Healthcare in Turkey

The quality of healthcare and health insurance for expats in Turkey varies from region to region. Expats moving to Turkey will be happy to know that healthcare in the country is generally cheaper than elsewhere in Europe and that there are many private and public hospitals across the country.

Expats moving to one of the major urban centres in Turkey, such as Istanbul or Ankara, will have access to high-quality private hospitals with experienced doctors and medical staff, most of whom can speak English. Those living in more rural areas, however, will find access to healthcare still quite limited.

Health insurance is a requirement for all residence permit holders. After a year of residency in Turkey, expats can sign up for the public healthcare system.

Read more:
Healthcare and Hospitals in Istanbul

Health insurance in Turkey

Having health insurance in Turkey is compulsory for all residents who are under 65 and living in the country.

Expats who have been residents in Turkey for more than a year with a valid residence permit can apply to Turkey’s public health insurance scheme (GSS), which is administered by the state-run Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK). Once registered, services are activated after the first premium is paid. Expats with a valid work permit are enrolled in the SGK by their employer immediately, with no waiting period.

Despite this, many expats opt for additional private medical insurance to supplement their public insurance and to cover medical care at private institutions. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) are not valid in Turkey.

Several international companies offer private expat health insurance. Local Turkish companies also offer competitive rates and services. International health insurance can cost thousands of US dollars per year, depending on one’s policy and benefits. Local Turkish health insurance is far cheaper and meets the requirements for a residence permit, but the coverage may be less comprehensive than an international plan.

Visas and Residence Permits in Turkey

Public healthcare in Turkey

Although most expats prefer to opt for private care, public healthcare in Turkey has seen improvements in recent years that have led to an increase in the quality of public institutions. Many expats still lean towards private hospitals to avoid the long waiting times and potential language barriers common in the state system.

Public healthcare is largely free to those in the system, although some costs are subsidised rather than fully funded. Out-of-pocket expenses tend to be minimal, but expats can also get additional private health insurance to cover these additional expenses.

Useful links

• T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı (Turkish Ministry of Health)
• Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK)

Private healthcare in Turkey

Private healthcare in Turkey offers good quality care and is relatively cheap compared to Western Europe or the US. In fact, Turkey is making a name for itself as a medical tourism destination, particularly in the areas of cosmetic surgery, dentistry and fertility treatment. It’s normally easy to make an appointment at a private hospital, as many of them have English-speaking call centres and online booking systems. Although private facilities and services in Turkey are cheaper than in other countries, it is still necessary to get private health insurance to cover medical expenses.

Medicines and pharmacies in Turkey

Accessing medicines and pharmacies in Turkey is relatively easy, as pharmacies (eczane) are plentiful in the main towns and cities. Pharmacies are easily identifiable by a large, illuminated red ‘E’ on a white background.

Many medications are available cheaply, but the rules for prescriptions differ from those in other countries. For example, some items like birth control pills or certain asthma inhalers may be sold over the counter. Conversely, all antibiotics, strong painkillers, and psychiatric medications strictly require a prescription from a Turkish doctor. Most neighbourhoods in major cities have a duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) that is open 24 hours; all pharmacies post a list of the nearest ones on duty in their window.

Useful links

• Istanbul Chamber of Pharmacists (Duty Pharmacy List)
• Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK)

Health hazards in Turkey

While Turkey’s water is officially declared safe to drink, it often has a strong chemical taste, and most expats and locals alike prefer to drink bottled water. Air pollution in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara can also be a significant health hazard, particularly during the winter months.

While Turkey was once a risk zone for malaria, the disease has been effectively eliminated, and there is currently no risk of transmission. However, in summer, mosquitoes remain a nuisance, particularly in coastal regions, so repellent is still a useful addition to your shopping list.

Vaccinations in Turkey

There are no specific vaccinations in Turkey required for entry, although those coming from a yellow-fever-infected area should have a yellow fever certificate. Expats should ensure they are up to date with all routine vaccinations, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), tetanus, and polio.

Vaccinations for Hepatitis A (spread via contaminated food and water) and Hepatitis B (spread via bodily fluids) are also standard recommendations. A rabies injection is another wise precaution, especially if one plans on travelling outside the main urban areas or being in close contact with animals, as Turkey has a high incidence of rabies in its large stray animal population.

Emergency services in Turkey

The single number for all emergency services in Turkey (including ambulance, police, and fire) is 112. While the public ambulance service is available via this number, some hospitals in major cities offer private ambulance services that can be accessed directly. These are often better equipped, may have faster response times, and are more likely to have English-speaking staff. Many private health insurers provide their members with a list of direct numbers for their preferred hospital network in case of an emergency.