Turkey – Disability

What are the general attitudes towards disability in Turkey?

Turkish society’s prevailing attitude towards disabled people is one of sympathy and family solidarity. Research conducted by the Administration for Disabled People found that public sentiment towards people with disabilities is broadly positive, and that disabled individuals are not widely regarded as a burden within family, workplace, or educational settings, with most communities expressing openness to supporting their participation in employment and social life.

Yet sympathetic sentiment does not always lead to meaningful inclusion. Despite generally positive views about employing people with disabilities, these attitudes are not consistently reflected in actual hiring outcomes, and comparatively low educational attainment among disabled people continues to limit their access to employment and broader social engagement.

Historically, Turkish approaches to disability have been shaped by a medical model — one that frames disability primarily in terms of functional limitation and the requirement for care — rather than the social model that drives policy in countries such as the UK or Australia, where the focus lies on dismantling societal barriers. Turkey’s legal definition characterises disability as difficulty in adapting to social life and meeting everyday needs as a result of losses in physical, mental, psychological, sensory, or social capabilities, framing the appropriate response in terms of protection, care, rehabilitation, and support. Ratification of the CRPD has gradually nudged this framing in a different direction, but a care-centred culture remains prevalent across much of the country.

Ensuring disabled people’s full participation across education, employment, the arts, and public life remains an ongoing challenge, and there is growing recognition that support should promote self-sufficiency rather than passive dependency. Attitudes tend to be more progressive in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir than in smaller towns and rural areas, meaning that your experience as a disabled expat will likely vary considerably based on where you choose to live.

What legal protections exist for disabled people in Turkey?

Turkey’s disability rights legislation operates across multiple levels, encompassing constitutional guarantees, a dedicated national statute, and specific provisions within employment and education law.

Article 10 of the Turkish Constitution establishes equality before the law without discrimination on various grounds. Following constitutional amendments in 2010, the document now explicitly permits affirmative action for disabled people, stating that measures adopted on their behalf shall not be treated as a breach of the equality principle.

Parliament passed the Law on Disabled People and on Making Amendments in Some Laws and Decree Laws (Law No. 5378, commonly referred to as the Turkish Disability Act) in 2005, setting out the objectives, scope, definitions, and foundational principles of disability law at the national level. The enactment of Law No. 5378 represented a significant turning point in Turkish disability policy, establishing a framework aimed at safeguarding the rights of disabled people by advancing accessibility, social inclusion, and equal opportunities across healthcare, employment, and education.

Employment obligations are clearly delineated: the required proportion of disabled employees stands at 3% in private establishments and 4% in public institutions. Where an employer operates multiple sites within a province, the quota is calculated against the combined total workforce across those locations. In the private sector, these obligations apply to businesses employing 50 or more people. Disabled workers cannot be assigned to underground, underwater, or night-shift work.

The Disability Act establishes that no person may be denied the right to education on disability grounds. Disabled children, young people, and adults are entitled to receive equal education alongside their non-disabled peers in inclusive settings, with appropriate special measures put in place as required.

Despite broad legislative protections against discrimination, certain statutes continue to exclude disabled people from specific professions. People with disabilities are legally prohibited from becoming judges or prosecutors, and from serving in roles such as diplomat or provincial governor. Those who require precise, up-to-date information on current legal thresholds or protections should consult the Ministry of Justice of Turkey or the Turkish Ombudsman Institution.

Has Turkey ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)?

Turkey ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008, placing it among the earlier signatories in its region. By doing so, Turkey became legally bound by the CRPD’s wide-ranging standards covering employment, education, accessibility, healthcare, and independent living.

The Convention serves as a cornerstone for disability-related regulations in Turkey, and its provisions may be cited directly in Turkish courts. All disability law and related legal practice in Turkey is grounded in the obligations that ratification entails.

Article 33 of the CRPD calls for a designated government body to coordinate implementation across sectors. This function is carried out by the General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly (EYHGM), established under the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, with the aim of advancing the rights and wellbeing of disabled people.

Although Turkey has made meaningful progress in aligning its legal landscape with international standards including the CRPD, persistent implementation gaps and entrenched cultural attitudes continue to pose difficulties in practice. UN monitoring bodies have highlighted concerns particularly regarding physical accessibility and disabled people’s employment situation. Turkey has submitted state reports to the CRPD Committee and received concluding observations containing recommendations; the current status can be followed via the UN OHCHR Treaty Body database. Turkey has not ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD, which means individuals are currently unable to submit complaints directly to the CRPD Committee.

