Health Insurance in Turkey
Health insurance in Turkey is a necessity for anyone planning to stay in the country, whether they are a tourist or a permanent resident. Medical insurance protects against unexpected health expenses and ensures access to healthcare services. Turkey is one of the leaders in medical tourism due to the high quality and affordability of treatment.
This article will discuss the specifics of health insurance for foreigners.
Types of Health Insurance in Turkey for Foreigners
There are several types of health insurance available for foreigners in Turkey:
- Mandatory private insurance.
- Travel insurance.
- Universal state insurance.
Mandatory Private Insurance
Every foreign national who wishes to obtain a residence permit and live in Turkey is required to have mandatory private health insurance. This insurance covers essential medical expenses and is required when applying for a residence permit. The policy is usually valid for one or two years.
Private hospitals are more popular than public ones in this country. Almost everyone, both locals and foreigners, has private insurance. The cost depends on the company, the services provided, and the residency status.
Foreign children under the age of 18, with a valid residence permit and attending a public school, are entitled to government-covered medical care in Turkey and do not require health insurance for residence permit renewal.
A foreigner with a valid residence permit, after one year of stay in Turkey, can apply for universal state health insurance SGK for healthcare services in public hospitals.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is designed for short-term stays in Turkey. Many companies require that the insurance start date coincide with the date of border crossing.
A VZR policy is an insurance document that provides compensation for certain expenses for individuals travelling abroad.
Medical insurance is purchased from an insurance company that does not handle claims directly. It enters into a contract with an assistance service, which acts as an intermediary with hospitals. The insurance company sells the policy, manages finances, and decides whether the case is insurable.
An assistance service is a company that contracts with hospitals and liaises with them in case of a claim.
The client pays a certain amount on-site before the insurance covers the remaining expenses (the deductible). For example, the traveller might pay 20% of the bill, with the insurance company covering the rest. Policies with a deductible are cheaper.
State Health Insurance in Turkey
Turkey’s public health insurance system is called SGK (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu). Foreigners can apply for this insurance, and it is usually available to those with long-term status or employment in Turkey.
State health insurance can only be obtained after one year of residence in Turkey under a residence permit. Until then, foreigners are only covered by private insurance companies. The SGK public health policy covers the whole family and provides up to 100% coverage in public hospitals and up to 30% in private ones.
Where to Buy Health Insurance in Turkey?
Insurance can be purchased through specialised local insurance companies. Many of them offer the option to apply for a policy online.
Hospitals and clinics offering high-quality care are available throughout Turkey. The country has over 30 state and private institutions accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), a non-profit organisation based in the US that monitors the quality and safety of medical care.
How Much Is Health Insurance in Turkey?
The public health system in Turkey is funded by employees, employers, and the Turkish government. Foreigners working in Turkey pay monthly contributions based on their earnings. These contributions are split with the employer: employees pay 5%, and employers pay 7.5%. Foreigners who do not work in Turkey and have chosen this health insurance plan pay a rate of 24% of the national minimum wage.
Many procedures are fully covered by SGK. However, patients pay about 20% of the cost of medications out of pocket. Retirees may pay a rate of 10% for medications.
As for private insurance, in the local hospital, the patient usually pays 20%, and the policy covers up to 80% of medical expenses. There are options with different coverage limits.
For more extensive coverage, most expats prefer to buy international health insurance plans. Private hospitals also tend to have more English-speaking medical staff compared to SGK institutions.
Emergency medical services are usually free for foreigners with a residence permit. Without a residence permit, the cost of this service is approximately 400 lira.
What is the Difference Between Health Insurance for Turkish Citizens and Foreigners?
Turkish citizens have access to the public health system and can use lower rates within SGK. Foreigners typically need private policies, which can vary in terms and coverage.
One of the most popular insurance companies in Turkey chosen by foreigners for obtaining a residence permit is Allianz.
What Risks Does Insurance Cover?
Coverage in private hospitals generally includes the following services:
- Inpatient care: minor surgeries, emergency medical assistance.
- Outpatient care: doctor consultations, tests, X-rays, modern diagnostics, physiotherapy.
- Medications. Costs are covered by insurance for conditions requiring outpatient and inpatient care.
Additional services that can be included in travel insurance are chronic disease treatment, protection against coronavirus, early return due to illness, emergency dental care, and even baggage insurance.
How to Use Health Insurance
To use the insurance, you need to go to a medical institution that accepts the insurance company with which the applicant has registered. For those using the public system, residents must first register at the local SGK office. After registering in the public system, you can choose a licensed doctor and schedule an appointment.
In Turkey, you can also make an appointment at a private clinic via the E-Nabiz app, where all hospital visits, vaccinations, and other healthcare-related information are recorded.
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Popular questions about health insurance in Turkey
Foreigners are required to obtain travel health insurance, a VZR policy, before travelling to Turkey. It provides protection against unforeseen medical expenses and healthcare services in the event of illness or accident during their stay in the country.
The cost of insurance in Turkey depends on several factors, including the age of the insured, health condition, the type of insurance policy chosen, and the coverage limits. Additional services, such as dental care, may also increase the cost of the insurance.
Insurance covers various expenses such as emergency medical care, inpatient treatment, examinations, and some medication costs. Emergency medical services are usually free for those with a residence permit. It is important to carefully review the terms of the policy, as not all expenses may be covered, and the insured person typically pays around 20% of the service cost.
The most common insurance claims in Turkey involve emergency medical situations such as injuries, illnesses, poisoning, and issues in tourist areas: respiratory infections (ARVI), otitis, and allergic reactions.
Denials of health insurance may occur for several reasons, including non-compliance with policy conditions, such as the lack of a residence permit or required documents, or if the injury or illness was caused by participation in extreme or high-risk sports not covered by the policy. There are also exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
For obtaining a residence permit in Turkey, private health insurance is suitable. This policy must cover basic medical services within the country and be valid for a period of 1–2 years. After one year of residence in the country, a government policy can be applied for.
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