Health Insurance for a Residence Permit in Alanya: Step-by-Step Guide
Alanya is one of the places in Turkey where the most foreigners live. Anyone who wants to get or extend a short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni) here must include valid health cover in their application; for most people this is a health insurance policy for foreigners covering the residence period.
At our office in Mahmutlar we issue policies for customers preparing residence permit applications. This page brings together the steps of the application based on the official document list of the migration authority, what to watch for with the health insurance, and the current situation in Alanya. For general information on the insurance itself, see our health insurance for foreigners guide.
- The policy must cover the whole residence period you apply for.
- A private policy must include the mandatory wording stating that it meets the minimum cover in the circular.
- For a first application the signed and stamped original policy is required; for extensions, a certified copy.
- Applications in Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar and Kargıcak reopened in June 2026.
Contents
1. Residence Permits in Alanya: the Current Situation
The residence permit process in Alanya follows the same rules as the rest of Turkey, but in some neighbourhoods with many foreign residents, application restrictions have been applied from time to time.
Are residence applications open in Mahmutlar and other neighbourhoods?
In neighbourhoods such as Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar and Kargıcak, which were closed to new residence applications for a while, the restriction was lifted on 4 June 2026 according to local press reports, and applications can again be made through the e-ikamet system.
Since such decisions can change, if you are buying or renting a home for residence purposes, we recommend checking before signing whether the address is open for applications in the e-ikamet system.
Who gets a short-term residence permit in Alanya?
- Foreigners who own a property in Alanya (with a title deed)
- People staying long-term for tourism (with a rental contract or accommodation proof)
- People establishing business contacts or setting up a business
- People switching from a family residence permit to a short-term one
Whatever the reason for your stay, health cover is always one of the common documents.
2. The Application Step by Step
A short-term residence permit application starts online and is completed at a migration office appointment. Preparing the health insurance first means you will not miss your appointment date.
| Step | What happens? |
|---|---|
| 1. Health insurance | A policy covering the residence period, with the mandatory wording, is prepared |
| 2. Housing document | Title deed (tapu) or a notarised rental contract |
| 3. Online application | Fill in the form and book an appointment at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr |
| 4. Fee and card charge | Paid at the tax office, a partner bank or by card (virtual POS) in the system |
| 5. Appointment | Attend the migration office appointment with your documents |
| 6. Card | The approved residence permit card is posted to your address |
Which documents are required?
According to the list published by the migration authority for first applications, the common documents for a short-term residence permit are:
| Document | What to watch |
|---|---|
| Residence permit application form | Must be signed by the foreigner or their legal representative |
| Passport | Original and copy: identity page and pages with entries |
| 4 photos | Taken in the last 6 months, white background, biometric |
| Declaration of financial means | Declared on the application form; the office may ask for proof |
| Valid health insurance | Must cover the full residence period requested |
| Housing document | Title deed if you own; notarised rental contract if you rent; accommodation proof if in a hotel |
| Fee and card charge receipt | Not needed if paid by card through the system |
Extra documents are required depending on the reason for your stay, for example a title deed for property owners or an invitation letter for business contacts. For under-18s, documents such as a parental consent letter are also required.
What should I watch for if I rent?
If you stay under a rental contract, you must add a notarised copy of the contract to your application. If you will stay with someone who is not a relative, that person’s notarised undertaking is required. Enter your address, phone and e-mail correctly on the form; your residence card is posted to that address.
How are the fee and card charge paid?
The residence permit fee and the document (card) charge can be paid with your application number at tax offices, the relevant cash desks or partner banks. If you pay by credit card through the e-ikamet system (virtual POS), you do not need to submit a receipt.
3. Health Insurance Requirements for a Residence Permit
Health cover is the document most often missing or prepared incorrectly. The migration authority accepts one of the documents below; the common condition for all is that the cover must span the requested residence period.
| Document | For whom? |
|---|---|
| Private health insurance policy | The most common route for foreigners with no other cover |
| SGK provision document | People working with SGK, or covered through a spouse with SGK |
| General health insurance (GSS) application document | People who have applied to SGK for GSS |
| Bilateral social security agreement document | Citizens of countries with an agreement with Turkey (from the provincial social security unit) |
Which wording must the policy include?
