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A health report is required to get married, get a driving license, or get a premium private health insurance policy which is more comprehensive than those normally purchased by foreigners for their residence permit. What is a Turkish Health Report? A health report, in Turkish called a sağlık kurulu raporu or heyet raporu, is a comprehensive report on your health by doctors specializing in internal medicine, eye, ear, nose and throat, neurology, mental health, and orthopedics. The types of doctors involved depend on the reason for the health report. You can obtain a health report at any state or university hospital, or a private hospital if it's approved to issue them. For foreigners living in Turkey, a health report is required in order to get a driving license. In some cases it's a good idea to get a health report even when it isn't required. For example, insurance companies, as well as Turkey's Genel Sağlık Sigortası (General Health Insurance) program, won't pay out if they believe your condition is a pre-existing one. If you have a health report done when you join the plan, it may help you to prove a problem didn't exist at the time you joined. Where and How to Get a Health Report State hospitals are responsible for issuing health reports. Private hospitals may also issue them provided they're approved to do so by the ministry of health. Making an Appointment You can make an appointment at any hospital in Turkey by using the Merkezi Hekim Randevu Sistemi (Central Doctor Appointment System, or MHRS). Their website is here: https://www.mhrs.gov.tr/ If you're a member of e-Devlet, Turkey's government services portal, you can make an appointment by going directly to this page and signing in: https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-merkezi-hekim-randevu-sistemi Or you can call Turkey's national hospital appointment center at 182, from any telephone in Turkey. The call is free, and there's an option for English. State hospitals usually have certain days of the week when they do the examinations and issue health reports. Learn how to join and use e-Devlet. Getting a Health Report Without an Appointment You may be able to walk into a hospital and have the health report done. The hospital may fit you in between other appointments since the required examinations don't take much time. Required Documents You'll need these documents: Residence Permit Copy of your residence permit The document directing you to get the health report (if you have one) Four biometric photos Your glasses (if you wear them) You'll fill out a form requesting the health report at the reception desk, then pay a fee. Then the receptionist will tell you which clinic to go to for the first examination. Health Report Fee The fee will vary between hospitals but expect to pay around ₺200 to ₺300. The Health Report Process After a wait at the first and subsequent clinics, they'll do their examination or test, sign the document, and send you to the next clinic. Finally, you'll meet a doctor who'll interview you and sign off on the entire process. When I did this, I went without an appointment, and the whole process took around two hours (including waiting time). The examinations will likely include the following: Blood test Hearing test Vision test Examination and interview by a doctor Other tests if required The Health Report Document The doctor at the last clinic will send you back to the receptionist. The receptionist will create your health report, and attach your photo to it. After that, you can add it to your application package. Assistance and Support Turkey Central Forums: Do you have a question? Search our forums to see if it's already been answered. If it hasn't, feel free to open a new topic. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

Before you apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you must have health insurance. Most foreigners buy private health insurance policies specifically designed to meet the minimum requirements for a residence permit. These policies are commonly called "Expat Insurance." They usually cost a few hundred Turkish Lira, but the price varies according to age and other factors. Buy Health Insurance Before You Apply Online Residence permit applications are made online, at https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. During the application process, the application system will ask you for your health insurance policy information, including the insurance company name, start and finish dates of the policy, and the policy number. So you must get a health insurance policy before you even begin. When you're finished with the online application, you'll include a copy of your health insurance policy with your residence permit application package. Learn more about the different types of residence permits and what documents are required. Learn more about Turkish private health insurance policies and how to buy them. Required information Insurance companies usually have a web page about their policies and what they cover, and a form you can fill out and submit for a free quotation. They usually need your: Name* Date of Birth Height Weight City and Province in Turkey Father's Name** Requested Start Date (see above) Number of Years of Coverage*** *Make sure you write your name exactly as it's written on your passport. If the name on your policy is different from the name on your passport, the immigration office won't accept it, and you'll have to go back and change the name on your insurance policy. **They won't need your father's name for a price quotation, but they'll need it to create a policy if you buy one. ***Some foreigners have applied for a two-year residence permit and only gotten one year, or even less! If you buy two one-year policies but are given a residence permit for one year or less, contact your insurance copy about canceling the second-year policy and getting a refund. One and Two-year Policies All insurance policies are issued for one year. Since foreigners can apply for a short-term residence permit for up to two years, most insurance companies give you two policies. The first will cover the first year, and the second will cover the second year. The second policy's coverage will begin the day after the first policy's coverage ends. When Your Insurance Coverage Should Start First-time Applications Your health insurance coverage should start the day after your visa expires, or the day after you reach the maximum number of days your visa allows you to be in Turkey. Extensions If you're extending your residence permit, your new health insurance policy should start on the day after your current health insurance policy expires. Note: The last day of validity of the residence permit you're applying for can never exceed the last day of validity of your health insurance policy. Whenever your health insurance coverage expires, your residence permit also expires. Delayed Health Insurance Policy Start Dates You're likely to need an insurance policy with a start date in the future, so most companies will offer you a policy with a start date from 60 to 90 days in the future. Paying the Premium Most insurance companies accept payment by bank transfer. The insurance agent will give you the bank name, IBAN, account number, and a payment code. You can then pay by logging in to your account at your bank's website and following your bank's procedure to transfer the money. