What Is the HES Code in Turkey and How Does It Work?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkey introduced a digital health tracking system known as the HES Code. Some people mistakenly refer to it as the “HEX number”, but the correct term is HES — an abbreviation of “Hayat Eve Sığar”, meaning “Life Fits Into Home”.
The HES code was designed to help control the spread of the virus by identifying potential exposure risks and allowing institutions to check whether an individual was safe to enter public spaces or travel.
Although it is no longer required for daily activities, travel, or public buildings, it remains a well-known part of Turkey’s recent health history.
What the HES Code Did
The HES code served several important purposes during the pandemic:
✔ Verified your COVID-19 risk status
Your code was digitally linked to your health data. If you had tested positive, were awaiting results, or were in quarantine, your code would show a warning.
✔ Allowed safe entry into public spaces
Government offices, shopping centres, banks, schools, and some workplaces required a valid HES code for entry.
✔ Enabled safe domestic travel
Passengers on domestic flights, intercity buses, trains, and ferries had to provide a HES code during booking and boarding.
✔ Notified you of potential exposure
If you had been near someone who later tested positive, the app could send an alert.
Who Operated the HES System?
The HES system was created and operated by the:
Turkish Ministry of Health
Official portal: https://hayatevesigar.saglik.gov.tr
The Ministry connected the HES system with national health records, test results, and quarantine notices, ensuring accurate, real-time updates.
Where to Find Your HES Code (When It Was Active)
During the pandemic, users could obtain their HES code through three main channels:
1. Hayat Eve Sığar Mobile App
Available on both iOS and Android, the app automatically generated and stored your HES codes. It also displayed your risk map, vaccination status, and test results.
2. e-Devlet (Turkish E-Government Portal)
Residents with an e-Devlet account could log in and create HES codes directly from the Ministry of Health services page.
3. SMS Text Message
Visitors and residents could request a code by texting:
HES [ID Number] [Last 4 digits of ID serial] [Number of days required]
For example:HES 12345678901 1234 30
Tourists could do the same using passport details.
Do You Still Need a HES Code Today?
No.
The HES code system was discontinued after Turkey lifted COVID-19 restrictions. It is no longer required for travel, public buildings, or daily life.
However, the Hayat Eve Sığar app still exists, and previous codes are visible for those who used the system, though they serve no practical purpose today.
Why It Matters Historically
The HES code was one of Turkey’s most significant digital tools during the pandemic. It allowed the government to:
- Quickly identify risk zones
- Reduce unnecessary contact
- Make travel safer
- Track cases more effectively
It was widely used by residents and tourists alike and became a central part of life in Turkey during the COVID-19 period.
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