Healthcare in Turkey in 2025: Expats and Foreigners

Healthcare in Turkey is well known for its accessibility and affordability, with a wide range of medical facilities available for residents and tourists. With many healthcare workers speaking English, communication is easy for international patients.

Turkey has both public and private healthcare systems. While all citizens have access to universal healthcare, most foreign nationals opt for private healthcare due to shorter wait times and broader coverage.

Thanks to its modern facilities and highly trained professionals, Turkey’s private healthcare sector has also made the country a leading destination for medical tourism, attracting thousands of patients from around the world each year.

In this guide you will learn about:

• The Turkish healthcare system
• Universal healthcare in Turkey
• Private health insurance in Turkey
• Family healthcare centers in Turkey
• Healthcare in Turkey for retirees
• Cost of healthcare in Turkey
• Medication and pharmacies in Turkey
• Getting an appointment or emergency cases
• Alternative medicine in Turkey

Healthcare services in Turkey are provided by the Turkish Ministry of Health (MOH), university hospitals, and the private sector.

Accessing healthcare in Turkey is simple and efficient, thanks to its universal and mandatory healthcare system. Managed by the Ministry of Health, public medical services are available to nearly all citizens.

Private healthcare operates alongside the Universal Healthcare Insurance, which provides basic coverage for Turkish citizens and is funded through taxes in Turkey. Anyone living in the nation, who is under the age of 65, has to be covered by a health insurance policy, regardless of whether they choose the private or public healthcare system.

It’s important to note that the Global Health Insurance card (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are not valid in Turkey. Foreign nationals should also note that medical coverage is necessary to receive work permits or residency. This is particularly important for those that are planning obtain Turkey citizenship by investment.

History of the Turkish healthcare system

The Turkish healthcare system has undergone major reforms over the past two decades, significantly improving both access and quality of healthcare in Turkey.

Before 2000, less than two-thirds of the population had health insurance, leaving many to pay out of pocket or forgo treatment. That changed in 2003, when the government, backed by the World Bank, launched the Health Transformation Program to ensure equal access for all.

Further progress came in 2010 with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, boosting investment in Turkey healthcare and expanding private insurance options. Today, Turkey offers a much higher standard of care through both public and private systems.

Launched in 2003 by the Turkish government and World Bank as part of the Health Transformation Program, Universal Healthcare Insurance in Turkey has been a massive success for the country.

Turkey’s public healthcare system operates under Universal Health Insurance, covering all citizens. It is administered by the Social Security Institution (SGK) under the General Health Insurance scheme (Genel Sağlık Sigortası – GSS).

If you are employed in Turkey, your employer will directly pay into the SGK on your behalf. Alternatively, you can voluntarily enroll into the system and pay into the GSS monthly, at about 780 TL ($20.50).

Who is eligible for healthcare in Turkey?

After living in Turkey for a year, foreigners can apply for public healthcare through the Social Security Institution (SGK). To register, visit your local SGK office with your passport, residency application, proof of address, and a medical report from an approved doctor (your SGK office can provide a list). You’ll also need to show that you don’t already have coverage or benefits from your home country.

Once registered, you’ll choose a family doctor and begin contributing to the SGK system. After 30 days of payments, you can access public healthcare just like Turkish citizens. When renewing your Turkey residence permit, don’t forget to update your coverage at the SGK office.

However, many expats prefer international health insurance, which offers faster access to care, English-speaking doctors, and coverage at private hospitals in Turkey and abroad.

What benefits are covered by universal healthcare in Turkey?

The following healthcare services are covered by Universal Health Insurance in Turkey:

• Emergency health services
• Preventive health services
• Diagnostics and tests
• Optical and dental examinations and treatments (available at certain medical facilities)
• Primary healthcare services
• Maternity and pregnancy services (including IVF treatment)
• Prescription drugs (partially covered)
• Rehabilitation services
• Travel expenses (applicable when treatment is needed outside city of residence)

In certain cases, GSS may also cover healthcare services received abroad. However, the Universal Health Insurance scheme does not cover aesthetic or cosmetic procedures.

While public healthcare services cover a wide range of treatments, foreigners and residents often prefer to have private health insurance, as it offers more benefits than Universal Health Insurance.

There are a growing number of private hospitals and clinics, where you can access the highest quality of medical care in Turkey and have shorter waiting times and fewer unexpected expenses. You will also find more English-speaking medical professionals in a private hospital.

