Roaming Charges in Turkey for German Mobile Users

For German residents traveling to Turkey, understanding mobile roaming charges is crucial to avoid unexpected costs. While the European Union has eliminated roaming charges within the European Economic Area (EEA), Turkey is not included in this zone. This means using your German mobile phone in Turkey can incur additional fees.

What is Roaming?

According to the Federal Network Agency, roaming refers to using a mobile device, such as a smartphone, on a foreign mobile network for calls, texts, and data.

Roaming Within the EEA: “Roam Like at Home”

The “roam like at home” policy applies to the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing usage in the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, without additional charges. Although, this benefit does not extend to Turkey.

Charges for Roaming in Turkey

If you use your German mobile phone in Turkey to make calls, send texts, or access mobile internet, your German mobile provider may charge extra fees. These fees vary depending on your provider and tariff, and can potentially be substantial, as explained by the Federal Network Agency.

Mobile phone providers are required to inform you of the per-unit costs (KByte/MByte/GByte) when you enter the country. It’s still advisable to check these costs in advance through your provider’s customer account or app. Many providers also offer travel packages specifically for Turkey.

Data Usage and Safety Nets

Many applications continue to use mobile data in the background. It’s recommended to disable data roaming or purchase a fixed data package when traveling to Turkey. However, a safety net is in place: providers must interrupt usage when roaming costs reach €100. If this safety net fails due to real-time usage tracking issues, the provider must report this upon entry into Turkey, according to the Federal Network Agency.

German Health Insurance in Turkey

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Turkey. However, a bilateral social security agreement exists between the EU and Turkey for legally insured individuals. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds states that this agreement entitles you to immediate necessary healthcare, such as medical treatment or hospitalization, under Turkish law.

This entitlement is limited to 24 hours and applies only to state health facilities. For emergencies or treatment in private facilities (private clinics or hotel doctors), you are responsible for the costs. It’s advisable to inquire about treatment costs beforehand.

Is International Health Insurance Worth Considering?

Taking out international health insurance before your trip is an option. The consumer advice center suggests that annual contracts can cost less than €10 and cover trips lasting up to six or eight weeks. Longer trips require a separate policy.

When choosing insurance, the consumer advice center emphasizes the importance of coverage for medically sensible return transport, as opposed to only medically necessary transport. Medically necessary repatriation is only granted when the standard of care in the host country is insufficient for successful treatment.