1 GB	₺80	€2,70/$2,94	1GB PAKET
30 days	2 GB	₺80	€2,70/$2,94	AYLIK 2GB
30 days	3 GB	₺80	€2,70/$2,94	AYLIK 3GB
180 days	50 GB	₺145	€4,89/$5,33	MOBIL 50GB

For subscription send an SMS with the keyword to 5555. You get a response from number 2438. You have to respond to that with another SMS and the word 'EVET' (for yes). If 3G with HSPA speed is not working, you need to send another SMS to number 3334 with text '3G' and reconnect to network.

Check data credit via SMS to 5555 with the word KALAN <activation code="">. To stop auto-renewal, text IPTAL <activation code=""> to 5555.</activation></activation>

All included packs:

Plan	Data	Validity	Voice	Price	In euro´s/dollars approximately	Activation (app is called Online Işlemler)
Dijital 4GB	4GB	28 days	750 mins	₺160	€5,40/$5,88	through app
Dijital 8GB	8GB	28 days	750 mins	₺185	€6,25/$6,80	through app
Dijital 12GB	12GB	28 days	750 mins	₺210	€7,09/$7,72	through app
Dijital 20GB	20GB	28 days	750 mins	₺260	€8,78/$9,56	through app
Dijital 30GB	30GB	28 days	750 mins	₺305	€10,30/$11,21	through app
Yeni süper 3 Ay 30GB	30GB	3 months	5000 mins	₺400	€13,50/$14,70	SMS YENI 3AY 30GB to 5555
Yeni süper 3 Ay 50GB	50GB	3 months	6000 mins	₺525	€17,72/$19,30	SMS YENI 3AY 50GB to 5555
Yeni süper 6 Ay 50GB	50GB	6 months	12000 mins	₺675	€22,79/$24,82	SMS YENI 6AY 50GB to 5555

More information

• APN: internet
• Website in Turkish: http://www.turktelekom.com.tr

alldaywifi

Instead of buying a SIM card you can rent a mobile Wifi router (MiFi) with a data SIM card from one of the local companies to avoid the legal hassles.

Alldaywifi rents out routers to establish a 3G/4G internet connection and connect by WiFi with up to 10 devices. You can only book online and pay by credit card. The device will be delivered within Istanbul city center in 2 hours and to other parts of Turkey within 24 hours. Delivery charge is free in Istanbul and $10 (one-way) elsewhere in Turkey. Their office is near Taksim Sq. on Istiklal Street, so you might pick it up there.

They deliver an extra battery ("power bank") in the package to extend its mobile capacity. It gives "unlimited" mobile internet in Turkey. The network is not disclosed. Alldaywifi has the right to apply an unspecified FUP to prevent "abuse" of "unlimited" data.

The rental rates depend on duration:

• 3 days: $26
• 4 days: $29
• 5 days: $32
• 6 days: $36
• 7 days: $42
• more than 7 days: $6 per day

The device seems to be insured and no deposit withheld, but their T&Cs put all responsibility to the lendor.

• Website: https://alldaywifi.com/

Foreign SIM cards and eSIM roaming in Turkey

Because of the complex and confusing start-up procedures like registration, possible taxes for your device, short validity or censorship of local SIM cards, Turkey is grey-listed in our wiki and you may think of using a foreign SIM card for roaming in Turkey instead. This is especially a good option, when you only stay for a short time, use little data, are a recurring visitor with the same device or want to keep your SIM card alive for a longer period. These are the best offers from other European countries bypassing Turkish censorship.

For holders of an eSIM-elegible device different eSIM providers like Airalo offer data plans for Turkey at quite low prices. For their current offers check our special International data on eSIM chapter and check Turkey in the mentioned aggregators for good offers.

Kyivstar and Lifecell Ukraine

Turkey is included in their roaming packages for each 100 MB at UAH 35 per day with Kyivstar and UAH 30 with Lifecell. For Lifecell other options are available too. For more info see our Ukraine chapter.

