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If your phone suddenly displays “No Service” (Servis Yok) in Turkey, it’s rarely a technical glitchit’s the government’s IMEI registration system kicking in. For anyone staying longer than a typical holiday, this is the single biggest bureaucratic hurdle you will face. If you ignore it, your device will be blacklisted from all Turkish networks, turning your expensive smartphone into a Wi Fi-only tablet.
Most expats learn this the hard way: Everything works fine for a few months, and then silence. The standard rule grants you a 120-day grace period. However, since January 1, 2024, eligible foreign residents can extend this period via the e Devlet portal in 30-day increments, up to a total of 180 days. If you plan to stay long-term, you have two choices: pay the registration fee or buy a local device.
The 2026 Price Shock: What You Need to Know
The most common pitfalls are simple: entering the wrong IMEI, using the wrong passport, or paying the fee but failing to complete the registration. But the biggest shock is the price tag.
- The Fee has Skyrocketed: The IMEI registration fee is pegged to the revaluation rate and adjusts annually. To give you an idea of the inflation: It was 20,000 TL in July 2023. It jumped to 45,614 TL for 2025. As of January 1, 2026, the fee is set to rise to approximately 57,241 TL.
- One Device Rule: You can only register one phone per passport every three years. The device is then locked to your specific Turkish ID numberyou cannot sell it to someone else to use with their SIM card.
Practitioner’s Tip: With the fee approaching 60,000 TL (approx. $1,600+ USD), registering an older phone often makes no financial sense. Before you pay, check the local prices. You might find it cheaper to buy a brand-new device locally. Read our guide on iPhone 16 prices in Turkey to see if buying local is the smarter play.
Method 1: The “Old School” Way (In-Person)
This method is best if you don’t have online banking access or if technical glitches block you on the government portal. Note: You no longer pay at specific banks; you typically pay at the tax office.
The Process:
- Gather Documents: Your passport (original + copy) and your entry stamp. If you have a residence permit (Ikamet), bring that too.
- Pay the Tax: Go to a Vergi Dairesi (Tax Office). You can try PTT, but tax offices are more reliable for this specific payment. Explicitly state you are paying the “IMEI Kayıt Ücreti” (IMEI Registration Fee). Keep the receipt.
- Visit Your Carrier: Take the receipt, your passport, and your phone to a Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom shop. They will complete the registration on their system. Be aware they may charge a service fee for this.
Street Smart Tip: Before you leave your house, dial #06# on your phone and screenshot the IMEI number. The clerk will need this immediately. Scrambling to find it while a queue forms behind you is a rookie mistake.
If you are just visiting and need connectivity without this hassle, check our guide on Vodafone Turkey Prepaid & Roaming options.
Method 2: The Digital Way (e Devlet)
This is the preferred method for residents. It’s faster, cheaper (no shop fees), and you can do it from your couch.
Prerequisites:
- Foreigner ID Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası) starting with 99.
- e Devlet Password: You can get this from any PTT branch for a nominal fee (approx. 10-20 TL).
Step-by-Step:
Log in to turkiye.gov.tr. Search for “Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu” (BTK) and select “IMEI Kaydet” (Register IMEI).
Enter your IMEI (found via #06#). If your phone has dual SIMs (e. g., physical SIM + eSIM), you must register both IMEI numbers now. There is no extra cost for the second slot, but if you forget it, that slot will be blocked later.
- Kişisel Bilgiler (Personal Info): Select your application type (own device).
- Cihaz Bilgileri (Device Info): Enter the IMEI(s).
- Passport Details: Enter your passport number and entry date. This must match police records exactly.
Once you fill in the details, the system will prompt you to pay. You can usually pay directly via credit card on the platform or via the Interactive Tax Office (IVD).
Critical Warnings (Don’t Get Blocked)
The block applies to any device using a Turkish SIM card that hasn’t been registered within the 120-day (or extended 180-day) window. If you miss the window, your phone will stop connecting to the network.
The “Dual SIM” Loophole: Many expats use a dual SIM phone to stretch their time. The 120-day clock usually ticks per IMEI slot. You can use your physical SIM slot for 120 days, and when it gets blocked, switch your SIM card to the eSIM slot (or second physical slot) for another 120 days. This gives you roughly 8 months of usage before you are forced to register or leave the country.
If you are settling in and dealing with more paperwork, make sure your address is registered correctly to receive official notifications. Check our guide on the Turkish Address Format to avoid delivery failures.
Finally, for those looking to stay long-term and fund this expensive life, our guide on Finding a Job in Turkey covers the current market landscape for foreigners.
