Article 36: Health Insurance – Is Your Home Country Insurance Valid in Turkey?

36a. Home country private health insurance

Private health insurance arranged in your home country may be valid in Turkey – but you must check the scope of your policy.

When it is valid: If your insurance is a policy that can be used abroad for tourist purposes, it is valid in Turkey too. Most comprehensive European private insurance policies fall into this category.

When it may not be valid: Narrow policies covering only your home country will not work in Turkey. Always read the international coverage section of your policy before purchasing.

36b. European health insurance card (ehic/ghic) – not valid in turkey

The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Turkey. This card is entirely state insurance in nature and cannot be used in countries outside the EU, including Turkey. Do not come to Turkey relying on your EHIC or GHIC card.

36c. Health insurance requirements in turkey

There is no health insurance requirement for property purchases in Turkey. Anyone who wishes to can arrange their own private health insurance at their own discretion.

36d. The smartest strategy

For those planning to live in Turkey long-term, the most sensible option is not private health insurance but registering with SGK for approximately 20 per month.

With SGK:

• Unlimited service at state hospitals
• Major discounts on prescription medicines
• Full access to e-Nabiz and MHRS systems

For detailed information on SGK, see Article 34.

36e. The role of private health insurance

Private health insurance can sometimes be very expensive. However, if you prefer to use private hospitals, private health insurance will be useful – while SGK is sufficient for state hospitals, insurance becomes important when choosing private hospitals.

The practical balance:

• SGK + comprehensive private insurance from your home country = best combination
• Turkish private insurance only = expensive and often unnecessary
• EHIC/GHIC only = does not work in Turkey

36f. The most common oversight

The most common mistake foreigners make is arranging cheap minimum-coverage insurance for the residence permit application and mistaking it for real health protection. These policies look like insurance on paper – in reality they cover almost nothing. When arranging insurance, ask this question: If I need surgery, how much will this insurance pay? If the answer is not satisfactory, that policy is not real protection.

36g. Official sources

• Social Security Institution (SGK): sgk.gov.tr
• Ministry of Health: saglik.gov.tr
• Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK): seddk.gov.tr

Questions buyers ask

Reddit r/expats: My German private health insurance says it covers worldwide. Does that include Turkey?

Check the policy document carefully worldwide coverage varies significantly between insurers. Some German policies exclude countries not in the EU/EEA for long-term stays (typically stays over 6 weeks or 3 months). Others cover Turkey fully. The critical question is not whether the policy covers emergency treatment (most do) but whether it covers: planned procedures, specialist consultations, chronic condition management, and repatriation. Call your insurer before your trip and ask specifically about Turkey coverage for a stay of your planned duration. Get the answer in writing. Do not rely on a verbal assurance from a call centre agent.

Quora: What health insurance do long-term foreign residents in Alanya actually use?

The most common approaches among established foreign residents in Alanya: Turkish private health insurance from companies like Axa Sigorta, Allianz, or Generali Turkey these are reasonably priced (2,000-8,000 TL/year depending on age and coverage) and accepted at all private hospitals. International health insurance (Cigna, Bupa International, AXA-PPP) for those who travel frequently between Turkey and their home country and want consistent global coverage. SGK for those eligible through employment or voluntary enrollment. Many retirees use a combination: Turkish private insurance for routine Turkish healthcare plus continued home-country coverage for visits home.

Facebook expat group: Im 68 years old. Can I still get health insurance in Turkey at my age?

Yes, but with significant limitations and higher premiums. Most Turkish private health insurers accept new applicants up to age 65-70, but premiums for older applicants are substantially higher and coverage for pre-existing conditions is typically excluded for the first 1-2 years. Above age 70, options narrow considerably some international insurers (Cigna Global, William Russell) cover older applicants but at premium rates. The practical solution for many retirees over 65: a Turkish private hospital account arrangement (özel hastane üyelik) where you pay discounted rates directly rather than through insurance, combined with continued home-country coverage for serious conditions treated at home. Discuss options with a Turkish insurance broker who specialises in expatriate coverage.

EXPERT ADVICE: The EU health card does not work in Turkey. Check the international coverage of your private insurance. The most economical and comprehensive solution is SGK – full access to state healthcare for just 20 per month.

Sources: T.C. Saglik Bakanligi – https://www.saglik.gov.tr | T.C. Hazine ve Maliye Bakanligi – https://www.hmb.gov.tr

P.S. Whether it is health, home, or car insurance The same rule applies to all of them: before you sign anything, ask specifically what is covered and what is not. Then ask again. Then get it in writing. A verbal assurance from an insurance agent means nothing when you file a claim. I have experienced this personally A policy that seemed comprehensive turned out to have exclusions that nobody mentioned at the time of sale. When I needed it, the insurance company pointed to the small print and walked away. They knew exactly what was in that document. I did not and that was my mistake. Written documentation of your full coverage is not optional. It is the only version that counts.