International Patient Transport and Repatriation
As part of the private ambulance services it has provided since 2019, Özel Emas Ambulans organises planned international patient transport and cross-border patient transfers between Türkiye and European countries. Licensed by the Ministry of Health and operating under Competency Certificate No: 212, Emas Ambulans benefits from its base in Çerkezköy and Thrace to offer professional ground ambulance transfers, particularly to European and Balkan countries.
For patients who are being treated abroad, fell ill while travelling, wish to continue their treatment in Türkiye, or need a planned transfer from Türkiye to another country, the transfer is planned according to the patient’s medical condition.
International patient transport is not simply moving a patient from one point to another. The patient’s current condition, journey time, the ambulance to be used, the required medical staff, medical equipment needs, border crossings and the handover process at the destination must all be assessed together.
Ground Ambulance Patient Transport Between Türkiye and Europe
If the patient’s condition allows a long-distance road journey, Emas Ambulans can carry out planned ground ambulance transfers between Türkiye and European countries.
Transfer requests for Germany in particular, as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and other European countries, are assessed individually, taking into account the patient’s city and the destination in Türkiye.
International transport by ground ambulance may be preferred especially for patients who are in a stable condition and whose journey must take place under the supervision of medical staff. Before the transfer, the available medical information is reviewed and the medical support and equipment the patient may need en route are planned.
On long-distance transfers, the route, road conditions, border crossings and estimated journey time are also key parts of the organisation.
How Is an Air Ambulance Planned When Needed?
Not every patient is suitable for a long-distance ground ambulance transfer. Because of the patient’s clinical condition, the distance, or the need to keep the transfer time as short as possible, an air ambulance option may be considered.
Emas Ambulans’s own fleet consists of ground ambulances. For transfers that require an air ambulance, the process is organised through authorised partner companies in this field.
Depending on the patient’s condition, the medical team and the necessary medical equipment on board the air ambulance are planned separately. The choice between ground and air ambulance should be based primarily on the patient’s medical needs, not just on distance or cost.
Germany – Türkiye Patient Transport
Planned patient transfers between Türkiye and Germany are an important part of our international patient transport services.
For patients who are hospitalised in Germany, have been discharged, or wish to continue their treatment in Türkiye, a transfer can be planned from their city to a hospital or suitable handover point in Türkiye.
The appropriate transfer model is established by assessing the patient’s current condition, discharge summary, mobility and the medical support they may need during the journey.
For more detailed information on Germany – Türkiye patient transport:
Private Ambulance and Patient Transport from Germany
Patient Transport to Bulgaria and Romania
Being based in Çerkezköy and Thrace gives Emas Ambulans an important location advantage in managing planned ground ambulance transfers to Bulgaria and Romania.
For transfers to Bulgaria, depending on the route, the Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli or Dereköy border crossings may be considered. Transfers to Romania can be planned via Bulgaria, depending on the patient’s city and the route.
The border crossing to be used does not have to be fixed before the transfer. The appropriate route is established taking into account the patient’s location, the destination city, road conditions, official crossing requirements and the current situation at the border crossings.
Patient Transfers to Balkan Countries
In addition to Bulgaria and Romania, requests for planned patient transport from Balkan countries to Türkiye, or from Türkiye to Balkan countries, can also be assessed.
Thanks to our operations centre in Thrace, ground ambulance transfers can be planned on nearby European and Balkan routes.
Each international transfer is assessed on its own terms. The operation plan is drawn up after checking the country’s entry procedures, patient admission requirements and the necessary documents before the transfer.
How Is International Patient Transport Carried Out?
International patient transfer begins with a preliminary assessment. Information is gathered on the patient’s country and city, the destination in Türkiye or abroad, their general medical condition and existing medical reports.
The following main stages then follow:
- Collecting patient information: The patient’s current condition and transfer needs are assessed.
- Reviewing medical documents: The current report, discharge summary and any treatment information are checked.
- Choosing the transfer method: Ground ambulance or air ambulance coordination is assessed.
- Planning the ambulance and medical team: A team and equipment suited to the patient’s needs are prepared.
- Planning the route: Roads, country crossings and border crossings are assessed.
- Carrying out the transfer: The patient is transported under the supervision of medical staff.
- Patient handover: The transfer is completed at the designated hospital or a suitable handover point.
All of these steps may vary depending on the patient’s current condition and the countries involved.
Which Documents Are Required for International Patient Transport?
The required documents for international patient transport may vary by country and transfer method. In general, the following may be requested for the patient:
- Passport or valid identity document
- Current medical reports
- Discharge summary
- Information on medications and treatment
- Hospital admission or referral documents, if any
- Insurance-related documents
If an air ambulance or other modes of transport are used, additional medical and official documents may be required.
While official procedures are handled by the relevant authorities, Emas Ambulans provides coordination support throughout the process in preparing the information and documents needed to carry out the patient transfer.
Border Crossings and Patient Handover
On international ground ambulance transfers, the route and border-crossing model may vary from case to case.
Some transfers can be continued with the same team and ambulance in line with the applicable procedures, while in other cases the patient may be handed over to an authorised ambulance or medical team in the other country.
In operations requiring a handover, the existing medical information and the assessments made during the transfer are passed on to the receiving medical team. The method to be used is planned in advance according to the patient’s condition, the countries’ procedures and the structure of the transfer.
How Are International Patient Transport Costs Determined?
There is no single standard price that applies to every international patient transport case.
The main factors affecting the cost are:
- The patient’s country and city
- The destination in Türkiye or abroad
- Total transfer distance
- Choice of ground or air ambulance
- The patient’s medical condition
- Required medical staff
- Medical equipment that needs to be used
- General operational conditions of the transfer
To provide an accurate price, the patient’s current condition and the pick-up and drop-off locations need to be shared.
Whether private health insurance or travel insurance covers patient transport depends on the scope of the policy and the insurer’s terms. A definitive assessment of insurance coverage is made by the relevant insurance company.
Why Emas Ambulans?
- Experience in private ambulance services since 2019
- Service licensed by the Ministry of Health
- Competency Certificate No: 212
- Operations based in Çerkezköy and Thrace
- Planned ground ambulance transfers between Türkiye and Europe
- Patient transport organisation to Germany and other European countries
- Location close to Bulgarian and Balkan routes
- Ambulance fleet equipped with modern medical equipment
- Experienced medical staff
- Partner company coordination when an air ambulance is needed
- Single point of contact for planning the transfer
- 24/7 communication and operational support
Get Information and a Quote for International Patient Transport
If you need a planned patient transfer to Türkiye from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania or another country, or from Türkiye to abroad, you can contact Emas Ambulans.
Once you share the patient’s city, destination, current medical condition and any medical reports, the appropriate transfer method, ambulance and medical team requirements can be assessed and the transfer planned.
Request this service and our team will call you to guide you.
