Medical Treatment Residence Permit 2026: Patient and Companion Requirements

Short answer: Residence permit for medical treatment, is a short-term residence permit that can be granted to foreigners who will receive treatment at a public or private hospital in Turkey, provided that they do not carry one of the diseases deemed a threat to public health. The permit duration is determined in accordance with the treatment period. Health insurance is not required from patients who document that they have paid all treatment expenses. The status of companions is evaluated separately from the patient's permit.

According to the current statement of the Presidency of Migration Management, general residence provisions apply to companions of patients arriving through health cooperation agreements, unless there is a special provision in the agreement. Furthermore, pursuant to Additional Article 14 of the Basic Law on Health Services No. 3359, valid health insurance is not required for residence permit applications from companions not exceeding a maximum of two persons. This exemption does not grant the companion automatic residence or work rights.

Last updated: September 10, 2026. The content has been prepared based on the residence permit types, general information, and legislative explanations of the Presidency of Migration Management accessible as of this date.

What is a Medical Treatment Residence Permit?

The purpose of treatment is one of the grounds for a short-term residence permit regulated under Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. This permit may come into question if the treatment planned in Turkey and accepted by the hospital exceeds the duration of the visa or visa exemption.

A permit for medical treatment is a special ground of stay dependent on the foreigner's need for health services. Having a medical diagnosis is not sufficient on its own. Hospital admission, treatment plan, projected duration, how expenses will be covered, and the general residence conditions of the foreigner are examined together. For the general framework of residence permits Turkey residence permit 2026 guide may be examined.

Legal Basis of the Medical Treatment Residence Permit

Short-term residence for medical treatment is evaluated together with Articles 31 to 33 of Law No. 6458, the short-term residence provisions of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, and the relevant regulations of the Basic Law on Health Services No. 3359 regarding companions.

Current texts of the Law and secondary regulations can be accessed from the Presidency of Migration Management legislation page . In cases where health services are provided within the scope of international health tourism Department of Health Tourism of the Ministry of Health statements should also be reviewed.

Who Can Apply for a Medical Treatment Residence Permit?

Basically, foreigners who meet the following conditions may apply:

• Having an actual treatment process in a public or private hospital in Turkey,
• Being accepted by the hospital or having a treatment program established,
• The treatment having a specific duration that requires staying in Turkey,
• Not having any obstacle in terms of one of the diseases classified as a threat to public health,
• Documenting the method of covering the treatment expenses,
• Fulfilling other general conditions regarding address, passport, and short-term residence permit.

The application must be based on a verifiable medical treatment need, rather than solely on a private examination appointment or a general check-up request. The administration may request information and documents regarding the treatment from the hospital or relevant public institution when deemed necessary.

Condition Regarding Diseases Threatening Public Health

In the official announcement of the Presidency of Migration Management it is stipulated that the foreigner to receive treatment must not carry any of the diseases classified as a threat to public health. It cannot be said that every contagious or chronic disease automatically falls within this scope.

The evaluation must be made based on the nature of the disease, current health legislation, and the determinations of authorized health institutions. Instead of concealing the diagnosis or submitting false health documents, genuine and up-to-date documents issued by the hospital must be included in the file.

How is Hospital Admission Documented?

The Directorate of Migration Management requires the admission of foreigners coming to Turkey for treatment purposes to public or private hospitals. The acceptance document should, if possible, indicate the following information:

• The patient's full name and passport information,
• The official title and contact information of the hospital,
• The general nature of the treatment or program,
• The planned start date,
• The projected duration of treatment and follow-up,
• Information on inpatient or outpatient treatment,
• The method of payment or guarantee for expenses,
• An explanation thereof if an escort is deemed medically necessary.

Due to patient privacy, non-essential health data must not be shared in the application file. However, there must be an official health document sufficient to prove the reason and duration of residence.

For What Duration is the Medical Treatment Residence Permit Issued?

The residence permit is issued in accordance with the duration of the treatment. In a file where the hospital indicates a three-month treatment program, it cannot be assumed that a two-year permit will be granted simply because short-term permits can generally be issued for longer periods.

If the treatment is prolonged, an extension application may be considered with a new hospital report, control plan, or financial guarantee. The extension application must be made before the expiration of the current permit and with up-to-date documents. For timing, residence permit extension application 2026 guide can be reviewed.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory for a Residence Permit for Medical Treatment Purposes?