A private health insurance policy must include a statement that it meets the minimum cover structure set in the circular on health insurance for residence permits. A health policy without this wording may be rejected, even if its cover is wide.
The minimum cover limits were updated by SEDDK circular 2024/34, with the changes in force since 1 April 2025. The residence policies we issue are prepared in line with the circular in force.
Is the original policy or a copy required?
For a first application, you must bring the signed and stamped original policy to your appointment. For extensions, a certified (signed, stamped) copy in the file is enough; the policy must also cover the extension period.
How should I choose the policy term?
The policy must match the residence period you request. Since a short-term residence permit is granted for at most two years, policies are usually for 1 or 2 years: a 1-year permit needs a 1-year policy, a 2-year permit needs a policy covering 2 years. If there is time between your application and appointment dates, we will set the policy start date together.
Do under-18s and over-65s need insurance?
In practice, it is reported that for short-term and student residence permit applications, health insurance is not required for people under 18 and over 65, and the e-ikamet form has a separate option for this. However, since this is not written separately in the official document list, we recommend checking the current situation in the e-ikamet system before applying. Even if not compulsory, treatment cover is important over 65; we can look at suitable options together.
4. How We Help at Our Mahmutlar Office
We prepare the insurance side of your residence application, and explain what to watch for in the rest of the process.
How is the policy prepared?
- Message us on WhatsApp in English, Russian or Turkish, and send your passport details, date of birth, address in Turkey and the residence period you want.
- We compare quotes from our partner insurers and choose the right one together.
- Your policy is issued with the mandatory wording to match your residence period; you can collect the signed and stamped original for your appointment at our office.
- Close to the end of your permit, we remind you to renew your policy for the extension.
Where is our office?
Mahmutlar Mah. Atatürk Cad. No:173 B/B, opposite Asat Mahmutlar, 07450 Alanya. We are open Monday–Friday 08:30–17:00 and Saturday 10:00–14:00. We can also prepare your policy by phone and WhatsApp without you coming to the office.
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Permits and Health Insurance in Alanya
Is health insurance compulsory for a residence permit in Alanya?
Yes. Valid health cover is one of the common documents for a short-term residence permit application. If you have no other cover (SGK, a bilateral agreement, etc.), this is a private health insurance policy.
Which period must the policy cover?
The whole residence permit period you request. For an extension, the policy must cover the extension period.
Is an ordinary health insurance policy valid for the residence permit?
If the policy does not include the wording that it meets the minimum cover structure in the circular for residence permits, it may be rejected. So a policy issued for residence purposes should be chosen.
Do I need to bring the original policy to my appointment?
For a first application, the signed and stamped original is required. For an extension, a certified copy is enough.
Can I apply for residence in Mahmutlar?
According to local press, the restriction in Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar and Kargıcak was lifted on 4 June 2026. Since the decision may change, check your address in the e-ikamet system before applying.
Must my rental contract be notarised?
Yes. If you stay under a rental contract, a notarised copy must be added to the application.
Do people over 65 need insurance?
In practice it is reported that insurance is not required for over-65s and under-18s for a short-term permit; we recommend checking the current situation in e-ikamet before applying.
Can I get the policy without coming to the office?
Yes. Send your details on WhatsApp; we reply in English, Russian and Turkish. For your appointment you can collect the signed and stamped original at our office.
Residence permit rules and required documents can be changed by the Presidency of Migration Management; this page follows the official document list as of November 2026. Check the current list at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr before applying; let us help you with the insurance side.
Health insurance for your residence permit in Alanya
We compare quotes from seven insurers and choose the best one for you together.
We issue the policy to match your residence period and the current circular. We reply in English, Russian and Turkish.