If you’re planning a trip to Turkey in the coming months, you’ve probably heard about this unpleasant news: some of the major international eSIM providers’ websites have been blocked within Turkish territory!
So, once you arrive in the country, it might no longer be possible to purchase or activate an eSIM online.
But what does this really mean for travelers? And most importantly: is it still possible to use an eSIM in Turkey?
Let’s take a closer look at the eSIM block in Turkey and how to work around it.
What’s happening in Turkey with eSIMs?
To regulate the use of digital telecommunications, Turkish authorities have recently restricted access to the websites of the most well-known international eSIM providers.
It’s still unclear whether the list of blocked sites will expand or whether the ban is permanent or temporary.
The restriction applies only within Turkish territory, which means:
- Residents in Turkey, or anyone already in the country, cannot purchase international eSIMs from the affected providers. They will need to wait until they are outside the country to make a purchase.
- Travelers who are about to leave for Turkey will not be affected by this block, as long as they purchase and install the eSIM before departing for Turkey.
Can I still use an eSIM in Turkey?
Yes, you can still use an eSIM in Turkey to stay connected, but you must purchase and install it on your smartphone before departure.
The block only concerns the websites of the providers, not the functionality of eSIMs that are already active or installed on a device.
You just need to choose and install your data plan before arriving in Turkey, and activate your eSIM before boarding the plane, so you can go online without any issues once you reach your destination.
eSIM.sm: website still accessible
At the moment, our website, www.esim.sm, is not among those blocked by the Turkish government, making it one of the most reliable options for anyone looking for a working eSIM in Turkey.
On eSIM.sm you can:
- Choose the data plan that best suits your trip based on how many gigabytes you think you’ll need
- Complete the purchase, always before departure
- Install the eSIM on your smartphone using the QR code you’ll receive by email right after your purchase
Important: purchasing and installing require an internet connection, so they must be done before departing for Turkey.
Given the current situation, the best advice is not to wait until the last minute to activate your eSIM.
Even though you could activate it after arrival, we strongly recommend you do so before leaving Italy, ideally before boarding the plane. This way, you’ll be sure to have a working connection immediately upon arrival in Turkey, no surprises!
Do I need a VPN to have internet in Turkey?
No, if you install your eSIM before departure and activate it before your flight, you won’t need a VPN to access the internet.
eSIM.sm is not currently among the websites blocked by the Turkish government, so through the connection provided by our eSIM, you should still be able to access your private account area to top up your data if needed.
Keep in mind: if you are connected to public Wi-Fi, you may not be able to access our website and your private area. Always try to connect using the mobile data provided by our eSIM!
We can’t guarantee that our website will always remain accessible from Turkey, so you may want to consider setting up automatic top-ups before departure to avoid running out of data.
Alternatively, choose the Unlimited Data Plan and enjoy your trip with peace of mind!
Conclusion on the eSIM block in Turkey
The block of some websites for purchasing eSIMs has definitely changed the rules for staying connected in Turkey, but it hasn’t made using eSIMs impossible!
The key is being informed and acting in time, as we’ve explained in this article.
Choose, purchase, and install your Turkey eSIM before departure and activate it before boarding the plane.
Remember: if you want to monitor your eSIM data usage, don’t connect to Wi-Fi, use the mobile data provided by our eSIM.
Since the situation could change at any time, potentially making our site completely unreachable from Turkey, we recommend choosing the Unlimited Data Plan, so you won’t run the risk of needing to activate top-ups from your personal dashboard.