The general rule is valid health insurance. However, according to the statement of the Directorate of Migration Management, foreigners who document that they pay all treatment expenses health insurance is not required from foreigners. Here, mere declaration of "I will pay" is not sufficient; rather, a document demonstrating that the expenses have been paid or secured in an accepted manner is essential.

The applicant must submit a payment receipt obtained from the hospital, an invoice regarding the treatment package, or a verifiable institutional document showing that the expenses will be covered. If a portion of the treatment has been paid but the remaining period is uncertain, a complementary document regarding health insurance may be requested.

Patients Whose Expenses are Covered by Public Institutions

Foreigners whose accommodation, sustenance, or health expenses are covered by relevant public institutions and organizations during the treatment period are not subject to the requirements of financial capability assessment and valid health insurance. The administration may request information from the relevant hospital or public institution regarding the scope of treatment and expenses.

This exception is not the same as a general declaration by a private company, relative, or natural person that they will cover the expenses. The public institution nature of the entity covering the expenses, along with the scope, duration, and patient information, must be explicit in the official document.

Required Documents for a Residence Permit for Medical Treatment Purposes

Definitive document checklist, depending on the application type and the individual's status from the e-Residence required documents screen must be verified.

How to Apply for a Residence Permit for Medical Treatment Purposes?

1. An acceptance and treatment plan is obtained from a public or private hospital.
2. The duration of treatment and how expenses will be covered are determined.
3. The patient's current visa or residence permit validity is checked.
4. Official e-Residency system short-term residence permit application is submitted through.
5. The purpose of treatment and requested duration are selected in accordance with the hospital documentation.
6. Passport, address, insurance, or expense payment documents are prepared.
7. If there is an accompanying person, a separate application and documents are arranged for them.
8. Fees and document costs are paid via official channels.
9. Appointment or document submission instructions are complied with.
10. Treatment and application records are retained.

Is a Separate Residence Permit Required for an Accompanying Person?

The accompanying person's right to stay is not automatically added to the patient's card. Each foreigner's residence status is evaluated separately. If the accompanying person will exceed their visa or visa exemption period, they must apply in their own name based on the relevant legal grounds.

The accompanying person's application is correlated with the patient's treatment duration, hospital documentation, and need for accompaniment. The permit period granted for the patient does not automatically guarantee the same duration for the accompanying person.

How Many Accompanying Persons Can Be Exempted from Health Insurance?

According to the recent statement by the Directorate General of Migration Management, pursuant to Additional Article 14 of the Basic Law on Health Services No. 3359, foreign patients coming to Turkey and their accompanying persons not exceeding a maximum of two individuals are stated to be exempt from the requirement of valid health insurance in their residence permit applications.

This regulation does not mean that a third or subsequent accompanying person will automatically benefit from the same exemption. Furthermore, the absence of the insurance requirement does not imply the removal of other conditions such as passport, address, legal stay, public order, and application procedures.

Accompanying Persons of Patients Arriving Under a Health Cooperation Agreement

For accompanying persons of foreigners arriving within the scope of a health cooperation agreement to which Turkey is a party, the relevant agreement is examined first. If there is no specific provision regarding the accompanying person in the agreement, residence procedures shall be carried out in accordance with general provisions.

The fact that the agreement covers the patient's treatment expenses does not necessarily mean that the accommodation, health, and other expenses of the accompanying person are also covered. Referral, admission, or guarantee documents issued for the patient and the accompanying person must be checked separately.

What Information Must Be Included in the Accompanying Person Document?

The letter from the hospital or the relevant public institution should clearly indicate the patient's identity, duration of treatment, need for an accompanying person, and the identity of the accompanying person as explicitly as possible. If it can be documented whether accompanying is medically necessary or accepted by the institution, this must be added to the file.

If there is a family tie, a birth or marriage certificate may be requested; if there is no kinship, an explanation of the accompanying relationship may be required. For documents obtained from abroad, an apostille or consular legalization and a notarized Turkish translation may be necessary.

Can an Accompanying Person Work in Turkey?

No. A residence application or health insurance exemption in the capacity of an accompanying person does not grant the right to work. A foreigner wishing to work in Turkey must also hold a work permit or exemption in compliance with the International Labour Law No. 6735.

Differences between residence permits and work permits, and domestic/international application procedures in the foreign work permit guide .

Does Emergency Treatment Replace a Residence Permit?

Access to emergency health services and the right to legal long-term stay in Turkey are different matters. Applying to the emergency department or receiving medical intervention does not, by itself, mean that a residence permit has been issued. If the treatment will exceed the visa or legal stay duration, formal residence procedures must be carried out separately.

