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I met today with Erdoğan Akyüz, a representative of Ankara Sigorta (insurance). I asked him about how we could obtain health insurance coverage for two years, if we are applying for a two-year short-term residence permit. He said Ankara Sigorta now offers a two-year health insurance coverage package. This involves two separate one-year health insurance policies--the first for year one, the second for year two. The day after the first policy expires, the second one becomes active, providing continuous coverage for two years. Both insurance policies would be bought at the same time. We would then submit both policies with our application. Erdoğan also said that, as far as he knew, Ankara Sigorta was the only insurance company doing this (so far). I also asked if there were some way we could better synchronize our health insurance coverage with the validity period of our residence permits, for example, buying a policy in advance. He said that, at Ankara Sigorta, we can buy health insurance policies up to sixty days in advance--that is, buy a policy with a start date up to 60 days later. Erdoğan Bey has a contact form here at Turkey Central, which you can use to get a free quote, or buy health insurance. Just fill in your details and submit the form, and he'll get back to you with a quote. He can also draw up and send you a policy without going to an insurance office to make the application. You can find the contact form here. Health Insurance Contact Form I also have a collection of articles about health insurance for residence permits. Please have a look, at least to see what information is available there. I don't publish another article every time some new thing comes along. Instead, I keep these articles constantly updated. Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit

If you want to get a residence permit while in Side or Manavgat, you will need to get health insurance. If you choose to get the state health insurance plan, under SGK, as opposed to buying private insurance, you will need to go here to apply for it. Open from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Manavgat Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu

If you want to get a residence permit while in Kaş, you will need to get health insurance. If you choose to get the state health insurance plan, under SGK, as opposed to buying private insurance, you will need to go here to apply for it. Open from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Antalya İl Müdürlüğü Kaş Sosyal Güvenlik Merkezi

If you want to get a residence permit while in Alanya, you will need to get health insurance. If you choose to get the state health insurance plan, under SGK, as opposed to buying private insurance, you will need to go here to apply for it. Open from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

If you want to get a residence permit while in Kaş you will need to get health insurance. If you choose to get the state health insurance plan, under SGK, as opposed to buying private insurance, you will need to go here to apply for it. Open from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

Fethiye Sosyal Güvenlik Merkezi, Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK) This office is where you can enroll for the Turkish government health insurance scheme, provided by the SGK. Health insurance is required to get a residence permit in Turkey. You can either join the Turkish government plan, or get private health insurance through a local insurance company. Open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon, and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The Sosyal Güvenlik Kumuru (SGK) Directorate for Antalya province. This is where you would need to apply for health insurance to have a residence permit in Turkey. To learn more about residence permits, see our collection of articles about residence permits here: Turkey Residence Permits

The Kuşadası Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, or SGK, is where you need to go to get health insurance for your residence permit, if you choose to use the Turkey state-sponsored medical plan.

The provincial social security directorate for Izmir. If you are getting a residence permit in Turkey, and decide to go with Turkey's national health insurance plan rather than getting private insurance, you can enroll for it here.