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 65 and are applying for a residence permit, you'll need a health insurance policy that covers you for the duration of your intended residence. You'll submit a copy of this policy with your residence permit application package. Numerous Turkish private insurance companies offer low-cost health insurance policies, called "expat insurance" or "foreigner insurance," which meet the Turkish government's minimum coverage standards (see below). Private Turkish Health Insurance vs. Travel Insurance The type of health insurance I'll be talking about here isn't "travel insurance." Travel insurance only covers your trip and medical costs while you're visiting Turkey with a visa. And by the way, everyone traveling to Turkey with a visa is required to have travel insurance. If you need travel insurance to cover you in Turkey while on your visa, you can buy it online at TravelInsurance.com. This website collects information about the trip you want to insure, then gives you comparisons of different policies and prices from several of the top travel insurance companies. From the choices they offer you can buy the travel insurance policy that's best for you. Visit TravelInsurance.com for more details. Learn more about travel insurance. The private health insurance covered by this guide is the type you'll need if you'll be applying for a residence permit. It's issued in policies lasting one year at a time, and it must be active during the entire duration of your residence permit. Expat Health Insurance Policies for Residence Permits Most Turkish insurance companies offer health insurance policies specifically designed for foreigners applying for residence permits. They're cheap, but the price varies according to your personal characteristics (especially your age). They meet the Turkish government's minimum coverage requirements but have some limitations. First Year Coverage is Limited In the first year, your policy will have limited coverage. The insurance companies do this to screen out those who might have a chronic, pre-existing condition. Then in the second and subsequent years, the coverage will be more extensive. Be sure to read your policy so you know exactly what's covered and what isn't! If you need a private insurance policy that covers more than those with only minimum coverage, you can buy one of those instead. You can get private policies that cover as much as you want, with whatever copays and deductibles you want. Medical Conditions Treated in One Year May Not Be Covered in the Next Another drawback to the minimum-coverage private policies is this: If you develop a medical condition that's covered in one year, that condition will probably not be covered in the next year. It'll be considered a pre-existing condition, and there'll be nothing you can do about it. You can get a free quote, or buy expat health insurance and have your policy within 24 hours by using our health insurance contact form. Get Continuous Coverage with a More Comprehensive Private Policy If you need more comprehensive (and continuous) coverage for conditions that develop during the life of your health insurance policy, you'll have to buy a more comprehensive health insurance policy. With these more comprehensive policies, if the insured person develops a condition within the first three years of coverage, the insurance company may opt not to cover it if it happens a second time during that period. However, after three years of continuous coverage, the insurance company must cover the condition, for as long as the insured person continues to renew the policy. The main drawback to these more comprehensive policies is that the companies offering them will only issue one one-year policy at a time. You won't be able to get two back-to-back policies to cover you for a two-year residence permit. You can buy one of the more comprehensive policies which also meet the minimum health insurance requirements for a residence permit. If that's what you need. Contact Selma Akdeniz of Mertsel Insurance for more information. Buy your Policy Before You Apply for Your Residence Permit Applications for residence permits are made online, at https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. İkamet means "residence." The information the system will ask you for is your health insurance policy number, the name of the company which issued the policy, the start and finish dates of the policy, and the yenile no. (number of policies, or years of coverage, you've had with your insurance company). So, you'll need to have this information ready before you can even start your online application. What is a "Yenile No.?" The Yenile numarası, or yenile no., means "renewal number." The residence permit application system will ask you for this, and I mention it here because the system doesn't explain what it is, and if you don't enter it correctly, it won't accept the information. This number is the number of times you've renewed your health insurance policy. Sometimes it's printed at the top of the first page of your health insurance policy. But if it isn't there, just enter the number of times you've renewed your policy. If it's your first policy, enter 0 (zero). If it's your second policy, enter one (1), if it's your third policy, enter two (2), etc. Learn more about the online residence permit application system. Health Insurance Policies are Issued for One Year at a Time When you buy a health insurance policy, you'll get 12 months of coverage, even if your intended stay in Turkey is less than 12 months. You'll pay the premium for all 12 months in advance. If you plan to stay in Turkey for less than 12 months, you may be able to get a refund for the unused months. Contact the insurance policy which sold you the policy to learn more about this. Health Insurance Coverage for a Two-year Residence Permit If you're applying for a two-year residence permit, you'll need two one-year health insurance policies. The first policy will be active and cover you for the first year. When it expires, the second policy will become active and cover you for the second year. Validity Period of Your Health Insurance If you're applying for a residence permit for the first time, your health insurance coverage should start the day after your visa expires, or the day you reach the maximum number of days your visa allows you to be in Turkey. If you're extending your residence permit, your new health insurance policy should start the day after your current health insurance policy expires. Your residence permit will only be valid as long as your health insurance policy is valid. There can't be any gaps in health insurance coverage. Also, your residence permit's expiration date will never be later than the expiration date of your health insurance policy. Buying Health Insurance Walk-in Purchases A private health insurance policy for a residence permit is easy to buy. You can walk into any insurance company office with your passport and explain that you're applying for a residence permit. They'll collect some information from you and quote a price. After you pay the premium, they'll print the policy. If you need it to start later (which you probably will), see "Purchasing a Policy in Advance," below. Get two copies of the policy, one in Turkish, the other in English. You'll add the Turkish policy to your residence permit application and keep the English copy for yourself. The whole process takes 30-45 minutes. Online Purchases You can also buy a Turkish private health insurance policy online. Many companies offer them for sale on their websites. It's the same process as walking into an insurance company office. You fill out an online form and submit it with your personal information, and an insurance agent will contact you with a quote. If you want to buy the policy, pay the premium by bank transfer, and the agent will e-mail you a PDF version of your policy, and send the original by mail. If they're able to sign the policy with a digital signature, you can print and include the digitally signed PDF copy with your residence permit application package. If they send you a PDF copy that isn't digitally signed and mail you a signed and stamped original, then include the signed and stamped original policy with your package. Purchasing a Policy in Advance If you need to, you can buy a policy with a start date up to 90 days in advance. Having your policy's coverage period start at a later date enables you to have your coverage begin on the same day you want