Types of Health Insurance in Turkey
In this article, as a guide to living in Turkey, it is very important to introduce all aspects of life in this country; among these aspects is the issue of insurance in Turkey, which is often given less attention. One of the requirements for obtaining residency in this country is obtaining and registering insurance in Turkey. If you intend to reside in Turkey, securing insurance is an essential and fundamental matter. One of the main reasons for obtaining insurance in Turkey is the very high cost of healthcare services which, without insurance, you might not be able to afford. Therefore, insurance in Turkey is important and necessary, especially if you are traveling to Turkey as a tourist, seeking to immigrate, or planning to live there and enjoy healthcare and other living services. Moreover, by having insurance, you will also gain financial benefits; for example, with government insurance, you will receive a monthly pension upon retirement. Additionally, after the insured’s death, their family can benefit from the insurance advantages.
In fact, insurance in Turkey is important not only as a legal requirement for obtaining residency, but also as a wise measure to protect the health, finances, and security of both the individual and their family. When filling out the residence form (Randevu) at the Turkish Immigration Office, you must provide your insurance code; otherwise, a residence permit will not be issued for you. Therefore, insurance in Turkey is of great importance and is essential for anyone traveling to or living in this country.
The Subject of Insurance in Turkey is Divided into Several Parts:
It includes Health Insurance (Sağlık Sigortası), Third-Party Liability Insurance (Sorumluluk Sigortası), Car Insurance (Trafik Sigortası), Life Insurance (Hayat Sigortası), and Home Insurance (Konut Sigortası). Each of these insurances has its own benefits and coverages that you can use depending on your needs and situation.
Taking out health insurance in Turkey is particularly crucial for those who plan to live in this country long-term. This insurance covers medical expenses, hospitalization, medications, and various healthcare services that, in the event of illness or accident, would otherwise cost you a great deal and be your responsibility. Moreover, third-party liability insurance is important because if an accident occurs and damage is caused to another person or their property, this insurance covers legal fees and financial damages, protecting you from financial liabilities arising from such incidents. Therefore, obtaining insurance in Turkey is not only a legal requirement but also a wise move to safeguard your health, finances, and the security of yourself and your family.
Benefits and Advantages of Health Insurance in Turkey
Health insurance in Turkey is one of the essential measures for those who intend to have short- or long-term residency in this country. This valuable insurance ensures that you have the necessary healthcare and medical services during your stay in Turkey and is also a key requirement for obtaining residency.
- Health insurance in Turkey ensures that the documents submitted for the residency application are complete and correct. This is very important because the Immigration Office in Turkey does not accept residency applications without valid health insurance covering the required residency period. Therefore, having health insurance as a fundamental condition for obtaining residency ensures that the application process proceeds quickly and efficiently.
- Health insurance in Turkey provides you with at least the essential facilities and services necessary for maintaining your health and receiving medical care when needed. This insurance not only meets the documentation requirements but also ensures access to medical services in emergencies, which overall provides peace of mind and comfort in living in Turkey.
Limitations of Health Insurance for Foreigners in Turkey
Health insurance for foreigners residing in Turkey comes with certain limitations and conditions that must be taken into account. Below are some of these limitations:
Waiting Period for Certain Services:
One of the main limitations of health insurance for foreigners in Turkey is the existence of a waiting period for some medical services. For example, for the treatment of various cysts and masses, anorectal diseases, hernias and discs, joint disorders, thyroid issues, eye diseases, etc., you must undergo a waiting period of one year before you can benefit from these services.
Restrictions in Obligations:
Health insurance has certain limitations and restrictions in its obligations. Additionally, its premium changes annually, which might lead to increased medical costs for some individuals. The contracted centers with health insurance for foreigners in Turkey are limited. Therefore, access to specific services and some medical centers might be restricted and certain services may not be accepted in some centers.
Types of Health Insurance for Citizens and Foreign Nationals in Turkey:
1 – Health Insurance for a Turkey Travel Visa:
Health insurance is one of the fundamental and critical requirements for those intending to travel to foreign countries, including Turkey. Entering foreign countries, particularly for tourism or work, always requires careful attention to healthcare matters. Health insurance for a Turkey travel visa provides comprehensive protection and coverage in terms of medical care. This coverage includes emergency medical expenses, hospitalization costs, medical consultations, and necessary medications that are extremely important in the case of sudden illnesses or accidents.
Turkish embassies and consulates require all individuals wishing to travel to Turkey to submit documents showing that they have health insurance covering the duration of their stay in Turkey. For this purpose, a copy of the Turkey visa insurance must be attached to your visa application. Turkey visa insurance costs a modest amount, averaging around 25 US dollars, but it provides coverage of approximately 30,000 Euros. This insurance covers medical and patient transportation expenses in the event of death or the need for patient transfer.
Up to this point, you have realized that health insurance is mandatory for a Turkey travel visa application, and not only must you present documents confirming this, but adding a copy of the insurance to your visa application is also essential. This insurance, at a minimal cost, provides extensive coverage for medical care and patient transportation, which is particularly important since the costs associated with treatment and transportation abroad are usually high and fall on your shoulders.
