Residence Health Insurance in Türkiye 2026: Requirements and Cover

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Private Health Insurance for Foreign Residence Permits in Türkiye: Requirements and Cover​

1️⃣ What is residence-permit health insurance?​

Foreign nationals applying for a residence permit generally need evidence of acceptable health cover for the requested period, unless an exemption applies. Buying a private policy is one way to meet that requirement; it is not the only accepted route.

The product may be called Yabancılar İçin Sağlık Sigortası — health insurance for foreigners — or İkamet İzni Sağlık Sigortası — residence-permit health insurance.

Its acceptance for an immigration application does not mean every treatment is covered or that every hospital is free.

2️⃣ Which forms of cover may be accepted?​

The official requirements recognise evidence such as:
  • A document from the provincial SGK directorate confirming entitlement in Türkiye under an applicable bilateral social security agreement.
  • An SGK healthcare entitlement document.
  • Evidence of an application to SGK for general health insurance, where accepted by the relevant document requirements.
  • A private health insurance policy meeting the residence-permit requirements.
Check the documents for your permit category. Ordinary travel insurance is not automatically suitable for a residence permit.

3️⃣ The policy dates must cover the requested period​

Arrange cover for the entire period requested. For a one-year application, the policy should cover that year. For a two-year request, check whether the insurer issues suitable longer cover or consecutive policies without a gap.

For an extension, match the new policy dates to the required period. Ask the insurer to correct any date mismatch; do not alter the document yourself.

4️⃣ Minimum cover under Circular 2024/34​

The revised minimum limits took effect on 1 April 2025. The framework distinguishes three provider groups.

1. Providers contracted with the insurer
  • Outpatient treatment: annual minimum limit of TRY 15,000; patient share 20%, insurer share 80%.
  • Inpatient treatment: no specified monetary limit for covered treatment; patient share 0%, insurer share 100%.
2. Non-contracted providers and public providers outside Annex 1
  • Outpatient treatment: annual minimum limit of TRY 15,000; patient share 40%, insurer share 60%.
  • Inpatient treatment: annual minimum limit of TRY 150,000; patient share 20%, insurer share 80%.
3. Public providers named in Annex 1
  • Outpatient treatment: annual minimum limit of TRY 15,000; patient share 20%, insurer share 80%.
  • Inpatient treatment: annual minimum limit of TRY 250,000; patient share 0%, insurer share 100%.
These figures concern eligible expenses under the policy. Excluded services, exhausted limits or amounts outside the accepted charging basis may leave additional costs for the patient.

Subject to the permitted waiting-period rules, health services for sudden illness cannot simply be excluded from the required cover.

Provider groupOutpatient: annual limit / patient shareInpatient: annual limit / patient share
Insurer networkTRY 15,000 / 20%No specified ceiling / 0%
Non-contracted or public outside Annex 1TRY 15,000 / 40%TRY 150,000 / 20%
Public provider in Annex 1TRY 15,000 / 20%TRY 250,000 / 0%

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Preparing a passport for travel​

5️⃣ Waiting periods: check the applicable rule carefully​


Waiting periods must be identified in the policy and special terms. “Inpatient cover” does not mean every operation is covered from the first day.

The older residence-specific framework in Circular 2022/7 describes an outpatient period of up to half the insurance term, capped at six months, and an inpatient period of up to three-quarters of the term, capped at nine months. The general private-health rules effective from 1 January 2026 set a maximum of six months for non-maternity benefits and twelve months for maternity.

Do not automatically accept a nine-month wait for a policy issued in 2026. Obtain written confirmation of the period and rules the insurer applies to the particular residence product, the affected conditions and the end of each waiting period. If the wording conflicts or the answer is unclear, seek clarification from SEDDK before purchasing or undertaking non-urgent treatment.

For continuous renewal with the same insurer, confirm preservation of rights and the treatment of waiting periods for the same benefits under the applicable rules. Continuity does not automatically cover treatment during an uninsured gap.

6️⃣ What may be excluded or restricted?​

Read the general and special terms. Depending on the policy and applicable rules, restrictions may concern:
  • Pre-existing or chronic conditions.
  • Pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Dental care.
  • Glasses, vision correction or non-emergency eye services.
  • Preventive care and routine tests.
  • Certain medicines.
  • Treatment outside the provider network or beyond the policy limits.
Do not assume that a condition is excluded merely because it appears on this list; ask the insurer to identify the policy provision.