your residence permit's validity period to begin. If the Online System Won't Accept Your Policy Information If you apply on the same day that you bought your health insurance policy, and the online application system won't accept the policy information, it's probably because the insurance company hasn't yet registered the policy. In that case, you can wait a day and try again, or you can contact the insurance company and remind them to register it. If you're still having problems, you can call the Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Migration Management, or Immigration Office). They have a 24-hour helpline you can reach at 157 from any phone inside Turkey, or at +90 312 157 1122 from outside Turkey. There is an English option. What to Take to Your Appointment At the end of your online application, the online system will give you an appointment date and time and tell you which immigration office to go to on your appointment day. It will also give you a link to download your residence permit application. You'll sign this application and take it, with the other required documents, to your appointment. The immigration specialist will want to see the original pages from the policy which are stamped and signed by the insurance company. These are usually the first three pages. Just be sure you include all pages which have stamps and signatures. If the insurance company e-mailed you a digitally signed copy, the digital signature will suffice. Switching Insurance Companies When your current health insurance policy expires, nothing stops you from buying your next policy from another company. The main drawback to this is that you'll likely be given another first-year policy, with the more limited coverage mentioned above, again. So be sure to ask about this before you change companies. SGK Supplemental Insurance After you've lived in Turkey with a residence permit for at least one year, you can enroll in Turkey's Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, or SGK) national health insurance plan, called Genel Sağlık Sigortası (General Health Insurance). SGK insurance will cover you for the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. Private hospitals also accept SGK insurance, then charge you the difference between what SGK covers and their price. If you want to use Turkish private hospitals, you can buy private SGK supplemental insurance to cover the extra charges. It covers all of the additional charges beyond what SGK pays. Learn more about SGK insurance. If you're interested in buying SGK supplemental insurance, contact Selma Akdeniz at Mertsel Insurance using our health insurance inquiry form. Required Wording on Your Policy Whatever private health insurance policy you buy to include in your residence permit application package, it must have the following words printed on it: Turkish: İşbu poliçe 10.05.2016 tarih ve 16 sayılı vize ve ikamet izni taleplerinde yaptırılacak özel sağlık sigortalarına ilişkin genelgede belirlenen asgari teminat yapısını kapsamaktadır. English: This policy covers the minimum coverage for the general health insurance for private health insurances to be made on visa and residence permit requests dated 10.05.2016 If you get one of the minimum-coverage policies which meet the minimum government standards, the policy will already have the above printed on it. If you buy one of the more comprehensive private policies, make sure your insurance company prints the above words on your policy. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

If you've been living in Turkey for at least one year with a residence permit, you can enroll in Turkey's Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Institution) Genel Sağlık Sigortası (General Health Insurance Plan). Often called "SGK Insurance," this is Turkey's comprehensive national health insurance plan. You can join the SGK plan at any age and have insurance coverage for the rest of your life. While SGK doesn't cover chronic, pre-existing conditions you already have when you join, it will cover them, continuously, if you develop one or more chronic conditions after you've joined the plan. Free Treatment at State Hospitals After you've successfully enrolled in the SGK plan, you'll receive free medical treatment at any state hospital, for practically any medical condition. There's no card involved—show your residence permit when you go to the hospital and, with your yabancı kimlik numarası (foreigner identification number which is printed on the card), and the hospital will bill SGK directly. Treatment at Private Hospitals Many private hospitals also accept SGK insurance. While they're more expensive than state hospitals, you can use your SGK insurance to cover much of the bill, then pay the rest out-of-pocket. If you also have an insurance policy from your home country, which covers you in Turkey, you may be able to send the unpaid part of the bill to your home country health insurance provider for reimbursement. Check with your home country insurance company for details. Turkey's private health insurance companies also offer an SGK supplemental plan you can use to cover out-of-pocket costs that SGK doesn't pay. To learn about these supplemental policies, contact Selma Akdeniz of Mertsel Insurance using our health insurance inquiry form. Eligibility To join the SGK plan, you must have lived in Turkey, with a residence permit, for at least one year. Required Documents You'll need the following: Your current residence permit card, with an expiration date at least 30 days after the date you enroll in the SGK plan Your previous residence permit card if the start date of your current residence permit is less than one year ago, to prove you've been living in Turkey for at least one year A photocopy of the front and back of both residence permit cards. They may ask you to get a health report from a state or private hospital. Learn how to get a health report. Insider Tip: Even they don't ask for a health check, it's a good idea to get one anyway. If you later develop a chronic health problem, and SGK doesn't want to pay because they think the condition existed before you joined, the health report will help you prove you didn't have the condition when you joined the plan. Coverage for Your Family Your policy will also cover your spouse and children at no additional cost. An SGK policy for a single person and a policy for a family costs the same. Required Documents for Your Spouse To get coverage for your spouse, take your Turkish marriage certificate (International Family Book) to the SGK office with both of your residence permits (or work and residence permit if you have a work permit). If you have a foreign marriage certificate, you must have it internationally legalized with an apostille, then have the marriage license and the apostille translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. Learn how to get a copy of a Turkish marriage certificate. Learn how to get a copy of a foreign marriage certificate and have it legalized and translated. Required Documents for Your Child To get coverage for your children, take your child's Turkish birth certificate or a foreign birth certificate, which has been internationally legalized and translated, to the SGK office. Learn how to get a copy of a Turkish birth certificate. Learn how to get a copy of a foreign birth certificate and have it legalized and translated. Enrolling in SGK While Extending Your Residence Permit When you first enroll for SGK insurance, you'll experience what seems to be a dilemma. Let's say you're completing your first year of residence in Turkey. You're about to apply for an extension of your residence permit, and you want to join the SGK plan and use that as your health insurance coverage. But there's a problem. Your current residence permit only has, say, another month left before it expires. Here's how to handle it: Provisional Enrollment in the SGK Plan Before You Get Your Residence Permit When you go to the SGK and