Brits heading to Turkey this summer are being warned of a ‘sudden’ new ban. It could catch out thousands of tourists who are being warned about the recent change.
The use of eSims in Turkey has been banned in the past few days and Brits will now need to purchase local sim cards at the airport. Otherwise, they face extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data.
As reported by Birmingham Live, Juan David Soler, a travel expert at Holafly, said: “Turkey’s sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it’s vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly.
“eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming.”
He added: “But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey. To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK.
“This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it’s working properly before departure.
“Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings.”
Meanwhile, Turkish residents are not able to buy international eSims from the affected providers until they leave the country. Travellers heading to Turkey will not be affected if they buy and install the eSim before arriving.
Holafly explained: “BTK’s eSIM ban in Türkiye makes it impossible to access certain websites while using a Turkish mobile network.
“Therefore, customers in Turkey cannot buy a travel eSIM from the affected providers while they are inside Turkey – Holafly included. One way around this is by using a virtual private network (VPN).
“A VPN creates a connection between your device and a remote server. As this server can be located internationally, your connection can sidestep Turkish networks to access the blocked eSIM websites.”
It comes after the Foreign Office warned tourists that they would be “denied entry” to Turkey if their passports fail to meet certain criteria. Brits are advised that their passport must be valid for at least 150 days beyond their arrival dates.
It said: “To enter Turkey, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page. If you live in Turkey, your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.”