Turkey has this month imposed a ban on eSIMs(Image: Tayyib Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)British holidaymakers bound for Turkey have been issued a warning by the UK Foreign Office following the introduction of fresh restrictions by the country.
Turkey has this month imposed a ban on eSIMs and blocked access to numerous global eSIM platforms.
Holiday-makers frequently rely on eSIMs to dodge costly roaming fees or avoid purchasing a local sim card altogether.
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They enable travellers to take advantage of affordable mobile data whilst overseas.
Visitors should still be able to utilise an eSIM whilst in Turkey, but they will need to ensure it functions before they land in the country, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has released an update for Britons.
It states: “Access to some e-sim services is restricted in Turkey. Check with your provider before travelling.”
The prohibition in Turkey has been implemented by its telecommunications watchdog BTK.
According to eSIM provider Holafly, the restriction targets Turkish residents purchasing eSIMs for international travel within Turkey.
Holafly advises that travellers purchase their eSIM prior to departure and set it up before arrival.
They should store any QR codes or installation codes ahead of travel, ensuring they don’t need to access the provider’s website or application.
An alternative is to download a secure VPN enabling them to manage their eSIM digitally.
Travel guru Juan David Soler from Holafly advised: “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.”