Turkey – Doctors

How does the healthcare system in Turkey work, and does it cover expats?

Turkey’s public healthcare framework is built around a system of Universal Health Insurance that extends coverage to all citizens. Oversight falls to the Social Security Institution (SGK), which operates the General Health Insurance scheme — known in Turkish as Genel Sağlık Sigortası, or GSS. Unlike fully tax-funded models such as the NHS in the United Kingdom, where residency alone triggers automatic entitlement, Turkey uses a social insurance approach. Contributions flow from employers, employees, and the state, a structure broadly comparable to Germany’s statutory health insurance model.

For more than a decade, Turkey has delivered universal healthcare through the SGK framework, sustained by a combination of state, employer, and worker contributions. A particularly important feature of the scheme is that coverage extends well beyond routine appointments and emergency care — it encompasses most major health risks, including various forms of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

Foreign nationals who wish to enrol voluntarily must demonstrate that they have resided in Turkey legally and without interruption, under a valid residence permit, for a minimum of one year. Those who hold a Turkish work permit and are employed by a Turkish company, however, are brought into the SGK automatically on the very first day they begin work.

As part of the voluntary registration process, applicants must provide evidence that they are neither insured nor entitled to healthcare benefits in their country of origin. A standout characteristic of SGK is its willingness to cover chronic illnesses — including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease — even when these conditions predated the applicant’s enrolment. This is a level of inclusivity that most private insurance products do not match.

Turkey pairs a comprehensive public system with a flourishing private sector offering modern infrastructure and experienced medical personnel. With more than 20 JCI-accredited facilities, Turkey holds more internationally recognised hospital accreditations than any other country in Europe. For the latest information on eligibility conditions and scheme details, visit the Social Security Institution website (sgk.gov.tr) or the Turkish Ministry of Health (saglik.gov.tr).

How do you find and register with a doctor in Turkey?

Your allocation to a primary care physician in Turkey is determined by the district in which your official address is registered. This designated physician is referred to as your Aile Hekimi, or family doctor, and serves as the primary point of contact for everyday health concerns. The arrangement is structurally similar to the GP registration systems used in countries such as Ireland and the Netherlands, where patients are paired with a specific practitioner linked to their residential address.

Family Health Centres — Aile Sağlık Merkezleri, or ASM — are front-line healthcare facilities operating under the Ministry of Health and form an integral part of the state system. Their services span routine health assessments, immunisations, maternal and infant health programmes, chronic disease management, minor surgical procedures, and rehabilitation support.

Once insured, you can register with an Aile Hekimi at a nearby sağlık ocağı (health centre) for primary care. Should you require specialist attention or emergency treatment, both devlet hastanesi (state hospitals) and private hospitals are available. Carrying your identification and insurance documentation to every appointment is essential.

Online registration is available through Turkey’s e-government infrastructure. You can create an account directly at enabiz.gov.tr or via e-Devlet, the national e-government portal. Once registered, select the “Aile hekimimi değiştir” (change my family doctor) option to search by location and choose your preferred physician.

To register with SGK and gain access to public healthcare services, you will need to compile the required documentation and attend your nearest SGK office in person. Bring your passport, your residency application, proof of your address, and a medical report obtained from a doctor approved by SGK — office staff can supply a list of eligible practitioners. You will additionally need to confirm that you have no existing coverage or entitlements from your home country.

Public health centre appointments can be booked online through MHRS.gov.tr under the “Randevu Al” section, or by telephoning ALO 182. Up-to-date registration guidance is also available from the Ministry of Health at saglik.gov.tr.