Limon Sigorta provides a range of insurance policies to meet your needs, including Vehicle Health Traffic Home Owner and Renter Employment Work Place Travel Transportation Agricultural Expat Health Insurance for Residence Permits To get a residence permit to live in Turkey, you must have a health insurance policy. We offer policies underwritten by Ankara Sigorta, especially for foreigners living in Turkey. We offer policies covering up to two years. Just contact us and we will give you a free quote, then you can purchase your health insurance policy and we will send it to your address for free. Service 24 Hours a Day, Seven Days a Week You can contact us 24 hours per day, seven days a week for detailed information and price quote for our insurance brokerage services. Or you can visit our office during our regular work hours. Bidding and Comparison of Insurance Options Don't buy any insurance policy without consulting us first. We can compare the prices and coverage of multiple policies from multiple companies, and get you exactly the policy you need at the best possible price. Best Price Guarantee You can purchase your insurance policy over the telephone or internet, or visit our office and get a price advantage of up to 50% of what you might ordinarily pay for insurance. You can pay in advance or in installments. We'll deliver your policy to your address for free. Quick Policy Service In five minutes, we can have a policy which provides you with traffic insurance. In emergencies, traffic insurance policies can be made between 7:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight. 7/24 Damage Service Our team of experts are here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of damage, call our mobile number and we will be there to assist you immediately. LİMON SİGORTA VE ARACILIK Araç, Sağlık, Trafik, Konut, Seyahat, Kaza, Yeşilkart, İş yeri, Seyahat, Nakliyat ve Tarım Sigortaları. Tüm Sigorta ve Aracılık Hizmetlerimiz hakkında detaylı bilgi ve fiyat teklifi almak için için iletişim bilgilerimiz ile 7/24 bize ulaşabilir; mesai saatlerimizde ofisimizi ziyaret edebilirsiniz… TEKLİF & KARŞILAŞTIRMA Limon Sigorta’dan teklif almadan, sigorta yaptırmayın. Tüm fiyat ve teminatları karşılaştırın, ve en iyi fiyat garantisi ile sigortanızı, hızlı ve kolayca alın karlı çıkın. EN İYİ FİYAT GARANTİSİ Poliçenizi %50’ye varan fiyat avantajı ile telefonla veya ofisimizde satın alın, ister peşin ister taksit taksit ödeyin. Poliçenizi adresinize ücretsiz teslim edelim. HIZLI POLİÇE HİZMETİ 5 Dk. da sigorta poliçesi trafik sigortasını kapsamaktadır.7 gün 24 saat 19.00-09.00 saatleri arasında acil durumlarda trafik poliçesi yapılabilmektedir. 7/24 HASAR HİZMETİ Uzman ekibimiz 7 gün 24 saat yanınızda! Hasar anında, 0555 801 61 01 Sigorta Destek Hattı’nı arayın tüm hasar sürecinizi takip edelim. «Limon Sigorta» предоставляет широкий спектр страховых услуг, в том числе: автострахование страхование здоровья страхование от несчастных случаев на транспорте страхование владельцев и арендаторов домов «зеленая карта» для людей без страховки страхование служащих страхование путешествий страхование перевозок страхование сельского хозяйства страхование иностранцев для получения вида на жительство Для получения вида на жительство в Турции у вас должен быть страховой медицинский полис. Мы предлагаем страховые полисы «Ankara Sigorta» — специально для проживающих в Турции иностранцев. Мы предлагаем страховые полисы на срок до двух лет. Свяжитесь с нами для получения детальной ценовой информации. После приобретения вами полиса страхования здоровья мы бесплатно вышлем его на ваш адрес. Мы работаем 24 часа в сутки семь дней в неделю. Для получения детальной информации, а также информации касательно стоимости наших страховых брокерских услуг вы можете ежедневно связаться с нами 24 часа в сутки. Также в рабочее время вы можете посетить наш офис. Сравнение цен на услуги страхования Проконсультируйтесь с нами перед покупкой любого страхового полиса. Мы сравним цены и покрытие различных полисов многих компаний и предложим вам нужный вам полис по максимально выгодной цене. Гарантия лучшей цены Вы можете приобрести страховой полис со скидкой до 50% по телефону или интернету, а также посетив наш офис. Оплату можно произвести единовременным платежом либо в рассрочку. Мы бесплатно доставим ваш полис по вашему адресу. Быстрое оформление полиса В течение пяти минут вы можете стать обладателем полиса страхования от несчастных случаев на транспорте. В экстренных ситуациях полисы страхования от несчастных случаев на транспорте могут оформляться с 19:00 до 24:00. Услуги по оценке ущерба 7/24 Наша экспертная команда работает для вас 24 часа в сутки семь дней в неделю. Если вы пострадали от ущерба, позвоните на наш мобильный номер и мы немедленно окажем вам поддержку.

