If you are planning some holidays to Turkey, maybe you have heard about the HES code.
The HES code is nothing else rather than just a text code, something similar to “M6U8-7644-16” which allow Turkish (and not Turkish) citizens to travel inside Turkey. Just a travel restriction imposed to reduce people travelling over the COVID-19 pandemic.
That means that if you have some travel plans in mind through Turkey, which needs some bus or flight transportation, well you will need one.
Now that we have that clear, the question is… how can I get one?
1. Hayat Eve Sığar mobile app
https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/hayat-eve-s%C4%B1%C4%9Far/id1505756398?l=tr
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tr.gov.saglik.hayatevesigar&hl=es_419
2. Government portal
https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-hes-kodu-uretme-ve-listeleme
3. SMS to 2023
HES COUNTRYCODE PASSPORT YEAROFBIRTH SURNAME DAYSOFSTAY+7OFFSET and send it to the number 2023.
i.e. HES ESP ABJ552131 1984 RUIZPEREZ 24
If you have already realise all this, that’s great,
since there is no much info available online
Next stop, have you realise that none of them work? Let’s see why
1. Hayat Eve Sığar
The app has been created for international use, however it does not allow registration by using a foreign number (number simply do not fit in the registration text field). Furthermore, even if your phone number fits, you will receive a confirmation code. That is due to the fact that you use a different carrier, out of Turkey, so if you want to get the confirmation SMS… well you better be in Turkey. I know… amazing, great app.
As a note, the app relies on a SMS system to receive a HES code… so nothing else different than sending a SMS code straight away, as we will see in the third option.
2. Government portal
The government portal provide HES codes -if you are a Turkey citizen and has a TC Identification number (ID)-. So unless you are Turkish citizen, this is a no-go. Period.
3. SMS with format to 2023
Sending an SMS works, but only -again- if you are in the Turkish phone network or you have a Turkish phone number, so once again we are screwed (I know, this is exhausting).
If you still looking for alternatives, something like “hey, maybe I can send a SMS online, like in the Turkish network or maybe even buy a Turkish SIM card online”. I will save you the time, no possible, I already tried. I spent hours. No options.
I got it. So which are my best chances to get a HES code?
Easy. Go to Turkey and buy a SIM card in the airport.
Turkcell is the one that offers the best coverage and signal -1000 times better than in Germany-. However, important to know: expect European prices, doesn’t matter the carrier, neither the store.