Since the end of September 2025, Egypt has had new rules for tourists and travelerswho want to use their smartphone with local SIM or eSIM cards. What used to be no problem can now quickly become a complete network lock lead — if you don't register your device in time. Here you can find out simply explainedWhat has changed, how to register your mobile phone correctly in Egypt and how to do the whole thing with a BuddySIM eSIM Be able to completely avoid it.
📅 What has changed?
Am September 24, 2025 Does she have National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) published new regulations that affect all foreign travelers.
A few days later — on September 29, 2025 — has the Egyptian customs authority clarifies the import rules for mobile phones.
The goal:
➡️ Control over imported devices
➡️ Collection of a “smartphone tax” for tourists
➡️ Curbing black imports
📱 Why does this concern you?
If you travel to Egypt and have a local Egyptian sim card If you buy (e.g. from Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat or WE), when you insert this card automatically the IMEI number your cell phone is registered in the NTRA system.
This starts a 90-day period. Even if you leave the country again, it continues. Within this time, you can use the device without any problems.
At the end of these 90 days, the smartphone will automatically blockedwhen it not registered or taxed was.
This also applies if you leave the country in between.
⚠️ Important: The deadline is running in one go. For example, anyone who travels to Egypt several times a year (for example to dive or spend the winter) can suddenly use their mobile phone completely deactivated Find out — even after a few days' stay.
A By the way, a similar system has been around for a long time in the Turkey.
How do I avoid the smartphone lock in Egypt?
🧾 Option 1: Officially register your smartphone (NTRA Telephony app)
If you stay in Egypt for a longer period of time or travel regularly, you must use your device via the NTRA Telephony app register.
🔧 Step-by-step guide:
- Download app
- Android: Google Play Store
- iPhone: App Store
- Register device
- When you buy a local SIM, your passport details and IMEI are automatically collected.
- (You can find IMEI by typing * #06 #.)
- Pay a fee
- The amount depends on the device and can be paid directly with the provider or in the app.
- SMS confirmation
- After payment, you will receive an SMS that your device is permanently activated.
Option 2: BuddySIM eSIM for Egypt — completely without smartphone registration
The simplest solution to completely bypass the new smartphone registration in Egypt is a BuddySIM eSIM.
With that you are Technically speaking, never really in Egypt, even if you're using the local network.
How does that work?
Although our eSIM connects to Egyptian mobile operators (such as Vodafone Egypt or Orange), all data traffic is transmitted via European network nodes directed.
As a result, No IMEI number entered and your device doesn't even appear in the NTRA's Egyptian registration system.
For you, that means:
- ✅ No registration requirement via the NTRA app
- ✅ No cell phone tax or additional charges
- ✅ No 90-day lock — even with repeated entries
- ✅ Ready to go after purchase
- ✅ Ideal for divers, frequent travelers, or digital nomads
So you save yourself the entire bureaucracy, long queues at the airport and possible network blockages.
💡 Conclusion
When you travel to Egypt and your smartphone Don't register Would like is the BuddySIM eSIM the simplest and safest solution.
You're online right away, use local networks at European speed — and you have to Do not register with NTRA or customs.
👉 Get BuddySIM eSIM for Egypt now: https://www.buddysim.com/country/egypt