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

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

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We asked expats in Istanbul if they have access to public healthcare in Istanbul. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...

"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," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Istanbul, Turkey.

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

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Istanbul, Turkey
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