enroll, you'll at first be "provisionally enrolled." The SGK will give you a Provizyon Sorgulama Cevap Belgesi (Provision Inquiry Reply Document). This document proves your enrollment in the SGK plan. You'll include that document in your residence permit application package. Permanent Enrollment in the SGK Plan After You Get Your Residence Permit Later, when you get your residence permit card, take it to the SGK office and they'll formally enroll you in the SGK program, and set the coverage expiration date to match the expiration date of your residence permit. Visit the SGK Office Every Time You Extend Your Residence Permit Your SGK insurance coverage will be suspended whenever your residence permit expires. So whenever you get a new residence permit, go to the SGK office with your new residence permit so they can extend the end date of your SGK coverage. Reinstatement and Reimbursement for Medical Bills if SGK is Suspended Reinstatement If you're renewing your residence permit and it expires before your new one arrives, your SGK coverage will have been suspended as of the last date of validity of your previous residence permit. To get reinstated, go to the SGK office and show them your new card. They'll reactivate your account and set the end date of your coverage to match the expiration date of your new residence permit. In some provinces, the SGK will accept the İkamet İzni Müracaat Belgesi (Residence Permit Application Document) that the immigration specialist will give you during your residence permit application interview. This document serves as a temporary residence permit until your residence permit card arrives in the mail. You'll have to check with your local SGK office to see if they'll reinstate your coverage with this document. Refunds for Treatment While SGK is Suspended If you receive medical treatment during a period when your SGK coverage is suspended, you'll have to pay for it with your own money. After your SGK coverage is reinstated, take the bills back to the hospital along with your residence permit card. The hospital will bill SGK for your previous treatment and receive payment from them, then give you a refund. The SGK Monthly Premium The monthly premium for 2021 is ₺858.60. It increases every year. It is also means-tested, so if you're unable to afford the premiums, visit your local SGK office to see if you can get a lower premium. Maintaining Your Enrollment You must also keep up with your monthly payments. If you miss any, you'll have to make the missed payments along with your current month's payment. You can pay your SGK premiums at any PTT (Turkish post office), or online using the e-Devlet website. Learn how to pay your SGK premiums using e-Devlet. You can also make payments automatically from your bank account. As of this writing, only the state-owned banks, such as Ziraat Bank and Halk Bank, offer this service. Quitting the SGK Insurance Plan Once you enroll in the SGK plan, your coverage will continue for life. You can't quit unless you're permanently leaving Turkey or switching to a Turkish private health insurance policy. You'll need to go to the SGK office to disenroll. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

When you apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you must be covered by health insurance. You can use one of the low-cost "expat health insurance" policies many insurance companies sell, or buy a more expensive private insurance policy with greater coverage. After you've been living in Turkey for one year, you can join the Turkish government's comprehensive health insurance plan, called Genel Sağlık Sigortası (General Health Insurance) offered by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, also called SGK). Expat Health Insurance Cost Since the Turkish government mandated health insurance coverage for foreigners and established the minimum coverage requirements, several companies started selling special policies especially for foreigners applying for residence permits. These policies, no matter who sells them, cover the same things to the same levels because they are the government minimums. Yet the prices still vary depending on what the insurance company wants to charge for them. Here's a general idea of what you can expect to pay. What you actually pay may be a bit higher or lower depending on which company you buy your policy from. Turkey Expat Insurance Cost by Age Age 18-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 55-60 61-64 Cost ₺250 ₺260 ₺280 ₺300 ₺350 ₺400 ₺450 ₺500 ₺650 ₺750 The prices are pretty good for health insurance. But to screen out pre-existing conditions, the first year of these policies offer limited coverage which is actually less than the government's requirements. The policy in the second and subsequent years fully covers you to the government's minimum requirements. However, if you get treatment for a medical condition, your next year's policy probably won't cover it because it will be considered a pre-existing condition. Learn more about insurance policies for residence permits. Private Health Insurance Cost You can also get a private policy which has more comprehensive coverage, and that won't stop covering you for a medical problem once you've been treated for it. They're more expensive, but if you need the higher level of coverage, they're worth it. The cost varies according to the level of coverage you want, the amount of the cost of medical treatment you want to share, and the minimum amount a medical bill must reach before it starts to pay out. You can get these policies all the way up to the same coverage the government health insurance plan covers, and even more. Or, if you're already a member of the government health insurance plan, you can get supplemental insurance to cover the additional cost of treatment in private hospitals. If you'd like to get a quote for the cost of a private insurance policy, you can contact insurance agent Selma Akdeniz, who is a trusted partner, and tell her what you need. Insider Tip: If you buy one of the more comprehensive private policies, it must have a statement on it that says it meets the government's minimum coverage requirements. Learn the Turkish government's minimum coverage requirements. Learn more about Turkish private health insurance policies. SGK Insurance Cost You can join the Turkish government's comprehensive insurance plan after you've lived in Turkey for one year. The premium is the same for everyone, and even covers your spouse and children at no additional cost. Whether you're single or have ten children, the premium price is the same. For 2021, the yearly premium for SGK health insurance is ₺858.60. Learn more about the SGK health insurance plan. Using an Insurance Policy from Your Home Country While your health insurance policy from your home country might not meet the minimum requirements in Turkey, you may be able to use it to pay for the cost of medical treatment that your Turkish insurance doesn't pay. Read your insurance policy to see if you can use it to pay these additional costs. Mertsel Residence Permit Application Services and Insurance Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

