Quick answer
Which countries require ID for a SIM or eSIM in 2026?
UnlistedSIM offers an eSIM without ID or email from $1.09, with data only. Its registry separates local SIM identification, travel-eSIM checkout and visited-network rules. Germany and Spain document local prepaid identification; roaming requirements remain Unknown where no specific evidence is available. Sources were checked on 15 October 2026.
What does this registry establish?
| Coverage | 34 country entries; a published-source register, not an activation test |
|---|---|
| Evidence check | 15 October 2026; source publication dates and our check date are different |
| UnlistedSIM checkout | No identity document, selfie or account email; data only, no phone number |
| Price and funding | Plans from $1.09; minimum balance top-up $10 |
| Unknown | The precise requirement is not established by the cited evidence. It does not mean no requirement exists |
| Roaming scope | An IMEI or device-fee exemption does not establish a SIM-registration exemption |
| Publisher | UnlistedSIM (eSIMGoat LLC, Panama), which sells the service described |
| Reuse | Our original summaries and table: CC BY 4.0. Sources retain their own rights |
What are the SIM and eSIM ID rules in each country?
Read the service columns separately. The checkout column describes UnlistedSIM's policy, not every seller or a promise about later network checks. A local tourist eSIM belongs in the local-service column even when bought abroad. Each row separates publication date from evidence-check date; undated means no reliable publication date is displayed.
| Country | Local SIM / locally issued eSIM | Foreign travel eSIM checkout | International roaming: registration / device scope | Primary evidence and publication date | Evidence checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Unknown nationwide rule. T-Mobile's published prepaid-eSIM steps do not list a passport; this is an operator example. FCC 26-27 discusses proposed KYC measures, not an adopted general registration rule. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | T-Mobile, undated; FCC 26-27, 2026 proposal | 2026-10-15 |
| Japan | Service-specific. IIJ's monthly plans require a residence card. Its Japan Travel SIM data-only notice removed passport details in January 2024 but retained email. The current scope of later data-SIM changes is Unknown here. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | IIJ visitor plans, undated; IIJ notice, 10 January 2024 | 2026-10-15 |
| United Kingdom | Unknown nationwide rule. giffgaff's published activation steps do not list a passport. Age checks for restricted content do not establish a general SIM-registration law. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | giffgaff activation guide, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| France | ID documented by Orange. Its prepaid identification form requests an identity-document copy. This operator example does not establish the exact obligations of every product. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Orange identification form, undated; Orange identification FAQ, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Thailand | Passport / identity registration documented by AIS for its tourist SIM/eSIM. AIS describes activation within 60 days of registration and identity reconfirmation for continued use beyond 60 days. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | AIS tourist registration, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Turkey | Passport documented by Turkcell for its tourist SIM/eSIM. App activation additionally describes NFC passport reading, a liveness check and video acceptance. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown for individual foreign-roaming requirements. Domestic tourist activation does not establish a roaming exemption. Availability and device restrictions need a separate check in the Turkey guide. | Turkcell tourist activation, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Mexico | Registration documented by CRT. Foreign-customer guidance lists name, country of origin and passport number or temporary CURP. The 2026 deadline depends on the final digit of the line. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown for Mexican registration of foreign roaming lines. CRT's FAQ discusses obligations in the issuing country; it does not establish a blanket exemption here. | CRT registration portal, current 2026 calendar; CRT foreign-customer fields, 2025 | 2026-10-15 |
| China | Passport and real-name registration documented by Shanghai's official visitor guide for activating a Chinese SIM. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown for subscriber ID. Device eligibility, installation and access to particular apps need separate checks in the China guide. | Shanghai government SIM guide, 30 January 2024 | 2026-10-15 |
| South Korea | Unknown in this edition. No current primary source has been established here resolving checks across local data-only, voice and tourist products. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Evidence gap recorded 15 October 2026; consult the selected local operator | 2026-10-15 |
