You usually need to provide proof of health insurance if you’re applying for a Turkish visa or residence permit.

The type of insurance depends on how long you are staying:

• For up to 90 days (Visitor/Sticker Visas): You must have valid Travel Medical Insurance covering your entire stay in Türkiye, with a minimum coverage of usually €30,000.

• For more than 90 days (Residence Permits): You must have comprehensive Private Health Insurance issued by a Turkish insurance company, valid for the full length of your requested permit.

If you are applying for an e-Visa, you do not need to upload an insurance document during the online application, but you are legally required to have travel health insurance when you cross the Turkish border.

Who does not need private health insurance

You will not need to buy a private health insurance policy for your residence permit application if any of the following apply to you:

• you are under 18 or over 65 years old

• you have a valid Work Permit (your employer will automatically register you with the state health system, SGK)

• your home country has a bilateral social security agreement with Türkiye, and you have obtained an activation document (Provizyon Belgesi) from the Turkish Social Security Institution (SGK)

• you are an international student who has enrolled in the state SGK system within 3 months of your university registration date

• you are applying for a long-term (permanent) residence permit and are already actively paying into the state SGK system

• you are a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces

• you are an asylum seeker, a refugee, or under international/temporary protection (healthcare is provided by the state)

• you have been identified as a victim of human trafficking

Even if you are exempt from private health insurance, you will still need to pay for any private hospital care you receive out of pocket, or use state hospitals according to your SGK coverage.

Visitor visas and short-term visas

If you are applying for a tourist or business sticker visa at a Consulate, you must provide your Travel Medical Insurance policy with your application documents.

If you do not have insurance, or if your insurance expires while you are in Türkiye, you will need to pay for any medical care you get at the point you use it. Healthcare for foreigners without insurance in Türkiye can be very expensive.