Step-by-step: How to register with a family doctor in Turkey

1. Obtain your residence permit: Confirm that your residence permit (ikamet) is valid and that your registered address is accurate, since family doctor assignments are made according to your official district of residence.
2. Register with SGK: If you have been resident for more than one year — or if you are employed — visit your nearest SGK office carrying your passport, residence permit, proof of address, and a medical report from an SGK-approved physician. You will also need to demonstrate that you have no pre-existing coverage from your home country.
3. Create an e-Nabız / e-Devlet account: Visit enabiz.gov.tr or log in through the e-Devlet portal to establish your digital health profile. You will need the Turkish ID number shown on your residence permit and a Turkish mobile phone number.
4. Select your family doctor: Through the e-Nabız app or website, use the “Aile hekimimi değiştir” function to view and choose a family doctor (Aile Hekimi) at a health centre close to your registered address.
5. Begin contributing to SGK: Make SGK contributions for a minimum of 30 days before accessing care through the public system.
6. Attend your first appointment: Schedule your visit via MHRS.gov.tr or by calling 182. Take your residence permit and insurance documents along to every appointment.
7. Update on renewal: Each time you renew your residence permit, visit your local SGK office to update your healthcare registration accordingly.

How do you pay for a doctor’s appointment in Turkey?

For expats employed in Turkey, SGK contributions are made directly by the employer on the employee’s behalf. Those who enrol voluntarily after completing one year of residence pay a monthly premium calculated as a percentage of the national minimum wage, a figure that is revised annually. For 2025, this premium is estimated to fall in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 Turkish Lira per month — always confirm the current figure at sgk.gov.tr, as rates are updated on a regular basis.

SGK membership grants access to treatment at no cost in public facilities, and the scheme also contributes towards the cost of certain services at private clinics that have agreements with the system. At participating private facilities, insured patients can receive care free of charge, and prescription medicines are available at significantly reduced prices — sometimes at no cost at all.

When it comes to prescription medications, patients generally pay around 20% of the total cost themselves as of 2025, with retirees benefiting from a reduced co-payment rate of 10%. These figures are subject to revision, so always cross-check the latest co-payment information at the SGK website.

State hospitals may levy modest charges for certain procedures, but these remain far more affordable than self-funding private care. SGK frequently establishes agreements with private hospitals to make discounted treatment available, though patients should still expect some degree of out-of-pocket expenditure in these settings.

Emergency treatment is available to all individuals in Turkey at no charge, although private hospitals may impose an admission fee. This safety net is particularly valuable for newcomers who have not yet completed the SGK registration process.

Do you need private health insurance to see a doctor in Turkey?

Holding valid health insurance is a firm legal requirement for any foreign national intending to remain in Turkey for more than 90 days. For those who have recently relocated, private insurance is not merely the most popular choice during the first year of residence — it is the only viable one. Because newly arrived expats are not yet eligible for SGK, they must purchase private health insurance to satisfy the requirements of a first-year residence permit application. These policies are structured to meet the minimum standards set by the Directorate of Migration Management.

Foreign nationals living in Turkey can broadly choose between two pathways to healthcare access: joining the public SGK system or purchasing private health insurance. The most suitable option will depend on individual circumstances, including residency status, health needs, financial considerations, and personal priorities.

Private policies differ considerably from one provider to another, but typically include coverage for private hospital treatment, specialist consultations, and elective procedures. Many plans can be customised to incorporate international coverage, dental care, and optical services. Premium levels are influenced by the scope of coverage selected, the applicant’s age, and their health status. While private insurance generally costs more than voluntary SGK contributions, it tends to offer greater flexibility and a wider range of facilities.

Standard private insurance plans frequently exclude chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease from coverage. If these are not declared at the point of application, or if a higher-tier plan has not been selected, they will likely fall outside the policy. Expats managing ongoing conditions must carefully verify that their plan covers continuing diagnostics, prescribed medications, and routine monitoring appointments.

A number of expats choose to combine both options — using SGK for foundational coverage and supplementing it with private insurance to access private hospitals and a broader range of services. This hybrid arrangement can deliver strong overall coverage at a comparatively reasonable total cost.

Private insurance policies must be kept active and renewed before they lapse to avoid interruption to residency status. For current visa and residency-related insurance requirements, consult the Directorate General of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr).

How do you transfer your medical records to a doctor in Turkey?

Prior to departing your home country, request a comprehensive medical summary or patient history from your existing doctor or healthcare provider. Depending on the country, this document may be called a GP summary, a referral letter, or a patient transfer record. Where possible, obtain this in both your native language and translated into Turkish — a certified translation will enable your new physician in Turkey to review and act on the information without delay.