When you apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you must be covered by health insurance which meets the Turkish government's minimum requirements. The insurance company must also be registered and have an address in Turkey. Many insurance companies in Turkey sell "expat health insurance policies" for foreigners needing residence permits. They all meet the minimum requirements. Unfortunately, these policies offer limited coverage during the first year. And if you're treated for a medical condition, the policy you get the next year will probably exclude that condition for coverage. You don't have to buy the expat insurance. You may want to buy a more comprehensive private policy, or you may have an insurance policy from your home country from an insurance company which also operates in Turkey. If these policies meet the minimum requirements, you can use them for your residence permit. Turkey's Health Insurance Minimum Requirements Treatment Type Insurance Company Share Insured Share Insurance Company Share Limit Coverage Type Outpatient Treatment 60% 40% 2,000 TL Any Healthcare Facility Prescriptions 60% 40% 2,000 TL Any Healthcare Facility Medical Equipment 60% 40% 2,000 TL Any Healthcare Facility Inpatient Treatment (All Illnesses) 100% 0% 2,000 TL Any Healthcare Facility Required Statement on Your Health Insurance Policy Besides meeting the minimum standards, your health insurance policy must have this statement on it: In English: "This policy covers the minimum coverage stipulated in the circular no. 9, dated 06/06/2014, on private health insurance required to be taken out for residence permit applications." In Turkish: "İşbu Poliçe 6/6/2014 Tarih ve 9 Sayılı İkamet İzni Taleplerinde Yaptırılacak Özel Sağlık Sigortalarına İlişkin Genelge'de Belirlenen Asgarİ Teminat Yapısını Kasamaktadır." Duration of the Insurance Policy All insurance policies must cover you until the expiration date of the residence permit you're applying for. If the insurance policy expires before that, the expiration date of the residence permit you receive will be the same date as the policy's expiration date. Two-year Residence Permits If you're applying for a two-year residence permit, Turkish insurance companies also offer two year health insurance. If You're Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, you're not required to have health insurance, unless you're applying for a long-term residence permit. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

All of the health insurance policies designed for foreigners applying for residence permits offer basically the same coverage, which must meet or exceed the minimum coverage requirements established by the Turkish government. Learn more about the minimum health insurance coverage requirements. You can also buy a more comprehensive private insurance policy as long as it meets the government's minimum coverage requirements. Health Insurance Coverage is Limited in the First Year The first year offers limited coverage to screen out those with pre-existing conditions requiring immediate care. But after the first year, you'll get the full coverage. Make sure you get one of your insurance company's cards with your policy number. That way the hospital or other healthcare provider can verify your coverage. What Does "Contracted" and "Non-contracted" Mean? Turkish insurance companies have contracts with various healthcare providers. In the contracts, the healthcare providers offer discount rates and lower or no out-of-pocket costs for the insurance company's customers. So if you go to a healthcare facility that has a contract with your insurance company, you'll get better rates than if you go to one that doesn't. Here's what a typical health insurance policy designed for residence permit applications covers. Typical Health Insurance Coverage of Policies for Residence Permit Applications Coverage Scope Contracted Non-contracted Limit of Coverage Contribution Limit of Coverage Contribution Inpatient Treatment Annual Unlimited None 20,000 TL 20% Hospital Room-Meal Daily Charge for Standard Single Room None Charge for Standard Single Room 20% Intensive Care Daily Charge for Intensive Care Unit None Charge for Intensive Care Unit 20% Outpatient Diagnosis Treatment Annual 2,000 TL 40% 2,000 TL 40% Auxiliary Medical Supplies Annual 1,000 TL 40% 1,000 TL 40% *"Contribution" is the percentage the patient must pay. *"Contracted" referrers to healthcare providers with whom the insurance company has a contract. *"Non-contracted" refers to healthcare providers with whom the insurance company does not have a contract. * International emergency assistance and medical consultancy * Outpatient treatment coverage is limited at 2,000 TL in aggregate annually at contracted and non-contracted healthcare institutions. Waiting Periods According to my policy from Groupama, for the first year, many things are not covered. 4- Waiting Periods 4.1. Diagnose, outpatient treatment, minor intervention, surgery and inpatient treatment expenses related to the below mentioned diseases and complications are not covered for 12 months following the first effective date of the policy provided by Groupama Sigorta: Hearth diseases, cancer, chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, COPD, MS, Thyroid Gland Diseases / Goiter, hepatitis, gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer etc.) benign tumor - mass- polyp- lypoma nevusverruca - cyst. Provided that, after evaluating the declaration/documents of the insured/ the policyholder, the insurer may extend the waiting period for the above mentioned diseases or apply waiting period for other diseases on condition that it is written on the appendices. 4.2. All kind of physiotherapy and rehabilitation expenses as well as algology treatments are not covered for 12 months following the first effective date of the policy. Excluded Coverage The following things are never covered: 5 - Exclusions: In addition to the Health Insurance General Conditions article 2 of the, any disease and/or injury resulting from an accident during the term of the insurance will be excluded due to the cases mentioned below: 5.1. Expenses regarding diseases and disabilities which exist before the effective date of the policy, examination and treatment following the first diagnose of congenital and/or structural diseases and disabilities, diagnoses and treatments of hereditary diseases and disabilities as well as the expenses for any related disorder, 5.2. Expenses related with medical examination, laboratory/X-ray, etc. tests , treatments for medical analysis or medical prevention purposes in absence of disease tests, check-ups, medicine and vaccines for early diagnose of diseases, 5.3. Any procedures carried out in the absence of any diagnostic / treatment program required by a physician and expenses resulting from these procedures, 5.4. All expenses related with treatments considered experimental by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration), any experimental treatments that are not scientifically proven, chiropractic, PRP, transplantation and use of root cells apart from cancer treatments, 5.5. All expenses related with motor and mental development disorder, growth and development disorder, 5.6. Apart from cases resulting from an accident occurred during the term of the policy, all kind of plastic surgeries, diagnose and treatments for esthetic purposes, gynecomasty, sex reassignment surgeries, breast reduction surgery, laser epilation, laser ad phototherapy procedures related with any skin disease (except for puva therapy), telangiectasia, therapies for dermal haemangioma, varicose treatments, 5.7. Expenses related to gall bladder and biliary track diseases, urinary system stone, 5.8. Expenses related to septum deviation, narrowness of nasal meatus, concha hypertrophy, tonsillitis, adenoid, sinusitis, auto-sclerosis and otitis media complications, 5.9. Expenses of diagnoses and treatments of hallux valgus, disc diseases (discopathy), carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome, shoulder and knee surgery (meniscus, cartilage, synovia and ligament lesions, etc., coxarthrosis, hygroma, 5.10. Expenses of coronary artery calcium scan by Electron Tomography (EBT), Volume Computer Tomography (VCT) and similar equipment, coronary artery angiographies by multi-detector computer tomography, and virtual bronchoscopy and virtual colonoscopy performed for scanning purposes, : 5.11. Expenses of diagnoses and treatments of spermatocele varicosele, hydrocele, umbilical cyst and epididymis cyst, prostate diseases, hernia, hemorrhoid / anal fistula, anal fissure / anal abscess, perianal abscess, Bartholin’s abscess/cyst/ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and pilonidal sinus, 5.12. Expenses of diagnoses and treatments