Health Insurance for Students in Türkiye (SGK)
Health-insurance options for international students in Türkiye, how SGK coverage works for scholarship holders, and how to arrange private or general health insurance.
Reviewed · August 17, 2026Guide contents
Health insurance is a core requirement in the residence-permit process for international students in Türkiye. Options and procedures differ between Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) students and self-funded students.
Check with YTB, SGK, or Migration Management, and check the terms of the insurance policy itself before relying on it; coverage, premiums, and the activation process can change, and a policy's administrative validity does not mean it provides adequate medical coverage.
Health insurance for Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) students
- 1
Registration in GSS
Scholarship students are included in the General Health Insurance system (Genel Sağlık Sigortası – GSS) under the Turkish Social Security Institution (SGK), with the scholarship covering the premiums.
- 2
Activation Procedures
Complete official university registration, upload the student certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi) to the YTB system, and wait for YTB administration to activate the scholarship. Confirm the sequence and timing through the scholarship account or coordinator.
- 3
Check insurance status
You can check through e‑Devlet by searching for Genel Sağlık Sigortası services, or visit an SGK branch and provide your foreign identity number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası).
- 4
Scope of coverage
GSS covers treatment at government and university hospitals for free or with a limited contribution for some services and medications. Check service eligibility and the required contribution before treatment.
Verified on August 17, 2026
Summary for a YTB student: the scholarship handles the general insurance procedures, and the student does not pay the premiums. Still, verify the actual activation status on e-Devlet or with SGK before you need treatment.
First self-funded option: private health insurance
- 1
Why might it be required?
Valid health insurance must cover the requested residence-permit period. A private health-insurance policy (Özel Sağlık Sigortası) meeting the requirements may be used in the residence-permit file.
- 2
Private insurance with substantive medical coverage
Offered by licensed insurance companies, and may cover treatment at contracted private hospitals within the policy's limits and exclusions. Examples of licensed companies include Allianz, AXA, and Anadolu Sigorta, without this being a recommendation of any specific company.
- 3
Low-coverage policies intended for residence applications
There are cheap policies marketed solely to get a residence-permit file accepted, and their coverage may be very limited or restricted to specific cases. Read the benefits and exclusions schedule and do not rely on them for treatment just because they are administratively accepted.
Verified on August 17, 2026
Steps for obtaining private health insurance
- 1
Contact a licensed provider
Contact an insurer or authorized agent and verify the license and policy details.
- 2
Request the appropriate policy
Request foreign-national health insurance for residence purposes (Yabancı Sağlık Sigortası—İkamet) covering the required period, and ask clearly about treatment limits and exclusions.
- 3
Review price and coverage
Premiums vary by age, company, and coverage. Compare benefits—not price alone—before paying.
- 4
Receive and submit the policy
Verify the name, passport number, and coverage period, then submit the policy in the residence file according to the responsible authority’s instructions.
Second self-funded option: General Health Insurance (GSS)
- 1
Who can apply?
An international student enrolled at a Turkish higher-education institution may apply to join GSS subject to the official conditions.
- 2
Official deadline
Enrollment must be requested within three months of initial university registration. A student who does not apply within that period loses this right and must obtain private health insurance for residence procedures.
- 3
Cost
The state sets the premium and it may change annually. Do not rely on an old figure; ask SGK for the current amount and payment method.
- 4
Scope of coverage
GSS provides access to public health-system services and university hospitals subject to SGK rules, contributions, and applicable exclusions.
Verified on August 5, 2026Source
Steps for self-funded GSS enrollment
- 1
Prepare your documents
Obtain a student certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi) from your university and prepare your foreign identity number and any additional documents requested by SGK.
- 2
Visit an SGK branch
Visit the responsible SGK branch in your city within three months of initial registration.
- 3
Submit the student GSS application
Request enrollment in General Health Insurance as an international student and make sure you receive proof of the application or activation.
- 4
Pay premiums and track the status
After approval, follow SGK's payment instructions. Payment is usually possible through government banks such as Ziraat Bank or Halkbank; confirm the current payment channel with SGK.
Brief comparison of the options
- 1
Scholarship insurance (GSS)
For YTB students; free and activated through the scholarship provider, covering government and university system services under SGK rules.
- 2
Substantive private insurance
For self-funded students; its cost ranges from moderate to high, and it may cover contracted private hospitals depending on the policy.
- 3
Low-coverage residence policy
It costs less, but coverage may be extremely limited; it should not be relied upon for medical protection without understanding the benefits and exclusions.
- 4
Public insurance (GSS) for self-funded students
It has a recurring state-set premium, covers public-system and university services under SGK rules, and must be requested within the official deadline.
Verified on August 17, 2026
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