Phones brought into Turkey from abroad must be registered under the owner's name and GSM number within 120 days of entry, or the device cannot be registered until the owner leaves and re-enters the country. Registration can be done once every three calendar years through the E-Devlet platform or a Subscriber Registration Center using the phone's IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it); the 2025 fee is 45,614 TL. Once three years have passed since registration, the phone can be used on any Turkish GSM network without restriction.
In Turkey, the registration of phones imported from foreign countries is subject to specific regulations and requirements. This guide walks you through the legal procedure, the 120-day deadline and the registration fee that applies in 2026, so that you can keep using your device without interruption.
2026 update: the IMEI registration fee for phones brought from abroad is 54,258 TL for 2026. It rose from 45,614 TL in 2025 after the annual revaluation. The fee is set each year by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and is paid once per device.
When you bring a phone from abroad into Turkey, you have a maximum of 120 days (known as the “foreign phone registration period”) from your entry date to register it under your name and GSM number. If the deadline passes, the device can no longer be registered on that entry; you would need to leave and re-enter the country before a new registration is possible. Unregistered phones are blocked from Turkish networks after the period ends.
A person may register one phone brought from abroad once every three calendar years. The three-year period is counted from the start of the year following the registration. For example, if you registered a phone on 15 February 2023, you become eligible to register another one on 1 January 2026. This rule prevents abuse of the registration process.
Once the three-year period has elapsed from the date of registration, phones imported from foreign countries can be used with any GSM network within Turkey without any restrictions. This flexibility is granted to individuals to accommodate their needs and preferences regarding phone usage.
All phone registration procedures can be completed through the E-Government (e-Devlet) platform under “BTK IMEI Kayıt İşlemleri”. Authorized Subscriber Registration Centers can also assist you in person. To identify your phone's IMEI number, dial *#06# from your device. This unique identifier is essential during the registration process, and the fee payment is matched to this IMEI number.
If you plan to register a phone you brought from abroad, or to buy a second-hand imported phone that has been registered in Turkey, make sure the following conditions are met.
Required documents and information include:
1. A passport that has not been used for a phone registration within the past three calendar years, and proof of entry into Turkey within the registration period.
2. Your Turkish Republic Identity Number or Foreign ID Number (T.C. Kimlik Numarası / Yabancı Kimlik Numarası).
3. Payment of the foreign phone registration fee, which amounts to 54,258 TL for 2026 (commonly referred to as the passport phone fee). It can be paid through the E-Government platform or the Revenue Administration's online payment system.
4. Your phone number, which should be registered in the name of the passport holder.
Because the fee is now higher than the price of many mid-range devices, it is worth comparing it with the cost of buying a phone in Turkey before you travel. Phones that stay in the country for less than 120 days do not need to be registered at all.
By following these procedures and complying with legal requirements, you can ensure that your imported phone is registered and ready for use within Turkey. If you are bringing other belongings across the border too, our guides on importing a car into Turkey and the rules for bringing gold and precious metals into Türkiye cover related customs procedures. Those registering digital assets rather than devices may also find our overview of registering a .org domain in Türkiye useful.
At Bayraktar Attorneys, we specialize in providing expert legal guidance to individuals and businesses navigating complex legal matters in Turkey. If you have any questions, require legal assistance, or seek further information about phone registration or any other legal concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you in ensuring compliance with Turkish laws and regulations.
By the way, what's your understanding of phone testimony as a foreigner in Turkey?
