Before buying residence insurance, it is useful to know exactly what it covers and does not cover — so as not to be surprised at the doctor's. Coverage is set by the state and identical across all approved companies; a «more expensive» policy does not mean wider coverage. In this guide, we explain the coverage for 2026, point by point, with limits and examples.
What the Coverage Is Based On
The minimum coverage is set by the state and updated by periodic circulars. The current minimum-coverage regulation is Circular 2024/34, in force since 1 April 2025 (it replaced the 2016/16 and 2021/8 versions). Fundamental principle: coverage is identical across all approved companies and cannot be expanded or reduced — it is a standard, mandatory product. Only the price and the network size vary.
Looking for the «best coverage» in a residence policy therefore makes no sense — it is everywhere the same. What matters is finding a reasonable price and a convenient hospital network.
Outpatient Care
Outpatient care (without hospitalization) includes consultation, tests, X-ray, diagnosis, prescription medicines related to the treatment, physiotherapy (15 sessions) and minor procedures. The annual limit is about 15,000 TL. Your share: 20% at a contracted hospital, 40% at a non-contracted one.
Example: if a consultation and tests at a contracted clinic cost 1,500 TL, the company pays 1,200 and you pay 300 (20%), deducted from the annual limit. The limit renews each year with a new policy.
Inpatient Care
Inpatient care (with a stay) includes surgery, in-hospital drug treatment, room, stay, intensive care, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis. At contracted hospitals, it is covered without a limit (your share 0%), which lifts the heaviest financial burden of serious illnesses.
At non-contracted hospitals, it is covered up to 150,000 TL with a 20% share. Intensive care is limited to 100 days per year. The unlimited inpatient coverage in the contracted network is the greatest value of this policy.
Public City Hospitals
Since 1 April 2025, the policy is also valid at contracted public city hospitals (Şehir Hastanesi): outpatient care there is covered up to 15,000 TL (80%) and inpatient up to 250,000 TL (100%).
This widened access to the large public hospitals of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Mersin, Bursa and other cities; it offered more options for getting treatment with the policy.
What the Policy Does Not Cover
It is important to know the limits:
- Pregnancy and childbirth — not covered.
- Dental care — not covered, except after a traffic accident.
- Prescription medicines outside treatment (for example permanent chronic medicines) — outside coverage.
- The policy is valid only in Turkey.
If wider coverage is needed (dental, pregnancy, permanent medicine), this is then optional private health insurance or the SGK, not the mandatory residence policy.
Waiting Periods
The policy has waiting periods: half the term for outpatient, three quarters for non-contracted inpatient. In other words, at the start of the term, planned treatment may be limited.
Important exception: emergencies are covered immediately and cannot be excluded by a waiting period. In a sudden acute condition, the policy therefore works from the first day.
Examples: What You Pay in Different Cases
Concrete cases: a 1,500 TL consultation and tests at a contracted clinic: you pay 300 (20%). The same amount at a non-contracted one: you pay 600 (40%) and are reimbursed.
Surgery at a contracted hospital: covered without a limit, 0% share. Surgery at a non-contracted one: up to 150,000 TL with a 20% share. These examples show why choosing a contracted hospital directly affects your cost.
Is the Hospital in the Network, How to Tell
Before your visit, always check whether the hospital is on your insurance company's list of contracted institutions (anlaşmalı kurumlar). The list is published on the company's website and updated periodically; do not rely on old information.
If you plan to be treated at a specific clinic or hospital, choose the company that has it in its network. That way, instead of paying the full amount and requesting reimbursement at a higher rate, you pay only your share (20% outpatient).
Can the Coverage Be Expanded
No, the coverage of the mandatory residence policy cannot be expanded — it is a standard product with fixed conditions, identical across all companies. Offers of an «expanded policy for residence» are unnecessary for the requirement itself.
If genuinely wider protection is needed, there are two paths: optional private health insurance (wider coverage and a different price) or the SGK. But for the residence requirement, the standard policy is enough.
Residence Policy, Not Travel Insurance
A common confusion is mixing up the residence policy with travel insurance. Travel insurance is cheaper but is not valid for residence and leads to rejection. The residence policy is called «yabancı sağlık sigortası» and includes the statement of compliance with the coverage.
When buying, therefore, make sure you request an actual residence policy. This mistake looks like a «cheap policy», but it is a different product that does not satisfy the Migration Office requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the outpatient care limit?
About 15,000 TL per year (circular 2024/34, since 1 April 2025). The share is 20% at a contracted hospital and 40% at a non-contracted one.
Is inpatient care covered in full?
At a contracted hospital yes, without a limit and without a share. At a non-contracted one, up to 150,000 TL with a 20% share. Intensive care is limited to 100 days per year.
Are pregnancy and dental care covered?
No, pregnancy, childbirth and dental care are not included in the mandatory residence policy (except dental care after a traffic accident).
Is the policy valid at public hospitals?
Yes, since April 2025 at contracted public city hospitals: outpatient up to 15,000 TL (80%), inpatient up to 250,000 TL (100%).
What is the waiting period?
The period at the start of the policy where planned treatment is limited: half for outpatient, three quarters for non-contracted inpatient. Emergencies are covered immediately.
What is the cost difference between contracted and non-contracted?
At a contracted one you pay less (20% outpatient, 0% inpatient) and the company pays directly; at a non-contracted one you pay more (40%/20%) and are reimbursed.
Are medicines covered?
Medicines related to the treatment are covered within the set limits; permanent medicines outside treatment are outside coverage. For wide coverage, the SGK is to be considered.
Can the policy's coverage be expanded?
No, it is a standard mandatory product. For wider protection, there is optional private health insurance or the SGK.
Is the policy valid outside Turkey?
No, the residence policy is valid only in Turkey.
Does the coverage depend on the policy price?
No, coverage is identical across all approved companies; a higher price does not mean wider coverage — only the network and tariff vary.
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