I am moving from California/US to the Izmir area in July of this year. I have visited 3 times in the last 17 months and I am ready to make the leap. I have some questions. First one is about health insurance that is necessary for short term residence. I have been told that Allianz is a good insurance and that I can get it at the bank Yapı Kredi. From what I was seeing on Allianz website mine would be $3,000 US dollars a year. But online blogs it always seem like they mention much lower numbers when talking about the cost of insurance. I read that after a year I can get the SGK Insurance maybe that is the one people talk about and is more like $1,000 a year. Does anyone have experience with the cost of Allianz? The yearly fee is based on age so maybe that is the difference between what I see and what the blogs mention of insurance costs Concerning residence permit, from the time one starts the residence permit request online how much time should be budgeted before the process is through and I have insurance? Or can anyone buy the insurance at the bank and the person is covered right away instead of waiting until resident permit is approved? Thank you for any advise.

Hi, I searched all the links about SGK on this site but could not find the exact information I am looking for... I have questions about the SGK enrollment process, premium payments, and coverage. I'll describe below what I figured out piecemeal, hoping it can be helpful to anyone else who needs to know what to do. I am a US citizen on my third residency permit and have a cheap private insurance that meets the minimum ikamet requirements. However, I had heard that foreigners can enroll with SGK if they pay a monthly premium. I had also heard that the state healthcare system offers better coverage. My Turkish is not perfect so it was too complicated to ask the SGK personnel. I looked at their web site but the English version is different from the Turkish; even on the Turkish page there are so many links (and no search engine) so I found it nearly impossible to find the right information. PROCESS: This is what I know and have accomplished so far: I have gone to the SGK office in downtown Antalya, filled out a short written application and provided a color photocopy of the fronts and backs of my three ikamet cards, everything going back to my first residency. They told me the policy would begin on the date signed on the form. For any foreigner in Antalya who wants to enroll in SGK, ask for a ticket at the front desk to see counter C in the back room. (I waited and talked to 3 people before I was directed to the correct counter.) Within a few hours after they enter your application in their computer system, you will be registered in the SGK system under your kimlik number. They did not ask for my passport or a doctor's visit/form. They also told me the monthly premium would be 450 TL, but said I could not pay at the SGK office. I was told to go to the PTT or one of four Turkish banks. After searching online quite a while, I finally found a link to the e-Devlet site, where you can conveniently make premium payments online. The online payment option link is not easy to find on the SGK site but if you Google "SGK prim ödeme" you'll get a link. The e-Devlet link should be easier to find on the SGK site. You must first go to the PTT and show your ikamet (with the kimlik on it). The teller confirms that you are in the SGK system, then will give you a red envelope that contains your initial e-Devlet password. The teller will also tell you the amount due for your first premium, and will take your payment, giving you a receipt. My first premium was less, probably pro-rated for registering mid-month. There is also a fee of a few liras for the PTT to process the transaction. You can log in to the e-Devlet site with your kimlik number and your initial password from the red envelope. Then you must create a new password. I was able to find the date and amount of my first payment, and the date my membership began. In your ID profile, you'll want to confirm your cell phone number and e-mail address. You can access many other government sites via e-Devlet. The direct link for payment on the SGK site is: "Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Kart ile Prim Ödeme Uygulaması." This link will also take you to the e-Devlet login, but there are other tabs in the box. The last tab, "İnternet Bankacılığı," shows several banks through which you can make a payment on the site. I believe you must have an account and a debit/credit card with one of these banks in order to pay online. You may also be able to pay the SGK from the bank's web site. QUESTIONS: So now I'm registered and set up online, but what next? Payment Due Date: I noticed that the payment I just made showed a due date at the end of December. I found this strange for enrolling mid-November. Does anyone know the time frame of monthly periods and when due dates fall? (Is this similar to employees? For example, our apartment has a full-time doorman, for whom we must pay SGK insurance of about 500 TL/month. The payment for a given month is due around the 20th of the following month. I wonder if my case is like this even though I am not employed. So perhaps my December premium will be due toward the end of January, at the full amount??) Renewal/Extension: Since I have to renew my ikamet once a year, I have to show proof of insurance that will last the validity period of the next ikamet. I read somewhere that you should apply for an extension of your SGK membership 60 days before your current ikamet expires; otherwise you may be dropped from the SGK system and have to start all over again. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything I have to do to extend the coverage? Coverage: What does SGK health insurance cover for foreign members? I do not have any US health insurance that will transfer over. I think the plan for foreigners is letter D? I can't find the list anymore because their web site is overwhelming. To clarify, I don't work here; I'm not an employee or retiree, just a foreigner paying independently into the system. Can anyone offer any tips on where I can navigate for the information I need? Thank you so much.

