Healthcare in Türkiye for Foreign Residents

Türkiye has a mixed health system: Ministry of Health state hospitals and family doctors, university hospitals, and private hospitals. Most foreigners need valid health insurance to obtain a residence permit, usually a private policy at first; residence-permit holders who are not insured under another country's scheme can apply to join the General Health Insurance (GSS) run by the Social Security Institution (SGK) once they have lived in Türkiye for more than one year without interruption. In an emergency, call 112.

Key facts

• Emergency number: 112.
• Public care: Ministry of Health state hospitals, training and research hospitals and Family Health Centres (Aile Sağlığı Merkezi, ASM), plus university hospitals.
• Residence permits (2026): short-term permit applicants must show valid health insurance that covers the whole permit period; special arrangements apply to applicants under 18 and over 65.
• GSS for foreign residents: available on application to residence-permit holders who are not insured under another country's legislation and have more than one year of uninterrupted residence; cover starts the day after the application.
• Foreign students: can apply for GSS within three months of first enrolment, without the one-year rule.
• Employees: foreigners employed and registered with SGK by a Turkish employer are covered through that registration.
• Pharmacies: on nights, Sundays and public holidays, an on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) rota operates in every area.

How the health system is organised

Public hospitals

The Ministry of Health runs state hospitals, larger training and research hospitals and, in several cities, large "city hospitals". Outpatient appointments are booked through the central appointment system (MHRS), online or through e-Devlet, using a Turkish identification number (foreign residents use their foreigner identification number). Staff may speak only Turkish.

University hospitals

Medical faculties of state and private universities run their own hospitals, often used for specialist and complex cases. Fees and SGK arrangements depend on whether the university is public or private.

Private hospitals

Private hospitals and clinics are paid directly or through private insurance. Some have agreements with SGK, so GSS-insured patients can be treated there but may pay an additional fee.

Family doctors

Primary care is delivered by family doctors (aile hekimi) at Family Health Centres (ASM). They handle routine consultations, prescriptions, check-ups and routine vaccinations.

Emergencies and pharmacies

Call 112 for an ambulance or any emergency. Public and private hospitals have emergency departments (acil servis). Keep your residence permit card and insurance details to hand.

Pharmacies (eczane) keep regular shop hours. At night, on Sundays and on public holidays, pharmacies in each neighbourhood take turns staying open as the on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane). Every pharmacy displays the list of on-duty pharmacies near it in its window, and the local chamber of pharmacists publishes the rota online. Many medicines, including antibiotics, need a prescription. If you take regular medication, bring a supply and a doctor's letter listing the generic (active ingredient) names, because brand names differ between countries.

Health insurance and your residence permit

The Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) requires valid health insurance for short-term residence permits, and the policy must cover the full period of the permit requested. The e-İkamet document list sets out which forms of cover are accepted and the special arrangements for applicants under 18 and over 65, so check it for your permit type before you buy. Private policies sold for residence permit purposes must meet minimum cover rules set out in a 2014 Treasury circular, but a minimum policy may exclude pre-existing conditions or private-hospital costs, so read the exclusions and limits. Our residence permit service page explains where insurance fits into the application, and our article on health insurance and SGK compares private cover with GSS.

SGK General Health Insurance (GSS) for foreign residents

The one-year rule

Under the regulation on GSS registration, foreigners who hold a residence permit, are not insured under another country's legislation and have lived in Türkiye for more than one year without interruption can become GSS-insured on request. Cover starts the day after the application, and the insured person pays a monthly premium set by SGK. Before the one-year point, foreign residents are not covered by GSS on this basis and pay no premium.

If you are covered by another scheme

GSS on this basis is only for people who are not insured under a foreign country's system, and enrolment is by application. If you keep cover under your home country's scheme or rely on private insurance, you simply do not apply. If you join and later become insured abroad, leave Türkiye, or your residence permit ends, the basis for your GSS cover ends, so notify SGK and stop premiums. Some older guides describe enrolment after one year as automatic; the regulation now describes it as on request, so confirm your status with your provincial SGK office.

Students and employees

Foreign students can apply to SGK within three months of first enrolment at their school, without the one-year rule, usually with their residence permit and a document from their home country showing their social security status. Foreigners employed by a Turkish company are registered with SGK by the employer and receive health cover through that registration.

Family doctors and vaccinations

Foreign residents with a residence permit and a foreigner identification number (starting with 99) can ask to be registered with a family doctor at a Family Health Centre near their registered address, or through the district health directorate. Keep your address registration current, since your family doctor is linked to it; our guide to Turkish ID and address registration explains the steps.

Children's routine vaccinations follow the Ministry of Health's national immunisation schedule and are given at Family Health Centres. Bring your child's vaccination record, translated into Turkish or English, so the family doctor can match it to the Turkish schedule and arrange any catch-up doses.

Costs at a high level

• With GSS: treatment at Family Health Centres and public hospitals involves low out-of-pocket costs, with co-payments for some services and prescriptions.
• Without GSS: you pay directly or claim from private insurance. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so ask for a written estimate before planned treatment and keep itemised invoices for any claim to an insurer at home.

Practical tips for Chinese-speaking patients

• Bring translated records. Discharge summaries, recent test results, imaging reports, vaccination records and prescriptions translated into English or Turkish save time. Documents needed for official purposes may require a sworn translation by an independent licensed translator.
• Ask about interpreters in advance. Do not assume Chinese-language support. Ask the hospital before your visit whether an interpreter can be arranged, or bring someone who can interpret.
• Keep key details on your phone. Your address in Turkish, insurance policy number, blood group and allergies.
• Get help with the paperwork. Turchina Group can explain the steps in Mandarin and coordinate with providers through our cross-border coordination service; medical decisions stay with you and your doctors, and insurance terms with your insurer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the emergency number in Türkiye?

The emergency number in Türkiye is 112. Call it for an ambulance or any other emergency.

Do I need health insurance for a Turkish residence permit?

Yes, short-term residence permit applicants must show valid health insurance covering the whole permit period. Special arrangements apply to applicants under 18 and over 65, so check the current e-İkamet document list for your permit type.

When can a foreign resident join SGK's GSS?

A residence-permit holder who is not insured under another country's legislation can apply after more than one year of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye. Foreign students can apply within three months of first enrolment, and employees are covered through their employer's SGK registration.

How do I find a pharmacy open at night?

Look for the on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) in your area. Every pharmacy shows the nearby on-duty pharmacies in its window, and the local chamber of pharmacists publishes the rota online.

Can foreigners register with a family doctor?

Yes, foreign residents with a residence permit and a foreigner identification number can ask to be registered at a nearby Family Health Centre, which also gives routine childhood vaccinations.

Do Turkish hospitals have Chinese interpreters?

Do not assume so. Ask the hospital in advance whether an interpreter can be arranged, and bring translated medical records in English or Turkish.