Istanbul has world-class private medical care that is often cheaper than private care in Europe and the United States. The public healthcare system is not up to the same standard as its private counterpart but has improved dramatically over recent years, and offers good quality care.

There are more private than public hospitals in the city and most expats living in Istanbul access healthcare through private facilities. As such, new arrivals should ensure that they have private health insurance.

Hospitals generally stick to their appointment times and one rarely needs to wait long to see a doctor, even in the emergency room. Many doctors can speak excellent English, and some have even been trained and have worked abroad.

There are plenty of pharmacies in Istanbul. Most neighbourhoods have at least one pharmacy that is open 24/7, so expats should have easy access to essential medication.

Below is a list of some of the most prominent hospitals in Istanbul.

Hospitals in Istanbul

Acibadem International Hospital

Website: acibadem.com
Address: Istanbul Cad. 82, Yeşilköy  

American Hospital (Amerikan Hastanesi)

Website: amerikanhastanesi.org
Address: Güzelbahçe Sok 20, Nişantaşı 

Florence Nightingale Hastanaleri

Website: florence.com
Address: Abide-i Hurriyet Cad. 166, Şişli

Memorial Hospital Sisli

Website: memorial.com
Address: Piyalepaşa Bulvarı, Okmeydanı, Şişli

Further reading

►For a more comprehensive look at the country's healthcare system see Healthcare in Turkey.

Expat Experiences

"Healthcare anywhere you don’t speak the language can be daunting, but in my experience, the medical staff in Turkey are very caring. I once had to rush my husband to emergency and so many people there helped us. The doctor he initially saw has become his good friend, and like most Turks, we now ask him for personal recommendations when we need medical care." Learn more about Lisa, an Australian expat, and her experience living in Istanbul. 

Are you an expat living in Istanbul?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Istanbul. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.