X-Ray Cost in Turkey
What you actually pay under SGK and at private hospitals. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Turkey runs a universal social security health insurance — SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) — that covers Turkish citizens and contributing foreign residents. Public hospital X-rays are free for SGK insured patients. Private hospitals — Memorial, Acıbadem, Liv Hospital, Florence Nightingale, Medical Park, American Hospital — are the main medical-tourism destinations. Private self-pay X-ray prices have moved sharply with lira depreciation; ranges below reflect April 2026 conditions.
🏥 SGK Public
- Covers Turkish citizens and insured expats
- Free care at SGK-contracted hospitals
- Small co-payments at private SGK-contracted hospitals
- Emergency care available regardless of insurance
🏥 Private Self-pay
- Istanbul / Ankara private hospital chest X-ray
- Mid-market private clinics cheaper
- Premium medical-tourism hospitals higher
- Inflation-sensitive; confirm current pricing
🌐 Medical Tourism
- Istanbul top-tier JCI hospitals serve 1M+ international patients/year
- 40–50% below US / UK / EU prices even after inflation
- English-language international patient desks
- Package pricing often available
Typical Turkish X-Ray Prices
Indicative self-pay prices across Turkish private clinics and hospitals as of April 2026. Because of lira volatility, prices change often — always confirm with the facility.
| X-Ray Service | Mid-market private (TRY) | Premium private / medical tourism (TRY) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 500–1,000 | 1,500–3,000 | $15–$90 |
| Limb / joint / hand / foot | 500–1,200 | 1,500–3,000 | $15–$90 |
| Spine — single segment | 700–1,500 | 2,000–4,000 | $21–$120 |
| Spine — multi-view | 1,500–2,800 | 3,500–6,000 | $45–$180 |
| Abdomen | 600–1,200 | 1,800–3,500 | $18–$105 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | 600–1,500 | 1,500–3,000 | $18–$90 |
| Specialist consultation (bundled) | 1,000–2,500 | 3,000–6,000+ | $30–$180 |
Indicative self-pay ranges. USD conversions at approximately ₺33 = $1 (subject to change). Lira depreciation means absolute ₺ prices move frequently — ask for a written quote. Medical-tourism packages often price in EUR or USD for predictability.
How SGK Coverage Works
Who is covered
- Turkish citizens
- Employees (automatic with SGK registration)
- Self-employed (BAĞ-KUR status)
- Pensioners
- Foreign residents paying SGK contributions
- Dependents on the same household
What it costs
- Employees: 14% social security (includes health insurance)
- Employers: 20.5% matching (includes health)
- Self-employed / BAĞ-KUR: 34.5% of declared income
- Voluntary / foreigners: flat monthly amount set annually
- Co-payments: small fees at private SGK-contracted hospitals
How to get an X-ray
- Go to a public state hospital (Devlet Hastanesi) or university hospital
- Register with TC Kimlik (Turkish ID) — SGK verified automatically
- Doctor orders X-ray; imaging typically same-day
- Bring prior imaging if relevant
- For private: walk into clinic and self-pay
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Public / University Hospitals
- Hacettepe University Hospital — Ankara
- Istanbul University Çapa Medical Faculty
- Marmara University Pendik Research Hospital
- Ege University Hospital — Izmir
- State hospitals in every il (province)
🏥 Premium Private / Medical Tourism
- Memorial Healthcare Group — Istanbul, Ankara
- Acıbadem Healthcare — Istanbul, Turkey-wide
- Liv Hospital — Istanbul, Ankara
- Florence Nightingale — Istanbul
- Medical Park — nationwide chain
- American Hospital Istanbul
💡 Practical tips
- Private SGK-contracted hospitals may charge a small supplement
- International patient desks at major chains offer package pricing
- USD / EUR pricing sometimes available for medical tourists
- Digital imaging delivered via patient app or USB
Guide by Patient Type
🇹🇷 Turkish residents
- Use state / university hospitals for free SGK imaging
- For speed: private hospital ₺500–3,000
- Complementary private insurance covers supplements
- Check whether your private hospital has SGK contract
💼 Foreign residents
- SGK available via employment or voluntary scheme
- Residency permit holders must have health coverage
- Private insurance common among expats
- Istanbul best for English-language care
✈️ Medical tourists
- Turkey hosts over a million international medical visitors annually
- JCI-accredited hospitals concentrate in Istanbul and Antalya
- Package pricing in EUR / USD common
- Travel health insurance recommended for emergencies
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- TC Kimlik (Turkish ID) or passport
- SGK card / proof of contribution (if applicable)
- Private insurance card
- Prior imaging on CD/USB
- Cash / card / USD for medical tourism
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- State hospital non-urgent: hours to days
- Private: same day
- Results: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- SGK state hospital is free — use it when speed isn't critical
- Mid-market private is a sweet spot for many
- Medical-tourism packages cover consultation + imaging + report
- Ask about USD / EUR fixed pricing to avoid lira volatility
FAQ
Is an X-ray free at a Turkish state hospital?
Yes, for SGK-insured patients. The doctor visit, imaging, and report are all covered. Turkish citizens and foreign residents paying SGK contributions are covered.
How much is a private X-ray in Istanbul?
Mid-market Istanbul clinics: ₺500–1,200 per chest X-ray. Premium hospitals (Memorial, Acıbadem, Florence Nightingale): ₺1,500–3,000. Higher for multi-view or bundled with specialist consultation.
Does SGK work at private hospitals?
Many private hospitals have SGK contracts — you get free or near-free care plus a small supplement the hospital may add. Confirm "SGK anlaşmalı" status before booking to avoid surprise bills.
Is Turkey safe for medical tourism?
Yes. Istanbul and Antalya host multiple JCI-accredited hospitals handling over a million international patients annually. Clinical quality is high, prices are 40–50% below Western equivalents, and the major chains have multilingual international patient desks.
How does lira inflation affect prices?
Turkish lira has depreciated and experienced high inflation. Private hospital prices in lira have risen sharply; USD / EUR equivalents are more stable. Many medical-tourism hospitals quote in EUR or USD for predictability.
What languages do Turkish private hospitals serve?
Istanbul premium hospitals (Memorial, Acıbadem, Liv, Florence Nightingale, American Hospital) offer service in English, Arabic, Russian, German, and often Persian. International patient desks coordinate pre-arrival, visa letters, and packages.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) — coverage rules and contribution rates
- Healthy Türkiye / Istanbul Med Assist — medical tourism price guides
- Private hospital published price lists (Memorial, Acıbadem, Liv)
- Immigrant Invest — Türkiye Healthcare 2026 guide
Last reviewed: April 2026. Lira-denominated prices move frequently — always confirm with the facility or request a USD/EUR quote.