A 2025 guide for foreigners on booking hospital appointments in Türkiye. Learn how to use MHRS, required documents, insurance coverage, and why Ankara’s top university hospitals like Hacettepe offer world-class, internationally accredited healthcare with Harvard-trained doctors.
🏥 Why Türkiye Is a Global Healthcare Destination
Türkiye has become a major hub for international health tourism, offering advanced medical technologies, world-class doctors, and affordable treatment options.
The capital city Ankara hosts some of the best university hospitals in the country, such as Hacettepe University Hospitals, Ankara University Hospitals, and Gazi University Hospitals — all known for their international accreditations and Harvard-trained medical faculty.
Many professors working in these hospitals have studied or conducted research at world-renowned universities such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Oxford, bringing cutting-edge medical expertise to Türkiye.
This international experience ensures modern diagnostic approaches, multidisciplinary care, and strict adherence to global standards of patient safety and medical ethics.
📄 Step 1: Check Your ID and Residence Status
Before booking an appointment, make sure you have one of the following valid documents:
Passport Residence permit card (İkamet İzni) — for those legally residing in Türkiye International protection card — for refugees or persons under temporary protection
⚠️ Hospital registration requires valid identification. Applications without valid documents are not accepted .
🩺 Step 2: Choose the Right Healthcare Institution
Healthcare in Türkiye is provided under three main categories:
Public Hospitals (City, Training & Research Hospitals) – Low cost but often crowded. Private Hospitals – Faster appointments, multilingual staff, and International Patient Units, but fees apply. University Hospitals (e.g., Hacettepe University Hospitals) – Specialized departments, academic excellence, and internationally accredited medical faculty.
If you’re visiting a private hospital, request a written quotation of service fees before confirming your appointment.
💳 Step 3: Review Your Health Insurance Options
Foreigners in Türkiye may be covered under one of the following:
Private Health Insurance – Confirm if your insurer has an agreement with the hospital. Travel Health Insurance – Usually covers only emergencies. Bilateral Agreements – Some countries (e.g., Germany, France, Netherlands) have social security agreements with Türkiye.
Without insurance, all treatments must be paid in full.
🌐 Step 4: How to Book a Hospital Appointment (MHRS System)
Türkiye’s official appointment platform is MHRS (Central Physician Appointment System). Only individuals with a valid Turkish ID number starting with 99 can book online via mhrs.gov.tr or by calling 182. Foreigners without a 99 ID number (e.g., tourists) cannot book MHRS appointments before entering Türkiye. Once you arrive and your foreigner ID number is issued, you can book appointments online.
Example: A patient from Azerbaijan cannot book an MHRS appointment before entering Türkiye; they can do so after receiving a 99-series foreigner ID number .
🏛️ Step 5: Understanding Hospital Procedures (Hacettepe University Example)
According to Hacettepe University Hospitals:
Foreign residents with a 99-series ID number are treated like Turkish citizens for registration purposes. If they lack valid insurance, they are registered as “paid patients” and charged per the Social Security Institution (SGK) pricing schedule. International students with “YU” ID numbers must ensure their information is active in the MERNİS system. Patients from countries with social security agreements (e.g., Germany, France, Netherlands) may use their YUPASS numbers for coverage .
🌍 Step 6: Special Cases and Patient Categories
Patient Type
Procedure
Foreign residents (with residence permit)
Register using 99-ID; may pay privately if uninsured.
International students
Use “YU” number; contact bursaries office if inactive.
Patients covered by bilateral agreements (e.g., Germany)
Use YUPASS system for provizyon.
Refugees / Asylum Seekers / Stateless persons
Covered under General Health Insurance; may need verification at Provincial Immigration Office.
Tourists without residence permit
May receive paid treatment through the hospital’s Foreign Patient Unit; cannot use MHRS.
💬 Step 7: Translation and Companion Services
If you do not speak Turkish:
Ask whether the hospital provides translation or international coordination services. Some hospitals have International Patient Coordinators who assist with forms and procedures. You can also bring your own interpreter or a family member as a registered companion (refakatçi).
💰 Step 8: Clarify Fees and Payment
Confirm in writing:
Consultation, laboratory, and imaging fees Accepted payment methods (cash or card) Additional costs such as hospitalization or private room fees Whether the doctor’s or interpreter’s services incur extra charges
At Hacettepe University Hospitals, payments must be made against a receipt, and patients are advised to keep all invoices until discharge .
