Healthcare in Turkey for retirees
Healthcare in Turkey for a new resident means private insurance at first, unless you are over 65; after a year you can ask to join general health insurance.
The hospitals retirees use, what insurance does and does not cover. Checked against official and hospital sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Life expectancy
- 77.4 years US 78.9. World Bank, 2024
- Doctors
- 2.2 per 1,000 US 3.7. World Bank, 2022
- Health spending
- $548/person Per year; US $13,473. World Bank, 2023
- Paid out of pocket
- 19% Of all health spending; US 10.9%. World Bank, 2023
Hospitals retirees use in Turkey
Istanbul
American Hospital
- JCI accredited since 2002
- Affiliated with the Vehbi Koç Foundation, member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network
- International patient services
American Hospital. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Istanbul
Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital
- JCI accreditation 2026
- 350 beds, 18 operating rooms and 75 ICU beds
- International patient unit serving 16 languages
Acıbadem. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Antalya
Antalya American Hospital
- 115 patient beds and 4 operating rooms
- MRI and CT imaging
- Services for international patients
Antalya American Hospital. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Bodrum
Acıbadem Bodrum Hospital
- 108 beds and 23 intensive care beds
- Emergency department and a heliport
- Oncology centre
Acıbadem. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
İzmir
Acıbadem Kent Hospital
- 272 beds, 12 operating rooms and 54 ICU beds
- 48 medical units, with an emergency service
Acıbadem. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Turkey's public health cover is general health insurance (GSS) run by the Social Security Institution (SGK). A foreign resident with a residence permit who is not insured under another country's law can join on request once they have lived in Turkey for more than a year, subject to reciprocity. Before that, a residence permit needs private insurance or another accepted form of cover for the whole permit period.
Paying for care in Turkey
19% of health spending in Turkey is paid directly by patients, about half again the US share, so plan how you will pay before you move.
Retirees use either an international health plan, which can also cover care at home and in other countries, or a local plan from an insurer in Turkey, which costs less but covers care there only. Prices depend on age and on the insurer's terms for existing conditions; compare written quotes.
If you are on Medicare
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital.
Medicare.gov. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Healthcare questions
Does Medicare cover me in Turkey?
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital. Plan on private insurance or paying directly for care in Turkey.
Do I need health insurance for the Short-term permit visa?
The short-term permit needs valid health insurance for the whole permit period: a private policy, an SGK document, an application to join general health insurance, or proof of cover under a bilateral social security agreement. Applicants under 18 or over 65 are not required to have it. For a 2-year permit, a 1+1 year private policy or 2 years of general health insurance is accepted.
How much of the bill do people pay themselves?
In Turkey, 19% of all health spending is paid out of pocket, against 10.9% in the US (World Bank, 2023).
Where do foreigners go for healthcare in Turkey?
Many use private hospitals with international patient services, such as the American Hospital in Nişantaşı and Acıbadem Altunizade in Istanbul, both JCI accredited, Antalya American Hospital, and Acıbadem hospitals in Bodrum and İzmir.
Do I need health insurance to live in Turkey?
Yes, for a short-term residence permit, unless you are under 18 or over 65. It must cover the whole permit period and can be a private policy or Turkish general health insurance.
Can foreign retirees use public healthcare in Turkey?
A foreign resident who is not insured under another country's law can ask to join Turkey's general health insurance once they have lived in Turkey for more than a year, subject to reciprocity.