Hi guys I am covered by Groupama Sigorta and my husband has SGK which also covers me. I recently found out I am pregnant and I called both health insurance companies to ask about the maternity cover just to get told I am not covered for maternity and I can only add the extra package but I need to wait a minimum of 1 year. As I am new to this pregnancy and health insurance stuff I thought it is included with the cover. Is there perhaps any health insurance company that I can apply to that does not have these requirements? thanks in advance

We are thinking to move Bodrum and like to know your opinion for the health care system. 1. How is the service quality at Government Hospitals and Private hospitals? 2. How much does it cost to get government health insurance and private health insurance We appreciate your feedback.

If you need to buy health insurance to get your residence permit, you can buy it from our Ankara Sigorta representative. Ankara Sigorta has insurance packages specifically designed to meet the health insurance requirement of foreigners who are applying for a residence permit. The inquiry form is here: Health Insurance for Residence Permit Inquiry Form

The Turkish government requires all foreign residents to have a health insurance policy which meets minimum coverage requirements. When you apply for your residence permit online for the first time, and when you extend it, the online system will ask you for your health insurance information, including the effective dates of the policy and the policy number. You will also need to take the policy, or other documentation according you your situation, to your appointment (for first-time applications) or mail it in (for extensions). Bilateral Health Care Agreements Between Countries Some countries have a bilateral agreement with Turkey for providing health care. If you are a citizen of a country that is a part of a bilateral agreement, then you will be covered in Turkey. However, you will need to go to the local office of the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (social security administration, or "SGK") to get a letter stating that you are covered under that agreement. Types of Insurance You Can Use SGK Insurance Turkey has a national health insurance plan, administered by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, or social security administration. Often called "SGK insurance," it is comprehensive, and allows you to simply present your SGK card at any Turkish state hospital for immediate 100% coverage. Some private hospitals also accept SGK insurance, but since treatment at private hospitals is more expensive than at state hospitals, there may be additional charges which have to be paid separately. You must be a legal resident of Turkey for at least one year before you are eligible for SGK insurance. Insurance from your Home Country You can use insurance coverage from your home country if it meets Turkey's minimum standards for health insurance coverage. Private Insurance From a Company in Turkey Most of the major insurance companies in Turkey, including Ankara Sigorta and Groupama, provide health insurance policies specifically designed for foreigners applying for residence permits. They provide two copies, one in English, and one in Turkish. Tell the insurance agent you need it for your ikamet Tezkeresi (residence permit), and they'll provide you with the policy you need. Two-year Residence Permit Health Insurance Policies Since the duration of short-term residence permits was extended to a maximum of two years, and since health insurance coverage is required during the entire validity period of the residence permit being applied for, Ankara Sigorta has created a two-year residence permit health insurance package. It consists of two one-year health insurance policies, both purchased at the same time. When the first policy expires, the second policy automatically activates. Purchasing Health Insurance in Advance At Ankara Sigorta (and probably other companies) you can also buy health insurance policies up to 60 days in advance--that is--a policy that activates up to 60 days after it is purchased. This can help you time the validity period of your health insurance policy with the validity period of the residence permit you are applying for. Important! Make sure the policy is active on the date of your residence permit appointment, or your application will be rejected. Tip! Get two copies of your health insurance policy. One for the Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Migration Management, or DGMM), and one for you. Health Insurance Costs Insurance policy costs vary from one person to another according to age, gender, and existing health issues, and if the insured is a smoker or not. What Is and Isn't Covered These health insurance policies have a one-year waiting period for coverage of certain conditions. There are also certain conditions they never cover. If You Are Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, there is no requirement to prove you have health insurance, unless you are applying for a long-term residence permit. If you need health insurance, contact our English-speaking agent of Ankara Sigorta, which provides health insurance packages for residence permits (in English and Turkish), using our Health Insurance Inquiry Form. Turkey's Foreigner Communications Center The DGMM has a number you can call to speak to an immigration specialist. Call 157 from any telephone within Turkey. The call will be free. From outside of Turkey, call +90 312 157 1122. Long-distance charges will apply. See Also An Introduction to Residence Permits: All about the residence permit and how to get one, with links to the various types, eligibility criteria, and required documents. Health Insurance for Residence Permits Forum: Still unclear on what's involved? Feel free to post your questions or comments in our forum. The Four Basic Steps of Applying for or Extending Your Residence Permit External Links Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits.