How accessible is public transport in Turkey for disabled people?

Public transport accessibility is on an upward trajectory in Turkey’s major cities, but the picture remains inconsistent, with a pronounced divide between urban and rural provision. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have attracted the most investment, while smaller cities and rural towns lag considerably behind.

Istanbul’s metro system has made tangible advances in step-free access, with lifts, tactile paving, and priority seating increasingly featured on newer lines. Ankara’s metro similarly incorporates modern accessibility features on its more recently completed sections. Older bus fleets, tram services, and ferries, however, offer highly variable levels of access, and station lifts can be unreliable when out of service.

Disabled people continue to face physical obstacles when using public facilities including transport, partly because the government has not yet fully established and enforced all the necessary regulatory frameworks. Service animals, for example, have historically encountered restrictions on public transport, reducing access for some blind and visually impaired travellers.

One expat who has lived in Istanbul since 2019 noted that most older Turkish buildings pre-date the era of lift installation, though stair-climbing chair solutions are becoming more widespread. They also described the difficulties blind pedestrians face when crossing busy roads between fast-moving traffic. This ground-level experience provides a useful corrective to formal legal standards: laws may set requirements, but enforcement and infrastructure investment have not always advanced in step.

The Accessibility Support Project (ERDEP), coordinated by EYHGM, aims to extend accessibility across provincial and national levels through practical model environments, providing technical assistance for making key public spaces — including pavements, pedestrian crossings, parks, public toilets, car parks, and mass transit stops — genuinely accessible. The initiative signals serious intent, but progress is incremental. Expats who depend on public transport are advised to research the accessibility situation specific to their intended city before making a move.

How accessible are public buildings and spaces in Turkey for disabled people?

Turkish building regulations stipulate that public buildings must meet accessibility standards, and newer constructions in larger cities generally incorporate ramps, accessible toilet facilities, and lift access. In practice, however, enforcement is uneven, and the extensive stock of older buildings — particularly in historic city centres and rural communities — continues to present stubborn barriers.

Government efforts to broaden physical accessibility have fallen short in a number of areas, most notably in public facilities where compliance with accessibility obligations has been inconsistent. Cultural venues, museums, and government offices occupying older buildings are the places most frequently cited as problematic by disabled residents.

EYHGM provides technical guidance for piloting and demonstrating accessible environments, with projects encompassing provincial ministry offices, municipal buildings, governors’ offices, museums, health centres, hospitals, and schools. This confirms official acknowledgement of the shortfall and an active commitment to improvement — but progress remains slow and unevenly spread across the country.

Pavements present a particular challenge in Turkish cities. Uneven surfaces, vehicles parked across dropped kerbs, and missing tactile indicators are commonplace even in major urban areas. Many older neighbourhood restaurants and shops have steps at their entrances, with no alternative ramp access. Newer commercial developments and shopping centres generally offer better accessibility, having been constructed to more recent standards. Expats are strongly advised to visit their intended neighbourhood on foot — or consult local disability community networks — before signing a rental agreement.

What disability benefits or financial support is available to expats in Turkey?

Turkey’s approach to disability benefits is based on a social assistance model rather than a contributory disability insurance scheme. Unlike systems such as Germany’s Schwerbehindertenausweis or the UK’s Personal Independence Payment — which can be accessed on the basis of a health assessment alone — Turkish state disability support is predominantly means-tested and tied either to employment contribution records or to formal welfare eligibility criteria.

As of 2024, the government pays home care assistance of TL 7,608 per month (equivalent to approximately 44% of the net minimum wage) to households providing care for disabled family members, with more than 750,000 families currently receiving this support. Disability allowances ranging from TL 2,797 to TL 4,196 per month are paid according to the assessed level of disability. These figures are revised regularly in response to inflation; always confirm current amounts directly with the Ministry of Family and Social Services (Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı).

Under the long-term insurance branch of the Social Security Institution (SGK), invalidity insurance offers financial assistance to people who become disabled and are no longer able to work. Eligibility requires a minimum of 1,800 days of premium contributions and at least 10 years of insurance coverage. Most newly arrived expats will not yet have accumulated the required contribution history.

