Is using a VPN legal in Türkiye?
Yes.
No law in Türkiye makes using a VPN a crime, but BTK blocks access to some VPN services.
Last checked: 15 October 2026
- Using a VPN
- Not banned
- No law makes the user an offender.
- Some VPN services
- Blocked
- BTK has blocked the sites and servers of 16 VPN services since 2023.
- e-Devlet checks for VPNs
- Unclear
- Discussed in April 2026. We found no source showing it became law.
Which app won't open in Türkiye?
Take a look at our guides!
Key dates
- BTK asked providers to block 16 VPN services.
- A regional court overturned the dismissal of İFÖD's case against the blocks.
- Plans to tie VPN use to e-Devlet identity checks were reported.
- Law 7578 published in the Official Gazette.
- The age verification regulation published.
- Age verification starts on social networks.
- Deadline for existing accounts.
Sources: İFÖD, EngelliWeb 2025 report, July 2026. BirGün, 22 April 2026 (Turkish). Law 7578 (Turkish). Türkiye Gazetesi, 10 October 2026 (Turkish).
What changed in 2026
A regulation published on 10 October 2026 says social networks may not serve children under 15 from 1 November 2026. Age is checked with a token generated on e-Devlet, the state portal. Existing accounts must be verified by 31 March 2027.
That rule is for social networks. We explain it on the age limit page and the e-Devlet verification page.
Sources: Türkiye Gazetesi, 10 October 2026 (Turkish). Av. Murat Aydar, summary of the regulation (Turkish).
What happened to the e-Devlet check for VPNs?
In April 2026, while parliament debated the under-15 rule, ruling party sources were reported to be planning e-Devlet identity-linked age checks for VPN providers that operate legally. The clause was not in the bill that day; it was expected to be added.
The bill became Law 7578 on 1 May 2026. The summaries of the law we reviewed do not mention VPNs. The official text is the place to confirm this.
İFÖD's report adds that a draft amendment to the Electronic Communications Law (5809) aimed at VPN services appeared in April 2026 and had not become law as of July 2026.
Sources: BirGün, 22 April 2026 (Turkish). Law 7578 (Turkish). İFÖD, EngelliWeb 2025 report, July 2026.
If a VPN is legal, why do some VPNs not work?
BTK, the telecoms regulator, wrote to internet providers on 23 November 2023 asking them to block 16 VPN services, among them Proton VPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, TunnelBear and Psiphon.
BTK cited article 6(1)(ç) of Law 5651, which asks providers to prevent other routes to content that is already blocked. That is why reaching those services' websites, downloading their apps or connecting can be hard.
İFÖD sued. An administrative court dismissed the case; a regional court overturned that in December 2025 and the case went to the Council of State.
Sources: İFÖD, EngelliWeb 2025 report, July 2026. Global Voices, 26 December 2023.
What this means for AkcaVPN users
AkcaVPN is not on the list of 16 services BTK blocked in 2023. It asks for no email or account; a 16-digit key signs you in. What we keep and what we do not is in our no-logs policy.
- Download AkcaVPN. It runs on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
- Pick a location outside Türkiye and connect.
- Close the blocked or throttled app and open it again.
777 MB a day for free. No email, no card, no account.
This page is not legal advice.
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