Ay Yildiz Germany

Ay Yildiz is a German-issued SIM card given out by Telefónica Germany. They offer data packages for roaming in Turkey valid for 30 days on the Türk Telekom network:

• 1 GB: €9.99
• 2 GB: €14.99
• 4 GB: €24.99

(The packages are now in promition untill 31.10.2021, you get the double of the data shown above)

This package is once-off and can be activated multiple times. Outside rate is €0.29 per MB. For more info see Ay Yildiz in our o2 Germany chapter. SIM card is available on eBay and can be registered through online ID.

m:tel Bosnia and Herzegovina

m:tel has agreement with Turkish operator Turkcell for roaming package which include 1 GB lasting for 10 days for price of 10 KM. For more info see our Bosnia and Herzegovina chapter.

Lebara Germany and Vodafone Germany

After the closure of Lifecell Lebara in Germany sells a data roaming pack on the Turkcell network with 1.5 GB for 30 days at €14.99. Vodafone in Germany sells roaming add-ons to every CallYa prepaid SIM of 500 MB for €9.99. Both SIM cards can be bought in or from Germany and registered online through WebID. For more information check our Germany chapter.

Odido Netherlands

After the change from T-Mobile to Odido the provider introduced two new subscriptions which include Turkey on roaming. The Unlimited plus and the Unlimited premium. This includes Unlimited calls and texts and 50GB in the EU + USA + Switzerland + Turkey Odido tarrifs. As Odido has roaming deals with all the operators in Turkey, you have the best coverage possible.

Vodafone UK, ESP, HU, NL

Vodafone SIM cards issued in local Vodafone networks of the UK, Spain or Hungary also give data in Turkey either for the domestic rate of the originating country of the SIM card or a heavily reduced rate on their Turkish Vodafone network in up to 4G/LTE:

• Vodafone UK included its Turkish Vodafone network to the domestic EU/EEA zone for roam like at home. However, since the May 2020, Turkey has been removed from the EU roaming list of Vodafone UK. (see here: ispreview and the new Vodafone Europe zone list: Vodafone-list only the two unlimited max subscriptions have Turkey in their free roaming zone, but this is irrelevant for short-term users: Vodafone global roaming plus destinations.)
• Vodafone España (Spain) has included its Turkish network to their EU roaming zone from 2018 giving data at domestic Spanish rates in Turkey. Spanish SIM cards must be bought and registered on location in Spain. For more info check Vodafone in the Spain chapter. The SIM card is available on eBay, but you need to register it and the seller does this through WhatsApp.
• Vodafone Magyar (Hungary) has included Turkey to their domestic EU roaming zone as well. Hungarian SIM cards need some paperwork to be activated and are only available in Hungary for registration. Check Vodafone in our Hungary chapter.
• Vodafone Nederlands (The Netherlands) has included Turkey to their domestic EU roaming zone as well. Unfortunately, it's only for subscriptions and not for prepaid users. Check Vodafone NL in our Netherlands chapter.
• A1 Serbia offers multiple data roaming options valid in Turkey (on the Vodafone network). Important is that the SIM card must be activated within Serbia to be able to roam (sellers available on ebay, be sure they send you an activated SIM). The packages are as follows:

Package	Data	Validity	Price
Mini roaming net	500 MB	3 days	599 RSD (~€5)
Roaming net 1	1 GB	7 days	799 RSD (~€7)
Roaming net 2	2 GB	10 days	1199 RSD (~€10)
Roaming net 3	3 GB	15 days	1399 RSD (~€12)
Roaming net 10	10 GB	30 days	3999 RSD (~€35)

Activate through *123# or the MY A1 app. For more information about A1 Serbia you can check the Serbia page.

• A1 North Macedonia offers multiple data roaming options valid in Turkey (on the Vodafone network). The card must be purchased in North Macedonia. Packages are valid for 30 days from activation. Activate by sending a SMS with the activation code to 140999.
  • 500 MB for 249 MKD (~€4), activation: START L
  • 2 GB for 499 MKD (~€8), activation: START XL
  • 5 GB for 999 MKD (~€16), activation: START XXL

For more information about A1 North Macedonia you can check the North Macedonia page.

Tele2 Kazakhstan

Turkey is included in the ProElder ([in Kazakh https://tele2.kz/kk/services/d/414122], [in Russian https://tele2.kz/services/d/414122]) line of roaming packages:

• 1 GB for 2490 KZT ~ €5
• 2 GB for 4290 KZT ~ €9
• 3 GB for 5890 KZT ~ €12