Health Insurance for Turkish Residence Permit

AXA Turkey

Allianz Turkey

Cigna Global

GlobeCover / IMG

MAPFRE Turkey

Güneş Sigorta

What health insurance is accepted for a Turkish residence permit?

You need either a Turkish private health insurance policy (from insurers like Anadolu Sigorta, Allianz Turkey, or AXA Turkey) or an international health insurance policy that explicitly covers Turkey for the full duration of your permit. Travel insurance is NOT accepted. The policy must cover the exact dates of your residence permit period.

How much does health insurance for a Turkish residence permit cost?

For under-40s, a basic Turkish policy costs €35–50/month (€420–600 annually). For 40–60 year olds, expect €80–160/month. Over-60s pay €110–300+/month. International policies like Cigna or Bupa cost more but are accepted if Turkey is explicitly covered.

Can I use travel insurance for my ikamet application?

No. Standard travel insurance (including annual multi-trip policies) is not accepted for residence permit applications. You need a dedicated health insurance policy covering medical treatment in Turkey, not just emergency evacuation or travel cancellation.

Do I need health insurance for the full 2-year permit period?

Yes. If you are applying for a 2-year residence permit, your insurance must cover the full 2-year period without gaps. You can either purchase a 2-year policy or show two consecutive annual policies where the second begins the day after the first expires.

What documents do I bring to my residence permit appointment?

Bring: the full insurance policy document (not just the card), showing your name matching your passport exactly, the coverage territory including Turkey, and the exact coverage dates. Some immigration offices also want a separate ikamet confirmation letter on insurer letterhead. Request this when purchasing.

Will my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) be accepted?

No. The EHIC (or UK Global Health Insurance Card) covers emergency care within the EU/UK system and is not a substitute for private health insurance in Turkey. It is not accepted for ikamet applications.

My international insurer covers Turkey — will that work?

Yes, if the policy explicitly confirms Turkey is a covered territory for medical treatment, not just transit or emergency. Ask your insurer for a written confirmation letter stating "Republic of Turkey" coverage, your name matching your passport, and the exact coverage dates.

Does the health insurance need to be in Turkish?

Not strictly — but having a Turkish version or Turkish summary letter significantly reduces complications at your appointment. Most major Turkish insurers provide Turkish documentation by default. International insurers can usually provide a Turkish summary letter on request.

Can I get health insurance if I have pre-existing conditions?

Yes. Turkish insurers will typically accept applicants with pre-existing conditions. They may exclude that specific condition from coverage for a period, but will still issue a valid policy document that is accepted for the residence permit. The immigration office checks that valid insurance exists, not the details of your exclusions.

What happens if my insurance is rejected at the residence permit appointment?

You will not be able to complete the application that day. You will need to purchase the correct insurance and reschedule your appointment. Given appointment wait times at busy offices (2–6 weeks), getting this right first time is worth the effort of careful pre-verification.

How far in advance should I get health insurance before my appointment?

Purchase your insurance at least 2 weeks before your ikamet appointment. This gives time to request additional documentation (ikamet letters, Turkish summaries), correct any errors in your name, and verify the coverage dates align with your permit period request.

Is SGK (Turkish state health insurance) accepted for ikamet?

SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) is the Turkish state social security system. Foreigners can enrol in SGK under certain conditions (employed in Turkey, married to a Turkish citizen). If you are enrolled in SGK, this is generally accepted as the health insurance component of your ikamet application.

Can I cancel my health insurance after I get my residence permit?

Technically yes after the permit is issued, but we do not recommend it. Your residence permit can be revoked at any time if you violate its conditions — and health insurance is listed as a requirement for maintaining the permit, not just obtaining it. Additionally, you will need valid insurance for your renewal application.

What is the cheapest health insurance accepted for ikamet?

For under-40s, budget Turkish insurers like Güneş Sigorta offer policies from €35/month that are accepted at immigration offices. The cheapest reliable option that includes an English-language ikamet letter is typically Anadolu Sigorta at €35–50/month for under-40s.

Does my residence permit health insurance cover hospital treatment?

Yes — a valid private health insurance policy (not travel insurance) must include inpatient and outpatient hospital treatment in Turkey. Policies that only cover emergency evacuation or repatriation do not qualify. Check that "hospitalisation" (yatarak tedavi) is explicitly included.

How much insurance coverage do I actually need for my residence permit?

There is no single published minimum, but most immigration offices accept policies from €50,000 coverage per claim event, and €100,000+ is safer. In Turkish lira terms this is typically TRY 50,000–100,000 as a baseline, with TRY 100,000–200,000 offering a more comfortable margin for approval.

Is my insurer accepted in every province, or does it vary by location?

Large, well-known insurers such as Anadolu Sigorta, Allianz Turkey, and AXA Turkey are accepted nationwide across all 81 provinces. Smaller or purely international providers can face more scrutiny in some provinces, so it is worth confirming acceptance with your specific provincial immigration office before you buy.

Can I still get accepted health insurance if I am over 65?

Yes, but premiums increase significantly — typically €150–400+/month depending on age and health, and some insurers apply age caps around 70 or require a medical exam. Applying before you turn 70 and comparing international insurers like Cigna Global alongside Turkish providers usually gives the most options.

Can I renew my ikamet health insurance with the same provider?

Yes, most insurers offer straightforward renewal for continuous policyholders — usually 5–10% more than the initial year, sometimes with loyalty discounts for long-term customers. Contact your insurer 1–2 months before expiry to avoid any coverage gap ahead of your permit renewal.

Can I keep private health insurance alongside SGK once I qualify for it?

Yes. Many expats keep both — SGK for low-cost, government-recognised coverage, and private insurance for faster claims processing and English-language support. There is no rule against holding both simultaneously, and there is no coordination-of-benefits conflict between them in Turkey.

Can one health insurance policy cover my whole family for our residence permits?

No. Each family member — spouse, children, parents — needs an individual policy in their own name, since each person's residence permit application requires its own insurance document. Some insurers offer family bundle pricing, but each person is still issued a separate policy.

Does the same insurance policy carry over to my residence permit renewal?

Your policy needs to remain valid and cover the new period you are requesting. When you renew your permit, the same rules apply as your original application — start your new insurance policy before the old one expires so there is no gap, and plan this 2–3 months ahead of your renewal appointment.