Whether expats working in Turkey must contribute to the social security system depends on bilateral agreements between Turkey and their country of origin, making it essential to understand the rules applicable to your specific situation. Turkey has concluded bilateral social security agreements with a number of countries; where your home country is covered, prior contribution years may be partly recognised. Check with the Social Security Institution (SGK) and your home country’s pension authority for details.

Individuals holding a recognised Turkish disability certificate are eligible for income tax rebates and are exempt from paying motor vehicle tax (Motorlu Taşıtlar Vergisi). These concessions are available to registered residents with formal disability documentation. Depending on the social security institution with which a disabled person is registered, certain costs — including disability equipment such as wheelchairs and hearing aids, and institutional or home care — may be partially or fully reimbursed.

What healthcare and rehabilitation services are available to disabled expats in Turkey?

Turkey’s universal health insurance system operates through the Social Security Institution (SGK), governed by Law No. 5510 on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance. Expat access to the public system depends primarily on residency status and contribution history.

SGK provides compulsory health insurance for all citizens and legally resident individuals in Turkey, covering treatment at public and contracted private healthcare facilities, medications, and medical procedures. Expats who are employed and contributing to SGK, or who qualify as legal residents, can access the public system including disability-related services such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation programmes, and assistive equipment.

Access to social and healthcare services for disabled people intersects with Law No. 5378, which requires medical facilities to be accessible to disabled patients. Nevertheless, implementation remains inconsistent in practice. Sign language interpretation in hospitals, for example, is a legal requirement that is not reliably provided across the country.

Expats who are not yet contributing to SGK — for instance, those who have recently arrived on short-stay visas or who are living on personal savings — will need to arrange private health insurance to cover disability-related healthcare needs. Private hospitals in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are generally well equipped with rehabilitation facilities and assistive technology, but costs can be considerable without adequate insurance coverage. It is essential to confirm your entitlements with both the Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı) and SGK before assuming what is covered.

Rehabilitation centres (rehabilitasyon merkezleri) operate in most major cities under both public and private management. Public rehabilitation services are theoretically available to all SGK-insured individuals, though waiting lists can be lengthy in busy urban areas. Private rehabilitation is generally faster but costly without insurance. Assistive technology — including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and prosthetics — may be partially reimbursed under SGK for those who are insured.

How does the process of having a disability assessed or recognised work in Turkey?

Formal disability recognition is a prerequisite in Turkey for accessing most state support, tax concessions, employment quota protections, and healthcare subsidies. The assessment process is overseen by health councils operating within state hospitals (Sağlık Kurulu).

1. Obtain a referral: Attend a state hospital (Devlet Hastanesi) and request a referral to the hospital’s health council for a disability assessment. You will need to present your Turkish residence permit (ikamet) along with identity documentation.
2. Attend the health council: A multidisciplinary panel of medical specialists examines you and reviews the medical documentation you have brought. The council then issues a disability report (engelli sağlık kurulu raporu) that classifies your disability by type and percentage.
3. Receive your disability card: Once the report has been issued, you may apply for an official disability card (engelli kimlik kartı) through the Ministry of Family and Social Services or via the e-Government portal (e-Devlet). This card is the primary document enabling access to benefits and exemptions.
4. Apply for relevant support: Present your disability card when applying for applicable benefits, tax relief, transport concessions, and employment quota registration through the relevant ministries and SGK.

Medical documentation from abroad — such as a diagnosis or disability assessment issued in your home country — is not automatically accepted by the Turkish health council; the Turkish system requires its own independent assessment. Bringing comprehensive and certified translated medical records to your appointment will nonetheless assist the council in reviewing your case more efficiently. It is advisable to have documents translated by a certified sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) prior to attending.

Processing times vary between hospitals and cities. In major urban centres the process typically takes anywhere from several weeks to a few months from initial referral through to receipt of the disability card, though this is not formally guaranteed and may take longer. As of 2025, no standard published fees have been established for the initial health council assessment under the SGK system, but you should confirm current procedures with your nearest state hospital or the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

What support exists for disabled children and young people in Turkey?

Law No. 5378 establishes that no disabled person may be denied the right to education under any circumstances. Disabled children, young people, and adults are entitled to receive equal education alongside non-disabled peers in inclusive settings, with special measures, counselling, and coordination centres provided within higher education institutions to support disabled students.

