Health Insurance for Foreigners in Turkey (Residence Permit Insurance): What Does It Cover?
Health insurance for foreigners (yabancı sağlık sigortası) is the insurance that shows a foreign national applying for or extending a residence permit (ikamet izni) in Turkey has valid health cover. Since a regulation that came into force on 11 April 2014, it has been one of the required documents of a residence permit application, alongside conditions such as a visa, a title deed or business ties.
This guide explains what health insurance for foreigners is, who needs it, what it covers, the policy term, and how it differs from private and complementary health insurance. For our customers applying for a residence permit in Alanya, we prepare the policy to match the requested residence period.
- A residence permit application requires valid health cover; for most foreigners this is health insurance for foreigners.
- The policy must cover the requested residence period and meet the minimum cover set for applications.
- Outpatient and inpatient treatment are the basic covers; limits vary by insurer.
- Policies are usually issued for 1 year; some insurers also offer 2-year policies.
Contents
1. What Is Health Insurance for Foreigners?
Health insurance for foreigners is one of the core documents of a residence permit application. It lets your application be completed, and it protects you against medical costs while you live in Turkey.
What is residence permit insurance? Is it the same as health insurance for foreigners?
Yes, both names describe the same insurance. “Residence insurance” (ikamet sigortası) and “residence permit health insurance” are other names for the health insurance foreign nationals take out for a residence permit. Many countries have a similar system; in Europe and North America it is usually called residence permit insurance.
Why is health insurance important for foreigners?
For a residence permit and some visa applications you are expected to show valid health cover. Without it, your application can take longer, or you may run into problems at your appointment because of a missing document. So health insurance for foreigners is not just a policy that pays hospital bills; it is also an essential document in your legal application file. What matters is that the policy is prepared in line with the official requirements.
What are the legal requirements for residence permit health insurance?
Health cover is listed among the “required documents” for every application type in the e-İkamet system. The policy must be valid in Turkey, cover the requested residence period and meet the minimum cover conditions set for residence permit applications. In practice, the policy may also need to include a statement that it meets the minimum scope in the official circular.
The health cover accepted by the migration authority is not limited to a private policy:
| Document | For whom? |
|---|---|
| Health insurance policy for foreigners (private) | The most common route for foreigners with no other health cover |
| SGK provision document | People covered by SGK in Turkey, or through a spouse covered by SGK |
| General health insurance (GSS) application document | People who have applied for GSS, depending on the application type |
| Bilateral social security agreement document | Citizens of countries with a social security agreement with Turkey |
2. Who Needs Health Insurance for Foreigners?
Foreign nationals who decide to live in Turkey and will stay longer than 1 year are legally required to show health cover. For those with no other cover, this is health insurance for foreigners. People staying for a shorter time can use options such as travel health insurance.
Is insurance required for short-term and family residence permits?
Yes. For short-term residence permit applications for non-work purposes such as tourism or study, a health insurance policy is among the required documents. A policy is also required for a family residence permit. Depending on the application type, a document showing that you have applied for general health insurance through SGK may also be accepted in some cases; so a private policy is not the only route for everyone.
Is health insurance required for visa applications?
For visa applications made before coming to Turkey, health insurance may be required depending on the consulate and the type of visa. If it is required, the policy must be valid for the whole of your stay in Turkey and meet the minimum cover required for the application. For a residence permit, insurance is one of the core documents in most applications.
Is it required for foreigners married to a Turkish citizen?
For foreigners whose spouse is a Turkish citizen, SGK registration is checked first. If the Turkish spouse is covered by SGK and the foreign spouse is covered through them, separate health insurance for foreigners is not needed. Foreigners whose spouse is not covered by SGK must take out health insurance for foreigners to reside in Turkey.
Who does not need it?
- Dual citizens who also hold Turkish citizenship
- Turkish citizens living abroad
- Blue Card holders
- Foreigners working with SGK cover, or covered through a spouse with SGK
What is the Blue Card?
A status that can be given to people who were Turkish citizens and gave up their citizenship voluntarily. Blue Card holders are exempt from some rights and obligations such as military service and the right to vote and stand for election, but they largely keep the other rights of Turkish citizens. They are not required to take out health insurance for foreigners to live in Turkey. For details they can contact the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs; Blue Card holders who want to use private hospitals can take out private health insurance.
3. What Does Health Insurance for Foreigners Cover?
The covers are divided into outpatient and inpatient treatment. Cover limits and scope vary by insurer and the plan you choose.
| Cover | What does it include? |
|---|---|
| Outpatient treatment | Doctor visits, lab tests, medicines, physiotherapy |
| Inpatient treatment | Surgery, hospital stay costs, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, dialysis, prosthetics |
What does outpatient cover include?
It covers health services that do not require a hospital stay:
- Doctor visits
- Lab tests and examinations
- Medicine costs
- Physiotherapy
What does inpatient cover include?
- Surgery
- Costs during a hospital stay
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Dialysis
- Prosthetic limb costs
The covers are valid throughout the policy term.
What should you check when buying a policy?
