A frequent question before buying: how do I pay and is my card accepted? The good news is that buying the residence policy online is simple and fast, and the payment methods are varied. In this guide, we explain the residence insurance payment methods for 2026 in detail; what to do if your card does not work, the refund policy and safe payment.
Available Payment Methods
With the Yab Sigorta app, you can pay in these ways:
- International Visa and Mastercard cards.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Other cards such as Amex and Mada where they are accepted internationally.
Payment is a single, upfront amount; installments generally do not exist in mandatory insurance. As soon as the payment is made, the official policy arrives by email.
If Your Local Card Is Not Accepted
Some local cards or cards from certain countries may not work internationally due to restrictions beyond our control — this is a problem with the card itself, not the service. In this case, use an international card or Apple/Google Pay linked to a suitable card.
If you reside in Turkey, a Turkish bank card fully solves the problem and works with all local services. Knowing that the refusal comes from the card, and not the app, saves you time — you simply need a suitable card.
If You Have No International Card
If you do not yet have an international card, you have options: payment with the help of a relative who has a suitable international card or Apple/Google Pay; opening an account and a card at a Turkish bank after obtaining residence and a tax number; or using an international card from another country.
What to avoid: giving «cash» money to dubious intermediaries in exchange for a policy; the risk of getting an invalid policy is high. The safest is to officially buy the policy as soon as a suitable payment method is available.
The Most Convenient Option: a Turkish Card
For those who stay long, a Turkish card solves the payment of insurance, rent, bills and daily purchases. Turkish bank cards and the Apple/Google Pay based on them work with all local services.
Depending on the bank, it is opened after obtaining residence and a tax number. But to buy the policy itself, a Turkish card is not required — any international card or Apple/Google Pay is enough; the policy is issued with the passport, the YKN or the tax number.
If the Payment Fails: Solutions
Sometimes, even with a suitable card, the payment fails. Frequent causes and solutions: the bank blocks the international transaction for security — call the bank or enable international transactions in its app; the balance is insufficient with the exchange difference — top up the account; the card does not support 3D-Secure online payment — ask the bank to enable it.
If you use Apple/Google Pay, make sure the linked card is international, not a blocked local one. The problem is usually resolved on your bank's side, not the app's; otherwise, try another international card.
Refund Policy
After the policy is issued, there is no refund — only if there is an error on the policy are the data corrected and the policy reissued free of charge.
So check your data upon receipt: name, passport/YKN number and start and end dates. An early check allows you to request a correction before the application.
A Single Payment, Not Installments
Mandatory residence insurance is paid in a single, upfront amount for the whole policy term (one or two years); there is generally no installment. When you choose a two-year policy, you pay the full amount at once, but this is generally lower than two separate one-year payments.
This differs from the SGK, which is a continuous monthly contribution; the private policy is just a single commitment at the time of issuance.
Pay Safely, Only via the Official App
Avoid paying «cash» to dubious intermediaries or to a personal card without an official receipt. Buy the policy through the official app of the authorized agent Yab Sigorta; you get an official policy with a verification code and correct data — with no intermediary and no risk.
The official payment is recorded and the policy arrives by email with a verification code. If you are asked to «finalize the payment outside the app», that is a serious warning sign.
How to Pay Step by Step
Steps: download the Yab Sigorta app, enter your data and choose the term, pay in one go by international card or Apple/Google Pay; the official policy (PDF with a verification code and electronic signature) arrives by email in a few minutes.
Make sure the policy start date coincides with the start of the residence and check the data upon receipt.
Currency and Confirmation
When paying by international card, your bank may convert the transaction into your currency and a small conversion difference may appear; this is normal. Make sure your balance covers this difference so the payment is not refused.
Once the payment is confirmed, the policy is issued immediately and arrives by email. If the confirmation does not arrive, check with the bank the status of the international transaction and 3D-Secure, then try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the residence insurance payment methods?
With the Yab Sigorta app: international Visa and Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and other cards such as Amex and Mada where they are accepted internationally, in one go and upfront.
What do I do if my card is not accepted?
Some local cards do not work internationally. Use an international card or Apple/Google Pay, or a Turkish bank card if you have one.
What do I do if I have no international card?
With the help of a relative via a suitable card, after residence with a Turkish bank account, or with an international card from another country. Avoid dubious intermediaries.
Is a Turkish card required to buy the policy?
No, any international card or Apple/Google Pay is enough. A Turkish card is convenient for general life, but not required.
Why does the payment fail even with a suitable card?
Usually the bank blocks the international transaction, 3D-Secure is disabled, or the balance is insufficient with the exchange difference. It is resolved on the bank's side; try another card.
Is the insurance amount refundable?
After issuance there is no refund, only if there is an error on the policy is it corrected and reissued free of charge.
Is insurance paid in installments?
Generally no; mandatory insurance is paid in one go and upfront for the whole term. A two-year policy is a single payment but lower than two one-year policies.
Is cash payment to intermediaries safe?
No, avoid it. Pay only via the official app to get an official policy with a verification code.
How do I pay step by step?
Download the app, enter your data and choose the term, pay by international card or Apple/Google Pay; the policy arrives by email in a few minutes.
What does finalizing the payment outside the app mean?
It is a serious sign of possible fraud. Pay only through the official channel to get a recorded policy with a verification code.
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