Mexico's new SIM registration rules: what tourists need to know

What the law says and when it took effect

Mexico's new Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law was published in the official gazette (DOF) on July 16, 2025. The provisions requiring mandatory identification of mobile lines came into force on January 9, 2026.

Here are the key rules:

• Every mobile line, including prepaid SIM cards, must be registered to a specific person.
• Mexican citizens register using their CURP identification number.
• Foreigners only need a name, nationality, and valid passport number. No CURP is required.
• Each person can register a maximum of 10 mobile lines.
• Data is held by the operators — there's no centralized government registry, and no fingerprints are collected.

How tourists buy a local SIM card in Mexico

The new rules don't stop tourists from buying a local SIM card — they just add a registration step.

Here's how it works:

• New SIM cards are sold deactivated and won't work until registration is complete.
• Some data-only SIM cards may be exempt from this rule.
• Online registration includes a "prueba de vida" (liveness check) — you look into your camera to verify your face.
• Alternatively, you can register in person at the operator's service center.
• According to the CRT, registration must be completed within 30 days of activating a newly purchased line.

So yes, you can still pick up a SIM card from Telcel or another operator in Cancún, Mexico City, or anywhere else. Just have your passport with you and set aside some extra time for registration.

The cutoff schedule for unregistered numbers

Numbers bought before the law took effect that still haven't been registered are being suspended in phases.

• Numbers ending in 0 have a deadline of August 15, 2026.
• The schedule continues in stages and wraps up on December 31, 2026 for numbers ending in 9.
• After each deadline, the operator has 72 hours to suspend the line.
• According to CRT figures from June 2026, roughly 23 million mobile lines still haven't been registered.

Once an unregistered number is suspended, calls and texts stop working. That also means bank SMS verification codes won't come through, so users can lose access to mobile banking.

Travel eSIMs are exempt from registration in Mexico (for now)

This is the part that matters most for tourists.

Right now, foreign travel eSIMs — and any foreign numbers operating in international roaming mode — are not covered by Mexico's mandatory SIM registration. The CRT officially confirmed this in May 2026.

In practice, that means:

• you can activate your travel eSIM before you leave home;
• no passport is required;
• no face check is required;
• you're online the moment you arrive in Mexico.

That said, under the law's transitional provisions, the CRT may develop a separate identification mechanism for roaming services after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As of July 2026, no such mechanism exists. So the exemption for travel eSIMs reflects the current situation, and it could change down the road.

Local SIM card or travel eSIM?

The right choice depends on how long you're staying and what you need.

A local SIM card makes sense if you're staying long term, need a local phone number, or want to sign up for Mexican services. You'll need to register with your passport to get one.

A travel eSIM is the more convenient choice for short and medium trips. If your phone supports eSIM, you can install the profile before you travel and start using data the moment you land in Mexico.

Travel eSIM providers like LimitSim, for example, offer a range of data plans for Mexico with prices starting from €0.50 — no extra registration process, just a connection that works.

The bottom line

From 2026, tourists who want a local SIM card in Mexico have to register with their passport. If all you need is data and you can live without a local phone number, a travel eSIM is currently the easiest option — and it doesn't require registration. Roaming rules could change in the future, though, so it's worth checking the latest official guidance before you travel.