- That the policy term fully covers the residence period you are applying for
- That the covers meet the minimum scope required for a residence permit application
- Cover limits, exclusions and any waiting periods
- That the policy is issued by an insurer licensed in Turkey
Just tell us your application date and the residence period you want; we will issue the policy to match. Applying in Alanya? See the documents and steps in our step-by-step guide to residence permit insurance in Alanya.
4. Policy Term, Renewal and Cancellation
Health insurance for foreigners is planned together with your residence permit. The policy term and renewal date should match the length of your permit.
How long is health insurance for foreigners issued for?
Insurers usually issue the policy for 1 year. If you stay in Turkey, you renew the policy at the end of the term. Some insurers can also issue 2-year policies; if you are applying for a longer residence permit, let us consider this together when getting quotes.
Is there an age limit?
Some insurers issue policies only for people in a certain age range; for example, some accept only people aged 0–65. Since conditions differ between insurers, we choose a suitable insurer together for older applicants.
How is health insurance for foreigners cancelled?
It can be cancelled in two cases:
- If you start working with SGK cover: foreigners who start working under SGK in Turkey can cancel their policy.
- If you take out private health insurance: after getting a residence permit, a person who takes out private health insurance can apply to the insurer to cancel the health insurance for foreigners.
Cancelling is not compulsory; you can keep both policies if you wish.
5. Can Foreigners Get Private or Complementary Health Insurance?
Yes. Foreigners with a residence permit can take out private health insurance just like Turkish citizens; foreigners with a work permit who are covered by SGK can also use complementary health insurance.
| For foreigners | Private | Complementary (TSS) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Health cover for the residence permit application | Comprehensive private hospital cover | Extra fees at private hospitals for people covered by SGK |
| Who can get it? | Foreigners applying for a residence permit | Foreigners with a residence permit | Foreigners with a work permit who are covered by SGK |
| Covers and limits | Basic covers, limited limits | High or unlimited, with extras | Treatments covered by SGK |
| Price | Lowest | Highest | Medium |
Can foreigners get private health insurance?
Yes, but they first need a residence permit. For that, health insurance for foreigners is taken out first and the residence permit is obtained once the other conditions are met. Foreigners with a residence permit receive an ID card with a foreigner ID number, similar to the Turkish ID number. This number is used instead of a Turkish ID number when applying for private health insurance.
Can foreigners get complementary health insurance?
Foreigners who have a work permit in addition to their residence permit and work with SGK cover can take out complementary health insurance just like Turkish citizens. For details, see our complementary health insurance guide.
What is the difference between private health insurance and health insurance for foreigners?
Private and complementary health insurance are more comprehensive. With private health insurance you use private hospitals with high or unlimited cover, and extras such as maternity can be added. Health insurance for foreigners is designed for the residence permit application, so it is limited to basic covers; extras and high limits are usually not included.
What does the price of health insurance for foreigners depend on?
Because its covers are more limited, health insurance for foreigners is cheaper than private health insurance. The price varies by insurer, age and the plan chosen. We compare quotes from seven insurers and choose the best-value policy for your application together.
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance for Foreigners
Is health insurance for foreigners compulsory?
It is compulsory for foreigners who want to get or extend a residence permit in Turkey and have no other health cover (SGK, a bilateral agreement, etc.). Health cover is among the documents required for a residence permit application.
Are residence permit insurance and health insurance for foreigners the same?
Yes. Residence insurance and residence permit health insurance are other names for health insurance for foreigners.
How long should the policy be?
The policy must cover the residence period you are applying for. Policies are usually for 1 year; some insurers also issue 2-year policies.
My spouse is a Turkish citizen. Do I still need health insurance for foreigners?
Not if your spouse is covered by SGK and you are covered through them. If your spouse is not covered by SGK, you need health insurance for foreigners.
What does health insurance for foreigners cover?
Outpatient: doctor visits, lab tests, medicines and physiotherapy. Inpatient: surgery, hospital stays, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, dialysis and prosthetic limbs, within the policy limits.
Is there an age limit?
Some insurers issue policies only within a certain age range (for example 0–65). Since conditions vary by insurer, we choose a suitable one together.
Can I cancel my policy if I start working with SGK cover?
Yes. Foreigners who start working under SGK can cancel their health insurance for foreigners.
I have a residence permit. Can I get private health insurance?
Yes. Foreigners with a residence permit can take out private health insurance with their foreigner ID number. Foreigners with a work permit who are covered by SGK can also get complementary health insurance.
What information do you need for a quote?
Your passport details, date of birth, foreigner ID number if you have one, your address in Turkey and the residence period you are applying for. You can message us on WhatsApp in English, Russian or Turkish.
Covers, age limits and policy terms vary by insurer; the documents required for a residence permit are set by the Presidency of Migration Management. This page is for general information; contact us for a policy that fits your application.
Health insurance for your residence permit application
We compare quotes from seven insurers and choose the best one for you together.
We issue the policy to match your residence period and compare quotes for you. We reply to messages in English and Russian.