Few things surprise newcomers to Türkiye more than discovering that a perfectly working phone bought abroad can be cut off from Turkish mobile networks after a few months. The reason is the national IMEI registration system run by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), which tracks every handset's unique identifying number.
How long a foreign phone works
A device brought in from abroad can be used on Turkish networks, whether roaming or with a local SIM, for 120 days without registration. After that, unregistered phones are blocked from calls, texts and mobile data, although Wi-Fi, apps and the camera still work. Visitors on short trips are therefore usually unaffected, while people moving to Türkiye need to decide early whether to register their phone or buy one locally.
The registration fee is set annually. Türkiye Today reported that the charge for 2026 is 54,258 lira, up 18.95% from 45,614 lira in 2025, after a presidential decision trimmed the increase that would otherwise have applied. Some guides still quote a higher figure of 57,241 lira, which was the amount before that reduction, so it is worth confirming the current fee before paying.
The registration process
Guides from Turkish universities and expat resources describe broadly similar steps:
First, find the phone's IMEI number by dialing *#06#. Next, pay the fee, either at a tax office (vergi dairesi), through a bank or online, quoting the IMEI number, and keep the receipt.
Then complete the registration itself. This can be done online through the e-Devlet portal's "IMEI Kaydet" service, which requires an e-Devlet login, or by taking your receipt, passport and phone to a Turkcell, Türk Telekom or Vodafone store. Sabancı University's guidance states that a residence permit card is needed for registration, and the Turkey Travel Planner guide also lists a passport with a legible Turkish entry stamp.
According to Turkey Travel Planner, one phone can be registered every three years under this route. You can check whether a device is registered by calling the BTK's 120 line or by using the e-Devlet service that lists registered devices.
Is it worth it?
Given the size of the fee, many residents conclude that buying a phone in Türkiye, which is registered at the point of sale, is cheaper than registering an expensive imported model. Rules and amounts change, so always check the BTK and e-Devlet pages before you pay.
Sources
- Türkiye sets 2026 IMEI registration fee for phones brought from abroad
- Registering mobile phones in Turkey
- Mobile Phone (Device) / IMEI Registration
Photo: Arne Müseler / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
