Registering a Foreign Phone in Turkey via e-Devlet: Step-by-Step Guide

You can complete overseas phone registration through the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal. In recent years, more people have been purchasing phones abroad as device prices in Turkey have risen, leading many to favor cheaper options from other countries.

If you do not register a phone brought from abroad, you will not be able to make calls or send messages. For this reason, you must register the device starting from the date it enters Turkey.

After purchasing a phone, you can use it without registration for a limited time. You have up to one year to register the device. If you miss this deadline, the device will be blocked. During registration you will be asked to provide certain information; submitting these details accurately helps avoid problems during the process.

How to Register a Phone Brought from Abroad

To register an overseas phone, log in to e-Devlet and use the search field.

If you type “Yurt Dışı Telefon Kaydı” in the search box, you will reach the relevant service. Select “IMEI Kaydet (Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu)” to begin the registration process.

IMEI registration is completed in four steps. First, read the information section carefully. Next, fill out the application form. Finally, confirm your submission and check the result screen.

On the application screen you can apply using your own details or those of a dependent, such as a child. In the “IMEI NO 1” field, enter the number that appears when you dial “*#06#” on the phone.

You must register all IMEI numbers associated with the device through e-Devlet. You will also need to select the SIM type—choose either Physical SIM or eSIM as applicable.

Other required information includes:

• Type of document used to enter the country
• Country that issued the document
• Country associated with the document used to create the registration
• Document number
• Date of entry into the country

2023 Overseas Phone Registration Fees

The 2023 overseas phone registration fee was increased again on July 7. The fee, previously 6,091 TL, was raised to 20,000 TL.

Changes in overseas registration fees by year include:

• 2012 – 100 TL
• 2013 – 115 TL
• 2014 – 119.5 TL
• 2015 – 131.5 TL
• 2016 – 138.5 TL
• 2017 – 149.2 TL
• 2018 – 500 TL
• 2019 – 1,500 TL
• 2020 – 1,838.7 TL
• 2021 – 2,006 TL
• 2022 – 2,732 TL
• 2023 – 6,091 TL (January–June)
• 2023 – 20,000 TL (July–December)

How Can I Find My IMEI Number?

Finding your IMEI number is very easy. Open the phone’s dialer and enter “*#06#”; the IMEI will appear on the screen.

The IMEI number helps determine whether a phone is stolen or previously reported lost. It is a 15-digit code.

Some phones have multiple IMEI numbers. In such cases check the device packaging or the invoice for all IMEIs. You can also find the IMEI in the phone’s Settings > About section.

Overseas Phone Registration on e-Devlet

Pay attention to the registration requirements to ensure the process goes smoothly. The status of the document used for IMEI registration is important: the same document must not have been used to register another device within the last three years.

There is a limitation period for people who buy phones abroad: 365 days. You must complete registration before this period expires. To begin, sign in to the e-Devlet site.

Where to Pay the Tax for a Phone Brought from Abroad?

There are several ways to pay the tax for a phone brought from abroad. The Interactive Tax Office (İnteraktif Vergi Dairesi) is the primary option. You can also pay through banks such as Garanti Bankası, Denizbank, and İş Bankası.

Payments can be made online or in person at tax offices. When paying, you will typically need to provide:

• IMEI number
• Turkish ID number (TC)
• Full name

You can complete the payment using the Interactive Tax Office interface shown above.

E-Devlet Steps for Overseas Phone Registration

When registering an overseas phone on e-Devlet, observe the time limits carefully. You may use the device for up to 120 days without registration, but registration must be completed once that period ends.

The total registration allowance is 365 days. Register all IMEI numbers for your device on e-Devlet, then pay the fee at the tax office. You may only register phones for yourself or for children for whom you are the legal guardian.

You cannot register an IMEI that has been reported lost or stolen. For this reason, purchase devices from reputable sellers.

Errors can occur during registration. If a tax payment is made incorrectly, refunds are possible. To request a refund you must apply to the tax office with the receipt for the incorrect payment and the receipt for the correct IMEI payment.

It is possible to register a phone for those under 18; the parent or legal guardian must submit the application through their e-Devlet account.

E-Devlet Phone Registration Inquiry

Querying phone registration on e-Devlet helps verify that a device was acquired legally. Always perform this check before buying a used phone.

After logging into e-Devlet with your ID number and password, type IMEI into the search field and select “Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu/IMEI Sorgulama”.

You will be prompted to enter the 15-digit IMEI number. To find it on the phone, dial “*#06#”.

After entering the IMEI, the system displays details such as device status, origin, query date, and brand/model. From this information you can see whether the device was registered via import.

How Long Is the Overseas Phone Registration Period?

The registration period for a phone brought from abroad is 365 days. Additionally, after registering a device with a particular document, you cannot register another device with the same document for at least three years. Once three years have passed, you can register a new device.

Temporary IMEI registration is available for foreign tourists and does not apply to Turkish citizens. For tourists, the 120-day usage period can be extended by two months, allowing them to maintain communication while in Turkey.

How Many Phones Can Be Brought from Abroad?

Current regulations limit the number of phones an individual can bring from abroad to one. While it was previously possible to bring multiple phones, the rules have changed. Customs may impose double the tax if extra devices are detected.

A 2019 regulation ended the practice of registering IMEIs under another person’s name. Now, registration is only possible on the passport of the actual user, and the SIM line must also be registered to that user.

How to Register a Phone Brought by Someone Else

To register a phone brought by another person, you must have traveled abroad and returned within the last year. Even if someone else purchased the phone for you, you must register it under your own passport.

Can a Phone Be Registered Without a Passport?

In some cases, phone registration without a passport is possible. This applies if you traveled to a country that allows entry without a passport. Examples of such countries include:

• Ukraine
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
• Georgia
• Azerbaijan
• Moldova
• Bosnia and Herzegovina

If you visited one of these countries within the last year and the one-year period has not yet passed, you can register using your national ID card. In this way you can complete overseas phone registration easily.