Buy travel insurance for Istanbul before you go. Turkish rules say visa applicants need medical insurance, and your own health card may not work there. The UK Foreign Office says the European Health Insurance Card and the Global Health Insurance Card are not valid in Türkiye. Last checked: 4 November 2026 against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) pages linked below. We do not recommend any insurer, and this page is not insurance advice.
Is travel insurance required?
The MFA’s visa information says all applicants are required to have medical insurance valid during their stay in Türkiye. That sits in the general visa rules. We did not find an official statement on whether officers check for it at the border. Our entry requirements guide lists what else may be asked. For visa-free visitors, we found no equivalent official wording, but the FCDO still tells travellers to check that their destination can provide the healthcare they may need and to have appropriate insurance for local treatment or an emergency flight home.
What your policy should cover
- Emergency medical treatment in Türkiye, including private hospitals. Our emergency health guide explains how to reach help.
- Medical evacuation or repatriation. The FCDO specifically mentions unexpected medical evacuation.
- Your itinerary and activities. The FCDO says insurance should cover your planned activities and expenses in an emergency. It warns about extreme sports and paragliding, where British visitors have been injured and killed, and tells people to read the small print and exclusions.
- Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy. The FCDO says checking your cover is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
- Travel disruption. The FCDO says there is a high risk of sudden escalation in the Middle East, with possible flight cancellations and airspace closures. Check whether your policy pays for cancellations and delays caused by such events, or whether they are excluded.
- Theft. Pickpocketing is common in Istanbul’s busy tourist areas, according to the FCDO. Check the limits for phones, cameras and cash, and what proof of loss you need. Our scams guide covers prevention.
A condition that can void your cover
The FCDO says travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Its warning for Türkiye names the area within 10 km of the Syrian border, and it notes that the regional situation is deeply unpredictable. Istanbul is not in the area named in the warning we read. Check the current page before you buy and again before you fly, because the advice can change, and read the exclusions in your own policy.
Questions to ask your insurer
- Does the policy cover treatment at private hospitals in Istanbul, and does the insurer pay the hospital directly or do I pay first and claim later?
- Is there a 24-hour assistance number I can call from Türkiye, and is it free?
- What happens if my government’s travel advice changes after I buy?
- Are cancellations or delays caused by airspace closures covered?
- What are the limits and the excess for lost or stolen items?
- Are the activities I plan covered, such as paragliding or diving?
Medicines, prescriptions and cards
The FCDO says British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies. Some common medicines are controlled in Türkiye, so bring a doctor’s letter and keep medicine in its original packaging. Our customs guide explains how much medicine you can bring. For emergencies, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. The FCDO says to contact your insurance or assistance company promptly if you are sent to a medical facility.
If you plan medical or cosmetic treatment
If you are travelling to Türkiye for surgery, dental work or another procedure, treat it as a different decision. The FCDO says it knows of seven British nationals who died in Türkiye in 2025 following medical procedures, and that others needed further treatment after complications. It advises discussing plans with your own doctor first, doing your own research, and not relying only on a provider’s own literature. It points to the Ministry of Health’s list of approved providers on the HealthTürkiye website. Ask your insurer whether complications from elective treatment abroad are covered, because many policies exclude them.
Earthquakes
Istanbul sits in an earthquake zone. Check whether your policy covers natural disasters and extra accommodation costs, and read our earthquake safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will my European or British health card work in Istanbul?
The FCDO says neither the European Health Insurance Card nor the Global Health Insurance Card is valid in Türkiye. If you are from another country, ask your own health insurer.
Does the visa require proof of insurance?
The MFA says all applicants must have medical insurance during their stay. We did not find that the e-Visa application asks you to upload a policy, but we could not check every screen of the form.
Can I buy insurance after I arrive?
Many policies do not cover problems that began before you bought them. Buy before you leave and ask when cover starts.
