EE roaming in Turkey: Charges, plans, and roaming passes

Does EE work in Turkey?

EE does work in Turkey through international roaming, but costs and available allowances depend on your plan. Turkey isn’t included in EE’s EU roaming area, which means your usual UK or European roaming benefits may not apply — and daily roaming charges can add up fast. Before using EE in Turkey, check your plan and available roaming passes so you know what to expect. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, an eSIM like Saily is worth considering — it gives you local data rates without the roaming fees, so you can stay connected from the moment you land.

EE partner networks in Turkey

EE customers traveling in Turkey will connect to local networks through international roaming rather than directly to EE’s UK network. When your phone connects, it will usually select an available partner automatically for data roaming. EE’s published roaming network list names Turkcell as its partner in Turkey, although roaming agreements and network availability can change. EE recommends leaving automatic network selection turned on when roaming abroad.

EE roaming charges in Turkey

EE roaming charges in Turkey depend on whether you’re a pay monthly or pay-as-ou-go customer and which plan you have. Some pay monthly plans include Turkey in their roaming allowance, letting you use your EE data in Turkey, while other customers may need to purchase a roaming or data pass. EE’s current Full Works plans, for example, include Turkey as part of Rest of World Zone 1 roaming.

Pay-as-you-go customers have different EE Turkey roaming charges and options, so you shouldn’t assume your UK allowance will work the same way abroad as it does at home. Check your specific plan before you take off to see what’s included and whether an EE roaming pass for Turkey will cost extra.

Plans with included international roaming

Some EE pay monthly plans include international roaming beyond Europe. Turkey is part of EE’s Rest of World Zone 1, and current Full Works plans let you use your standard UK allowances in this zone without buying a separate roaming pass. EE applies a 50 GB fair use limit to data used outside the UK.

Other plans may only include EU roaming, which doesn’t cover Turkey. For example, current All Rounder plans include EU roaming but not Rest of World Zone 1. Older EE plans and Inclusive Extras can have different roaming benefits, so check your account before you travel.

💡 Good to know: You may still see EE’s Roam Abroad Pass mentioned online, but it’s been discontinued — and Turkey was never covered by it anyway. Also, unlimited data at home doesn’t mean unlimited roaming: EE plans with included EU roaming are capped at a 50 GB fair use limit abroad.

EE Turkey roaming pass

If your pay monthly plan doesn’t include Rest of World Zone 1 roaming, you can buy an EE Turkey roaming pass to use your UK plan allowance while you’re there. EE currently offers three pass options for Zone 1 — 24 hours, seven days, or 15 days. The longer options may make more sense for longer trips.

Without a pass, pay monthly customers can still make and receive calls for £2.46 per minute and send texts or picture messages for 98p each, but EE data roaming in Turkey requires a roaming pass.

Prices and allowances checked on October 6, 2026, using EE’s price guide effective September 3, 2026. EE can change its roaming prices, so check your plan before departure.

EE pay-as-you-go roaming rates

EE pay-as-you-go customers don’t get the same Turkey roaming options as pay monthly customers. Turkey falls into EE’s Rest of World Zone 6 for PAYG calls and texts and Zone A for roaming data add-ons. 

EE roaming charges and PAYG roaming rates include: 

• Making a call — £1.80 per minute.

• Receiving a call — £1.80 per minute.

• Sending a text — 60p.

• Sending a picture message — 48p.

• 50 MB data — £5.22 for one day.

• 150 MB data — £10.45 for one day.

• 300 MB data — £26.12 for seven days.

• 900 MB data — £52.25 for seven days.

EE’s current PAYG price guide lists Turkey in Zone A for data, so you’ll need one of these data add-ons rather than paying a standard per-MB roaming rate.

Prices and allowances checked on October 6, 2026, using EE’s price guide effective September 3, 2026. EE can change its roaming prices, so check your plan before departure.

How to activate EE roaming in Turkey

If you’re still in the UK, activate roaming on your EE account before you leave. Pay monthly customers should follow these steps:

1. Text ROAMING to 150 from your EE phone to make sure roaming is enabled on your account.

2. Turn on data roaming in your phone’s mobile or cellular settings.

3. Set network selection to automatic so your phone can connect to an EE partner network when you arrive.

4. Turn off Wi-Fi Calling, which EE says is only available in the UK.

5. Check that your spend cap is high enough to cover any roaming charges.

6. When you arrive in Turkey, look for EE’s welcome text with your available roaming options and passes.

Buying an EE roaming pass for Turkey doesn’t automatically activate roaming on your account, so complete these roaming setup steps before departure.

