Travel health insurance requirement

This page is for Turkish citizens wondering whether they need to obtain health insurance when travelling to Russia. Russian law lists a health insurance policy valid in Russia among the entry requirements; however, in practice, Turkish citizens are not asked for a policy when applying for a visa. Below you will find what the law says, the practice for e-visas and consular visas, which healthcare services are free in Russia, and what to look for in a good policy.

• According to the law governing entry into Russia, a foreigner who does not show a health insurance policy valid in Russia is not permitted to enter until they show the policy.
• This rule does not apply, on the basis of reciprocity, to diplomats, employees of international organisations, their families, and other groups listed in the law.
• The rule is written in the law for all foreigners. Therefore, the safest approach when travelling to Russia is to carry your policy with you.

• According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' e-visa rules, foreigners staying in Russia with an e-visa must have health insurance valid in Russia for the entire duration of their stay. Citizens of countries exempted on the basis of reciprocity are excluded from this requirement.
• According to the frequently asked questions on the same website, the absence of insurance information in the application:
  • is not grounds for rejecting the e-visa application or returning it for correction
  • is not grounds for being refused entry to Russia
• Conclusion: you can apply for an e-visa without insurance. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you travel with a policy valid for the period of your stay in Russia.

• According to the Russian Visa Centre, a health insurance policy is mandatory in applications only for citizens of Iran, the United States and the European Union. Turkish citizens are not asked for a policy when applying.
• The Russian Embassy lists the policy among the documents that may be requested "if necessary". If requested, the policy must cover Russia and the entire duration of your stay.
• The requirements sought by the visa centre for citizens required to have a policy are also a useful checklist for Turkish citizens:
  • the policy must be stamped
  • the coverage period must be at least one month
  • the geographical coverage must be "WORLDWIDE" or must explicitly include Russia

• The rules for providing healthcare to foreigners were renewed on 1 September 2025 (Government Decision No. 631, 8 May 2025; valid until 1 September 2031).
• Emergency (экстренная) medical assistance is free: treatment is provided free of charge by healthcare institutions in cases of a sudden life-threatening illness, sudden condition or exacerbation of a chronic disease.
• Ambulance services (скорая помощь): these are provided free of charge by state and municipal healthcare institutions in situations requiring immediate intervention, such as illness, accidents, injuries and poisoning.
• Urgent non-emergency (неотложная) and planned treatment are chargeable. These services are provided under a paid healthcare services contract or a voluntary health insurance (ДМС) policy.
• In a non-life-threatening illness, hospitalisation, surgery, medication and examinations must be paid out of your own pocket if you do not have insurance.
• For emergency numbers, see O2.1. For details about emergency assistance, see R7.2.

• There is no social security agreement covering healthcare assistance between Türkiye and Russia (see O1.5).
• Therefore, your general health insurance in Türkiye (SGK) does not cover your treatment expenses in Russia.
• According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, if you do not have travel insurance, you may have to bear all the costs of health problems encountered abroad on your own.
• If you are travelling with your family, make sure that the insurance covers all family members.

• Highly qualified specialists (ВКС) and non-working family members must hold a voluntary health insurance (ДМС) policy valid in Russia.
• Other temporarily present workers become entitled to benefit from compulsory health insurance (ОМС) after fulfilling the conditions set out in the law.
• Those living with a temporary residence permit (РВП) or residence permit (ВНЖ) are insured under compulsory health insurance (ОМС).
• For details, see R7.1. For students' insurance, see R5.2.
• According to Gosuslugi, health insurance can also be obtained through the ruID application.

• Coverage: Russia should be explicitly written in the policy, or the coverage should be "worldwide".
• Duration: it should cover your entire stay, including the departure and return dates. If you extend your stay, extend the insurance as well.
• People: all family members travelling with you should be included in the policy.
• Coverage benefits: it should cover emergency treatment and hospitalisation costs.
• Documents: keep one copy of the policy with you, one copy on your phone and one copy with a relative in Türkiye. This is recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.
• Assistance: note down the number of the 24/7 assistance hotline on the policy.

• Assuming that SGK coverage in Türkiye is also valid in Russia.
• Travelling to Russia with a policy that covers only Schengen countries.
• Taking out the policy for only part of the stay.
• Forgetting to add children or a spouse to the policy.
• Thinking, "There is no need for insurance if emergency assistance is free." Non-emergency and planned treatment are chargeable.
• Keeping the policy only in email and not carrying a printout or a copy on your phone.

• Is insurance mandatory for an e-visa? Insurance information is not mandatory in the application; its absence is not considered grounds for rejection or refusal of entry. However, the e-visa rules require you to have valid insurance throughout your stay in Russia.
• Is a policy requested when applying for a consular visa? According to the visa centre, it is not requested from Turkish citizens; it is requested from citizens of Iran, the United States and the European Union.
• Will I receive free treatment if I become ill in Russia? Yes, in life-threatening emergencies. Ambulance services are also free at state and municipal institutions. Other treatments are chargeable or covered by your insurance.
• I am travelling with a work visa. What insurance do I need? If you are a highly qualified specialist, a ДМС policy valid in Russia is mandatory. For other workers, see R7.1.
• Can I obtain insurance after arriving in Russia? According to Gosuslugi, insurance can be obtained through ruID. However, since a policy may be requested at entry, it is safer to obtain it before setting out.

• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – e-visa rules (insurance)
• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – e-visa frequently asked questions
• Russian Government – rules for providing healthcare to foreigners (Decision No. 631, 2025)
• Federal Law 114-FZ, Article 27 – entry requirements
• Gosuslugi – ruID and new entry rules
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye – consular guide for travellers abroad