| Indonesia | Unknown for subscriber ID in this edition. Customs separately documents IMEI registration of imported devices using Indonesian mobile service. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Documented device exception only. Article 2(5) excludes foreign-SIM inbound roamers from the specified IMEI-verification step. Subscriber-ID requirements remain Unknown here. | Kominfo Regulation 1/2020 via Customs, 2020; Customs guide, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Vietnam | Passport documented by Viettel. Its tourist order form requests passport photographs and a delivery email; this is an operator workflow. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Viettel tourist order form, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Spain | Identity-document requirement in the published prepaid provision. The register records purchaser name, nationality and identification-document details. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | BOE Law 25/2007, sole additional provision, published 19 October 2007; consolidation updated 10 May 2014 | 2026-10-15 |
| Italy | Identification documented by TIM. Its workflow offers SPID or document-based video identification; document steps include identity-document and health-card images. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | TIM activation, undated; TIM conditions, July 2025 | 2026-10-15 |
| Germany | Identity document required for prepaid activation, according to Bundesnetzagentur's explanation of section 172 TKG; document checking has applied since 1 July 2017. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Bundesnetzagentur subscriber-data FAQ, undated current page | 2026-10-15 |
| United Arab Emirates | Passport for visitors, subject to the licensed provider's conditions and a limited service period, according to TDRA. Residents normally use original Emirates ID. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | TDRA consumer FAQ, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| India | Passport with valid visa documented by DoT for foreign tourists. Its 2024 instruction lists alternative documents for some Nepalese and Bhutanese visitors. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | DoT foreign-visitor KYC instruction, 19 February 2024 | 2026-10-15 |
| Brazil | Registration documented by Law 10.703/2003: name, address and identity-document or tax-register number. The practical visitor workflow remains product-specific. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown for subscriber ID. ANATEL describes visitors enabling international roaming on compatible foreign phones; this does not settle all registration questions. | Law 10.703/2003, 18 July 2003; ANATEL FAQ, relevant roaming answer dated 30 October 2018 | 2026-10-15 |
| Canada | Unknown nationwide rule in this edition. CRTC's prepaid-rights page does not establish an ID-document requirement or its absence. Check the operator's activation terms. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | CRTC prepaid versus postpaid rights, modified 8 October 2025 | 2026-10-15 |
| Australia | Identity verification required before prepaid activation, according to ACMA. Methods include document checks, an existing verified account or qualifying financial transactions; not every method is a passport upload. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | ACMA prepaid ID checks, undated; ACMA guidance note, updated 21 September 2026 | 2026-10-15 |
| Egypt | Original valid passport and residency document for foreign customers, according to NTRA. The operator retains copies and links service validity to the residency period. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: local line-registration evidence does not establish foreign-roaming treatment. No current primary-source phone-fee exemption is asserted here. | NTRA individual SIM-sales regulations, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Morocco | Identity-document copy documented by ANRT, alongside name and address. This historical source does not verify every current product workflow. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | ANRT subscriber-identification note, 25 March 2014 | 2026-10-15 |
| Philippines | Passport, Philippine address evidence and onward/return ticket documented by Globe for tourist registration. Its FAQ describes 30-day tourist-SIM validity. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Globe SIM Registration Act FAQ, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Singapore | Passport or Singapore-issued identity verification documented by Singtel. Passport registration has 30-day validity; the guide distinguishes data-only access from calls/SMS activation. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Singtel prepaid registration guide, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Saudi Arabia | Unknown in this edition. Precise current tourist documents and biometric steps have not been established from a rechecked primary source here. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Evidence gap recorded 15 October 2026; consult the selected local operator | 2026-10-15 |
