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Read our 2026 update, or our Turkey eSIM Guide for more recent experience with the Turkish eSIM crackdown.
The Turkish government has blocked access to the websites and apps of eight leading international eSIM providers. Travelers planning a trip to Turkey should be aware that this will limit their options for purchasing a data bundle upon arrival.
The news has been confirmed by various sources, including reports from the Turkish Times, and its impact is being widely discussed by users on international forums such as Reddit. Travelers are strongly advised to purchase and install an eSIM before their departure.
The block affects the following providers: Airalo, Saily, Holafly, Nomad, Instabridge, Roamless, Mobimatter, Alosim, and BNESIM. While the services of these companies are no longer accessible from within Turkey, eSIMs that were purchased and installed prior to arrival will continue to function normally.
Popular providers such as Jetpac and Maya Mobile appear to be unaffected for now and can still be accessed from within Turkey.
The measure seems intended to give local Turkish telecom providers a competitive advantage. Although eSIMs are often used to bypass local internet censorship, initial reports suggest this is not the primary reason for the block.
What does this mean for travelers?
For those traveling to Turkey, it is essential to plan ahead. The best approach is to purchase and install an eSIM at least one or two days before you travel.
Should this not be possible, alternatives are still available. Providers like Jetpac, Maya Mobile and **eSIM4Travel **appear to be unaffected by the block. Another option is to use a VPN connection to access the websites of the blocked providers once you are in Turkey.
To find the right deal, travelers can use comparison websites. Find your eSIM, for example, allows you to compare over 1,100 different eSIM packages for Turkey, from 25 providers. By comparing and purchasing in advance, you can ensure you have a cost-effective and reliable data bundle ready for your arrival.
