What Is the Turkey IMEI Tax?
Turkey requires all mobile phones used with a Turkish SIM card to be registered in the national IMEI database. This system is managed by Turkey's telecommunications authority, the BTK (Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu), and the registration fee is collected by the GİB (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı — Revenue Administration).
The primary purpose of this system is to:
- Prevent grey-market phone imports — ensuring devices sold in Turkey pay import duties
- Combat stolen phones — blocking stolen device IMEIs from Turkish networks
- Generate tax revenue — the registration fee serves as an import-equivalent duty for foreign-purchased devices
How Much Is the IMEI Tax?
⚠️ Important: We Don't Publish Tax Amounts
The IMEI registration tax amount is set by the Turkish government and changes periodically — typically adjusted annually or semi-annually. Publishing a specific number would risk giving you outdated information.
For the current, official tax amount, check:
🔗 Visit GİB — Turkey Revenue Administration (Official)Historically, the fee has ranged from approximately 6,000–20,000 TRY, but this is subject to change. Always verify on the official source.
Who Needs to Pay the IMEI Tax?
Not everyone visiting Turkey needs to worry about IMEI registration. Here's a clear breakdown:
| Scenario | IMEI Registration Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist using international eSIM | ❌ No | Roaming bypasses IMEI requirements |
| Tourist using home SIM roaming | ❌ No | Your home carrier handles connectivity |
| Tourist with Turkish SIM (<120 days) | ⚡ Grace period | 120-day grace period before registration |
| Resident with Turkish SIM (>120 days) | ✅ Yes | Must register and pay tax |
| Phone purchased in Turkey | ❌ No (pre-registered) | Domestic sales are pre-registered |
| Expat/long-term visitor | ✅ Yes | Required if using Turkish SIM beyond grace period |
How the 120-Day Grace Period Works
When you insert a Turkish SIM card into a foreign phone, the BTK system records the IMEI and starts a 120-day countdown. Here's what happens:
- Day 0: You insert a Turkish SIM. The IMEI is logged by the network
- Days 1–119: Your phone works normally on Turkish networks. No action required
- Day 120: If unregistered, the device is flagged for blocking
- After Day 120: The phone is blocked from all Turkish mobile networks. Wi-Fi still works
💡 Key insight: The 120-day clock only starts when a Turkish SIM is inserted. Using an international eSIM does not start this countdown because roaming connections don't register the IMEI in Turkey's domestic database.
How to Register Your IMEI (If You Need To)
If you're staying long-term in Turkey and plan to use a Turkish SIM, here's the step-by-step registration process:
Step 1: Get a Turkish Tax Number
You'll need a Turkish tax identification number (Vergi Numarası). Foreign nationals can obtain one at any local tax office (Vergi Dairesi) with a valid passport. This is free and usually takes 15–30 minutes.
Step 2: Find Your IMEI Number
Dial *#06# on your phone. Your IMEI number will appear — it's 15 digits long. Write it down or take a screenshot.
Step 3: Pay the Registration Tax
Pay the IMEI registration tax through the GİB Interactive Tax Office (İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi) at ivd.gib.gov.tr. You'll need your:
- Turkish tax number
- IMEI number
- Passport information
- Payment method (Turkish bank card or EFT)
Step 4: Complete Registration
After payment, your IMEI should be automatically registered in the BTK database. In some cases, you may need to visit a Turkish carrier store (Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom) to finalize the registration. The process typically takes 24–48 hours to reflect in the system.
Step 5: Verify Registration
Confirm your registration by:
- Sending your IMEI number via SMS to 2220 from a Turkish phone line
- Checking the e-Government portal (turkiye.gov.tr)
The Easiest Way to Avoid IMEI Registration
For most travelers, the simplest solution is to use an international eSIM instead of a Turkish SIM card. This is completely legal and has several advantages:
| Comparison | Turkish SIM + IMEI Registration | International eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Hours (tax office + carrier store) | Minutes (scan QR code) |
| Cost | Tax (thousands of TRY) + SIM plan | €6.90 – €99 depending on plan |
| Required documents | Passport, tax number, bank details | None |
| Hassle level | 🔴 High — government offices, language barrier | 🟢 Low — do it from your couch |
| Best for | Residents & long-term stays (6+ months) | Tourists & short-to-mid trips |
Check our Best eSIM for Turkey comparison to find the right plan for your trip, or use the BTK Decision Tool for a personalized recommendation.
Important Notes & Disclaimers
📌 Tax amounts change: The IMEI registration tax is adjusted by the Turkish government. Always check the official GİB website for the current amount before planning.
📌 One-time fee: Once registered, the IMEI remains valid permanently. There are no recurring fees.
📌 Per-device charge: Each device with a unique IMEI must be registered separately. If you have a phone and a tablet, both need registration.
📌 No refunds: The IMEI registration tax is non-refundable, even if you leave Turkey shortly after registering.