| Nigeria | International passport for tourists or visiting foreigners, according to NCC's FAQ. Legal residents are directed to obtain and link a NIN; those cases must remain separate. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | NCC NIN/SIM FAQ, section D, undated current page | 2026-10-15 |
| Pakistan | Unknown for subscriber documents in this edition. The cited DIRBS guidance concerns devices, not a complete tourist-SIM identity process. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Documented device exception only. Official guidance exempts devices using international SIMs in roaming from DIRBS while that use continues. Subscriber-ID requirements remain Unknown here. | Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs DIRBS guidance, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Hong Kong | Real-name registration for locally issued SIMs. OFCA lists original identity documents; visitors without HKID may use eligible travel documents or passports. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Specific exclusion documented. Communications Authority guidelines section 2.5(b) excludes SIMs supplied by providers licensed elsewhere, including inbound roaming. This does not verify the issuing-provider licence or eligibility of an UnlistedSIM profile. | OFCA registration FAQ, undated; OFCA programme, regulation effective 1 September 2021; Communications Authority GN-15/2021, section 2.5(b), 20 August 2021 | 2026-10-15 |
| Taiwan | Two identity documents documented by Chunghwa Telecom for foreign applicants including tourists: passport or residence document plus an eligible second document. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Chunghwa Telecom prepaid application requirements, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Peru | Unknown for subscriber documents in this edition. The cited OSIPTEL notice concerns imported devices. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Documented device exception only. OSIPTEL says tourists roaming with a foreign operator's SIM need no procedure under the imported-device register described. Subscriber-ID requirements remain Unknown here. | OSIPTEL imported-device notice, 19 September 2024 | 2026-10-15 |
| Colombia | Unknown in this edition. No adequate rechecked primary source establishes the required subscriber documents here. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Evidence gap recorded 15 October 2026; consult the selected local operator | 2026-10-15 |
| South Africa | Passport documented by Vodacom for foreign nationals under RICA. Address evidence may be required depending on registration type; Vodacom includes its physical SIMs and eSIMs. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Vodacom RICA guidance, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Greece | Identity document and selfie documented by Cosmote for online prepaid activation. Examples include identity card or passport. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | Cosmote prepaid activation, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Belgium | Prepaid-user identification required, according to BIPT. Retail methods accept eligible original documents including international passports; approved remote methods also exist. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | BIPT prepaid identification guide, undated | 2026-10-15 |
| Cyprus | Identification mandatory for prepaid SIM/eSIM, according to OCECPR under Law 63(I)/2024. Its announcement lists 10 November 2025 as the identification deadline. | UnlistedSIM: no ID or email at checkout; other sellers vary. | Unknown: no specific foreign-roaming subscriber-ID requirement established from the cited source. | OCECPR government announcement, 17 July 2025 | 2026-10-15 |
Unknown is an evidence status, not permission, an exemption, a service guarantee or a legal conclusion. No plan was activated to test registration outcomes. Where no adequate primary source was established, the evidence gap replaces any earlier unsupported verdict.
Does a local SIM rule also apply to a travel eSIM?
It depends on who issues the subscription and the scope of the rule. A local tourist eSIM is still a local service even when sold online before departure. A foreign subscription using roaming is a different case. The plastic or embedded form of the SIM does not answer the registration question.
The register records three observations: what a named source says about a local subscription; what UnlistedSIM asks at checkout; and what evidence specifically addresses inbound roaming. A local passport requirement never becomes a roaming exemption by inference.
The Europe guide brings together the shared explanation and national differences. No single EU-wide SIM identity rule is asserted.
Which roaming exemptions are actually documented?
The verified exceptions concern devices. They do not prove that a seller can omit a check or that a traveller is exempt from every registration measure.
- Indonesia: Kominfo Regulation 1/2020, Article 2(5) excludes foreign-SIM inbound roamers from the specified IMEI-verification step.
- Pakistan: official DIRBS guidance excludes devices using international SIMs in roaming while that use continues.
- Peru: OSIPTEL's 19 September 2024 notice says tourists roaming with their foreign operator's SIM need no procedure under the imported-device register described.