Turkey has been progressively shifting towards inclusive education in mainstream schools, supported by resource room arrangements (kaynaştırma eğitimi) and itinerant specialist teachers. Dedicated special education schools continue to serve children with more complex needs, and special education application centres (özel eğitim uygulama merkezi) cater to different types and degrees of disability.

Expat children who are legally resident in Turkey are entitled to attend public schools, including the inclusive education provisions available to Turkish nationals. The quality of special educational needs (SEN) support, however, varies considerably between institutions and regions — schools in major cities typically have better-resourced SEN provision than those in smaller towns or rural areas. Some international schools in Istanbul and Ankara offer SEN support to varying extents; it is worth making direct enquiries about specific provision before enrolling a child.

Disabled children are given priority for places in state childcare settings, with a portion of capacity reserved for vulnerable groups including children with disabilities. For the most current guidance on educational support for disabled children, contact the General Directorate of Special Education and Guidance (Özel Eğitim ve Rehberlik Hizmetleri Genel Müdürlüğü) within the Ministry of National Education.

What advocacy and support organisations exist for disabled people in Turkey?

Turkey has a range of organisations working across disability rights advocacy, peer support, and direct service provision. The majority operate primarily in Turkish, though some maintain international connections or can provide guidance to foreign residents.

• General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly (EYHGM) — The principal government body responsible for coordinating disability policy, accessibility initiatives, and CRPD implementation, operating under the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Website: aile.gov.tr
• Türkiye Özürlüler Konfederasyonu (Turkish Confederation of Disabled People) — A national umbrella organisation representing disability groups throughout Turkey, involved in policy advocacy and engagement. Website: turkiyeozurlulerkonfederasyonu.org.tr
• Fiziksel Engelliler Vakfı (Foundation for People with Physical Disabilities) — An Istanbul-based foundation offering support services and advocacy for people with physical disabilities. Contact: İnanca İş Merkezi No. 9/3, 34381 Şişli, Istanbul; Tel: 0212 343 77 77 / 444 60 00.
• Türkiye Görme Engelliler Vakfı (Turkish Foundation for People with a Vision Impairment) — Provides services and advocates on behalf of blind and visually impaired people across Turkey. Based in Kadıköy, Istanbul. Tel: 0216 345 35 25.
• Bedensel Engelliler Dayanışma Derneği (Solidarity Association for People with a Disability) — Offers peer support and community-based activities for physically disabled people. Based in Maltepe, Istanbul. Tel: 0216 370 81 66 / 0216 370 26 26.
• ALO 170 Helpline (Ministry of Labour and Social Security) — A round-the-clock helpline covering queries on labour law, social security, and disability-related matters, accessible from within Turkey and internationally, with coverage of legislation relating to the Ministry of Labour, SGK, and the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR). Tel: 170 (within Turkey) or +90 312 296 17 00 from abroad.

At the time of writing, no organisation specifically dedicated to supporting expats with disabilities in Turkey was identified. Expat community groups in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir frequently serve as informal but valuable sources of practical information and peer support; searching platforms such as InterNations or Facebook for expat disability networks in your target city is a worthwhile starting point.

What practical tips should disabled expats know before moving to Turkey?

Relocating to Turkey as a disabled person requires thorough preparation in advance. Below are the most important steps and considerations to bear in mind.

