Health insurance for foreigners

2026-10-08 · Author: Grand Emlak

For foreigners staying long in Antalya, health insurance is an indispensable part of the residence permit file; this guide uses official sources only.

What the law says

Under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, foreigners who own immovable property in Türkiye may be granted a short-term residence permit; the nature and value of the property required for this purpose are set by the Ministry. The law states that no visa is issued to those without valid health insurance covering their stay; that for a family residence permit the sponsor must have health insurance covering all family members; and that valid health insurance is a condition for transition to a long-term residence permit. Source: Law No. 6458, arts. 15, 31, 35 and 43 (mevzuat.gov.tr), accessed 08.10.2026

Which document does the Migration Authority accept?

According to the short-term residence permit document list published in the Migration Authority's e-İkamet system, "valid health insurance" must cover the requested permit period, and any one of the following suffices: a document from the provincial social security unit showing entitlement to healthcare in Türkiye under a bilateral social security agreement; a provision document issued by SGK; a document showing an application to SGK to become a general health insurance holder; or a private health insurance policy. The first page of the policy, showing the policy number, is presented at the application. The same four options appear on the long-term residence permit list. Source: Migration Authority e-İkamet, short-term document list, long-term document list, accessed 08.10.2026

Student residence permits differ: because students who request it are brought under general health insurance within three months of their enrolment date, no separate valid health insurance is required of them; however, after obtaining general health insurance within those three months they must notify the authority. Source: Migration Authority e-İkamet, student document list, accessed 08.10.2026

Option 1: private "foreigner health insurance"

The minimum content of private health insurance taken out for visas and residence permits is set by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK). The agency's legislation page publishes Circular 2016/16 on Health Insurance to be Taken Out for Visa and Residence Permit Applications, together with the amending circulars 2021/8 and 2024/34. Source: SEDDK circulars, communiqués and sector announcements, accessed 08.10.2026

According to SEDDK's statement reported by Anadolu Agency, amending circular 2024/34 reset the annual minimum coverage limits at contracted and non-contracted health institutions in line with current conditions, defined separate limits for 20 public hospitals nationwide, and ruled that healthcare for acute illnesses cannot be excluded from coverage; the circular entered into force on 1 April 2025. Because the limit amounts change over time, check the current text of the circular and the date of the source before buying a policy. Source: Anadolu Agency (SEDDK statement, 28.12.2024), accessed 08.10.2026

Option 2: SGK general health insurance

Under Law No. 5510, subject to reciprocity, foreign nationals holding a residence permit who are not insured under the legislation of a foreign country are deemed general health insurance holders. When such persons apply after their period of residence in Türkiye has exceeded one year, they become insured from the day following the date of application. Source: Law No. 5510, arts. 60/1-d and 61/1-c (mevzuat.gov.tr), accessed 08.10.2026

For the premium, the thirty-day amount of twice the lower limit of daily earnings subject to premium is taken as the basis for these persons; the premium rate for those subject only to general health insurance is 12 percent of earnings subject to premium. As the lower limit changes every year with the minimum wage, obtain the current amount from SGK. Before the one-year period is complete, a private policy is generally needed for the residence permit; a document showing an application to SGK is also among the options accepted on the Migration Authority's list. Source: Law No. 5510, arts. 80 and 81 (mevzuat.gov.tr), Migration Authority e-İkamet, accessed 08.10.2026

International protection applicants

The law provides that international protection applicants who have no health cover and no means to pay are subject to Law No. 5510 for one year from the registration of their application; the one-year limit does not apply to persons with special needs, and premiums are met from the Migration Authority's budget. Source: Law No. 6458, art. 89 (mevzuat.gov.tr), accessed 08.10.2026

Using your policy in Antalya

If you hold a private policy, the list of contracted institutions is decisive; Antalya's large private hospitals state on their websites that they have agreements with many domestic and foreign insurers, and the regulation of 26 April 2025 requires facilities admitting international patients to set up a patient unit with foreign-language staff. For hospital and accreditation details see the hospital article in our Living in Antalya series. Source: Medical Park Antalya Hospital, Official Gazette, 26.04.2025, accessed 08.10.2026

Legislation and limits may change; confirm the current circular with an adviser or lawyer, and see our citizenship and residence permit guide.

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