Turkey Health Insurance for Foreigners: Residence Permit

Foreign nationals residing in Turkey are required to secure compulsory private health insurance to successfully obtain a residence permit. This essential insurance policy is issued to facilitate the process with the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management. Beyond its permit-issuing function, this health insurance grants foreigners access to contracted private hospitals at preferential rates, ensuring quality healthcare access during their stay.

Understanding General Health Insurance for Foreigners in Turkey

While private insurance is mandatory for residence permits, Turkey also offers a General Health Insurance (GSS) scheme that some foreign nationals can opt into. This system provides a broader safety net for healthcare services within the public system.

Who is Eligible for General Health Insurance?

Foreign nationals who meet specific criteria may be eligible to benefit from Turkey's General Health Insurance. These conditions, subject to reciprocity agreements with their home countries, include:

1. Individuals who have been granted a residence permit.
2. Those not covered by their home country's social security or health insurance legislation and are not entitled to benefits from such systems.
3. Foreign nationals who have resided in Turkey for more than one uninterrupted year and formally apply for GSS coverage.

Is General Health Insurance Mandatory for Foreigners?

No, enrollment in the General Health Insurance scheme is not compulsory for foreign nationals. Registration is based entirely on individual application and request, offering it as an additional option beyond the mandatory private insurance for permits.

How to Apply for General Health Insurance

Foreign nationals interested in GSS coverage should direct their applications to the nearest social security provincial or central directorates, conveniently located based on their residential address.

Required Documents for Application

To successfully apply for General Health Insurance, foreign nationals will need to prepare the following documentation:

1. A valid residence permit.
2. The original or a photocopy of a letter from their home country's social security institution or labor attaché, detailing their social security status relevant to the GSS application.
3. A completed commitment form.

Scope of Health Services Covered

Under the General Health Insurance scheme, foreign nationals can receive treatment for various health conditions. The coverage typically includes the treatment of diseases, excluding chronic conditions that pre-existed the insured individual or their dependents before obtaining GSS coverage.

For official details, please refer to the source: SGK Official Website.

SimplyTR specializes in streamlining the private health insurance process, often delivering your policy on the same day as your residence permit appointment, ensuring a smooth transition into life in Turkey.