As a foreigner living in Istanbul, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

"As a foreigner living in Istanbul, you will have access to public healthcare, but you will need to obtain a residence permit and register for the national health insurance system, called SGK. Once registered, you can access public hospitals and clinics, as well as some private facilities that have agreements with the SGK. The public healthcare system in Istanbul is generally of good quality, with well-trained medical professionals and modern facilities. However, it can be crowded, and waiting times may be long. Additionally, language barriers may be an issue, as not all healthcare providers speak English. Many foreigners living in Istanbul choose to purchase private health insurance to access private hospitals and clinics, where the quality of care is often higher, and English-speaking staff are more common," wrote a member who made the move to Istanbul, Turkey.

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Fun, easy and effective language courses designed by language experts. Learn 41 languages from your native language. Anytime, anywhere, on any device. 50 topics to prepare you for the most common situations. 36 vocabulary builders to install words fast. 41 real conversations to give you fluency.
Learn More