Health Minister Memişoğlu announces: Ambulance colors are changing

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that a legislative change regarding ambulances has been implemented.

Memişoğlu stated that starting in 2026, the colors of 112 emergency ambulances and those used for the transport of chronic patients will be distinguished from one another.

Memişoğlu spoke as follows:

“I would like to express two things, and it would be beneficial for our citizens to be particularly sensitive about these. First, we do not want 112 to be called unnecessarily. This is unfair to other people. Second, ambulances should be given right-of-way in traffic by using the zipper method. On the other hand, we have also made a new legislative change regarding ambulances. 112 ambulances, that is, the red ambulances, and the ambulances that will transport chronic patients will now be differentiated by color. We have provided an adaptation or transition period until the end of this year. We will change the colors of transport ambulances to gray. Thus, they will only use their flashing lights or sirens if the patient inside is a true emergency case. Furthermore, we are ensuring that ambulances are institutional. We enacted this legislation because we do not want individual ambulances. There is an adaptation period for that until the end of 2025 as well. From the beginning of 2026, the colors of 112 ambulances and those transporting chronic patients will be separated. Additionally, we have equipped all ambulances with electronic systems and are making them manageable, including their interiors. We are making this mandatory. In other words, the command center will be able to manage and be informed in real-time about which patient is in the ambulance, where it is going, and the patient's condition. We will also have the status of the patient inside the ambulance, including their destination and other details, tracked in connection with law enforcement.”