Access to healthcare and emergency assistance

This page is for Turkish citizens living in or temporarily staying in Ukraine. It explains which number to call in an emergency, when an ambulance comes, under what conditions foreigners can access healthcare, and the payment rules. For health insurance, see U6.2.

• 103 — emergency medical assistance (екстрена медична допомога). One number throughout Ukraine; available 24/7.
• 112 — general emergency line. Covers all regions. In addition to Ukrainian, operators provide assistance in English, German, French, Polish, Czech and Korean.
• If the mobile network is weak or unavailable, the Ministry of Internal Affairs' "112 Ukraine" app can be used.
• 1536 — Ministry of Internal Affairs hotline.
• Go to the nearest shelter during an air-raid alarm. Going to a shelter is also permitted during curfew hours (see U0.3).
• Turkish emergency lines:
  • Embassy in Kyiv: +380 63 211 47 65
  • Consulate General in Odesa: +380 93 711 00 24, +380 93 711 00 26
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29
• You can also report your emergency and location through the Abroad Emergency Notification service on e-Government.

• The main situations in which an ambulance team is dispatched are listed in the Ministry of Health's list No. 583 dated March 26, 2021:
  • sudden loss of consciousness, seizure, sudden respiratory impairment
  • sudden chest pain, severe bleeding, injury
  • stroke, heart attack, poisoning, allergic reaction
  • suspected infectious disease and other life-threatening conditions
• If the condition is not urgent, the operator provides advice by phone or directs you to a family doctor.
• An ambulance does not come in the following cases: non-urgent conditions, providing false information, scheduled injections or dressings, or requests for reports or prescriptions.
• A family doctor declaration and referral are not required for emergency assistance.
• When calling:
  • give the patient's name, sex, age and your telephone number
  • describe the complaints as clearly as possible; answer all the operator's questions
  • provide the full address: region, settlement, street, building and apartment number, floor, door code and entrance
  • if possible, meet the team in the street; place pets in a separate room
  • prepare the patient's passport and medical documents

• Under Resolution No. 667 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated June 22, 2011, medical assistance for foreigners temporarily staying in Ukraine, including emergency assistance, is paid unless legislation or an international agreement provides otherwise.
• Foreigners may apply to any state or municipal healthcare institution.
• The institution providing the service sets the fee. Payment is made in cash (hryvnia) or by bank transfer.
• If you have a contract with an insurer established in Ukraine, the insurer pays. If the cost exceeds the insurance limit, you pay the difference (see U6.2).
• If you have no insurance and cannot document your right to free treatment, you pay the costs, including emergency assistance.
• If payment is not made, the matter is resolved with the participation of the foreigner's country's representation in Ukraine.
• The National Health Service of Ukraine (НСЗУ) states that emergency assistance is included in the state-guaranteed program and is free for everyone who needs it. The payment rule specific to foreigners is set out in Resolution No. 667. Always carry your insurance policy with you.

• Ukraine's state-guaranteed healthcare program (Програма медичних гарантій) is a list of services paid for from the state budget. The program is updated annually.
• Most free services are accessed through a declaration (декларація) signed with a family doctor, therapist or pediatrician. For specialist examinations and tests, the doctor issues an electronic referral (е-направлення).
• Services not requiring a referral: emergency and primary care; an obstetrician-gynecologist, psychiatrist, narcologist, phthisiatrist, psychologist and pediatrician; and the doctor monitoring you for a chronic illness.
• Right to sign a declaration: according to the Ukrainian Government's statement, anyone permanently residing in Ukraine may sign a declaration. Documents accepted instead of a Ukrainian passport:
  • temporary citizenship certificate
  • permanent residence permit (посвідка на постійне проживання)
  • refugee certificate
  • certificate for a person requiring additional protection
• This list does not include a temporary residence permit (посвідка на тимчасове проживання).
• The Turkish Ministry of Health's Travel Health page states that foreigners with an official residence permit can register at a district polyclinic with an address declaration and receive free outpatient treatment. Before registering, ask the polyclinic which document it accepts.
• National Health Service information line: 16-77 (Monday–Thursday 09:00–18:00, Friday 09:00–16:45).

