Healthcare in Antalya for Expats: Hospitals, Insurance and SGK (2026)

If you are moving to Antalya or spending long stretches here as a property owner, healthcare in Antalya is one of the first practical questions to settle. The good news is that the city has a dense network of public, university and private hospitals, and foreign residents can use all of them. The part that needs planning is insurance: which policy you need for your residence permit, when you can join the state system, and whether you want private cover on top.

This guide explains how the system works in 2026, what foreigners can use, and the steps to take in your first year.

How healthcare in Antalya works

Türkiye has one national system run by the Ministry of Health, with the Social Security Institution (SGK) acting as the main public payer. In practice, care is delivered at three levels:

• Family health centres (aile sağlığı merkezi): local clinics with a family doctor (aile hekimi) for routine visits, vaccinations and referrals.
• State hospitals (devlet hastanesi) and training and research hospitals: the backbone of public care, including emergency departments open 24 hours.
• University hospitals: large teaching hospitals that take complex cases and referrals.

Alongside these sits a large private sector. Private hospitals are widely used by both Turks and foreigners, often for shorter waiting times and more language support.

Public hospital appointments are booked through the central appointment system (MHRS), by phone on 182 or online. You need a Turkish ID number to use it; foreign residents receive a foreigner ID number with their residence permit.

Public, university and private hospitals in Antalya

A few of the main hospitals you will hear about:

• Antalya Training and Research Hospital (University of Health Sciences): a large public hospital that opened in its current building in 2008, close to Konyaaltı. It lists around 1,270 beds and has an international patient unit that offers support in English, German and Russian.
• Akdeniz University Hospital: the university hospital on the Akdeniz University campus in Konyaaltı, a regional referral centre for specialist care.
• Private hospital groups: national chains operate here, including Medical Park Antalya (Muratpaşa) and Memorial Antalya (Kepez), both with international patient departments. There are also many smaller private hospitals and clinics across the city.

Where you live affects which hospitals are closest. If you are comparing districts, our guide to living in Konyaaltı covers the western side of the city, where both large public hospitals are located.

What does it cost? Uninsured patients can still be seen at state hospitals, where fees are set by official tariffs and are relatively low for a basic outpatient visit. Tests, treatment and hospital stays cost more, and private hospitals set their own prices. Private hospitals that have an agreement with SGK may charge SGK-insured patients an extra fee (ilave ücret) on top of what SGK pays, capped at 200% of the SGK tariff for most services. Some services, such as emergency care, intensive care, cancer treatment and dialysis, are excluded from this extra fee.

Health insurance for a residence permit

Most foreign property owners live here on a short-term residence permit (ikamet izni). One of the conditions is valid health insurance covering the length of the permit. For more on the permit itself, see our residence permit guide.

Key points in 2026:

• What is accepted: usually a Turkish "foreigner health insurance" policy (yabancı sağlık sigortası) from an insurer licensed in Türkiye, or SGK coverage if you already have it. The policy details are entered in the e-İkamet application.
• Age: according to the Presidency of Migration Management, applicants under 18 and over 65 are not required to hold health insurance for a short-term or student permit. For a long-term permit, applicants over 65 who cannot get insurance can submit a document showing this. For a family permit, the sponsor must insure all family members.
• Insurer age limits: many insurers only issue these policies up to a certain age (often 65), so older applicants may have fewer options. Check before you apply.
• What it covers: residence-permit policies are basic. They typically include inpatient treatment and often some outpatient care, but with limits, a set list of network hospitals and exclusions for pre-existing conditions. They are designed to meet the permit requirement, not to replace comprehensive cover.
• Duration: policies are normally issued for one year and renewed with the permit. Some insurers offer longer terms.

Premiums depend on age, the insurer and the level of cover, and they change often, so compare current quotes rather than relying on published figures.

SGK general health insurance (GSS) for foreign residents

After living in Türkiye continuously for one year on a residence permit, foreigners can join the state general health insurance scheme (genel sağlık sigortası, GSS). This gives access to state and university hospitals, reduced costs at SGK-contracted private hospitals, and subsidised prescription medicines.

Who can apply

• You have held a residence permit continuously for one year.
• You are not covered by the social security system of another country.

How to apply

1. Go to the SGK provincial directorate or social security centre nearest your address in Antalya.
2. Bring your residence permit and a document from your home country's social security institution confirming that you are not covered there, plus the declaration form SGK asks you to sign.
3. Once registered, premiums are paid monthly to SGK, usually through a bank or online banking.

