Health in Istanbul: pharmacies, hospitals and emergency numbers

Emergencies: dial 112

112 is the national medical emergency number, reachable anywhere in Turkey, with no area code. The ambulance service of the 112 system is free and runs without interruption. Give your address or the name of your hotel; if you do not speak Turkish, ask the reception or a passer-by to call for you. Carry your hotel's name and address written in both Latin script and Turkish.

Public hospitals must accept any patient in an emergency, foreigners included, before any question of payment. Outside emergencies, a traveller is in practice directed to a private hospital.

Pharmacies: eczane

A pharmacy is recognised by the Eczane sign, often with a red cross or a red "E". Pharmacists are used to travellers and many speak a little English, especially in tourist districts such as Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu or Nişantaşı. They deal with minor complaints: headaches, stomach upsets, sunburn, bites, disinfection.

Duty pharmacies: nöbetçi eczane

At night, on Sundays and on public holidays, a duty pharmacy, the nöbetçi eczane, stays open in every district. The others post the address of the nearest one in their window. The day's list is published by the Istanbul chamber of pharmacists and by several websites and apps: search for "nöbetçi eczane" with the district name. For the big holidays, see our guide to public holidays and bayrams.

Medicines and prescriptions

Many medicines that are sold freely in other countries, antibiotics in particular, are dispensed in Turkey on prescription. If you are on treatment, bring enough of it in its original packaging, with the prescription and the name of the active substance (the INN), because brand names differ from country to country. For important medication, check the rules for bringing medicines into the country before you leave.

Getting treated: hospitals and clinics

Istanbul has large private hospitals used to foreign patients, some with an international department and interpreters. Examples include the Acıbadem and Memorial groups and the American Hospital in Nişantaşı. For a simple consultation, ask your hotel reception to point you to a nearby clinic.

Private care is paid on the spot, sometimes in advance; keep invoices and medical reports for your reimbursement. Fees are not capped for travellers: ask for a quote before a non-urgent test.

Travel insurance and the European health card

Travel insurance with medical assistance and repatriation is strongly advised: the European Health Insurance Card does not cover Turkey. Check that your policy covers private care and hospital stays, note the assistance number and ask your insurer whether it pays the hospital directly. For the overall cost of your stay, read our guide to the budget for a trip to Istanbul.

Common travellers' ailments

• Water: drink bottled water rather than tap water; it is sold everywhere at low prices.
• Stomach: street food is generally good, but pick busy stalls and avoid lukewarm dishes (see our guide to what to eat in Istanbul). Bring oral rehydration salts.
• Sun and heat: in summer the old city means long walks; sunscreen, a hat and breaks in the shade. For the hot hours, our guide to what to do when it rains in Istanbul also has indoor ideas.
• Shoes: slippery cobbles and climbs, especially in Balat and Galata; good soles prevent sprains.

Numbers and habits to note

Going further

Before you leave, reread our guide to getting around Istanbul to know how to reach a hospital, and our advice on money, payment and tipping so you can pay for care on the spot.