Difference Between 112 and Private Ambulance: Which One to Call?
Understand the practical difference between 112 and private ambulance services in Turkey: dispatch, hospital choice, SGK coverage, on-scene emergency response, and which to choose for your situation.
- Medical review
- Nova Ambulans Sağlık Kurulu (Medical Board)Prepared with input from the Medical Board. AI-assisted draft.
- Published
- Reading time
- 7 min
Key takeaways
- 112 is the public emergency service for life-threatening situations and transfers patients to the nearest suitable public hospital.
- Private ambulances are used for planned transfers, intercity transport, and transport to a preferred hospital.
- Licensed private ambulances have emergency response capability and are expected to assist at the scene of an emergency they come across.
- SGK covers 112 emergency services in full; it does not, as a rule, cover a private ambulance the patient requests on their own.
In this article (9 sections)
In a medical situation, "should I call 112 or a private ambulance?" is a common point of hesitation. Both services carry patients and can provide emergency care, but their operating logic, legal frameworks, and use cases are clearly different. This guide compares the two on a regulatory basis to help you make the right choice 1.
What Is the 112 Emergency Health Service?
112 is the public emergency health service operated under the T.C. Ministry of Health. It is coordinated by the Health Command Control Center (SKKM) and provided to all citizens free of charge 3.
Core Features of 112
- Emergency-focused: Designed for life-threatening conditions (loss of consciousness, severe trauma, heart attack, serious respiratory distress).
- Dispatch system: By protocol, 112 teams direct the patient to the nearest suitable public hospital. The preference of the patient or relatives is not taken into account 3.
- Covered by SGK: 112 services are entirely free for insured citizens and financed from the public budget.
- SKKM coordination: All 112 ambulances are recorded through the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) and managed by the Health Command Control Center (SKKM).
What Is a Private Ambulance Service?
Private ambulances are commercial health providers operating under a Ministry of Health license. They can perform both emergency response and planned patient transport 1.
Core Features of a Private Ambulance
- Transfer to a preferred hospital: Unlike 112, a private ambulance can carry the patient to the health facility of their choice (including private hospitals).
- Planned services: Discharge transfer, home-to-hospital transfer, intercity patient transport, dialysis transfer, and event medical coverage 1.
- Paid service: As a rule, SGK does not cover a private ambulance the patient requests on their own. The fee is paid by the patient or their relatives; some private health insurance policies may cover it partially or fully.
- SKKM integration: Licensed private ambulances also register in the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS), report the cases they attend to SKKM, and enter SKKM coordination when needed. The Regulation requires ASOS recording for team duties (Art. 18, 23) and provides that SKKM may assign a case to a team when necessary (Art. 16, 17) 1.
You can review relevant services at home-to-hospital transfer and intercity transport.
112 vs Private Ambulance: Comparison Table
| Criterion | 112 Emergency | Private Ambulance |
|---|---|---|
| Management | Ministry of Health / SKKM | Private health provider (licensed) |
| Cost | Free (public budget) | Paid (patient/relatives pay) |
| SGK coverage | Yes | As a rule no; partial (over minimum tariff) for referral / medically necessary transfers |
| Hospital choice | Nearest suitable public hospital | Per patient preference (incl. private) |
| Service type | Emergency response | Emergency + planned transport |
| Scheduled appointment | No | Yes |
| Intercity transport | Limited (with SKKM approval) | Yes |
| Event medical coverage | No | Yes |
| ASOS recording | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Team structure | Standard 112 protocol | Tailored to the patient; physician on request |
On-Scene Emergency Response by Private Ambulances
Licensed private ambulances have emergency response capability and carry an equipped crew. When they come across an emergency during an operation, they are expected to assist at the scene as far as the condition of their own patient allows. This is best understood first as a humane and professional responsibility 1.
An important note: although the public or the sector sometimes refers to this situation as "social indication" (sosyal endikasyon), there is no legal term defined under that name in the 8 January 2025 Regulation on Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles and Ambulance Services; no such concept appears in the Definitions section (Art. 4). In medical literature, "social indication" generally refers to transfers or procedures driven by social — rather than strictly medical — necessity, so presenting it as a regulatory basis for "mandatory free intervention in any emergency encountered" is incorrect 1.
What It Means in Practice
- A licensed private ambulance that comes across an incident is expected to help with the emergency without putting its own patient's safety at risk.
- This kind of response is different from a service the patient requests on their own (which is paid); charging depends on the nature of the call and the regulations.
- The response and the case attended are, per the Regulation, recorded in the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) and reported to SKKM (Art. 17) 1.