of sleep disorders sleep apnea and snoring, and auxiliary equipment, 5.13. Immunotherapy and allergy tests (dermal tests,determination of quantitative antigen in serum and other analyses), 5.14. All expenses related with pregnancy and childbirth and incubation care, 5.15. Expenses related to diagnose and treatment of organ transplantation and organ failure, expenses related to organ donation and donor, 5.16. Breast diseases, breast prosthesis and nipple reconstruction after cancer surgery, 5.17. Expenses related to all kind of medical treatment, laser and surgical procedures carried out for strabismus and refractive errors, expenses related to diagnoses, analyses and treatments of amblyopia, expenses related to diagnose and treatment of cataract, glaucoma and retinal diseases, 5.18. Expenses related to diagnoses and treatments of all diseases related with AIDS, ARCS and HIV, genital herpes, genital and anal papillomatous lesions (warts, condyloma acuminatum, etc.), genital and anal contagiosum, human papilloma virus (HPV) and expenses incurred for diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases, 5.19. Expenses of abortion, expenses of sterilization (tube ligation, vasectomy, etc.), implant contraceptives, all birth control methods (spiral application, oral contraceptives, etc.), analyses of oral abortion, impotency (erectile dysfunctions), sexual dysfunction, infertility and/or fertilization (in vitro fertilization, microinjection, etc.), HSG and hysterosonography, etc., analyses, controls and treatments carried out before pregnancy, expenses related to diagnoses and treatments of ovary cyst, myoma, stress incontinence, cystorectoceie, adhesiotysis, endometriosis, endometrioma, 5.20. Circumcision and related complications, 5.21. Expenses incurred for physical therapy and rehabilitation over 20 sessions within one year of insurance received as part of an outpatient and/or inpatient treatment, 5.22. Expenses of psychiatric and psychological disorders/treatments, treatment of psychosomatic diseases and expenses related to psychologists, pedagogues, social service experts, etc, 5.23. Expenses of diagnoses and treatments of geriatric diseases (dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) and psycho-geriatric diseases, 5.24. Expenses of diagnoses and treatments of a disease or an accident resulting from the effect of alcohol and narcotic substances under which the insured is, diagnoses and treatments of any disease and complications developed as a result of use of alcohol or narcotic substances, expenses of cigarette, alcohol and substance addiction treatment, 5.25. Expenses of alternative medicine methods (acupuncture, hypnosis, aromatherapy, neural therapy, etc.), obesity, diagnose of metabolic syndrome, metabolic surgery, obesity surgery, diabetes surgery, methods of weight gain and expenses related with foot care centers, expenses of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), services used at SPA cure centers, massage expenses, dietary specialists, mud baths, weight loss centers, fitness centers and similar places, expenses related to anti-aging procedures, expenses of all kind of diagnoses and treatments of nutrition and diet, all expenses in beauty clinics, expenses of voice and speech therapy. 5.26. Expenses of all kind of examination, diagnose and treatment for hair loss, treatment of perspiration, iontophoresis and BTX procedures, treatments with orlistat and its derivatives (xenical caps, etc.), treatments with sibutramine and its derivatives (reductil caps). 5.27. Expenses of unlicensed drugs, vitamins and food supplementary products approved by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, imported with the import license given by the Ministry of Health, expenses of fruit salts and medical sodas, supplements and herbs for weight loss, bran and plant fibres, artificial sweeteners, nicotine replacement products to quit smoking, contact lens care products, all kind of tooth paste, mouth and dental care products, all kind of medicinal teas, any products shaped like drug, containing components like herb and herbal elements and herbal extract distillate, unregistered by the Ministry of Health, all kind of soap, anti-dandruff and anti-hair loss products, hair or dandruff shampoo, skin cream, skin soap, cosmetic products, thermophore, thermometer, etc. 5.28. Expenses of all kind of intervention, diagnose and treatment on teeth, gum and jaw carried out by dentists. 5.29. Costs of eyeglasses, contact lenses and solutions, wheeled chair, hearing aid, ICD, crutches, orthopaedic boots-soles-slippers-shoes. 5.30. Costs of diapers, baby food, feeding bottle, pacifier, baby care creams, etc. 5.31. Expenses related to disability and injury occurred during the performance of all kind of professional and/or dangerous and extreme sports (mountain climbing, parachuting, air sports, underwater sports, rally, motocross, use of atv-utv, etc.) and related sports competitions and speed and strength races, and all kind of accident due to unlicensed driving.. 5.32. Expenses related to disability resulting from participation in strikes, workers movement involving lockouts, civil commotions, fights, etc. as well as expenses related to the required diagnosis and treatment. 5.33. Expenses of private nursing services at the hospital during outpatient or inpatient treatment 5.34. Costs of healthcare service received from physicians who are not specialist of the disease of the insured. 5.35. Expenses for use of robot, etc. in robotic surgical operations. 5.36. Daily hospital expenses exceeding the limit and the scope of coverage defined in the policy for treatments which should be inpatient treatment according to medical point of view. 5.37. Daily work disability compensation for the period in which the insured cannot work due to its medical condition resulting from a disease. 5.38. Expenses of daily home care which are out of scope of Nurse Care at Home Coverage. 5.39. Expenses related to pes planus and scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis which are not a consequence of an accident occurred after the effective date of the policy. 5.40. All expenses excluded from guarantees, limits and contributions specified on the policy and any uncovered special situations specified in the additional clauses of the policy. The above is only an example taken from the policy of one insurance company. Consult your personal health insurance policy to see what it covers or doesn't cover. And contact your health insurance provider if you have any questions. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 65 and applying for a residence permit in Turkey, you must have health insurance coverage that meets Turkish government standards. Types of Health Insurance You Can Use in Turkey Travel Insurance While travel insurance is required for all visitors to Turkey, it can't be used for residence permit applications. So, you get travel insurance for your visit to Turkey using your visa, then buy a Turkish private health insurance policy when you're ready to apply for a residence permit. Learn more about travel insurance. Turkish Private Health Insurance Policies (Expat Insurance) Most foreigners buy Turkish private health insurance policies which are specifically designed to meet the government's minimum coverage requirements for health insurance coverage. They're cheap, usually costing around ₺500 per year (approximate cost for 2021, the cost varies depending on personal factors, especially age). But first-year coverage is limited. That's because the insurance companies use the first year to screen out pre-existing, chronic conditions. In the second year and the years after, you'll get more comprehensive coverage. And there's another drawback to these policies. If you're treated for a medical condition in any year of coverage, the next year's coverage (and coverage in the years after that) won't include that medical condition. The only way to get guaranteed, continuing