If your home country has a bilateral agreement for healthcare coverage in Turkey, you don't have to buy health insurance in Turkey. You just have to get a Medical Insurance Entitlement Certificate from your home country, take that to the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (Social Security Administration, or SGK) office, and get a letter from them to take to your residence permit application appointment. If you are extending a residence permit, you need to mail the SGK letter with your extension package. Here is what you need to do. 1. Get the Required Documents from Your Country If your country is listed on the left side of the table below, you will need to get the documents listed on the right side. Countries Which Have Reciprocal Health Insurance Coverage and Documents Required If You Are From One of These Countries You Will Need To Get These Documents Albania AL/TR 4, TR/AL 5 Austria A/TR 3, A/TR 4 Belgium BT.8, BT 16 Bosnia-Herzegovina BH/TR 4, BH/TR 6, BH/TR 7 Czech Republic CZ/TR 111 France SE 208-01 FT, SE 208-02 FT SE 208-30 FT, SE 208-06 A FT, SE 208-28 FT,SE 208-09 FT Germany T/A 11, T/A 9, T/A 20 Luxembourg TR/L 3, TR/L 5 Macedonia MC/TR 4, TR/MC 6 Romania R/TR 3, R/TR5, R/TR 6 The Netherlands N/TUR 106, N/TUR 111, N/TUR 121 Turkish Republic of North Cyprus K.K.T.C/T.C. 3, K.K.T.C/T.C. 6 2. Get a Healthcare Entitlement Letter from the SGK Take the appropriate documents to an SGK office. They will give you a letter which verifies that you are covered in Turkey under a bilateral agreement. 3. Include the Letter with Your Residence Permit Application Present the letter from the SGK as proof that you are covered for healthcare services in Turkey. Foreigner Communications Center The DGMM has a number you can call to speak to an immigration specialist. Call 157 from any telephone within Turkey. The call will be free. From outside of Turkey, call +90 312 157 1122. Long-distance charges will apply. See Also Expat Health Insurance Forum: If you have questions or comments about health insurance, you can post them here. External Links Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK): The official website for Turkey's social security Institution (with English, French, German and Arabic language options). Social Security Agreements: The SGK page which explains how reciprocal social security and healthcare coverage works between Turkey and other countries which have a reciprocal agreement for health care coverage. Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits.

To apply for any type of residence permit in Turkey, you must have health insurance coverage meeting certain minimum standards for the type of treatment provided, and the percentage of the cost which will be paid according to your health insurance policy. If you have been a legal resident of Turkey for one year or more, you can apply for the Turkish government's comprehensive health insurance plan, provided by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu (SGK), called "SGK insurance." SGK already meets all minimum standards, as do private Turkish policies issued specifically for foreigners who are applying for residence permits (such as those offered by Ankara Sigorta and Groupama). Health Insurance from Your Home Country If you want to use a health insurance policy from your home country, the policy must state that it is valid worldwide, preferably specifying Turkey. Your health insurance company must also have a branch office in Turkey. If in doubt about whether or not your insurance policy will be accepted, get a new copy of your policy, or a signed letter from your insurance company which says the following: 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." The minimum standards your insurance policy must meet are as follows: 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 The pages of the policy which show this information, as well as your identifying information, start and end dates, and other information as described above, must be translated by an official Turkish translator and notarized by a noter (notary). Duration of the Insurance Policy All insurance policies must cover you until the expiration date of the residence permit you are applying for. If the insurance policy expires before that, the expiration date of the residence permit you receive will be the same date your insurance policy expires. Two-year Residence Permits If you are applying for a two-year residence permit, you will need to buy health insurance for two years, in advance. As of this writing, only Ankara Sigorta provides this coverage. They offer two one-year health insurance policies that can be bought together. When the first policy expires, the second one activates. Other insurance companies will likely begin offering similar two-policy plans. If You Are Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, there is no requirement to prove you have health insurance, unless you are applying for a long-term residence permit. If you need health insurance, contact our English-speaking agent of Ankara Sigorta, which provides health insurance packages for residence permits (in English and Turkish), using our Health Insurance Inquiry Form. See Also Health Insurance for Residence Permits Forum External Links Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits.

