Travel insurance isn’t compulsory for a trip to Turkey, but it’ll cover you for unexpected events:
Travel insurance protects your trip as soon as you book it, so if your airline goes into administration, or your hotel cancels before departure, you’ll be covered - all you’ll have to pay is the excess.
Turkey is often considered a part of Europe, but it’s not a member of the European Union.
Some travel insurance providers will include Turkey within a European policy while others place them under worldwide cover. Check your policy to be sure.
If a group of you are going to Turkey, compare group, family and couple’s policies. Some insurers offer benefits and savings if you buy policies for groups, making it more cost-effective.
If you buy a multi-trip or annual policy, you can take multiple trips a year to Turkey and beyond without having to worry about organising single trip insurance each time.
It’ll probably save you some money, too. According to theidol, the average single trip policy price for policies purchased from January to December 2018 was £40.31, including medical expenses. For multi-trip policies it was £92.90.[2]
Because it isn’t part of the EU, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) isn’t valid in Turkey. It’s vital that your travel insurance contains some form of medical expenses cover
Crime levels in Turkey are low, but you may encounter pick-pocketing, particularly in the larger cities like Istanbul.
We checked Defaqto on 1 August 2019, and found that 74% of 1,136 annual travel insurance policies covered money up to a maximum sum of up to £399, and 20% offered a benefit for injury following a mugging of up to £1,999.[3]
Every insurer will offer different levels of protection. To have peace of mind in Turkey, look out for cover with:
British passport holders need a visa to travel to Turkey. For more information, check the government’s website for advice about Turkey’s entry requirements.
You can buy an e-Visa online using the official Republic of Turkey e-visa website. Apply at least 48 hours before travel and keep a printed copy of your e-Visa with you.
Your travel insurance won’t cover flight or cruise costs or any legal fees if you don't organise your visa in time or correctly and are refused entry.
British nationals made over 2.3 million visits to Turkey in 2018, mostly without any issues. Your travel insurance can cover your costs in the event of crime or terrorism, but check your policy carefully.
Check Gov.uk to find the latest information about safe places to travel, terrorism, and safety and security when visiting Turkey.
If you are taken ill in Turkey and you haven’t had the relevant vaccinations before you left the UK, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to claim for medical expenses. Injuries and unrelated claims should remain unaffected.
Before you travel, complete the recommended vaccination courses and boosters. Check the TravelHealthPro website for further information.
You don’t need to provide any health certificates in Turkey but you should arrange a consultation with your doctor at least eight weeks before your trip and check the NHS’ advice on travel vaccines.
[1]Gocompare.com introduces customers to theidol.com which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with theidol.com is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us. Please note, we cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites and by using the links stated to access these separate websites you will be subject to the terms of use applying to those sites
[2]Average price purchased data recorded by theidol between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018
[3]Last checked 1 August 2019