Starting from January 1, 2024, citizens of other countries planning to visit Turkey are required to obtain legally valid travel health insurance.

 

Here is a detailed explanation of this new requirement:

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Comprehensive Explanation of the New Travel Health Insurance Requirement for Visitors to Turkey

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Effective Date:
- The new travel health insurance requirement will come into effect on January 1, 2024.

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Who is Affected:
- This requirement applies to citizens of all countries except Turkish citizens. Any foreign national planning to visit Turkey, regardless of the purpose of their visit (tourism, business, study, etc.), must comply with this regulation.

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Minimum Coverage Period:
- The travel health insurance must cover at least the first 15 days of their stay in Turkey. This means that the insurance policy must be valid from the date of entry into Turkey and continue to be effective for at least 15 days thereafter.

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Insurance Requirements:

1. Legally Valid:The travel health insurance must be legally recognized and valid within Turkey. This ensures that visitors are adequately covered for any health-related issues they may encounter while in the country.
   
2. Comprehensive Coverage: The insurance should cover a wide range of medical expenses, including but not limited to:

   - Emergency medical treatment
   - Hospitalization
   - Prescription medications
   - Medical evacuation if necessary
   - Repatriation of remains in the event of death

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3. Proof of Insurance: Visitors must carry proof of their travel health insurance when entering Turkey. This proof may be requested by immigration officials at the point of entry.

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4. Policy Language: It is recommended that the insurance policy be in English to facilitate verification by Turkish authorities. Policies in other languages may need to be accompanied by a certified translation.

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Enforcement:
- Turkish immigration authorities will enforce this requirement at all points of entry, including airports, seaports, and land borders.
- Visitors without valid travel health insurance may be denied entry into Turkey.

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Rationale:
- The primary reason for this requirement is to ensure that visitors are protected against unforeseen medical expenses, thereby safeguarding their health and well-being during their stay.

- It also aims to reduce the financial burden on Turkey’s healthcare system by ensuring that foreign visitors have their own health coverage.

By implementing this new travel health insurance requirement, Turkey aims to provide a safer and more secure environment for all visitors, ensuring that they can enjoy their stay without worrying about potential health-related expenses.

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You can purchase travel health insurance tailored to Turkey's requirements from here.​