28.11.2025 10:10
Starting from January 1, 2026, foreigners with temporary protection status will be required to pay a contribution fee for healthcare services. The amounts for those who do not have the financial means will be reimbursed by social assistance foundations. The new regulation has also changed the application conditions for private hospitals.
An important change has been made regarding health services for foreigners under temporary protection status in Turkey. According to the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, starting from January 1, 2026, a participation fee will be collected from those under temporary protection for health services and medications.
COLLECTED AMOUNTS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND
In the previous application, individuals under temporary protection were not required to pay a participation fee while benefiting from basic and emergency health services. The collected amounts will be transferred to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Promotion Fund (SYDTF).
REFUNDS WILL BE MADE TO THOSE WITHOUT PAYMENT CAPACITY
According to the regulation, those under temporary protection who are determined to have no payment capacity can request a refund of the participation fee they paid from social assistance and solidarity foundations. Additionally, the cost of health services provided to those under temporary protection will be covered by the SYDTF under the control of the Ministry of Health every three months. This payment was previously made by AFAD.
DIRECT APPLICATION TO PRIVATE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS RESTRICTED
In the old application, all individuals under temporary protection could not directly apply to private health institutions except in emergencies. With the new regulation, this restriction has been made applicable only to those without payment capacity. Thus, individuals under temporary protection with payment capacity will be able to apply to private health institutions.
Additionally:
- Health services that are not covered by SGK cannot be provided to those under temporary protection without payment capacity (except for vaccinations).
- Pricing with discounts above or below the prices determined by SGK for health services cannot be applied.
NUMBER OF SYRIANS UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION STATUS
Temporary protection status is primarily applied to Syrians in Turkey.
According to data from October 20, 2025:
- A total of 2 million 375 thousand 909 Syrians are under temporary protection status.
- The highest number of Syrians, 417 thousand 725, live in Istanbul.
- In Gaziantep, there are 333 thousand 849,
- In Şanlıurfa, there are 197 thousand 17 individuals.