Healthcare in Turkey

Healthcare in Turkey is a combination of both public and private health services. The Ministry of Health, universities, and the private sector all work together to provide quality healthcare for residents and visitors alike. There are two ways for foreigners and expats to get health benefits in Turkey: either universal health insurance or private health insurance.

Healthcare in Turkey is a combination of both public and private health services. The Ministry of Health, universities and the private sector all work together to provide quality healthcare for residents and visitors alike. 

There are two ways for foreigners and expats to get health benefits in Turkey: Universal Health Insurance or private health insurance. 

The European Health Insurance Card is not accepted in Turkey, so it's important to have alternate coverage before coming to the country. Additionally, health insurance is compulsory in Turkey - you'll need it to get residency or work permits. 

By planning ahead and being prepared, you can ensure that you and your family have access to the best possible healthcare while living in Turkey.

Foreigners and expats living in Turkey can apply for health benefits in two ways

1. Universal Health Insurance 

Turkish citizens are required to enrol in the country's universal health insurance program, which is administered by the Social Security Institution (SGK). Social security centres are located throughout Turkey and enrolled citizens can receive discounts at private hospitals. State hospitals are sometimes very crowded, but they provide most health services free of charge. The health insurance program covers most health issues, such as emergencies, pregnancy, and illnesses. However, it should be noted that some services, such as dental care and cosmetic surgery, are not covered by the basic insurance plan. For these services, citizens must either pay out of pocket or purchase supplemental insurance.

Treatment services covered by Universal Health Insurance: 

• Inpatient and outpatient services.

•  Occupational accidents and diseases

•  Pregnancy, birth, and related expenses

• Discounts in private hospitals and clinics, etc.

• Infectious diseases

•  Preventive health services 

• Treatment costs of foreigners and their dependents, except for chronic diseases

2. Private health insurance

In Turkey, you can get private health insurance by paying a monthly fee to an insurance company. Private health insurance offers more benefits than SGK does. These are shorter waiting times, the highest quality of care, and fewer unexpected expenses. Also, it’s easy to find more English-speaking doctors in private hospitals. So, you may prefer a private healthcare option rather than SGK. Note that you can use your private insurance at any hospital in Turkey, but you’ll usually have to pay a higher percentage of the bill if you go to a non-network hospital. If you have private health insurance through your employer, check to see if your policy has any restrictions on which hospitals you can use.

Treatment services covered by Private Insurance:

•  Medical examination costs 

• Costs for diagnostic examinations 

• Medication costs 

• Hospital services (operation, anaesthesia, medication, laboratory, radiology, etc.)

•  Room, bed, meal, and accompanying expenses during hospitalization.

•  Corneal, kidney, pancreas, liver, heart, and lung transplantation.

•  Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dialysis 

• Diagnostic biochemical, microbiological, pathological, radiological, and imaging tests during hospitalization.

•  Costs of artificial limbs in case of loss of limbs due to an accident or illness 

•  Postoperative physical therapy

•  Medical treatments for less than 24 hours (food poisoning, simple burn treatments)

• Treatments in intensive care

• Therapies related to teeth and nose caused by a traffic accident