coverage, without the policy eliminating medical problems every time you have one, is to get a more comprehensive (and expensive) private health insurance policy or join Turkey's national health insurance plan (see below). All private health insurance policies are sold by the year. If you're applying for a two-year residence permit and needing two years of insurance coverage, most insurance companies can sell you two back-to-back one-year policies. After the first policy expires, the second one begins. Comprehensive Private Health Insurance Comprehensive private health insurance policies have greater coverage than those designed for residence permits. They can have as much coverage as you want, with whatever deductible and co-pay you want. You can even buy policies which exceed the coverage provided by Turkey's national health insurance plan, Genel Sağlık Sigorta (General Health Insurance) managed by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration). How to Buy Private Health Insurance You can buy a policy by walking into an insurance company office with your passport and paying the premium. It's that simple, and it takes around 30-40 minutes. You can also buy a policy online and have it sent to your address, anywhere in Turkey. If you want to buy residence permit insurance online from our community agent, Selma Akdeniz at Mertsel Insurance, you can get a free quote here: Get a free quote for a Turkish health insurance policy. Learn more about health insurance policies for residence permits. Learn more about buying health insurance online. Health Insurance from your Home Country A health insurance policy issued by a foreign company won't be accepted with residence permit applications, unless the company is licensed in Turkey and has an office in Turkey. However, you can use your foreign policy to pay for any portion of your medical bills your Turkish insurance doesn't cover. SGK Insurance Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Genel Sağlık Sigorta (Social Security Administration General Health Insurance, also called "SGK insurance") is Turkey's government-managed comprehensive national insurance plan. After you've lived in Turkey for one year, you can join this plan, then pay monthly premiums to stay enrolled. With SGK insurance, one policy covers the primary insured person and their family, at no additional cost. So, if you're a single person you get a policy that covers only you, and if you're married with children, you get a policy that covers you and your entire family. Both policies will cost the same. SGK insurance provides for free treatment in state hospitals for a wide range of conditions. There's no card involved, just present your residence permit and they'll use your identification number to see that you're covered by SGK. With SGK insurance, you can also get discounted treatment in private hospitals. But you'll have to pay part of the bill out-of-pocket since treatment in private hospitals is more expensive. If you have insurance from your home country which covers you in Turkey, you can use that to help pay the additional amount. You can join the SGK plan at any age. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, but if you develop a chronic condition after you enroll, it will be covered for as long as you remain enrolled in the plan. Learn more about the SGK health insurance plan. SGK Insurance Coverage Under Bilateral Agreements If you're a citizen of a country which has a bilateral agreement with Turkey to provide free healthcare for each other's citizens, you can receive treatment in Turkey's state hospitals for free. But there's some paperwork involved before you can be covered. First, you'll need a document from your country (the name or number of the document varies according to the country involved), which states that you're covered under your country's government health insurance plan. Take that document to an SGK office. The SGK office will give you a provizyon belgesi (provision document) which states you're entitled to health insurance coverage under SGK. Include this document in your residence permit application package to satisfy the health insurance requirement. Learn more about health care coverage under bilateral agreements. SGK Insurance for Employees If you're working for a Turkish company, the company will arrange for your insurance coverage under SGK. The company will pay the premiums, and it'll be completely free for you. Mertsel Health Insurance and Residence Permit Application Service Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Buy Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

Citizens of some countries can get free health insurance coverage in Turkey under a bilateral agreement between their country's government and the government of Turkey. What is a Bilateral Healthcare Coverage Agreement? A bilateral healthcare coverage agreement is a treaty between two governments, in which they agree to cover the medical expenses of each other's citizens when those citizens are visiting or living in the other country. In Turkey, if a citizen from a foreign country with a bilateral agreement needs medical treatment, they can be treated for free in any state hospital under Turkey's national health insurance plan, Genel Sağlık Sigorta (General Health Insurance) administered by the Sosyal Sigorta Kurumu (Social Security Administration). The Turkish government then sends the bill to the foreign citizen's government for reimbursement. So if you're government has bilateral agreement with Turkey, you should register yourself at your local office of the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, or SGK). Here's how to do it: Get the document from your government's national health insurance provider proving you're enrolled in your home country's national health insurance plan. The name and number of the document will vary according to nationality. You can contact your embassy or consulate or visit the website of your national health insurance plan to learn which document you need, or search Google with using the name of your country, "turkey," and "reciprocal healthcare agreement." The document will be in your home country's language and also in Turkish. Take that document, with your passport and residence permit (if you have one), to the local SGK office. They'll give you two numbers: a sicil numarası (registration number) and a YUPASS numarası (the number Turkey uses for citizens covered under an bilateral agreement). See below to learn more about the YUPASS numarası. The Sicil Numarası (Registration Number) The registration number is the one you'll need when you apply online for a residence permit using Turkey's online residence permit application website, at https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. In the section about health insurance coverage, it'll tell the system you're from a country that has a bilateral healthcare coverage agreement with Turkey. That number will be enough—you won't have to buy a private health insurance policy. The YUPASS Number YUPASS stands for Yurtduşı Provizyon Aktivasyon ve Sağlık Sistemi (Overseas Provision Activation and Health System). Your YUPASS number identifies you in this system. You're unlikely to need the YUPASS number. It's the registration number, not the YUPASS number, you'll need to apply for a residence permit and for being treated in a Turkish state hospital. Countries Which Have Bilateral Healthcare Coverage Agreements with Turkey If you're a citizen of one of these countries: Albania Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Croatia Czech Republic France Germany Hungary Italy Luxemburg Macedonia Montenegro Netherlands North Cyprus Romania Serbia Tunisia Then your country has a bilateral healthcare coverage agreement with Turkey. If You're Over 65 If you're over 65 years of age, you're not required to have health insurance. But that doesn't mean you're entitled to free medical care. So regardless of your age, if you're country has a bilateral