7️⃣ Family residence permits​

For a family permit, acceptable health cover must include the sponsor and the family members concerned. An SGK entitlement document should show all relevant people. A private policy must cover the intended family members for the required period; a policy in the sponsor's name alone is not enough if it does not cover them.

8️⃣ Exemptions and special situations​

The official document guidance provides exceptions and specific arrangements, including:
  • For short-term and student residence permits, the official guidance provides an age-based exception for applicants under 18 or over 65. Do not apply it automatically to other permit categories: family-permit cover must include the relevant family members, and long-term permits have separate conditions. Present an existing policy where the document guidance requires it.
  • Applicants whose healthcare costs are covered by a Turkish public authority throughout their stay must provide the appropriate official evidence.
  • Foreign students have a separate SGK application route within three months of first registration at their educational institution; missing that period can affect their options.
Check the current requirements for your exact permit type and status.

9️⃣ A ten-step purchasing checklist​

  1. Decide the residence period you intend to request.
  2. Use a licensed insurer and an authorised intermediary.
  3. Match your name, passport or foreign identity number, nationality and date of birth.
  4. Check the start and end dates.
  5. Obtain a clear policy number and confirmation of electronic registration.
  6. Check compliance with the required minimum cover.
  7. Obtain the provider list for the particular product.
  8. Read the waiting periods, exclusions and claim rules.
  9. Pay the premium upfront and keep a receipt.
  10. Keep the complete policy and terms; request an English explanation or copy where available alongside the Turkish documents.

CheckPractical reason
Start and end datesCover the full requested residence period
Outpatient waiting periodConfirm the lawful period applicable to your policy
Inpatient waiting periodObtain the applicable rule and period in writing
Network and exclusionsImmigration acceptance does not cover every treatment

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Discussing care during a medical consultation​

1️⃣0️⃣ How to verify the policy​

Use Sağlık Sigortası Poliçe Bilgileri Sorgulama — health insurance policy information enquiry — in e-Devlet if you have access.

Compare the policy number, insurer, identity details and dates with the document supplied. If you cannot use e-Devlet, contact the insurer through its official website and ask for written confirmation. A PDF or printed page alone is not proof that the policy has been correctly issued and recorded.

1️⃣1️⃣ What should you submit with the residence application?​

The e-İkamet lists request the first page of the private policy showing its number. Keep ready:
  • That first page.
  • The full policy and special terms.
  • The premium receipt.
  • The provider-network list.
  • Any official correction endorsement.
Where you rely on SGK documents, use the required signed, stamped or electronically signed evidence.

1️⃣2️⃣ Cancellation and refunds​

Residence-policy cancellation requires a permitted ground and evidence. These grounds include:
  • Presenting a replacement policy covering the residence period.
  • Cancellation or non-extension of the residence permit.
  • Joining GSS and providing the SGK document.
  • Refusal of the residence application, or withdrawing it before a decision.
For refusal or withdrawal before a decision, the special rule provides a full refund if no claim has been paid, subject to the required cancellation request. Other permitted cancellations use a daily calculation under the applicable insurance rules.

The insurer must notify the Presidency of Migration Management within five working days if the insurance ends for any reason. Do not cancel simply because the residence permit has been issued.

1️⃣3️⃣ What determines the price?​

There is no single government-set retail premium. Quotes can vary with age, policy duration, insurer, provider network, additional benefits, health assessment and waiting-period terms.

Compare the actual cover and access to care as well as the price.

1️⃣4️⃣ Common mistakes​

  • Buying ordinary travel insurance without checking residence suitability.
  • Using dates that do not cover the requested period.
  • Leaving identity errors uncorrected.
  • Assuming the insurer's whole hospital network applies to your product.
  • Assuming every treatment is covered.
  • Cancelling immediately after obtaining the permit.
  • Treating every public hospital as part of the same insurance category.
  • Buying through an unverified intermediary.

A useful policy should meet the immigration requirements and provide cover you understand and can actually use. Check the network, limits and conditions before paying.

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Organising documents and an online application​

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