Syrians will now also have to pay

Starting January 1, 2026, foreigners under temporary protection status in Turkey will begin to be charged a co-payment for healthcare services as determined by the Social Security Institution (SGK). The regulation published in the Official Gazette today marks the beginning of a new era in the pricing of healthcare services.

DIFFERENCES FROM THE PREVIOUS REGULATION

Under the previous practice, no co-payments were collected from foreigners under temporary protection status for basic healthcare services and emergency treatments. However, with the new regulation, starting January 1, 2026, co-payments for healthcare services will begin to be collected from those under temporary protection. The collected co-payments will be transferred to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Promotion Fund (SYDTF).

REIMBURSEMENT OPTION FOR THOSE WITHOUT PAYMENT CAPACITY

According to the regulation, the co-payments paid by those under temporary protection who are determined to lack the financial capacity to pay will be reimbursed by social assistance and solidarity foundations upon request. This is considered a step aimed at facilitating access to healthcare services for low-income individuals under temporary protection who are in need of assistance.

Foreigners under temporary protection status were not granted the right to apply directly to private healthcare institutions, except for emergency and essential health services. With the new regulation, it has been prohibited for those under temporary protection who are determined to have the financial capacity to pay to apply directly to private healthcare institutions. Thus, applications can only be made for basic and emergency health services.

NO HEALTHCARE SERVICE FEES EXCEPT FOR VACCINES

It was stated that in cases where healthcare services must be paid for, the general health insurance unit prices determined by the SGK will apply. However, except for vaccines, healthcare services whose costs are not covered cannot be provided to those under temporary protection who lack the financial capacity to pay. This regulation envisions setting specific limits on the provision of healthcare services.

THE SITUATION OF SYRIANS IN TURKEY

Temporary protection status began to be applied to Syrians who migrated to Turkey after 2011. As of October 20, 2025, there are 2 million 375 thousand 909 Syrians living in Turkey under temporary protection status. While Istanbul is the province with the highest number of Syrians at 417 thousand 725, Gaziantep ranks second with 333 thousand 849, and Şanlıurfa ranks third with 197 thousand 17.