Turkey has a national health insurance plan, managed by the Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, (Social Security Administration, or SGK). Once you have legally resided in Turkey for at least one year, you can enroll. After you pay the first premium, you are covered. You will get an SGK health insurance ID card which you can present at any state hospital and be treated, without charge. Some private hospitals also accept SGK insurance, but since treatment at private hospitals is more expensive than at state hospitals, there may be additional charges you will need to pay in cash, or have them covered by supplemental insurance that you can get from one of the Turkish insurance companies. SGK Insurance Premiums The premium for SGK insurance is currently 426.60 TL per month (2017). This price is for legally-married couples and their children (if they are under age 18) and for single persons (the price is the same for both--there is no discount for a single person). Note: If a person receives income from a government pension, that person will not be eligible to be a covered as a dependent under their spouse's SGK policy. First-time Application for SGK Insurance Because enrollment in the SGK plan requires you to be a resident of Turkey, and becoming a resident of Turkey requires health insurance coverage, you will have to go back and forth between the SGK office and the foreigners' bureau. Here's what you need to do: Go to the SGK office, and verify exactly what you need to do according to your situation. Rules can change or vary according to province. Get a physical examination. You can go to a private or state hospital for this (state hospitals are cheaper. You can pay by cash or credit card at either type of hospital. Go to the SGK office and submit an initial application for SGK insurance. You will need your residence permit, passport, and proof of address (such as a property deed or rental contract, or a stamped and signed address registration document from the Nüfus [Citizenship and Population Directorate]). The SGK will provisionally enroll you and give you a document called a Provizyon Sorgulama Cevap (Provisional Inquiry Reply) which shows you have been provisionally registered in the SGK system. Then, pay the premium for the first month of coverage. Go to the DGMM with your copy of the Provisional Inquiry Reply. Submit it with your residence permit application package. You will get a confirmation of application from the foreigners' bureau showing that you have applied for your residence permit. Go back to the SGK office with the confirmation document you received from the DGMM, and complete the SGK application process. You will then have medical insurance coverage in Turkey, and a completed and submitted application for your Turkey residence permit. Note: After you receive your residence permit, return to the SGK office, show them your residence permit card, and make sure that you are registered with the SGK as a resident of Turkey. Extending Your SGK Insurance Once you reach a date 60 days before the expiration of your residence permit, it is a good idea to apply to extend your SGK coverage as soon as possible, to make sure you have no gaps in your insurance coverage. If You Are Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, you do not need to have health insurance to get a residence permit, unless you are applying for a long-term residence permit. If you need health private Turkish insurance, contact our English-speaking agent of Ankara Sigorta, which provides health insurance packages for residence permits (in English and Turkish), using our Health Insurance Inquiry Form. See Also Health Insurance Forum: A forum dedicated to the health insurance requirement to live in Turkey. Please post any questions or comments you have there. External Links Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits. Republic of Turkey, Social Security Institution: In English. Covers just about anything you need to know about SGK Universal Health Insurance.

