Travel Insurance for Turkey

Is Turkey in Europe for travel insurance?

For most policies, yes. Turkey is usually included in Europe 2, the wider Europe area that also covers Spain, Greece and Cyprus. It is not normally in Europe 1, so if you have an annual Europe 1 policy, check it before you go. Our FAQ on Europe 1 and Europe 2 explains the difference, and the policy wording for your policy will have the exact list. When you buy a single trip policy, just choose Turkey as your destination.

Does my GHIC work in Turkey?

No. Turkey is not in the EU and the UK has no healthcare agreement with it, so the GHIC and EHIC are not accepted. Many holiday resorts are served by private hospitals that can be expensive and will usually want payment or proof of insurance before treating you. That makes travel insurance especially important for Turkey, even for a short break.

What Turkey travel insurance can cover

The policies you can compare through us typically include emergency medical treatment, repatriation if you need to come home, cancellation, baggage, and 24-hour emergency assistance. Limits and excesses vary, so compare them in your quote.

Medical and cosmetic treatment in Turkey

Turkey is a popular destination for dental work, hair transplants and cosmetic surgery. It is important to know that travel insurance does not cover planned treatment abroad, or problems that come from it. If you develop complications after a procedure, the cost of putting things right, or getting home, will not normally be covered. If you are going for treatment, ask the clinic about its own aftercare and look for specialist cover designed for medical travel.

Activities and excursions

Paragliding at Oludeniz, hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, boat trips, jeep safaris and water sports are all popular in Turkey. Some activities are covered as standard and others need adding or have conditions. Check our list of sports and activities before you go. Quad biking and moped hire carry a high risk of injury, and claims are often turned down if you were not wearing a helmet or did not hold the right licence.

Staying safe in Turkey

Most holidays to Turkey are trouble-free. A few things are worth knowing. Tap water is not always safe to drink in resorts. Summer heat can be intense. Turkey is in an earthquake zone, and parts of the country close to the Syrian border are covered by FCDO warnings. We cannot cover travel to areas where the FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel, so check the FCDO travel advice for Turkey before you book and again before you fly.

Claims connected to drinking too much are often limited or refused, so read the policy wording if you are planning an all-inclusive break.

Entry requirements

UK passport holders can currently visit Turkey for short tourist stays without a visa. Your passport should usually be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive, which is longer than many people expect. Check the latest rules before you travel.

Medical conditions and family holidays

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, declare them in our online medical screening when you get a quote. Travelling with children? A family policy can cover everyone together. If you take more than one holiday a year in Europe, an annual multi-trip policy with Europe 2 cover could cost less than buying single trips.

For more on Turkey, see our Turkey country guide, or read about Europe travel insurance more generally.