Urgent warning for Irish holidaymakers to act before boarding flight to popular sunshine spot over rule change
A major change in Turkey's mobile data rules is expected to catch out thousands of tourists this
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Turkey has banned the use of e-SIMs for those in the country
Credit: Getty
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e-SIMs are a popular choice for Irish tourists looking to avoid roaming charges
Credit: Apple
The country has introduced a ban on eSIM activation after arrival, which could leave holidaymakers without mobile internet unless they prepare in advance.
eSIMs have become a popular choice for Irish tourists looking for affordable data plans while abroad, offering an alternative to physical SIM cards or roaming charges.
However, under the new rules tourists will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM or manage their existing eSIM using a provider's app or website once inside
This means those who planned to set up their eSIM after landing will be left buying a local SIM card or rely on expensive roaming charges.
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Travel expert Juan David Soler from Holafly said: "Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that Irish holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly.
'eSIMs have become the go-to option for Irish people wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming.
'But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey.'
And he is now warning that Irish
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Although the ban is aimed at Turkish residents purchasing eSIMs for international use, the restrictions impact all users who attempt to activate or access eSIM services inside the country.
The first and most important step is to purchase your eSIM while still in Ireland as your provider's website or app may be blocked or restricted once in
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Tourists should then install their eSIM before departure using the QR code or manual installation instructions provided by their eSIM provider.
Once installed, the
Tourists are also advised to store their installation code or QR image onto their camera roll in case they need to re-install it without internet access.
AVOID BEING CAUGHT OUT
Lastly, it is recommended to download a VPN before travel as this may allow users to bypass access issues and continue managing their eSIM if needed.
Without a VPN, users may not be able to check how much data they've used, contact customer support or make any changes to their plan while in Turkey.
Travel experts say this is important for tourists who rely on mobile data for navigation, transport apps, hotel check-ins or bookings while on the move.
To avoid last-minute stress, all Irish visitors are now being strongly advised to install and test their eSIM before leaving Irish mobile networks.
Juan added: 'To avoid getting caught out, Irish travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving Ireland.
'This means setting up your digital SIM while still on Irish 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."
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