Türkiye Bursları Healthcare Guide 2027
What the scholarship's general health insurance covers and doesn't, the 30-day activation wait, the medical exam, emergency care and how to navigate Turkish healthcare.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Health Insurance Coverage
Türkiye Bursları includes general health insurance (GSS) through SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu), Turkey's social security institution. With it you get free care at public hospitals, university hospitals and private clinics contracted with SGK. But it's not unlimited, and knowing its limits matters.
What's Covered vs What's Not
- GP visits at public hospitals
- Emergency care and hospitalisation
- Prescription medicines (with copay)
- Basic lab tests and imaging
- Mental health consultations (limited)
- Care at SGK-contracted private clinics
- Dental care (beyond emergencies)
- Vision and eye care
- Private hospitals without an SGK contract
- Cosmetic procedures
- Pre-existing condition treatment (initially)
- Medicines SGK doesn't cover
After you're registered there is a 30-day provision period before the insurance becomes active. If you need emergency treatment at a public hospital before then, keep the provision inquiry document, the bank receipt, a copy of the prescription and the pharmacy invoice, and submit a "Health Expenditure Statement" request in TBBS for a refund. Costs at private clinics and non-covered medicines are not refunded. You can get an insurance provision document from e-Devlet or an SGK office if you need proof, for example for your residence permit.
Medical Exam Requirements
Before you start, you'll need a comprehensive medical report. It's required after acceptance but before enrolment. Details are on the documents page.
- Complete blood count
- Chest X-ray
- Hepatitis B & C
- HIV test
- General physical exam
- Vaccination records
- Within 6 months of enrolment
- From an authorised medical facility
- Translated into English or Turkish
- Costs $50–300 depending on country
- Some countries require an apostille
- Start early — it can take 2–4 weeks
Emergency Care Access
In an emergency: call 112
Türkiye's emergency number is 112 (like 911). Ambulances take you to the nearest public hospital, and emergency care is provided regardless of insurance status — you won't be turned away. The older police (155) and fire (110) numbers now connect to the same 112 emergency call centres.
Navigating the Turkish Healthcare System
Once your residence permit is processed, register at the nearest SGK office for your health insurance. You'll need your ikamet, passport and university enrolment letter. This is your access pass to public healthcare.
Türkiye's digital health platform (e-Nabız / e-Pulse) lets you book public hospital appointments, view your records and see test results online. Available in English.
Most universities have on-campus health centres for basic care. They're free and quick, and English-speaking staff are more common there than at public hospitals.
Many medicines that need a prescription elsewhere are sold over the counter in Turkish pharmacies. Pharmacists are often helpful and may speak some English, and prices are generally lower than in Western countries.
Accepted? See What Comes Next
Read the after selection guide for your arrival checklist.