In recent years, . eSIM . technology has become extremely popular among travelers, as it allows them to connect without needing a physical SIM card. You can switch between networks and data plans easily, making it perfect for people moving across borders.
But in Turkey, the eSIM market faced a big shake-up. Starting July 10, 2025, the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) suddenly blocked access to many global eSIM websites and apps. This decision left both locals and travelers scrambling for alternatives. Now the big question is: is . eSIM Prime . the only reliable service still available inside Turkey?
On July 10, 2025, the BTK issued an order blocking access to eight major global . eSIM . providers. This impacted millions of travelers and even Turkish citizens who relied on affordable roaming alternatives.
Some of the popular services that were blocked include:
Anyone inside Turkey trying to access their sites or apps without a VPN now finds them unreachable. Importantly, the eSIM technology itself is not banned – only access to these international providers from within Turkey. If you already installed an . eSIM Turkey . before entering the country, it still works until its validity expires. The issue is: you can’t buy or activate new ones locally.
Experts suggest the government wants travelers to rely on local telecoms like Turk Telekom and Turkcell, which are state-linked and generate domestic revenue.
Before the ban, global . eSIM . providers were booming among tourists thanks to affordable prices and instant activation. Here’s how some of the biggest names were affected:
The result? No major international eSIM service is accessible directly in Turkey anymore.
Amid the ban, . eSIM Prime . emerged as one of the rare providers still fully operational in Turkey.
Unlike competitors, . eSIM Prime . partners with local Turkish networks (Turkcell, etc.) to ensure strong 4G/5G coverage. This reliability plus cheap pricing has made it a lifesaver for travelers.
Thousands of users from Germany, France, Morocco, and across Europe have already switched to . eSIM Prime . for their Turkey trips – reviews highlight stable connectivity, quick setup, and customer support via WhatsApp.
While . eSIM Prime . is the most prominent, it’s not entirely alone. A few smaller providers like BuddySIM (Germany) and SimplySIM (UK) claim to still operate by using local partnerships or technical workarounds. However, their coverage and pricing don’t match eSIM Prime.
Other less-known apps like eSIM Plus, Yesim, or eSIMatic may also function, but they are less stable and risk being targeted in future bans.
Analysts suggest three reasons:
This combination lets . eSIM Prime . remain legal, functional, and affordable – at least for now.
The Turkish ban reshaped the . eSIM Turkey . market. Giants like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad are inaccessible, leaving travelers frustrated. But . eSIM Prime . has become the go-to solution – affordable, fast, and still legally accessible in Turkey.
For anyone traveling to Turkey in 2025, the best advice is simple: activate your . eSIM from eSIM Prime . before or after arrival and avoid the hassle of VPNs or overpriced roaming.
At least for now, . eSIM Prime . stands as the clear winner in Turkey’s eSIM landscape.