Healthcare and insurance in Türkiye: the policy you need for a permit
For stays longer than 90 days health insurance is compulsory: either a private foreigner policy or the General Health Insurance (GSS) through the SGK.
Access to the GSS normally requires a period of lawful residence and other conditions; for most people a private policy is faster. Families can often cover several members on one policy.
Types of cover
- Private foreigner health insurance — the practical route for a permit.
- GSS (SGK) — after lawful residence and qualifying conditions.
- Employer insurance — alongside a work permit.
- Supplementary private cover — on top of the GSS.
Comparison
| Point | Private policy | GSS (SGK) |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for a permit | yes | yes, under conditions |
| Start | immediately | after lawful residence |
| Coverage | policy-dependent | state coverage |
| Cost | premium by age | regular contribution |
| Family | family/group discount possible | conditions apply |
Fees and indicative figures
| Item | Amount | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Private policy for the residence permit | 2,000–8,000 ₺ per year (compulsory up to age 65) | 10.10.2026 |
| Private supplementary cover (ages 35–45) | 12,000–20,000 ₺ per year; extended up to 70,000 ₺ | 10.10.2026 |
| GSS (SGK) — contribution (TSS) | 5,188–34,486 ₺ | 10.10.2026 |
Clinics by language
- Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya and Izmir have foreign-patient departments.
- Beyond Turkish, English, German and Arabic are often spoken.
- Book through the hospital's international office before the appointment.
Frequent questions
- Is insurance compulsory for a permit?
- Yes, for stays over 90 days; a private policy or the GSS is accepted.
- Can I join the GSS straight away?
- Usually only after a period of lawful residence and qualifying conditions; ask the SGK for your case.
- Can foreigners use state hospitals?
- Yes, on a paid basis; emergencies are treated first.
- Can I add my family to a policy?
- Yes, family/group policies are usually cheaper per person.
- Which policy is best for a nomad?
- A private policy matching the permit period; check that the insurer is accepted by the migration office.
- Which insurance do I need for a residence permit?
- Health insurance covering the whole permit term for applicants under 65; check the conditions on e-İkamet.
- Is DASK compulsory?
- Yes, a valid DASK policy is required when buying property and for some utility connections.
- Traffic vs kasko — what is the difference?
- Traffic insurance is compulsory and covers damage to third parties; kasko is voluntary and covers your own vehicle.
In Türkiye some insurance is compulsory by law, some depends on circumstances. Traffic insurance (zorunlu trafik sigortası) is required for any vehicle, earthquake insurance DASK — when buying property and for some utility connections, health insurance — for a residence permit for applicants under 65. The rest is a personal choice.
Compulsory
- Traffic insurance — the vehicle cannot be used without it.
- DASK — earthquake insurance: a mandatory condition when buying property and for some utility connections.
- Health insurance for a residence permit (ikamet) — for applicants under 65.
- Insurance required by the bank for a mortgage.
Voluntary
- Kasko — voluntary vehicle cover on top of traffic insurance.
- Private health insurance and add-ons to traffic insurance.
- Home insurance (konut sigortası) on top of DASK.
- Life and travel insurance.
What to check in a policy
| Insurance | Who needs it | What to check | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | vehicle owner | limits, region, excess | 11.10.2026 |
| DASK | property owner | area and address, limit | 11.10.2026 |
| Health for residence | residence applicant | name as in the passport, term not shorter than the permit, cover in Türkiye | 11.10.2026 |
| Kasko | optional | excess, whether glass and damage are included | 11.10.2026 |
| Home | optional | cover above DASK, contents | 11.10.2026 |
Sections
Клиники и больницы
The largest network of private hospitals in Turkey, more than 45 hospitals and clinics. The international department guides patients in more than 20 languages, with consultations and support around the clock.
A network of hospitals with inpatient facilities in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum and other cities. The group's first hospital in Istanbul has been JCI-accredited since 2002.
University hospital on the European side of Istanbul (Bağcılar), serving foreign patients since 2012. Interpreters in Arabic, English, Russian, French and German are available around the clock.
Private multi-specialty hospital in the Ulus district (Beşiktaş); the Liv Hospital group has a separate program for foreign patients and a website in several languages.
