Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the regulations tightening identity verification in phone subscriptions June 25, 2026 announced that it will start on . BTK, with two amendments to the regulations published in the Official Gazette. open line It aims to reduce usage, clear unclaimed subscriptions and impose an upper limit on the number of lines. With the new rule, Turkish citizens can register in their own names. up to 6 linesforeigners 3 lineswhile tourists 1 line will be able to open it.
The regulation specifically targets fraud and illegal activities carried out through lines opened with the identity of others. Minister Uraloğlu stated that citizens may face enforcement proceedings, lawsuits and criminal investigations due to these lines. Therefore, operators will no longer complete the subscription process just by looking at the document. Instead, it will verify the link between the person and the identity document with stronger methods.
For new applications, subscriptions will not be possible with documents that do not have electronic verification capability, such as identity card, driver’s license or professional card. Operators will check the applicant’s identity document and whether the person really has the document using facial data, fingerprint summary, e-Government password or TR ID card password. In addition, people who have lost or renewed their TR ID card will be able to make transactions with a temporary ID card. Additional verification steps such as facial data will be used in these processes.
There will also be a stricter verification process for foreign subscriptions. Subscriptions can be made with documents such as e-passport, which has electronic identity verification feature. The identities of foreigners who do not have the possibility of electronic verification will be checked with biometric data through the Göç-Bil system of the Directorate of Migration Management. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will confirm the identity of the diplomats through the e-Government Gateway.
Operators will check existing lines every three months
The new rules will not only cover new line applications. Operators can also use existing subscriptions quarterly will review. Lines that cannot be verified due to death, cancellation of operating license, termination or similar reasons will be identified and the closure process will begin for these lines. Thus, subscriptions that have been disconnected from their owners for a long time or whose identity link cannot be verified will be removed from the system.
The number of lines limit will not be limited to individual users. Corporate subscribers 100 lines will be able to open it. Upper limit for political parties, unions, tax-exempt foundations and public benefit associations 2 thousand lines will be. micro businesses 200small businesses 500and medium-sized enterprises 2 thousand He won’t be able to get over the line. These limits will not apply to public institutions, embassies, large companies that exceed the medium-sized business qualifications, and non-governmental organizations that carry out disaster and emergency search and rescue activities.
A transition period has also been determined for existing subscribers who exceed the limit. Minister Uraloğlu, these subscribers You can transfer or terminate your lines free of charge within 6 months. explained. Existing lines and identity information of foreign natural person subscribers will be re-verified. If verification cannot be completed, fake lines will be closed within 6 months. With these steps, BTK aims to both protect citizens and increase identity security in the electronic communication infrastructure.