🛡️ Step 9: Verify the Hospital’s Medical Tourism License
Private hospitals treating foreign patients must have an official “Health Tourism Authorization Certificate” issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
Only licensed facilities are authorized to serve international patients .
⚠️ Step 10: Visa and Residence Considerations
Foreign patients visiting Türkiye for treatment should:
Hold a valid visa or residence permit during their stay. Apply for a residence extension if treatment exceeds the initial visa period. Contact Provincial Immigration Offices for residence updates related to health treatment.
🩹 In Summary
Accessing healthcare in Türkiye as a foreigner is straightforward once you understand the process.
Whether you plan to visit a state hospital, private clinic, or university hospital like Hacettepe, always ensure that:
Your documents are valid, You verify the hospital’s authorization, and You confirm payment and insurance coverage beforehand.
Ankara’s university hospitals — with internationally accredited facilities and world-class professors educated at institutions like Harvard — represent the highest standards of medical care in Türkiye.
With these steps, you can safely and efficiently receive healthcare services during your stay in Türkiye.
❓ Comprehensive FAQ – Hospital Appointments for Foreigners in Türkiye
🇹🇷 1. Can foreigners book hospital appointments in Türkiye?
Yes. Foreigners who have a valid Turkish Foreigner ID number (starting with 99) can book appointments through the national MHRS system (www.mhrs.gov.tr) or by calling 182. Tourists without a residence permit can still receive treatment as private (paid) patients through the hospital’s Foreign Patient Unit.
💳 2. What if I don’t have Turkish health insurance?
If you don’t have Turkish insurance, you can still access both public and private hospitals by paying for treatment in full. Many private hospitals accept international health insurance, so check if your provider has agreements in Türkiye.
🆔 3. What documents do I need to get treatment?
You must present at least one valid ID document: passport, residence permit card (ikamet izni), or international protection card. Without one, hospitals cannot register your information or process MHRS appointments.
🏥 4. Can I book an appointment before arriving in Türkiye?
No. MHRS only accepts bookings from those who already have a registered 99-series Foreigner ID number. You can obtain this number after entering Türkiye and completing your residence or temporary protection registration.
🧾 5. Are university hospitals like Hacettepe better for foreigners?
Yes. University hospitals such as Hacettepe, Ankara University, and Gazi University offer internationally accredited, high-quality healthcare. Many professors and specialists have studied or worked at leading institutions such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Oxford.
🗣️ 6. What if I don’t speak Turkish?
Most university and private hospitals in Ankara have International Patient Units that provide interpreters or multilingual coordinators. You can also bring your own interpreter or a family member as a registered companion (refakatçi).
💰 7. How much does treatment cost for foreigners?
Costs vary by hospital and service. Public hospitals are more affordable but may have waiting times, while private hospitals charge according to their own tariff. Always request a written quotation in advance and keep your payment receipts.
🌐 8. What is the MHRS system and how does it work?
MHRS (Central Physician Appointment System) is the official digital platform of Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. It allows citizens and residents with valid IDs to schedule medical appointments online or via the 182 hotline.
🛂 9. Can I get treatment while my residence permit is being processed?
Yes. During the residence permit application process, you may still access healthcare services as a paid patient using your passport. Once your residence card is issued and you receive a 99-series Foreigner ID, you can switch to regular MHRS-based appointments.
🚑 10. What should I do in a medical emergency?
Call 112 (Emergency Medical Line). This service is free and available 24/7 across Türkiye. Emergency rooms in public hospitals must provide care to everyone, including tourists and foreigners without residence permits.
🩺 Need Assistance with Hospital Appointments in Türkiye?
🌍 Navigating Türkiye’s healthcare system can be complex, especially for foreign nationals or new residents. If you need help understanding MHRS registration, insurance coverage, or booking with top hospitals in Ankara such as Hacettepe University, you can get professional support.
📧 Email: ✉️ emre@emrekurt.av.tr
📱 WhatsApp: 💬 +90 551 942 20 34
💼 We provide expert advice for international patients on hospital procedures, residence permits, and medical law in Türkiye.
✨ Let us help you arrange your hospital appointment with confidence — with the right documents, the right hospital, and the right guidance.
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