Health Insurance for International Students

By law, you must have health insurance covering health costs for the duration of your stay in Turkey. It is not only for your own safety, but also mandatory to have a health insurance to obtain a residence permit, as well. Before arriving, you are advised to check your current health insurance, if applicable.

• Students from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card allows you to receive medical care in the Turkey. You can apply for an EHIC card, free of charge, by contacting your local health authority/national health service, or your health insurance provider. It can take a few weeks for your card to arrive, so be sure to apply for it well before coming to Turkey.
  
  
• All other international students must arrange health insurance either through their current health insurer or by arranging private health insurance.

Health Insurance System in Turkey

There are 2 two different types of health insurance in Turkey; one is state provided General Health Insurance (GSS) and the other is private health insurance provided by private insurance companies. 

If you don’t have the right health insurance for your situation, you risk facing expensive health costs. If you need medical care while uninsured, you must pay the costs yourself.

Health insurance is not a guarantee of free services. Each country’s healthcare system is different, so you might have to pay for services in Turkey that are free in your home country, even if you have insurance. 

What Happens If You Don’t Have Health Insurance

If you do not have health insurance, you will not be able to obtain a residence permit; therefore, you will not be able to pursue your studies in Turkey. Therefore, please review the detailed information about General Health Insurance and Private Health Insurance below and follow the required procedures to obtain a health insurance.

State-Provided General Health Insurance

General health insurance (GSS) is a health coverage provided by the Social Security Institution (SGK) in Turkey, aiming to provide health security for every individual residing in the country. Foreign national students who wish to have general health insurance can apply to SGK within the first 3 months from the date of their university registration, even if they have not obtained a foreign identity number.

Students with GSS (General Health Insurance) can benefit from state hospitals free of charge; however, there is a possibility of encountering language issues in these hospitals. You can also receive a certain amount of discount in private hospitals with GSS. However, it's essential to be aware that the cost you incur may vary depending on the pricing policies of these hospitals. Some private hospitals operate under comprehensive agreements with SGK insurance, while others may involve additional expenses not covered by SGK insurance. It is advisable to review the agreements of the private hospitals you intend to visit with SGK before scheduling an appointment.

For student preferring GSS a monthly payment may be required. Payments can be made through banks, ATMs, and online banking. Interest may accrue on unpaid premiums. Students who wish to obtain GSS can seek assistance from the International Office for guidance on the application process. 

Foreign national students who miss the first three months of the initial registration at the school can apply to the Social Security Centers in the provinces or districts to become a general health insurance holder after completing one year of residence in Turkey. Within this scope, individuals considered as general health insurance holders are required to pay the monthly premiums determined for the relevant year. Those who apply under this scope will continue to be covered by general health insurance as long as they stay in Turkey and cannot terminate their general health insurance unless they have other insurance coverage.

Private Health Insurance

There are many insurance companies in Turkey that provide private health insurance services. These companies can also offer support for residence permit applications in addition to health insurance. Low-coverage insurances made for residence permits may not be sufficient in case of a health issue; therefore, it is advisable to pay attention to the coverage of the insurance you choose.

Students who wish to obtain private health insurance can seek assistance from the International Office for guidance on the health insurance application process. Additionally, you have the option to independently search and find other insurance companies. In this case, make sure to inform them about your intention to apply for a residence permit, and ensure that your insurance policy is issued accordingly to meet the necessary requirements

We would like to remind that the responsibility for health insurance lies with the student, and all procedures should be followed by the student themselves with the relevant institutions. It is essential to carefully choose the coverage of the policy.