The e-Nabız platform plays a central role in the digitalisation of Turkey’s health services. Through this integrated system, individuals can securely access their own health data — including laboratory results, prescription records, appointment history, and treatment summaries — all from a single interface.

The e-Nabız platform draws on data from an extensive network of nearly 2,000 hospitals, 9,000 medical centres, 27,000 family medicine facilities, and 29,000 pharmacies. The system integrates with more than 40 of the information management platforms used across this network, consolidating records from each into one accessible location.

A significant development introduced in 2024 is the inter-level digital communication infrastructure within e-Nabız, which enables family physicians to share patient information directly with specialist physicians at secondary and tertiary care facilities. This functionality strengthens continuity of care across the referral chain and makes specialist follow-up more coordinated.

Developed by the Turkish Ministry of Health, e-Nabız serves as a centralised repository for citizens’ health information in digital form. It brings together personal health data, historical medical records, and diagnostic results in one place, giving both patients and healthcare providers fast access to the information they need. Once you have obtained a Turkish residence permit and been entered into the system, your health records generated in Turkey will be stored here automatically.

Records from overseas will not be imported into e-Nabız automatically. It is strongly advisable to bring printed and, where appropriate, translated copies of key documents — such as vaccination histories, lists of current and past medications, known allergies, and summaries of ongoing conditions — and to hand these directly to your Aile Hekimi. Access the e-Nabız platform at enabiz.gov.tr and consult the Ministry of Health website (saglik.gov.tr) for additional guidance.

What should expats know about language barriers and finding a doctor who consults in other languages?

Public healthcare facilities are less likely to employ staff who routinely consult in languages other than Turkish. Expats seeking medical care in a language they are comfortable with will generally find it easier to do so in private settings, particularly if they are not accompanied by a Turkish-speaking companion.

In major urban centres such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, access to high-quality medical services is readily available, with well-equipped facilities and physicians who frequently have international training backgrounds. In rural or more remote areas, however, both the range of available resources and the likelihood of finding multilingual staff are considerably reduced.

Private hospitals typically offer more immediate access to care and are more likely to have departments and staff orientated towards international patients, including clinicians and administrative personnel who operate in languages other than Turkish. The convenience of private care does, however, come at a higher financial cost.

Many private hospitals maintain dedicated international patient units with multilingual staff, making it far simpler for foreign residents unfamiliar with Turkish or the local healthcare system to navigate appointments, procedures, and paperwork. In popular expat destinations — Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, and Bodrum in particular — finding private clinics and hospitals with international patient services is relatively straightforward.

Expat community groups and online forums can be an excellent source of personal recommendations for trusted local practitioners, as well as practical advice on navigating cultural differences and procedural requirements. Many embassies and consulates maintain regularly updated lists of local doctors with multilingual capabilities — visiting your country’s embassy website in Turkey is worth doing early in your relocation. The Ministry of Health website also hosts a searchable hospital directory organised by region.

Pharmacies are found throughout Turkey and typically operate on a rotating 24-hour schedule, ensuring that essential medications remain accessible at all hours. Pharmacists are well positioned to advise on minor health complaints, and in cities and tourist-heavy areas, many speak conversational English or other European languages — making them a convenient first port of call for non-urgent health queries.

What do expats need to know about prescriptions and medication in Turkey?

Expats enrolled in the SGK public health system benefit from subsidised or in some cases free medication. Those covered by private insurance will usually need to pay upfront at the pharmacy and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Keeping all receipts and related documentation is therefore essential when paying out of pocket.

Under SGK, patients typically contribute around 20% of the cost of prescribed medications as of 2025, while retirees benefit from a lower co-payment rate of 10%. Always verify the current figures directly with SGK (sgk.gov.tr) or the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (titck.gov.tr), as these rates are periodically revised.

Prescriptions written abroad are not accepted by Turkish pharmacies as a rule — any medication you require will need to be freshly prescribed by a licensed doctor practising in Turkey. When attending your first appointment with your Aile Hekimi, bring thorough documentation of any medicines you are currently taking, noting both generic and brand names, dosages, and the conditions for which they were prescribed. Generic names are especially important, as many drugs are sold under different brand names in Turkey than in your home country.

