Healthcare System in Turkey: everything you need to know

How does the Turkish healthcare system operate?

The Turkish healthcare system consists of two sectors, public and private, and is run by the Ministry of Health, universities and private companies offering health insurance plans. The public service covers child care, emergency care and prescription drugs.

Although the public system has improved in recent years, patients must wait a long time to be seen by a doctor, and the quality of care is not as good as in the private system.

To enroll in the universal public system, you must go to the nearest social security office. The Social Insurance Institution (SGK) is in charge of providing this service, and may also offer discounts for treatment in private clinics.

The private system has great professionals and facilities. It is because of this, and because of the lower cost of some procedures compared to other countries, that medical tourism has grown so much in Turkey. This means that thousands of people from Europe, the United States and other places around the world travel to Turkey for medical procedures. One of the most popular treatments amongst medical tourists is hair transplantation.

Private clinics offer their services to foreigners traveling temporarily, but they should make sure that the medical insurance they hire covers them at the medical center where they will be treated. 

How does the system work for foreigners?

If you live in Turkey for more than a year, you have access to the public healthcare system. You can also join the private system, which most foreigners choose to do. It is mandatory, in order to acquire a work or residence visa, to have health insurance.

If you move with your family, your spouse and child if under 18 years of age also receive the benefit of being enrolled in the healthcare system as a foreigner. If you choose the private system, you will have to pay a monthly fee that will vary depending on the amount of benefits you have in your plan.

If you are traveling to Turkey for a short period, either for vacation or specifically for a medical procedure, you must have health insurance. This can be travel insurance, with coverage for a couple of months, or international health insurance with comprehensive coverage. As mentioned above, make sure that the facility where you will be treated has coverage under your plan.

To compare, quote and purchase health insurance for your trip to Turkey, visit InternationalHealth.com. This international platform will show you the best travel insurance and international medical insurance based on your budget and medical needs 100% online.  

How do pharmacies operate in Turkey?

In the main cities you will find pharmacies that operate 24 hours a day. There you will be able to buy prescription and non-prescription drugs at low prices compared to other European and Western countries.

In the pharmacies there will always be a pharmacist who can asses you and recommend medication or redirect you to a doctor if necessary.

A number of medications are not allowed to enter Turkey, these are: painkillers, medications to treat depression or anxiety such as clonazepam, Ritalin, medications to kick an addiction and Benadryl. If you try to enter with these medications, you could face serious consequences that may even include jail time.

If you are carrying medication for your own treatment, you must bring a prescription signed and authorized by a doctor explaining the characteristics of the medication and why you need to have it with you. 

What do I do if I have an emergency in Turkey?

The national emergency hotline in Turkey is 112. Through this service you can get assistance from an ambulance. However, this will usually be from the public system. Therefore, you will have to wait longer than if you call the emergency service of a private clinic directly.

Always have the number of the private health care facility closest to you in hand so that you can get assistance promptly.

Other emergency numbers to keep handy:

Police: 155

Fire Department: 110

Entry Requirements

It is important to check if you need a visa to enter Turkey. In the following link you can enter your nationality and country of destination to find out if you need a visa.

There are no restrictions for travel to Turkey due to the Covid-19 pandemic.