Travel vaccinations for Türkiye: requirements, advice and local health care

No vaccination is required for travel from Germany directly to Türkiye. As a travel vaccination, the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends hepatitis A, together with up-to-date routine vaccinations under the STIKO schedule, Germany’s national immunisation guidance, and in particular adequate protection against measles. For long stays or particular exposure, hepatitis B and rabies are added. According to the WHO there is no malaria risk, and a yellow fever vaccination is not needed.

Entry rules: no mandatory vaccinations

According to the Federal Foreign Office, no vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany. The WHO country list does not include a yellow fever certificate requirement for Türkiye, and there is no risk of yellow fever transmission in the country. The Federal Foreign Office does not mention yellow fever explicitly. If you are travelling on to Türkiye from another country, for example as part of a longer journey, ask specifically about the rules for your route at your consultation.

Recommended vaccinations by type of trip

From a travel medicine perspective, Türkiye is a straightforward destination. The overview table on this page shows what applies to all travellers and what depends on individual assessment. The breakdown below helps you place your own trip.

For all travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and drinking water, and the Federal Foreign Office lists it as a travel vaccination for Türkiye. Also check your routine vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria and measles. The Federal Foreign Office explicitly highlights measles protection, both for you and for your children. Our guide to routine vaccinations for adults has the details.

For long stays or particular exposure

The Federal Foreign Office recommends hepatitis B and rabies for long stays or particular exposure. This applies, for example, to people staying with family or friends for a longer period, working with animals or travelling away from the tourist areas. As a general rule, avoid contact with stray dogs and cats. After a bite or scratch, wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help straight away. Our guide to rabies when travelling explains the background. You can check in advance whether any of these vaccinations might be relevant to you with the travel vaccine check.

Malaria and other infections

According to the WHO country list, local malaria transmission in Türkiye has been interrupted. No locally acquired cases have been reported since 2010, there is no malaria risk, and no preventive measures are recommended. The Federal Foreign Office does not list a malaria risk either.

The Federal Foreign Office notes that tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and brucellosis occur rarely. For holidaymakers on the coast these diseases are not a primary concern. If you spend a lot of time in rural areas, check yourself for ticks after being outdoors and avoid raw milk products. According to the Federal Foreign Office the HIV incidence is very low, but there is still a basic risk of transmission, and condoms protect you.

Diarrhoea and hygiene

Diarrhoeal illness is the most common travel complaint in Türkiye, and most cases can be avoided with simple food and water hygiene. The Federal Foreign Office advises:

• Only drink water from a safe source, never tap water.
• Where possible, use drinking water for brushing your teeth as well.
• Keep flies away from food and wash your hands before eating.

A travel health kit should include suitable supplies for travellers’ diarrhoea. Air pollution can cause problems in large cities, so check current readings if you have a respiratory condition.

Medical care in Türkiye

According to the Federal Foreign Office, medical care in the large cities and tourist regions has improved considerably, while in rural areas it is often below Western European standards. After an accident or for a serious illness, the Federal Foreign Office recommends the emergency department of a university hospital.

Costs and insurance

People with German statutory health insurance should ask their insurer for form A/T 11 before departure, a certificate of entitlement under the German Turkish social security agreement. If you pay yourself, treatment in private clinics can be considerably more expensive than in Germany, and advance payment, for example by credit card, is common. Clarify the type and cost of treatment in advance where possible and only pay against detailed invoices. The Federal Foreign Office strongly recommends private travel health insurance with repatriation cover.

Cosmetic procedures and planned treatment

Before planned procedures, especially cosmetic surgery, the Federal Foreign Office advises gathering thorough information. Carefully check the staff’s qualifications, the facility’s accreditation, the costs and the aftercare. Health insurers generally do not pay for corrective treatment.

When to book your consultation

For a beach holiday, a single appointment to discuss hepatitis A and any missing routine vaccinations is often enough. According to STIKO and the DTG, travel vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before departure, and for longer stays an earlier appointment is worthwhile. If you are combining Türkiye with other destinations, such as Egypt, take every stop into account at your consultation. You can find a practice with a travel medicine focus in our directory of travel clinics.