• Have your medical records comprehensively translated before departure. Ensure that your diagnosis, treatment history, and any existing disability assessments are translated by a certified translator. The Turkish health council will carry out its own independent assessment, but having your paperwork in order will expedite the process considerably.
• Clarify your social security position at an early stage. Whether you are required to contribute to the Turkish social security system depends on bilateral agreements between Turkey and your home country, so understanding the specifics of your situation is essential. Contact SGK or your home country’s social security authority before you relocate to establish whether prior contribution years can be counted.
• Use private health insurance as a bridge. Until you are contributing to SGK and have established legal residency, private health insurance covering disability-related needs is indispensable. Ensure that any policy you purchase does not exclude pre-existing conditions, or that any such exclusions are fully understood before you commit.
• Investigate accessibility in your specific city thoroughly. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have the strongest urban accessibility infrastructure, yet even in these cities older districts can be extremely challenging to navigate. Visiting your intended neighbourhood before committing to a rental, where possible, is highly recommended.
• Apply for a disability card (engelli kimlik kartı) as soon as you become eligible. This card is the gateway to tax exemptions, transport concessions, employment quota protections, and healthcare subsidies. Make this a priority once formal residency has been established.
• Guide and assistance dogs are not well established in Turkey. Guide dogs are uncommon in Turkey, and private companies offering trained assistance dogs are rare. If you depend on a guide or assistance dog, research the legal position and the practical reality of acceptance in public spaces before travelling, as rights of access for service animals are not consistently upheld.
• Develop sufficient Turkish for healthcare and administrative settings. While private hospitals in major cities may employ English-speaking staff, public hospitals and local clinics frequently do not. Having a trusted person available to assist with interpretation — or engaging a professional interpreter — is strongly advisable for medical and benefits-related appointments.
• Employment quota access requires formal Turkish disability recognition. To benefit from the 3% private sector or 4% public sector disability employment quota, you will need an officially issued Turkish disability certificate. Documentation from your home country will not be accepted as a substitute.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my existing disability benefits from my home country to Turkey?

Whether you can continue receiving disability payments from your home country while living in Turkey is governed by your home country’s rules, not Turkey’s. A significant number of countries will suspend or reduce domestic disability payments upon permanent emigration. Certain bilateral social security agreements do permit pension or disability payments to continue, but you must verify this with the relevant authority in your home country before making the move. Turkey will neither automatically recognise nor replicate foreign benefit arrangements.

Can I access Turkey’s public health system for disability-related treatment as an expat?

SGK provides compulsory health insurance for all citizens and legally resident individuals in Turkey, encompassing access to public and contracted private healthcare, medications, and medical procedures. Once you are legally resident and either in employment contributing to SGK or voluntarily insured, you can access disability-related healthcare through the public system. Prior to reaching that point, private insurance will be necessary.

Will my disability assessment from my home country be recognised in Turkey?

No — Turkey requires its own independent health council assessment to assign a formal disability classification and issue a disability card. Overseas assessments and diagnoses are not automatically accepted, though they constitute useful supporting evidence. Bring certified translated medical records to your assessment appointment to help the Turkish health council review your situation as efficiently as possible.

Are there accessible housing options for disabled expats in Turkey?

Newly built apartment developments, particularly in larger cities, are increasingly constructed to modern accessibility standards. Turkey’s substantial older housing stock — especially in historic city centres and traditional residential neighbourhoods — is, however, frequently inaccessible, lacking lifts and featuring stepped entrances. Ask prospective landlords directly about accessibility features and inspect any property in person before signing a lease. Ground-floor apartments in newer buildings are often the most practical solution.

Is Turkey a welcoming environment for expats with mental health disabilities?

Mental health conditions are often less openly discussed or well understood in Turkey than physical disabilities, reflecting broader cultural attitudes towards mental health. Psychiatric services are available within the public health system, and private mental health provision is expanding, particularly in major cities. Stigma surrounding mental health conditions can, however, be more pronounced than in some other countries, and expats may benefit from seeking out mental health professionals with experience working with international clients.

Are disabled children of expats entitled to special educational needs support in Turkish schools?

Legally resident expat children are entitled to attend Turkish public schools, including inclusive education placements. The quality of special educational needs provision varies considerably between individual schools and regions, however. International schools in Istanbul and Ankara may offer differing levels of SEN support. Contact the school directly and, where further guidance is needed, the local Provincial Directorate of National Education (İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü).

What financial concessions are available to disabled people registered in Turkey?

Individuals who hold a recognised Turkish disability certificate are eligible for income tax rebates and are exempt from paying motor vehicle tax. Further concessions may include reduced fares on certain public transport networks and priority access to selected social services. The specific concessions available to you will depend on your disability classification percentage; contact the Ministry of Family and Social Services for a complete and up-to-date list.

Where can I find official information about disability rights and services in Turkey?

The main official sources are the Ministry of Family and Social Services (Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı), which oversees the EYHGM disability directorate; the Social Security Institution (SGK) for queries about contributions and benefits; and the Ministry of Health for healthcare entitlements. The ALO 170 helpline operates around the clock and can handle enquiries relating to labour law, social security, and disability matters.