Turkey eSIM Ban- Essential Strategies Before You Land (2025 Guide)

If you’re a digital nomad or remote worker planning an extended stay in Turkey, you need to read this before boarding your flight.

What used to be a seamless process of activating an eSIM upon arrival is no longer guaranteed. In parallel, Turkey’s strict tax residency and foreign asset reporting rules can leave the unprepared facing serious financial and legal exposure.

This guide provides everything you need to know — from navigating the 2025 eSIM restrictions to tax liabilities you may not have anticipated.

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📌 Turkey's 2025 eSIM Ban: What Happened?

In July 2025, Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) ordered the blocking of eight global eSIM providers:

• Airalo

• Holafly

• Saily

• Nomad

• Instabridge

• Mobimatter

• Alosim

• BNESIM

These providers are now inaccessible within Türkiye, meaning you can't:

• Download new eSIMs

• Top up your data balance

• Switch providers mid-stay

However, there is no ban on eSIMs themselves. If your eSIM is installed and activated before arriving, it should continue working seamlessly.

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✅ How to Ensure Uninterrupted Internet in Turkey

1. Install & Activate Before Departure

Purchase, download, and fully activate your eSIM before setting foot in Turkey.

2. Choose Reliable, Compliant Providers

Some providers have found ways to remain functional:

• GigSky and Simbye are currently operational within Turkey

• Local mobile operators like Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom provide eSIM options, albeit with strict registration requirements.

3. Pre-Install a VPN

If you need to access blocked eSIM apps or websites, have a reliable VPN installed prior to arrival. Once in Türkiye, many VPNs may be throttled or blocked.

4. Carry a Physical SIM as a Failsafe

Physical prepaid SIM cards are widely available at airports and local carriers, offering a straightforward alternative.

5. Register Your Device’s IMEI

Foreign devices used in Turkey beyond 120 days must be registered with the BTK to prevent network blacklisting. The process requires:

• Passport details

• Proof of entry

• Payment of the registration fee

Failure to comply results in your device being blocked from Turkish networks — both physical SIM and eSIM.

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⚖️ Tax Exposure: The Unseen Risk for Digital Nomads

Connectivity issues are just the surface. Tax residency and compliance risks represent the real financial exposure for nomads in Türkiye.

🕒 183-Day Rule

Spend more than 183 days in Turkey within a 12-month period, and you may automatically become a tax resident — even if your income is earned entirely abroad.

💼 Permanent Establishment Risk

If you’re running a business remotely and interacting with Turkish clients, authorities may classify your operations as having a permanent establishment in Türkiye — triggering local corporate tax liabilities.

🗂️ Foreign Income and Asset Reporting

As a tax resident, you could be subject to:

• Worldwide income taxation

• Mandatory reporting of foreign bank accounts

• Disclosure of offshore assets and investments

Penalties for non-compliance can include:

• Back taxes with interest

• Severe fines

• Potential legal action

🔍 Double Taxation Treaties

Turkey has double taxation treaties with many countries, but without proper structuring, you risk double taxation — both in Turkey and your home country.

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🛡️ How We Can Help

At Evren Özmen CPA & Consulting, we assist global professionals in:

• Understanding Turkish tax residency implications

• Structuring income to minimize tax exposure

• Advising on business formation and remote work setups

• Guiding you through IMEI registration and telecom compliance

• Navigating double taxation agreements

We deliver strategic, bespoke advice designed to protect your income, assets, and operational flexibility while in Türkiye.

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📣 Don’t Let Regulations Derail Your Remote Work Journey

Before you land in Turkey, get ahead of these challenges. Connectivity and compliance can make or break your stay.

👉 Reach out for a personalized tax and compliance consultation.

📩 info@ozmconsultancy.com
Stay connected. Stay compliant. Work without borders.