agreement with Turkey, register at your local SGK office. Mertsel Residence Permit Application Services and Insurance Mertsel Insurance provides residence permit application services and health insurance policies (among other services) for the Turkey Central community. Mertsel charges only according to what you need. You won't find a better price for the services they offer. Within 24 hours after you send them all of the required information, Mertsel will: Get you a tax number Create your health insurance policy Apply for and get your Residence Permit Registration Form Set up your appointment at the immigration office and Send you the documents for your application package. You can get a free price quote from Mertsel according to your needs. Contact them by clicking below: Apply for a Residence Permit Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 65 and visiting or planning to live in Turkey, you must have a health insurance policy that meets the Turkish government's minimum standards. Here's an overview of the different types of insurance you might need, with links to more detailed articles about each type. What Kind of Health Insurance Do I Need in Turkey? If you're visiting Turkey with a visa, you and those traveling with you must have travel insurance covering your entire stay. If you want to remain in Turkey and get a residence permit, and you're between the ages of 18 and 65, you must get a Turkish health insurance policy to cover you for the duration of your residence permit. Insurance companies in Turkey offer low-cost policies for foreigners applying for residence permits. While inexpensive, they offer only the minimum coverage required by law. If you want more coverage, you can buy a more expensive private health insurance plan. After you've lived in Turkey for at least one year, you can apply for the Turkish government's Genel Sağlık Sigortası (General Health Insurance), provided by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, or SGK). Citizens of countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Turkey for healthcare can be covered by the SGK plan for free by getting a letter from their government proving their eligibility and applying at any SGK office. Types of Health Insurance You Can Use in Turkey Travel Insurance You can only use travel insurance for visits to Turkey with a visa. You can't use it to apply for a residence permit. So you would initially buy travel insurance to cover your stay on the visa, then buy Turkish private health insurance before you apply for your residence permit. Learn more about travel insurance. Turkish Private Health Insurance Policies for Residence Permits (Expat Insurance) Many insurance companies in Turkey offer health insurance policies specifically for foreigners with residence permits. They're cheap, but they provide only the minimum coverage required by the Turkish government. The first year of these policies often excludes many procedures to screen out any chronic, recurring medical conditions. In the second and subsequent years, there will be more coverage, but if you're treated for some condition, it will likely be excluded in the following years. Private health insurance policies are sold by the year. If you're applying for a two-year residence permit and need two years of insurance coverage, you can buy two back-to-back one-year policies. When the first policy expires, the second one will begin. How to Buy Private Health Insurance You can buy a health insurance policy by walking into an insurance company office with your passport and paying the premium. It's that simple, and it takes around 30-40 minutes. You can also buy a policy online and have it sent to your address anywhere in Turkey. If you want to buy residence permit insurance online from our agent, Selma Akdeniz at Mertsel Insurance, you can get a free quote here: Health Insurance Inquiry Form Learn more about expat insurance for residence permits and private health insurance policies in Turkey. Learn more about buying Turkish health insurance online. More Comprehensive Private Health Insurance Plans Comprehensive private health insurance policies have more generous coverage than the cheap policies designed for residence permit applicants. They can have as much coverage as you want, with whatever deductible and co-payments (minimums you have to pay) you want. You can even buy a policy that exceeds the coverage of Turkey's national health insurance plan, Genel Sağlık Sigorta (General Health Insurance or SGK Insurance) managed by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration). The insurance policy must have a statement printed on it stating that it meets or exceeds the Turkish government's minimum requirements for coverage. SGK Insurance Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Genel Sağlık Sigorta (Social Security Administration General Health Insurance, also called "SGK insurance") is Turkey's government-managed comprehensive national insurance plan. After you've lived in Turkey for one year, you can join this plan and pay monthly premiums to stay enrolled. With SGK insurance, one policy covers the primary insured person and their family at no additional cost. The price for single people and families is the same. SGK insurance provides for free treatment in state hospitals for a wide range of conditions. There's no card involved. Present your residence permit card and they'll use your foreigner identification number (printed on your residence permit card) to check your coverage under the SGK plan. With SGK, you can also get discounted treatment in private hospitals. But you'll have to pay part of the bill out-of-pocket since treatment in private hospitals is more expensive. If you have insurance from your home country, which covers you in Turkey, you can use that to help pay the additional amount. You can join the SGK plan at any age. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, but if you develop a chronic illness after you enroll, it will be covered for as long as you remain enrolled in the plan. Learn more about the SGK health insurance plan. SGK Insurance Coverage Under Bilateral Agreements If you're a citizen of a country that has a bilateral agreement with Turkey to provide free healthcare for each other's citizens, you can be covered by the SGK plan for free. To be covered, you'll need a document from your country (the name or number of the document varies according to the country involved), stating that you're entitled to government-sponsored health insurance while in Turkey. Take that document to an SGK office. The SGK office will give you a provizyon belgesi (provision document) stating that you're covered by the SGK plan. Include that in your residence permit application package to satisfy the health insurance requirement. Learn how to be covered under the SGK health insurance plan by bilateral agreement. SGK Insurance for Employees If you're working for a Turkish company, the company will arrange for your insurance coverage under SGK. The company will pay the premiums for you. Health Insurance from your Home Country A health insurance policy issued by a foreign company won't be accepted with residence permit applications unless the company is licensed in Turkey and has an office in Turkey. However, you can use your foreign policy to pay for the portion of your medical bills that your Turkish insurance doesn't cover. Assistance and Support Residence Permit and Health Insurance Assistance: Mertsel Insurance offers health insurance for residence permits that you can buy online. They also provide residence permit application services. They'll create your health insurance policy and complete your residence permit application for you within 24 hours. Contact them for a free price quotation. Health Insurance for Residence Permits Forum: Do you have a question? Search our forums to see if it's already been answered. If it hasn't, feel free to open a new topic. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.