Foreigners can get connected to internet and GSM in Turkey by getting simcard and using Turkish mobile phone operators. Below, we give general information of GSM operators in Turkey, required documents and approximate fees as of December 2022.
1. Mobile Phone Operators in Turkey
Turkcell: Turkcell is a converged telecommunication and technology services provider, founded and headquartered in Turkey. It serves its customers with voice, data, TV and value-added consumer and enterprise services on mobile and fixed networks. Mobile communication in Turkey began when Turkcell commenced operations in February 1994. Turkcell has a strong network and coverage in all cities in Turkey.
Vodafone Turkey: A part of the Vodafone Group, which operates as one of the world’s foremost mobile communication companies in terms of its revenues, Vodafone Turkey is Turkey’s second largest mobile communication company. As of 30 June 2016, Vodafone Turkey had 22.4 million subscribers. Offering mobile voice, fixed voice, mobile Internet, ADSL and fiber services to individuals and enterprises in line with its vision of leading Turkey’s Digital Transformation, Vodafone Turkey operates with more than 3,300 employees, over 1,200 retail stores, and a family of 43,000 stakeholders.
Turk Telekom: Türk Telekom International is a leading telecommunication operator in the CEE region, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle-East and Asia. Türk Telekom International provides a full range of Internet/data services, infrastructure and wholesale voice services to incumbents, alternative carriers, mobile operators, cable TV companies, Internet service providers and corporate customers. Türk Telekom International is 100% owned by Türk Telekom and act as its international business unit handling all international data and wholesale voice business functions. Türk Telekom International provides single account management and unified network operations over the entire Türk Telekom International network which includes 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Middle East and the Caucasus.
2. Physical Simcard and E-Sim
In Turkey, you can use both physical simcard and e-sim. If your phone doesn’t have physical simcard slot, you can go to the store of GSM operators and ask for e-sim configuration. Note that Turkcell offers e-sim for extra 89TL and Vodafone Turkey for 100TL. Turk Telekom does not have e-sim option.
For physical simcards, you can get standard, micro and nano simcards.
3. Required Documents for Tourist Simcard
You need to have a valid passport or recognized travel documents to buy simcard in Turkey. The simcard you are using needs to be registered to your passport.
Also note that the foreigners can use their phone up to 120 days without registering it. If you want to use your mobile phone in Turkey after 120 days, you need to register it.
4. Validity of Tourist Simcard
Touristic simcard is valid for 3 months. If you want to use more than 3 months, you need to have residence permit and foreigner id number
Usually tourist simcards are active for 90 days. If you want to keep your number, you need to have residence permit and foreigner id number. You need to visit the GSM store to submit your residence permit card and keep your number.
5. Fees and Packages
Turkcell: Price of getting simcard is 600TL (20 GB internet and 200 minutes call time for the first month are included). If you want to get additional internet 20 GB is for 140TL . For E-sim, you need to pay extra 89TL.
Vodafone: Price of getting simcard is 450TL (15 GB internet, 250 SMS and 750 minutes call time for the first month are included). If you want to get additional internet 9 GB is for 110TL . For E-sim, you need to pay extra 100TL.
Turk Telekom: Price of getting simcard is 350TL (30 GB internet, 750 SMS and 750 minutes call time for the first month are included). If you want to get additional internet 10 GB is for 65TL . There is no e-sim option.