If the patient's health condition prevents them from participating in the application in person, the hospital report and representation options must be evaluated. The administration may request the physical presence of the foreigner if deemed necessary.

What Happens if the Treatment Hospital or City Changes?

The transfer of treatment to another hospital, or the extension or shortening of the program, may affect the basis of the application. Acceptance by the new hospital, the treatment plan, and cost information must be obtained, and the method for notifying the competent provincial directorate of migration management of the change must be learned.

If the foreigner moves to another province, the address change must be reported to the relevant migration and civil registry units within 20 business days, and the issuance of a residence certificate in the new province may be required. Details Change of city in residence permit are explained in the guide.

What Happens if the Treatment is Completed or Discontinued?

The completion or cancellation of the treatment, or the patient's discontinuation of the program, may eliminate the grounds for granting the residence permit. The fact that a longer period is written on the card does not mean that the permit will continue without any evaluation once the purpose of treatment has ended.

If another legitimate reason for stay arises for the foreigner, it must be evaluated in a timely manner for the new purpose residence permit transition application . A stay should not be maintained using fraudulent treatment documentation.

Why Might a Residence Permit for Medical Treatment Be Denied?

• The absence or unverified nature of public or private hospital acceptance,
• The ambiguity of the treatment plan and duration,
• The inability to prove the payment or guarantee method for expenses,
• The failure to present valid health coverage when no insurance exemption applies,
• The classification of the foreigner within the scope of diseases deemed a threat to public health,
• The failure to meet address, passport, or other short-term residence permit requirements,
• Submitting forged, contradictory, or misleading hospital documents,
• Determining that the purpose of treatment is being used to stay in Turkey for another purpose,
• The existence of a valid deportation or entry ban order.

The nature of the decision as a refusal, cancellation, or non-extension is evaluated separately in terms of the notification date, grounds, and legal remedies. For detailed information, you can refer to the residence permit denial and cancellation lawsuit guide. Regarding the legal evaluation of the specific transaction, information can also be obtained our immigration law practice area regarding.

Pre-Application Checklist

1. Obtain the hospital's acceptance letter and treatment program.
2. Clarify the start date and estimated end date of the treatment.
3. Document how the expenses will be covered.
4. Check whether the health insurance exemption applies.
5. If there is a need for an attendant, have it included in the hospital letter.
6. Make separate legal stay and application calculations for the patient and attendants.
7. Prepare passport, address, and financial documents.
8. Complete the application before the legal stay expires.
9. Record any hospital or city changes.
10. When the treatment concludes, plan the transition in a timely manner if there is a new ground for stay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

For how many years is the residence permit for medical treatment issued?

The permit is issued in accordance with the duration of the treatment documented by the hospital. The general maximum duration of the short-term permit does not apply automatically.

Can individuals receiving treatment at a private hospital apply?

Yes. According to the Presidency of Migration Management guidelines, admission to either a public or private hospital is required. Hospital admission and the actual treatment plan must be documented.

Is health insurance required from a patient who covers their own treatment costs?

Foreign nationals who document that they have paid all treatment costs are exempt from the health insurance requirement. The scope and period of the payment must be verifiable.

How many attendants can the patient bring?

The necessity for an attendant is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. According to the Presidency of Migration Management guidelines, up to two attendants are exempt from the valid health insurance requirement for the residence permit application; however, this provision does not guarantee an automatic permit.

Can the accompanying person use the same residence card as the patient?

No. Each foreigner's application and residence permit are issued separately.

Can the accompanying person work in Turkey?

The status of an accompanying person does not confer the right to work. A work permit or a valid work permit exemption is required.

Does the residence permit continue if the medical treatment ends?

The completion of the treatment affects the basis for the permit. If there is another legitimate ground for stay, a transition application corresponding to it must be evaluated in a timely manner.

Is it mandatory to report a change of hospital?

The new hospital and treatment plan may alter the basis of the residence permit. How to report the change must be inquired from the competent provincial directorate of migration management, and the documents must be submitted.

Conclusion

A residence permit for medical treatment purposes is based on actual and verifiable hospital treatment and is issued in accordance with the duration of the treatment. Health insurance is not required from a patient who documents that they have paid all treatment costs. The insurance exemption stipulated for a maximum of two accompanying persons does not grant automatic residence or work rights to the accompanying persons. The passport, address, legal stay, and application procedures of the patient and each accompanying person must be tracked separately.

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Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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Attorney Batın YILMAZ

Istanbul Bar Association Bar Registry No: 77008

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