02.01.2026 14:05
In the first minutes of the new year, an SMS sent to millions of mobile phone users quickly became the top news item. The message sent by the BTK stated that IMEIs identified as being used on multiple devices under the same passport registration would be disabled after 120 days, and a warning was issued against irregular registrations for phones brought from abroad.
In the first minutes of the new year, an SMS sent by the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) to millions of mobile phone users became one of the hot topics on the agenda. In messages regarding phones brought from abroad and used with passport registration, a warning was issued that irregular IMEI registrations would be deleted.
THE SAME MESSAGE WAS SENT TO PHONES
In BTK's communication, it was stated that it was detected that multiple devices were used under the same passport registration, and it was reported that the relevant IMEI numbers would be deactivated after 120 days. The message included the statement, "IMEI numbers used under your passport registration have been examined. Due to the detection of a second device being used under the same registration, the relevant IMEI number will be deactivated after 120 days."
THERE IS A 120-DAY TEMPORARY USAGE PERIOD
In Turkey, there is a 120-day temporary usage period for mobile phones brought by passengers from abroad. During this period, the IMEI registration of the device must be done through e-Government. Although there is a "one device within two years" limit in the legislation, it is claimed that due to past systemic gaps, some users were able to temporarily use a second device with a single passport registration. With the messages sent by BTK, it has been commented that this practice has ended and the long-discussed gray area has been closed.
DUAL SIM CARD DEVICES HAVE COME UNDER SCRUTINY
It has been claimed that in methods applied especially to dual SIM card-supported phones, some users who purchased two devices of the same model from abroad were able to add the IMEI numbers of both devices to the passport registration as if it were a single phone. It was noted that this way, the second device could be used without being detected by the system, while it was recorded that with BTK's new inspection system, this method has started to be detected and the cancellation process has been initiated for IMEI numbers identified as being used for a second device under the same passport registration. Authorities particularly emphasized that registering two IMEI numbers of a single device under the same passport does not create any issues.
IT IS BEING DISABLED WITHIN 3 MONTHS
According to the legislation, the IMEI registration of phones brought from abroad must be done within a maximum of 120 days from the date of entry into Turkey. Devices that are not registered within this period are disabled for use on mobile networks in Turkey. Additionally, a person can only register one mobile phone's IMEI in their name within two years.
IMEI REGISTRATION FEE HAS REACHED 54 THOUSAND LIRA
On the other hand, as of 2026, IMEI registration fees have come back to the agenda. It was stated that the revaluation rate was announced as 25.49%, and this rate was reduced to 18.95% by a presidential decision, yet it was expressed that the IMEI registration fee for phones brought from abroad has reached 54 thousand lira.