Benefits covered by private insurance in Turkey

• Medical and diagnostic examination costs
• Hospitalization costs – room, meals, hospital beds, etc.
• Medication and medical equipment costs
• Hospital services – operation, radiology, anesthesia, microbiological tests, imaging tests, postoperative physical therapy, organ transplantations, etc.
• Medical treatments for less than 24 hours – food poisoning, IV drips, simple burns
• Treatments in intensive care

Benefits provided under the private Turkey health care system may vary depending on the policy of various health insurance plans.

Cost of private health insurance in Turkey

You may want to contact more than one company to see which offers the most coverage and the best insurance premiums. On average a basic private health insurance plan will set you back between $75-$300 per year, while a comprehensive option is between $150-$560 per year.

Family Healthcare Centers in Turkey

Regardless of whether you choose private or public health insurance, you can access family healthcare centers in every city, town, or village, which is perfectly convenient if you’re considering buying property in Turkey. You only need to show clinics your residency permit or passport to have a consultation.

The family healthcare centers are available throughout the country, offering primary care to residents and citizens of all ages.

Important to note: Rural areas may not have sufficient facilities, something to be aware of if you have an existing medical condition and are considering moving to Turkey.

Retirees in Turkey are well taken care of, with numerous family healthcare centers available throughout the country. Whether you choose to rely solely on GSS or supplement the shortfalls with private health insurance, the care given to retirees in Turkey is great.

Those with chronic health conditions are generally able to receive adequate care at a fraction of the cost when compared with western Europe and the US, a big advantage for those looking to retire in Turkey on a budget.

However, most foreign retirees in Turkey choose private health insurance to ensure they can access the very best care throughout the country.

The cost of medical treatment in Turkey is generally very affordable for locals and foreigners alike and is one of the reasons why the cost of living in Turkey is so low. In fact, Turkish healthcare is much more affordable in comparison to that of other countries in Europe and the US.

Often patients from across the world prefer to seek specialist operations, hair transplants, or cosmetic surgery in Turkey than in their home country. This rise in Turkey medical tourism and patient satisfaction has only helped improve the level of medical services in Turkey.

Let’s take a look at some of the medical costs in Turkey compared to the USA:

In Turkey, pharmacies are known as Eczanes. They’re easy to spot by the red E symbol on a white background framed by a red box.

Medication in Turkey is both cheap and accessible. But if you do wish to submit a claim to your insurance, keep your receipt and claim the money back.

Pharmacies in Turkey can be found on almost every main street, and are generally open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm. However, there are certain pharmacies that are open 24 hours.

To get a medical appointment in Turkey, you may call the Central Physician Appointment System on 182 and they will schedule one for you. Alternatively, you can visit a local healthcare center or primary physician and wait your turn to receive treatment. Do note, that the latter option may require a longer waiting period, depending on the doctor’s availability.

In cases of emergency, treatment is free in Turkey, however, private hospitals may charge you admission costs – which will still be a lot lower than you would expect to pay in the US or UK. In emergency situations, you may consider calling either a public or private ambulance by dialing 112. Keep in mind that private ambulances tend to arrive more quickly.

Alternative medicine is well established in Turkey, where traditional and complementary therapies (known locally as GETAT) are gaining popularity. Herbal remedies remain a long-standing part of Turkish culture, while acupuncture, cupping therapy, yoga, and meditation are also widely practiced.

The Ministry of Health actively supports these methods through education and training programs, helping integrate them into modern healthcare. That being said, only certified healthcare providers are allowed to practice such treatments. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the doctor or clinician is licensed.

There are a range of benefits of the Turkish healthcare system, including:

• Accessibility: Expats living in Turkey have access to the public healthcare service, it’s one of the main Turkey citizenship by investment healthcare benefits. 
• Affordability: Healthcare in Turkey is significantly cheaper than other countries in the EU and the US, making healthcare accessible for all.
• Various insurance options: One of the biggest benefits of the Turkish healthcare system is that there are insurance options to fit any budget or family size. Whether you want to remain on the public healthcare system or move to a comprehensive private health insurance plan, there are options for everyone.
• Family inclusion: Investors who apply for SGK services automatically receive coverage for their children under 18 and spouse.

The healthcare system in Turkey has come a long way since the inception of the Universal Health Insurance program. Whether you’re an expat, resident, or have Turkish citizenship, you have access to a fantastic network of healthcare facilities.

Turkey’s healthcare system is widely regarded as good, attracting thousands of medical tourists each year. The country combines a strong public system with universal coverage and a thriving private sector, offering modern facilities and skilled doctors. What makes it especially appealing is the balance of high-quality care and affordability—often at a fraction of the cost found in many Western nations.

In fact, Turkey’s healthcare system ranks 63rd out of 167 countries across the globe. Turkey is also a well known international health tourism destination.