To apply for a residence permit, you must have health insurance which meets minimum coverage requirements, and which is valid in Turkey. You must include a copy of your policy in the package you submit with your residence permit application. Why Turkish Private Health Insurance Might Be Your Best Option Private health insurance from a foreign country will only accepted if the provider has an office in Turkey SGK insurance can only be applied for after you have legally resided in Turkey for more than one year, and it is for life--you cannot cancel it unless you are leaving Turkey permanently. Here is an example of what a private Turkish health insurance policy covers. It takes less than an hour to have a Turkish private health insurance policy drawn up and signed. Turkish Companies Which Provide Expat Health Insurance Ankara Sigorta and Groupama both have insurance policies specifically for foreign residents, which meet all of the minimum standards required for your residence permit. They have offices in all major cities and many smaller towns throughout Turkey. You can simply walk in to one of these offices and ask for a policy. If you find that they don't speak English, just say "İkamet Tezkeresi" (ee-kah-met tehz-keh-reh-see), which means "residence permit." They will understand what you need. Synchronizing Turkish Health Insurance With Your Residence Permit Duration You must have health insurance coverage while in Turkey. During your visa's duration, you can use travel insurance. But when you apply for your residence permit, you must have a health insurance policy (with a policy number) as soon as you apply. And it must cover you for the duration of the residence permit you are are applying for. Ankara Sigorta's expat health insurance policies, you can apply for a health insurance coverage up to 60 days in advance. Important! If you are applying for a residence permit for the first time, make sure your health insurance policy is active on the day of your residence permit appointment. If you are on a visa with travel insurance, make sure the appointment date you select is after the start date of your private Turkish health insurance policy. If you are extending your residence permit, make sure there are no gaps in coverage. Private Turkish Health Insurance Polices for Residence Permits with Durations of More than One Year Ankara Sigorta also offers a two-year plan for health insurance. This involves two separate health insurance polices, each for one year in duration. On the day after the first policy expires, the second one becomes active, covering you for two years. If You Are Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, there is no requirement to prove you have health insurance, unless you are applying for a long-term residence permit. Application Information When you are getting your policy, the insurance agent will need to know the following to calculate the premium you will pay: Gender Age, or yaş (yahsh) Height or boy Weight in Kilos, or kilo If you are a smoker or non-smoker, or sigara içmeyi (see-gah-ruh eech-meh-ee). Tip! Get two copies of your health insurance policy. One for the DGMM, and one for you. The companies which offer expat health insurance in Turkey also provide a copy of the policy in the English language. Extending Your Residence Permit You should get a new health insurance policy and extend your residence permit at least a week before your health insurance policy expires, so you can be sure your health insurance coverage will have no gaps. You can get a policy with a start date of up to 60 days in the future. Health Insurance Prices Prices vary according to the above factors. Insurance companies use these factors to calculate the probability that you will need health care during the term of the policy, and set their prices accordingly. While the prices are not negotiable, you can always shop around to see if another company has a lower price for the same level of coverage. Changing from One Insurance Company to Another While you are free to open a new health insurance policy with a new company, and let your old policy lapse, you will have to go through the second company's one-year waiting period again, during which many medical procedures will be excluded. If you need health insurance, contact our English-speaking agent of Ankara Sigorta, which provides health insurance packages for residence permits (in English and Turkish), using our Health Insurance Inquiry Form. See Also Turkey Expat Health Insurance Forum: Dedicated to health insurance in Turkey, where you can ask questions or post comments. External Links Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits.

If you are a retired US military member, registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting system (DEERS), and you live in Turkey, you don't have to join the Turkish government's health insurance program or buy private Turkish health insurance. You are already covered beyond the minimum requirements mandated by Turkish law. So when you apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you just need to show proof of this when you submit your application. Turkish law requires foreigners, applying for a residence permit, to have 60% insurance company coverage, and 40% patient coverage, of the majority of inpatient and outpatient procedures. The Tricare Standard Overseas plan, which you automatically have for life once you retire, covers 70% of these procedures. It also meets another requirement that the insurance company have an office in Turkey, since the main Tricare office is at Incirlik Air Base, near Adana. Proof of Coverage To get your proof of coverage, contact the Incirlik Tricare office at +90 (0) 322 316 8763. They will prepare a form letter and fax or e-mail it to you, if you are not able to personally go to the Tricare office at Incirlik. Note: There have been problems with the e-mails Tricare sends not reaching their intended recipients, probably because they are on a .mil system. If you don't have a fax machine, you can go to any PTT (Turkish post office), pay a small fee, and receive the letter using 's fax machine. If you have already bought a commercial insurance policy, take your coverage proof letter to your local Göç İdaresi / Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) and present the letter as your new proof of coverage for their records. You can then cancel your commercial policy and get a refund for the unused coverage period. See Also Health Insurance Forum: Dedicated to the health insurance requirement. If you have any questions or comments, please post them there.