If you’re already in Turkey and didn’t enable roaming before leaving the UK, connect to Wi-Fi and contact EE through live chat in the EE app to ask for roaming to be enabled. You can also contact EE customer service from abroad. Once roaming is active, turn on data roaming in your phone settings and restart your device if necessary.

If you’re a pay-as-you-go customer, use your EE SIM in the UK before you leave by making a call or sending a text while connected to the EE network. This activates roaming. You’ll also need enough credit or the appropriate data add-on to use your phone in Turkey.

What coverage can you expect from EE in Turkey?

Customers using EE in Turkey can generally expect good mobile coverage in cities and popular tourist areas, although your connection depends on the local roaming network available where you are. Turkey has extensive mobile infrastructure, so staying connected in major population centers should usually be straightforward. For more on local connectivity, see our guide to the internet in Turkey.

• Major cities: Coverage is generally strong in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, where mobile networks have extensive infrastructure.

• Popular tourist areas: You can also expect coverage in many coastal resorts and well-visited destinations such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale.

• Rural and remote areas: Service may be less consistent in sparsely populated, mountainous, or otherwise remote parts of Turkey. Signal strength and mobile data speeds can vary as you move away from towns and major roads.

How does EE roaming compare with other Turkey connectivity options?

EE roaming is only one way to stay connected in Turkey — you could also use a travel eSIM, buy a local Turkish SIM card, or rent a portable Wi-Fi device depending on your itinerary. Each option provides mobile internet, but the setup, cost, and convenience can vary significantly.

What is the difference between EE roaming, eSIMs, and pocket Wi-Fi?

EE roaming lets you keep using your existing EE SIM and phone number while connecting to a partner network in Turkey. It requires little setup, but EE roaming charges for Turkey or the cost of a pass may make it more expensive than other options.

A travel eSIM, such as Saily, uses a digital SIM to connect your phone to local partner networks. You can choose a data plan for your trip without replacing your physical EE SIM, although your phone must support eSIM technology and be carrier unlocked.

Turkey currently restricts access to several international eSIM providers, including Saily, from within the country. If you plan to use a travel eSIM, install and activate it before you arrive. An eSIM set up beforehand should continue providing mobile data once you’re in Turkey. Read more about the Turkey eSIM ban before your trip.

Pocket Wi-Fi in Turkey lets multiple devices share one mobile data connection, which is why families and groups often choose it. The device itself creates a hotspot your phone, tablet, or laptop can connect to — but it also means one more gadget to carry, charge, and potentially return after your trip.

The best choice for roaming in Turkey depends on how much data you need, how many devices you’re connecting, and how much convenience matters to you. Roaming costs may also vary considerably, so it can really pay to do your homework. Before you travel, be sure to compare EE roaming Turkey charges with eSIM for Turkey and pocket Wi-Fi plans.

Is a local SIM better than EE roaming?

A local SIM can be better than EE roaming for some travelers, but the best option depends on how you plan to use your phone. A Turkish SIM may offer generous local data plans and can be useful if you also need a local phone number. However, you’ll need to buy and set it up after arrival, and your phone has to be carrier unlocked.

EE roaming is usually more convenient because you keep your existing SIM, number, and service without changing your phone setup. A travel eSIM falls somewhere between the two — you can purchase a flexible data plan before your trip while keeping your EE SIM in your phone.

Before choosing an eSIM, check whether your phone is on the list of eSIM-supported devices. If it’s compatible, you can enjoy the benefits of an eSIM — quick digital setup, no physical SIM card to swap, and the ability to keep your primary SIM installed while using a separate line for travel data.

Should you use EE roaming in Turkey?

EE roaming can be a convenient option in Turkey if your plan already includes Rest of World roaming or you want to keep using your usual EE service with minimal setup. If you need to buy an EE roaming pass for Turkey, however, it’s worth comparing the cost with other ways to get online before you travel.

For travelers who mainly need mobile data, a Saily travel eSIM can be a more flexible and affordable alternative to EE roaming. You can choose a data plan for Turkey before you leave, keep your EE SIM installed, and avoid daily roaming charges. Just remember to install your Saily eSIM before arriving in Turkey because access to some international eSIM providers is restricted inside the country.

If you also need calling options while traveling, Saily offers plans with additional phone services in supported destinations. Learn more about using an eSIM with a phone number and compare the available options with your EE plan before deciding.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!