Health Insurance for Foreign Residents in Turkey: Private, Public and What Suits a Residence Application

Health insurance is the document most often forgotten until a few days before the residence appointment, only for it to turn out that the policy bought does not cover the full period or is not accepted, and the application is delayed. Above all, it is real protection for you and your family in a new country.

Why is it compulsory?

A residence application in Turkey requires valid health insurance covering the full residence period you request. If you apply for two years, the insurance must cover both years, or you must provide proof of cover in an accepted form.

Option one: private health insurance for foreigners

Turkish insurers sell policies designed for foreign residents, and this is what most new residents choose.

• Bought before applying and attached to the residence application.
• Covers inpatient and sometimes outpatient treatment at contracted hospitals within the policy limits.
• The price depends on age, scope of cover and the hospital network.

Option two: public health insurance (SGK)

After one year of residence in Turkey, a foreigner can join the public health insurance scheme for a monthly contribution, gaining access to state hospitals and those contracted with the Social Security Institution. It suits those who have settled in Turkey and want comprehensive cover at a monthly cost.

What to read in the policy

1. Period of cover: does it cover the full residence period requested?
2. Acceptance by the migration authority (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı): ask for a policy intended for residence purposes.
3. Hospital network: which hospitals in your city are contracted?
4. Exclusions: pre-existing conditions, chronic illnesses and pregnancy.
5. Claim limits: the annual ceiling and the co-payment rate, if any.

Age

As you get older, options narrow and prices rise, and some policies may exclude certain conditions. If there are elderly members in the family, look for insurance well before the residence appointment.

Healthcare in Trabzon and Istanbul

Istanbul has large private hospitals and modern state city hospitals, while Trabzon has a university hospital and good state and private hospitals. We cover this in detail in the guide to hospitals and healthcare in Trabzon.

Family

Every person in the residence application needs their own insurance covering their period. See the family residence guide.

Summary

Buy insurance accepted for residence that covers the full period, read the hospital network and exclusions, and consider public insurance after one year of residence if you settle. Renew your insurance before renewing your residence permit, as explained in the residence renewal guide.

We arrange insurance policies accepted for residence applications for our clients and compare offers. Contact us.