All you need to know about the HES Code
The HES code is today a mandatory application that provides you with a personal 10 or 12 digit number for every individual in Turkey and it’s used to prevent the spread of the covid-19. If you just landed in Turkey and you have no idea what the HES code is, then this article is for you.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries all over the world have been struggling to contain the spread of the disease. In order to fight the pandemic, strict measures have been imposed by governments. In Turkey, the HES code has been introduced to organize the mass transportation and monitor the movement of people in crowded places, especially the ones who are declared infected or suspected of having the virus and therefore are a potential threat to others.
The HES code as a precaution, a preventive method used to eliminate threats in crowded areas such as public transportation, malls, stadiums, entertainment venues, airports, hospitals, governmental institutions and even bank branches. The HES code is used in all major cities in the country and not just Istanbul. Furthermore, when it comes to moving around the city using public transportation, the transportation cards such as the Istanbulkart in Istanbul can only function if it’s linked to your HES code, making it compulsory for residents wishing to move freely. If you are new in Turkey and struggling to understand how the HES code works and how it’s linked to the transportation card, we suggest you continue reading because we’re about to explain all the steps and requirements. Let’s start with the basics:
How to get the HES Code?
There are a couple of ways to get your HES code and they are all easy and practical.
The first one is via SMS. Type HES, your Foreign Turkish Republic identification number, last 4 digits of the serial number of your Turkish Republic Identification Card, birth, and sharing time (in days). Leave a space between each item. Send an SMS to 2023. In case you invested in propriety and already got your Turkish citizenship, Write HES and National ID Number, last four digits of National ID serial code and days of sharing (number of days), respectively and with spaces between asked information) and send the SMS to 2023. If you do not have a Turkish Republic or foreign identification number starting with 97, 98, 99: Type HES, your nationality, passport serial number, year of birth, and last name, leave a space between each part and send the SMS to 2023.
A second method is using the via Hayat Eve Sığar mobile application, aka Life Fits Into Home, available on IOS and Android, and creating an account with your personal information. The app was created by the ministry of health and it operates in accordance with the turkish personal data protection and privacy laws. You can follow the steps mentioned in this official website: https://hayatevesigar.saglik.gov.tr/hes-eng.html#
You can also get your HES code through your E-Devlet account (E-Government). Once your HES code is all set up, you need to link it to your Istanbulkart in order to use public transportation.
How to connect your HES Code to Istanbulkart?
In order to match your HES Code to Istanbulkart, you need to go to the municipality’s website. You can switch to the English version of the website and then fill the form with your personal information. In case you just got into the country and you do not have internet access yet, you can still match your HES code to the card by using the touch screens available in every metro station in Istanbul. Once done correctly, your HES Code will be instantly linked to your Istanbulkart.
We still don’t know for how long will the HES code be mandatory, but it’s safe to say that as long as the pandemic is not fully over, we still need to take precautionary measures in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The HES code has proved to be efficient and it helped create a safer environment for residents and tourists in the city.