We've had a few questions in our residence permit health insurance forum about what exactly is covered by a Turkish private health insurance policy. So I took this information directly from my own health insurance policy, from Groupama, and I present it here to give you an idea of what is covered. The first year is limited in coverage, to screen out those who might come in with pre-existing conditions requiring immediate care. But after the first year, you will get full coverage. Make sure you get one of your insurance company's cards with your policy number. With that, the hospital or other healthcare provider can call your insurance company to verify your coverage. The insurance companies have various contracts with healthcare providers throughout Turkey. They offer discount rates to them, on a secret price list. And these contracted healthcare providers will accept your insurance immediately and not bill you (or will only bill you for any portions of your bill which are not covered. If your insurance company doesn't have a contract with the healthcare provider you visit, your healthcare provider will probably tell you that you have to pay cash in advance and get a refund from the insurance company. But that doesn't mean they can't still bill your insurance company if you don't have the cash, whether they have a contract or not. Anyway, here is what is covered by a typical health insurance policy provided by a private Turkish company. Statement of Health Coverage 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 Groupama's policy, for the first year, many things are not covered. The following was taken directly from the "Waiting Periods" clause of a policy purchased May 13th 2016: 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. Exclusions According to the same policy, 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. If You Are Over 65 Years Old If you are over 65 years old, there is no requirement to prove you have health insurance, unless you are applying for a long-term residence permit. Turkey's Foreigner Communications Center The Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Migration Management, or DGMM) has a number you can call to speak to an immigration specialist. Call 157 from any telephone within Turkey. The call will be free. From outside of Turkey, call +90 312 157 1122. Long-distance charges will apply. If you need health insurance, contact our English-speaking agent of Ankara Sigorta, which provides health insurance packages for residence permits (in English and Turkish), using our Health Insurance Inquiry Form. See Also Minimum Health Insurance Coverage for Your Residence Permit Health Insurance for Residence Permits Forum: We have an entire forum dedicated to the health insurance requirement. If you have comments or questions, please post them there. External Links Turkey Residence Permit Law (PDF): The Law on Foreigners and International Protection, Dated April, 2014. In English, this is the Turkish law which governs residence permits.

Please, Any suggestions of companies' names for insurance : let's say the minimum requirement to get the Residence permit , what do they offer the best prices ( age range 30 - 40) ? SGK is it a government insurance ?Is it possible to get one if no yet Residence Permit per year ? Also, what I understood that if you're a foreigner you pay more than a turkish in a hospital, it's both for government and private hospitals ? and if you have a turkish friend , you can convince them to pay as a local.. Thank you for your help, Please, Any suggestions of companies' names for insurance : let's say the minimum requirement to get the Residence permit , what do they offer the best prices ( age range 30 - 40) ?

hi. i have applied for first resident permit . my appointment is in december now. i have few question. i have applied along with my wife . do we need to have two separate bank statements or one would b enough? can we change appointment date i e in istanbul ?

I've written several articles about the health insurance requirement for residence permits. They're based on the Turkish laws and official documentation, as well as the literature of the health insurance companies which provide insurance for expats in Turkey. I also work with a representative of Ankara Sigorta (Ankara Insurance), who has been very helpful in clearing up any ambiguities in the law. You can find my articles here: Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit Articles If you have a question which isn't covered in these articles, or in the forums, I will personally go to the Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Migration Management, or DGMM) or to my contact for Ankara Sigorta, and personally ask your question for you.