2 – Public Health Insurance in Turkey:
Public health insurance in Turkey covers a wide range of healthcare issues, including emergencies, maternity, and various diseases. This insurance is managed by the Social Security Institution (SGK), which regulates and provides public healthcare services in Turkey. Employed individuals in Turkey who have work permits or whose spouses are covered by government insurance (SGK) can benefit from public health insurance. This insurance is analogous to social security insurance in Iran and helps employed individuals and their families in case of health and medical issues.
As an employee in Turkey, or if you have a spouse covered by government insurance (SGK), you can benefit from this public insurance and access healthcare services in Turkey. However, if these conditions do not apply to you, you will need to obtain private health insurance from insurance companies to secure residency in Turkey; these private insurances can offer various coverages including standard treatments, specialized care, and other medical services.
To obtain public health insurance in Turkey, applicants must visit the nearest Social Security center and register their request. By enrolling in this plan, applicants can also utilize private healthcare centers and benefit from various discounts provided by these centers. In summary, public health insurance in Turkey provides people with services such as hospital care, access to necessary medications, and medical consultations, and it is of vital importance since it comprehensively addresses the community’s healthcare needs.
3 – Self-Employed Insurance (Bağ-Kur):
Self-employed insurance (Bağ-Kur) is a type of insurance intended for individuals who work as independent businesses and are typically self-employed. This insurance allows individuals to approach private companies and insurers to secure coverage for themselves. Therefore, they are sometimes referred to as “private insurance of private companies“. Some of the most well-known insurances in this category include Ankara Sigorta and Nepton Sigorta.
4 – Student Health Insurance:
In Turkey, students have special conditions for student health insurance, which is important to ensure they are covered for medical care. During the first three months after enrolling at a university, students are automatically covered by the state insurance SGK, which includes various medical services. However, after this period, the state insurance coverage ceases and students must individually purchase student health insurance. Student health insurance in Turkey often includes coverages such as medical examinations, emergency treatments, hospitalization, medications and pharmaceutical combinations, dental services, and other health-related services. This insurance typically comes with a fixed monthly fee that varies depending on the coverages and services required by the student.
It is recommended that students who need health insurance after the first three months consult the relevant centers and compare various insurance options to choose the best option for themselves. Ensuring adequate medical coverage as well as reasonable costs are among the important factors when selecting student health insurance.
5 – General Health Insurance (GSS):
General health insurance or GSS is recognized as a form of public health insurance in Turkey, available to those who hold Turkish citizenship. This insurance is typically requested and purchased by Turkish employers and provides coverages such as medical care, medical examinations, treatment for common illnesses, and emergency medical services.
However, GSS has some drawbacks which might be significant for some individuals. One of these drawbacks is the lack of a pension payment service, which is important for many, especially upon retirement. This leads many people to prefer obtaining SGK insurance through their Turkish employer instead of GSS. SGK insurance provides a pension upon retirement, which is a crucial factor for many individuals. Therefore, the choice between GSS and SGK depends on individual needs and circumstances. Although GSS may be suitable for some, for others, the retirement benefits and additional services provided by SGK are more important.
6 – Health Insurance for Foreign Nationals in Turkey:
Health insurance for foreign nationals in Turkey is a mandatory insurance for those who intend to reside in this country for at least one year or more. This health insurance is essential for individuals who do not hold Turkish citizenship and plan to have short- or long-term residency in Turkey. Our insurance policies, as private health insurance, are provided for short-term residence permits for foreign nationals in accordance with international and foreign nationals’ regulations. These policies offer at least the minimum coverage required as specified in the health insurance circular for visa and residence permit applications. Such coverage may include emergency medical services, medical examinations, and various disease treatments.
Overall, health insurance for foreign nationals in Turkey plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals traveling to or residing in the country are covered for medical care. This insurance not only protects individuals’ health but also facilitates their legal residency.
Types of Insurance Companies in Turkey:
There are over 30 private companies providing health insurance for foreigners in Turkey. In this article, we introduce 5 insurance companies:
- Ankara Insurance Company
- Nippon Insurance Company
- Sompo Insurance Company
- Demir Insurance Company
- Ray Insurance Company
If you are looking for the best health insurance in Turkey, you should know that among the services provided by companies offering tourist residence insurance in Turkey, there is not much difference; they all offer similar services. Their only difference lies in the network of hospitals contracted with each insurance company. The cost of insurance varies according to the list of hospitals under coverage.
Etlo Company is one of the most reputable and best health insurance companies in Turkey, offering various types of health insurance at the most competitive prices. This company guarantees that all services related to various residence permits, along with many important additional services, are provided to its customers. This includes vital services such as health insurance, which is mandatory for obtaining a Kimlik (residence card) in Turkey. Relying on its guarantees and extensive services, customers can easily benefit from health insurance and other related services for obtaining residency in Turkey.
