Healthcare and Health Insurance in Turkey

2 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Turkey

Last updated on May 16, 2022

Summary: Expats and global nomads in Turkey share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Turkey, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.

How are healthcare services Turkey?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Turkey, they replied:

"It's is essential that you have health care insurance. Axa as far as I know is the only company that will insure you over the age of 70. This is only possible if you had had a policy with them from I believe 65 years old," added another expat.

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What are emergency services like in Turkey?

When we asked about emergency services, members in Turkey wrote:

"There are several hospitals near where I live. These however are private ones. I myself use Baskent University hospital, which I have found very good. Also their prices are more reasonable than some of the others. The care I received there has been first class. Also there is no long waiting time if you require an operation. As for emergency services, my wife received treatment with only a short wait to see a doctor, apart from that I cannot say," said another expat.

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Will I need to travel to see a specialist?

"Before living in Istanbul I lived near Kemer with my going to Antalya for treatment. I have had two operations there and was well pleased with the medical services received," added another expat.

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Are common prescription medications available in Turkey?

"Yes. You can purchase most prescription medicines in the pharmacy's that are easily found. In general you do not require a prescription except for dangerous class drugs like morphine. The cost of medicines are far cheaper than in various other Euopean countries. I have never had a problem buying medicines here in Turkey where I have lived for over 20 years," said another expat.

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Are healthcare services good in Turkey?

"Yes, there are many excellent hospitals in Turkey, with there being no waiting to see a doctor, or to have an operation. An ever growing amount of people come to Turkey for operations as the costs here are very reasonable compared to those in the UK. I personally have had two operations here with no problems at all. As I am covered by private health insurance I do not know what costs are. But have been informed by friends costs here are very reasonable. These do however, vary, especially here in Istanbul. I have found the Baskent Hospital to be excellent for both service and costs," remarked another expat in Antalya.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.