Through the integration of the SGK Medula system with e-Nabız, millions of transactions — including consultations, prescriptions, and diagnostic information — are automatically logged and made traceable in real time. This means that once you are registered in the system, your prescription history in Turkey will be recorded centrally and accessible to any treating physician via the e-Nabız platform.

Pharmacies in Turkey are known as “eczane” and are identified by a red cross symbol. Standard opening hours run from approximately 9 am to 7 pm, with most pharmacies closed on weekends. A rotating system of duty pharmacies — nöbetçi eczane — ensures that at least one in each area remains open around the clock. To find the nearest on-duty pharmacy, search “nöbetçi eczane” alongside your location on Google, or use the e-Nabız app, which also displays duty pharmacy locations.

SGK coverage for dental care is limited largely to basic procedures such as extractions at public facilities, and provision for ophthalmology services and glasses is minimal. Specialist dental prescriptions or eye medications will generally require either private insurance or direct payment out of pocket. For the most current information on which medications and treatments are subsidised, refer to the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK).

Frequently asked questions

What should I do in a medical emergency in Turkey?

If you find yourself in a medical emergency, call 112 to reach ambulance services. Emergency departments at both public and private hospitals operate around the clock. Emergency treatment is available to everyone in Turkey at no cost, though some private hospitals may apply an admission charge. Store the number 112 in your phone before you need it, and if possible, identify a trusted Turkish-speaking contact who could assist with communication in an emergency.

Does SGK cover pre-existing conditions?

One of the most notable benefits of SGK is that it includes coverage for chronic illnesses — among them diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease — even when those conditions existed before the person enrolled. This stands in contrast to most private insurance products in Turkey, which routinely exclude pre-existing conditions from standard plans. To obtain private coverage for a pre-existing condition, you will generally need to declare it upfront and select a higher-tier policy that explicitly encompasses it.

How long does it take before I can use the SGK public system?

Voluntary registration with SGK requires at least one full year of continuous, lawful residence in Turkey under a valid permit. Following registration, you must also make SGK contributions for a minimum of 30 days before you can begin accessing care through the public system. Expats employed under a Turkish work permit are automatically enrolled from their first working day and are not subject to this waiting period.

What happens to my healthcare access if I lose my job or change employment status?

Should your employment in Turkey come to an end, the SGK coverage provided through your employer will cease. Depending on whether you satisfy the residency eligibility criteria, you may be able to transition to voluntary SGK contributions — otherwise, taking out private health insurance will be necessary to maintain both legal residency and healthcare access. Inform your local SGK office promptly whenever your employment situation changes. Current rules are available at sgk.gov.tr.

Is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) valid in Turkey?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not recognised in Turkey. European nationals therefore need to arrange either travel or private health insurance before visiting or relocating to the country. This requirement applies whether you are staying briefly or settling long term, making private insurance a practical necessity from the very moment of arrival.

Can I see a specialist directly, or do I need a referral?

Within the public healthcare system, your Aile Hekimi serves as the entry point and will issue a referral to a specialist (uzman doktor) at a state hospital when your condition warrants it. Cultivating a good relationship with your family doctor is therefore valuable — they are your gateway into specialist care, emergency pathways, and ongoing disease management. In the private sector, direct booking with a specialist is generally possible, though your insurance policy may still require a GP referral as a condition of reimbursement.

Do I need to speak Turkish to navigate the healthcare system?

Getting to grips with the public system without Turkish can be challenging, given the potential for communication difficulties and the administrative processes involved. Even a basic level of Turkish, or the use of a translation tool or bilingual companion, can make a considerable difference. In private hospitals and clinics — especially those in large cities — multilingual staff and international patient departments are common, easing the experience significantly. Using a translation app, bringing a bilingual friend, or engaging a relocation service are all practical strategies during the initial settling-in period.

Will my family members be covered under my SGK registration?

The same monthly SGK premium that covers the principal insured person also extends to their spouse and children under the age of 18 at no additional cost. This built-in family coverage makes SGK especially worthwhile for households with multiple members. With private insurance, family members are typically added to the policy for an additional premium, or may need individual policies depending on the insurer’s terms.