For example, if a private ambulance comes across a traffic accident during an intercity transfer, it is expected to assist at the scene as far as its current patient's condition allows. This is part of the general approach of emergency health services — not a separate "free of charge" rule defined under the name "social indication" in the regulation.
SGK and Private Ambulances: Who Pays?
This is one of the most frequent questions from patients' relatives. Under current legislation:
- 112 services: Fully covered by SGK. The citizen pays nothing 3.
- Private ambulance: SGK generally does not cover a private ambulance the patient requests on their own. However, within the SGK referral system, the ambulance fee may be partially covered — over the minimum tariff — for transfers carried out with a medical-necessity report 2.
Additional coverage routes include private health insurance policies (check the policy terms) and certain private-hospital packages that bundle their own ambulance service.
Which Should You Choose?
| Situation | Recommended Service | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness, severe trauma, heart attack | 112 | Life-threatening; immediate response needed |
| Serious respiratory distress, severe bleeding | 112 | Urgent Advanced Life Support needed |
| Traffic accident, fall | 112 | On-scene response and triage |
| Planned hospital transfer (discharge) | Private ambulance | Time planning and hospital choice |
| Home-to-hospital follow-up transfer | Private ambulance | Comfort and preferred facility |
| Intercity patient transport | Private ambulance | Long distance and planning |
| Transfer to a preferred private hospital | Private ambulance | Right to choose the hospital |
| Regular dialysis / chemotherapy transfer | Private ambulance | Routine planned transport |
| Event / organization medical coverage | Private ambulance | Authority request, risk assessment and planning |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 112 and private ambulances have the same equipment?
Both ambulance types must meet the minimum equipment standards set in the Ministry of Health regulation. However, the ambulance classification (emergency aid, patient transport, intensive care) determines the equipment level — not the public-versus-private distinction 1. All Nova Ambulans vehicles are ICU-equipped Emergency Ambulances (Acil Yardım Ambulansı); a physician is added on request.
Can I call a private ambulance and 112 at the same time?
In a life-threatening situation, call 112 first. For planned transfers or when you need a specific hospital, you can contact a private ambulance service directly. Calling both at once can waste resources.
Does SGK cover a private ambulance?
As a rule, no. SGK does not cover a private ambulance the patient requests on their own. However, within the SGK referral system, the ambulance fee may be partially covered over the minimum tariff for inter-hospital transfers carried out with a medical-necessity report. Some private health insurance policies may include ambulance service 2.
When should a private ambulance be called?
For planned discharge transfer, intercity transport, reaching a preferred hospital, regular dialysis/chemotherapy transfer, and event medical coverage. If there is no life-threatening risk and time planning is needed, a private ambulance is the right choice.
Will a 112 ambulance take me to the hospital I want?
No. 112 is required to transfer the patient to the nearest suitable public hospital. There is no right to choose the hospital in the 112 system. If you want a specific hospital, you need a private ambulance service 3.
Can a private ambulance also respond in an emergency?
Yes — licensed private ambulances have emergency response capability. Official emergency calls are coordinated through 112/SKKM; private ambulances report the cases they attend to SKKM and enter SKKM coordination when needed (Art. 16, 17). When they come across an emergency at the scene, they are expected to assist as far as their own patient's condition allows; this is not a separate obligation defined under the name "social indication" in the regulation 1.
A Practical Decision Rule
If immediate life risk is present, start with 112. If the case is planned and requires tailored transfer organization, private ambulance coordination may be appropriate.
Nova Ambulans has provided ambulance services since 2010 and operates 7 Emergency Ambulances (ALS, ICU-equipped) around the clock. In İstanbul emergency cases between 1 January and 22 October 2026 (n=287), the median time from the case being assigned to our crew in ASOS to arrival on scene was 8 minutes, and 80% of cases were reached within 15 minutes. This is measured from case assignment, not from the customer's call. For planned transfers or other ambulance needs, call Nova Ambulans at 0216 339 00 39 or message us on WhatsApp at 0549 461 34 00.
Sources
Numbers in the text refer to the sources below.
- Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 — Article 65 (Travel and Transfer Expenses) (opens in a new tab)T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi, May 31, 2006
- Emergency and Critical Care (opens in a new tab)World Health Organization (WHO)
- Warning Signs of a Heart Attack (opens in a new tab)American Heart Association
Nova Ambulans Sağlık Kurulu (Medical Board)
Periodically reviewed by our editorial board of emergency physicians, paramedics and clinical coordinators.
This content is informational only and does not replace professional medical evaluation. In emergencies, call 112 or +90 216 339 00 39.