A large network of private hospitals across Turkey. The international patient center receives inquiries in English and Arabic, and there are separate lines for patients from different countries.
Private multi-specialty hospital on the Asian side of Istanbul (Ümraniye); work with foreign patients and second medical opinion.
Private hospital in Istanbul with a team of 32 doctors; for foreign patients there is a website in Russian and a free second medical opinion.
The oldest private hospital in Istanbul (since 1920), JCI-accredited. No entry found in the published ministry of health list on medical tourism.
A Memorial network hospital in Antalya: a multi-specialty inpatient facility and IVF center, accepts foreign patients.
The first private IVF center on the Turkish Mediterranean (since 2000); a team of 50 staff, including embryologists.
A clinic in Antalya specializing in dentistry and implantation; website and appointments in Russian and German.
A private hospital in the center of Alanya; the international department serves patients in English, Arabic and Russian.
Başkent University Training and Research Hospital in Alanya.
A private multi-specialty hospital in Mersin; the international department works on a one-stop-shop basis and accompanies foreign patients.
A private hospital in Mersin; interpreter services in English, Arabic and Russian are available for foreign patients.
Acıbadem Group hospital in Çiğli (Izmir), since 2004; accepts foreign patients.
Group of private hospitals in Izmir (Konak); the international department accepts patients in English and Turkish.
Acıbadem Group hospital in Bodrum, operates around the clock; according to the clinic, accepts patients with private medical insurance.
Memorial network hospital in Bodrum (Muğla province). Multidisciplinary hospital of the Memorial Group; accepts foreign patients.
Private clinic in Bodrum with a Russian-language website and reception; round-the-clock care.
Private clinic in Bodrum; no entry found in the published Ministry of Health list on medical tourism.
Private multidisciplinary hospital in Ankara (Kavaklıdere); a separate international department with admission in Russian, English, Arabic and French.
Private hospital of the Medicana Group in Ankara (İncek); the international department accepts patients from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Hospital of the Acıbadem Group in Ankara. Multi-specialty inpatient facility; part of the Acıbadem Healthcare Group network.
Hospital of the Memorial network in Ankara. Multi-specialty inpatient facility of the Memorial group; accepts international patients.
Стоматологии и лаборатории
Dental clinic in Istanbul (Şişli) accepting international patients in English, German and Arabic.
Dental clinic in Alanya with its own laboratory; website in Russian, English and German.
Laboratory network in Turkey (since 1976), cooperates with the Mayo Clinic laboratory; the Ministry of Health does not include laboratories in the medical tourism list.
SYNLAB laboratory network in Turkey: biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, genetics.
Reference laboratory of the Acıbadem group in Istanbul, authorized for medical tourism.
Страховые компании
Insurance company from the list of licensed organizations of the regulator SEDDK; a private health insurance policy for a residence permit is arranged through the company and its agents.
Insurer of the Allianz group, included in the list of licensed SEDDK organizations.
One of the oldest insurers in Turkey, included in the SEDDK list.
Turkish subsidiary of the Mapfre group, included in the SEDDK list; website in Turkish and English.
Insurer, included in the list of licensed SEDDK organizations.
HDI Sigorta is a Turkish insurance company and part of the German HDI group. It is listed among the insurers licensed by the Turkish regulator SEDDK.
Insurer, included in the list of licensed SEDDK organizations.
Turkish subsidiary of the Sompo group, included in the SEDDK list; website in Turkish and English.
The largest universal insurer in Turkey, included in the SEDDK list.
Turkish subsidiary of the Zurich group, included in the SEDDK list.
Life and pension insurance company, is on the SEDDK list.
Insurer of the BNP Paribas Cardif group, is on the SEDDK list.
Life and pension insurance company, is on the SEDDK list.
Digital insurer with online processing, is on the SEDDK list.
Insurer, is on the list of licensed organizations of SEDDK.
Insurer, is on the list of licensed organizations of SEDDK.
Insurer, is on the list of licensed organizations of SEDDK.
Joint company of Bupa and Acıbadem, specializes in medical insurance; is on the SEDDK list.
Insurer, included in SEDDK's list of licensed organizations.
Insurer with online issuance, included in the SEDDK list.