How much it costs

For foreigners, SGK assumes an income of twice the gross minimum wage and charges the standard 12% rate on it, which works out at 24% of the gross minimum wage per month. At the January 2026 minimum wage this is roughly 7,900 TL a month per insured person. The amount changes whenever the minimum wage changes.

Things to know

• Your spouse, children under 18 (and older children in education, up to set age limits) and dependent parents living in Türkiye can generally be included as dependants if they have no other cover.
• The official SGK guide for foreigners states that chronic illnesses existing before enrolment are not covered. Check how this applies to you before relying on GSS alone.
• Coverage ends if your residence permit ends. Unpaid premiums build up as a debt, so cancel formally if you leave Türkiye.

Private and international health insurance

Many foreign residents combine cover. Common approaches:

| Option | Who it suits | Main points |
|---|---|---|
| Residence-permit policy (yabancı sağlık sigortası) | New arrivals who need a permit | Low cost, meets the permit rule, limited cover |
| SGK general health insurance (GSS) | Residents after one year | Broad public cover, fixed monthly premium, extra fees at private hospitals |
| Comprehensive Turkish private policy | Residents wanting private hospitals | Wider network and limits, price rises with age |
| International health insurance | People who travel or want treatment abroad | Cover in several countries, usually the most expensive |

Some Turkish insurers also sell complementary health insurance (tamamlayıcı sağlık sigortası) for people with SGK cover, which pays the extra fees at contracted private hospitals. If you choose an international policy for your permit, confirm first that the migration office will accept it, as policies from insurers not licensed in Türkiye may not be.

Health insurance is one of the recurring costs of living here. Our article on the real costs of owning a home in Antalya covers the other annual costs.

Pharmacies, prescriptions and emergencies

Emergencies: call 112 for an ambulance. The 112 emergency ambulance service is provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health. Treatment at the hospital afterwards is billed according to your insurance. Every state hospital has a 24-hour emergency department (acil servis).

Pharmacies (eczane) are easy to find in every neighbourhood. Outside normal hours, one pharmacy in each area stays open as the duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane), and the rota is posted in every pharmacy window.

Prescriptions are issued electronically (e-reçete). With GSS, prescribed medicines from the reimbursement list are covered and you pay a contribution. Many common medicines are sold without a prescription, but antibiotics and many others need one. If you take regular medication, bring a doctor's letter with the generic name, as brand names differ between countries.

Finding English- or Russian-speaking doctors

Language support is better than many newcomers expect, especially in the private sector:

• Private hospital groups in Antalya have international patient departments with coordinators who speak English, Russian and other languages.
• Antalya Training and Research Hospital has an international patient unit with English, German and Russian support.
• In public family health centres and smaller clinics, English is less common. A translation app, a Turkish-speaking friend or a written summary of your symptoms helps.

Ask neighbours, residents' groups and your site management for recommendations. Word of mouth is still the most reliable way to find a good family doctor or dentist.

Medical tourism: Antalya is also a major destination for health tourism, including dental, eye and cosmetic treatment. If you are a resident, the same clinics are available to you. Check the clinic's licence with the provincial health directorate and get a written treatment plan and price before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners use state hospitals in Antalya?
Yes. Anyone can be treated at a state hospital. Without SGK cover you pay the official tariff; with GSS most costs are covered.

Do I need health insurance for a residence permit if I am over 65?
For a short-term permit, the Presidency of Migration Management says applicants over 65 (and under 18) are not required to hold health insurance. Many retirees still take out cover, as private treatment can be expensive.

When can I join SGK as a foreign resident?
After one year of continuous residence on a permit, if you are not insured in another country. You apply at the SGK office for your address.

Is my home-country or international insurance enough for the permit?
Not always. Check with the migration office before applying. Policies from insurers licensed in Türkiye are the safest choice.

What number do I call in an emergency?
Call 112 for an ambulance. It is the single emergency number in Türkiye.

If you plan to stay longer term, our guide to Turkish citizenship through property explains another route: once you are a citizen, the foreigner-specific health insurance rules no longer apply.

Rules and fees in Türkiye change from time to time. This article reflects the situation as of September 2026 and is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the details for your own case with the provider or the relevant authority.

Planning a move to Antalya? Contact Sinan to talk through areas close to the services you need.