Hong Kong's OFCA FAQ describes locally issued SIMs. That scope is recorded without inventing a product-specific finding. Mexico and Egypt are no longer counted as verified blanket roaming exemptions. Checked 15 October 2026.
What changed in the October 2026 edition?
Seller checkout, local subscription registration and visited-network evidence now have separate columns. Primary regulator, government and operator material replaces unsupported country claims where available. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Belgium and Cyprus have directly linked primary evidence. Taiwan now cites Chunghwa Telecom's two-document application requirements.
The former aggregate claim that no roaming ID rule was found across the registry has been removed. The United States, United Kingdom and Canada no longer receive a nationwide no-ID verdict from seller surveys or the omission of ID in activation checklists. South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Colombia retain explicit evidence gaps.
Australia's ACMA guidance note displays an update of 21 September 2026. Mexico's CRT portal displays a 2026 registration calendar by final line digit; one date cannot represent every line. These observations do not certify future service.
What does UnlistedSIM collect before I buy a travel eSIM?
UnlistedSIM does not ask for an identity-document upload, selfie or account email at checkout. Plans start at $1.09; minimum balance top-up is $10. QR and activation information appear in the client area when the eSIM is ready. The service is data only: no phone number for calls, SMS or verification codes.
That checkout policy does not settle every later request by a network or local authority. Device identifiers, approximate location and connection records still exist in cellular service. Read who sees what and the privacy policy for the boundaries of the claim.
How are sources, dates and unknowns assessed?
Method: UnlistedSIM's editorial team checked freely accessible primary regulator, government, law-publisher and operator material on 15 October 2026. The observation unit is the country plus service type. An operator workflow is labelled as an example; it does not establish every carrier's practice. A proposal, historical notice or device-registration rule is identified as such. Some documents were available only through the publisher's indexed extract; historical scope and unresolved questions remain visible.
Statuses: documented means the cited material addresses the stated requirement. Unknown means the precise question remains unresolved in this evidence set. Silence about roaming is not an exemption; a proposed law is not an adopted rule; a historical notice is not a nationwide 2026 finding.
Dates: source publication or modification dates and our check date have different meanings. Undated sources are labelled. Updated October 2026 reflects the source review and substantive table rewrite, not an automated date refresh.
Limits and disclosure: this is a published-source review, not an activation test, legal opinion or official database. UnlistedSIM sells travel eSIMs and benefits commercially from this topic. Routing, exit IP and the registration behaviour of each plan have not been independently tested. Submit corrections through support with the source URL and date.
Can I cite or reuse this country table?
Yes. UnlistedSIM licenses its original table and summaries under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Attribute UnlistedSIM, link to this registry, retain the evidence check date of 15 October 2026 and identify your changes. Linked official documents and operator pages retain their own rights.
Suggested citation: UnlistedSIM, SIM and eSIM ID rules by country (2026), source review 15 October 2026. Include the country, service type and Unknown status where relevant. The Markdown version contains the same visible table.
What else should I know about eSIM ID requirements?
Does buying an eSIM online mean I will never need a passport?
No. A locally issued tourist eSIM may require the same identification as a local physical SIM. A foreign travel eSIM has its own seller and network terms. UnlistedSIM does not ask for ID or an account email at checkout, but that does not establish every later network requirement.
Does Unknown mean I can use a travel eSIM without identity checks?
No. Unknown means the precise requirement has not been established from this edition's evidence. It is not an exemption or a guarantee. Keep checkout requirements separate from visited-network requirements and rules for registering the phone's IMEI.
Do all EU countries have the same SIM registration rule?
This registry does not establish a single EU-wide identity rule. Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Belgium and Cyprus have separate primary evidence and identification workflows. The Europe guide explains the shared distinction between a locally issued subscription and a foreign travel eSIM in roaming.
Does this register prove that a no-ID eSIM is legal in my destination?
No. It records published requirements and evidence limits. Checkout policy, local subscriptions, device registration and inbound roaming are separate questions. The register does not reach a legal conclusion about a person, product or planned use.