• Recommendations of the Turkish Ministry of Health for Ukraine:
  • keep routine vaccinations up to date: measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, chickenpox, polio and annual influenza
  • hepatitis A vaccination is recommended
  • hepatitis B vaccination is recommended if medical procedures, tattoos or a new partner are possible
  • rabies vaccination may be considered for those at high risk of contact with animals
  • a yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required when entering Ukraine
• Tap water should not be preferred; bottled water is available in supermarkets.
• Basic medicines such as cold remedies, painkillers and cough medicines are readily available in pharmacies. It is recommended that you bring your regular prescription medicines from Türkiye.
• For pre-travel advice, you can contact the Ministry of Health's authorized travel health centers. Travel Health Advice Line: 444 77 34 (within Türkiye).

• Universities providing in-person education have equipped shelters; students are given alarm instructions (see U4.2).
• According to Study in Ukraine, universities providing in-person education use generators for uninterrupted electricity and Starlink for connectivity; the mobile network operates nationwide.
• No procedures are carried out at government offices such as the Migration Service during an air-raid alarm; plan official appointments accordingly.
• Keep your phone charged against power and internet outages; if there is no mobile network, use the "112 Ukraine" app.

• Emergency: 103 (ambulance) · 112 (general emergency) · 1536 (Internal Affairs hotline)
• National Health Service of Ukraine (НСЗУ) — state-guaranteed program, family doctor, complaints
  • Information line: 16-77
  • Web: nszu.gov.ua
• Embassy of Türkiye in Kyiv
  • Address: Panasa Myrnoho St. No: 22, 01011 Kyiv
  • Telephone: +380 44 281 07 50 · Emergency: +380 63 211 47 65 · E-mail: embassy.kiev@mfa.gov.tr
• Consulate General of Türkiye in Odesa
  • Address: Leontovycha St. 5, 65014 Odesa
  • Telephone: +380 48 722 79 11, +380 48 722 79 39, +380 48 720 72 00 · Emergency: +380 93 711 00 24, +380 93 711 00 26
• Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29

• Providing an incomplete address when calling 103 (floor, entrance, door code). The team loses time finding you.
• Not carrying the insurance policy. Treatment for a foreigner temporarily staying in the country is paid.
• Calling an ambulance for non-urgent conditions. The team will not come and will direct you to a family doctor.
• Assuming that a family doctor declaration can be signed with a temporary residence card.
• Not bringing enough of the medicines used regularly from Türkiye.
• Being unable to reach emergency lines because the phone is uncharged during a power outage.

• What is the ambulance number in Ukraine? 103. The general emergency number is 112.
• Is there anyone speaking Turkish on 112? According to the official statement, operators provide assistance in English, German, French, Polish, Czech and Korean; Turkish is not listed.
• As a foreigner, do I have to pay for emergency treatment? Under Resolution No. 667, medical assistance, including emergency assistance, is paid for foreigners temporarily staying in the country; if you have insurance, the insurer pays.
• Can I register with a family doctor? According to the Ukrainian Government's statement, people with a permanent residence permit can sign a declaration. A temporary residence permit is not on this list.
• What happens if I cannot pay the treatment costs? Under Resolution No. 667, if a foreigner refuses payment, the healthcare institution's costs are discussed with the participation of the foreigner's country's representation in Ukraine. To avoid this situation, obtain insurance with a sufficient limit.

• e-Government – Abroad Emergency Notification
• Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine – Procedure for medical assistance to foreigners (Resolution No. 667)
• National Health Service of Ukraine – Emergency medical assistance guide
• National Health Service of Ukraine – State-guaranteed healthcare program
• Turkish Ministry of Health – Travel Health, Ukraine page
• Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Travel announcements abroad
• Consular appointment system