International health insurance in Turkey
Health insurance for expats & foreigners
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Visa-compliant coverage
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Why get private health insurance in Turkey?
You can't join the public system as a foreigner until you've lived here legally for a full year. Until then, you're paying out of pocket, and it adds up: a private GP visit runs about TRY 1,000 (€19), and a hospital day can cost around TRY 13,300 (€250).
There's no way around it for residency, either: every Turkish residence permit requires compliant private insurance.
How does the healthcare system work in Turkey?
The public system: Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK)
Turkey's public health insurance (run by Social Security, known as SGK) covers GP visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and maternity for insured residents. If you're employed, you're covered from day one. Everyone else waits a year before they can join voluntarily, which costs TRY 6,241+ (€117) a month.
Turkish pharmacies & medication
Pharmacies (eczane) are on practically every street in the cities, and English is widely understood in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and İzmir. All districts have a rotating 24-hour pharmacy. Note that buying medicine online is illegal here, and the public system charges a 20% co-pay on prescriptions (10% for retirees).
Emergency services in Turkey
Dial 112 for any emergency: ambulance, fire, or police. It's free, 24/7, and the call centers handle English, Arabic, German, Russian, and Turkish. State hospital emergency rooms are free for everyone by law; private ones may charge, so bring proof of insurance.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
The Digital Nomad Permit (for ages 21–55, earning $3,000+/month) requires compliant private cover.
Retirees
Retirees arrive via Short-Term Residence or Citizenship by Investment. You can join the public system after a year, but it excludes pre-existing conditions.
Students
You can join the public scheme within 3 months of enrolling for TRY 1,040 (€19) per month. Miss that window? You must wait the full year like everyone else.
Visa applicants
Every permit requires compliant cover from a Turkish-licensed insurer. From April 2025, the minimums are TRY 15,000 (€280) outpatient and TRY 150,000 (€2,805) inpatient.
Get global health insurance that works in Turkey
Plans from €56/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Turkey?
Without cover, a private GP visit costs about TRY 1,000 (€19), a specialist around TRY 1,500 (€28), and a private hospital day about TRY 13,300 (€250), with premium hospitals running to TRY 45,000 (€840) a day.
Public healthcare in Turkey
If you're employed, 14% of your gross wages goes to Social Security (your employer adds more), and you're covered immediately. The self-employed pay around 34.5%. Everyone else waits a year, then joins voluntarily at around TRY 6,241 (€117) a month. Students can fast-track within three months at around TRY 1,040 (€19).
Private medical insurance
Our plans start at €56/month for Essential and €84/month for Plus. You'll get outpatient and inpatient care, plus dental, mental health, and maternity. One big advantage: the voluntary public scheme excludes pre-existing conditions forever, so international cover that includes them is well worth having.
Visa & health insurance requirements for Turkey
Long-stay visas and residence permits require proof of private health insurance. Your policy needs to cover at least TRY 15,000 (€280) for outpatient care and TRY 150,000 (€2,805) for inpatient care, and include medical repatriation.
Accepted for all major Turkish visas
Both Feather plans meet the requirements for the Digital Nomad Permit, Short-Term Residence, student visas, and residence permits.
Documents ready when you sign up
Your proof of cover, in English, lands in your account the moment you sign up. Accepted by embassies.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather
Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.
Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
Your data is stored securely in Europe.
Don't take our word for it
Dajana was amazing
“She answered all our questions and provided clear and detailed responses to ensure we select the proper coverage. The whole experience was perfect! I am confident I made the right choice going with Feather!”
Mascia
I trust them. No BS.
“They don't sugar coat the insurances, if they don't provide the best option, they would help you understand what's the best one.”
Michal
Super helpful
“The representative answered my questions clearly and helped me make sure I was aware of my options! This was the perfect fit for my situation as an expat looking for a job in Spain and needing temporary coverage.”
Erin
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Takes 2 minutes. From €56 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
