When renewing your residence permit in Turkey, you must buy new insurance — the old policy ends with your current permit. Many make a date and term error here that leads to rejection. In this guide, we explain how to buy the insurance at renewal in 2026 so it is accepted on the first try, with price, documents and payment.
Why a New Policy at Renewal
The residence policy is issued precisely for the duration of the residence. At renewal, you need a new policy covering the new duration. The Migration Office checks that the insurance covers the entire requested renewal period; without that, the application is not accepted.
«Extending» the old policy mid-term is not possible; a new policy is issued for the new term. So plan it before the renewal application via e-ikamet, because its number is entered in the form.
Which Date the Policy Starts On
This is the most important point: at renewal, the new policy must start on the expiry date of your current permit — that is, the new one starts where the old one ends, without a gap or overlap. A wrong start date is the most frequent cause of rejection at renewal.
The common mistake is to enter as the start date the day of the application or the appointment, and not the expiry date of the current permit. So before paying, look at the expiry date of your current permit and use it as the start date of the new policy.
For What Term to Buy It
The policy must cover the duration of the requested renewal — usually one or two years. If you renew for two years, a two-year policy is generally more advantageous than two successive years and locks in the price against the annual increase. For one year, a one-year policy.
Determine the duration of your renewal in advance, because the policy term and the total price depend on it.
The Price at Renewal
The price is calculated as at the first purchase — by year of birth and term. If you have moved to a higher age bracket, it may rise slightly compared with the previous time. Coverage does not change — it is standard across all approved companies.
Check the up-to-date price by age in the Yab Sigorta app; compare one and two years and choose the more advantageous, especially if you are close to a higher age bracket.
Documents and the Renewal Application
For renewal via e-ikamet, usually required: application form, valid passport, current permit, biometric photo, proof of address and means, fee receipts and the new policy for the renewal period. The exact list is generated by the system.
Order: buy the new policy (start date = expiry of the current permit) → fill in the renewal form → enter the policy number → appointment → attend with the originals. Do not leave the renewal to the last day, do it early.
Payment and Refund
The new policy is paid like the first — in one go, via the Yab Sigorta app by international Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If your local card does not work due to restrictions, use an international card or a Turkish bank card.
After issuance there is no refund, only if there is an error on the policy is it corrected free of charge. At renewal, check the start date in particular; that is where the error is most frequent.
How Renewal Differs from the First Time
The main difference is the start date: at the first purchase, it matches the start of the residence; at renewal, to avoid a gap, the expiry of the current permit. The purchase process and the coverage are identical.
Another difference: if you have moved to a higher age bracket, the price may vary slightly. At renewal, it is therefore useful to compare one and two years again; sometimes a two-year policy saves money by locking in the price.
Common Renewal Scenarios
Scenario 1: your permit expires in a month — buy a new policy with start date = expiry of the current permit and apply for renewal early. Scenario 2: you renew for two years — to lock in the price and not reissue after a year, get a two-year policy.
Scenario 3: you have moved to a higher age bracket — the price has risen; here a two-year policy bought early saves money. In all cases, the rule is the same: start of the new = expiry of the current, without a gap.
Common Mistakes at Renewal
The most frequent mistakes: wrong start date (entering the day of the application instead of the permit expiry), leaving it to the last day, name or number errors, or a term that does not cover the whole renewal. All lead to rejection or delay.
To avoid them, check the date, the data and the term before paying. If there is an error, the policy is corrected free of charge. Buying through an official app reduces these risks.
Family Renewal Note
If the family renews together, a separate new policy is needed for each member; each one's start date must match the expiry of their own current permit. A separate policy is issued for everyone, children included.
You can issue the policies one after another in a single app and check each one's date and data separately. For a large family, comparing the renewal cost with the monthly SGK contribution × 12 is still worthwhile.
Buy Safely for the Renewal
Buy the renewal policy through the official app of the authorized agent Yab Sigorta; you get an official policy with a verification code and the correct start date, ready for the application. Avoid dubious cheap offers.
Make sure it is an actual residence policy (yabancı sağlık sigortası), not travel insurance, and that your data matches the passport — these are the most frequent error points at renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which date does the policy start on at renewal?
The expiry date of the current permit — the new one starts where the old one ends, without a gap. A wrong date is a frequent cause of rejection at renewal.
Is a new policy needed at each renewal?
Yes, the policy is issued for the duration of the residence; at renewal, a new policy covering the new duration is needed. Extending the old one mid-term is not possible.
For what term should I buy at renewal?
For the duration of the renewal — usually one or two years, so as to cover the entire requested duration.
Does the price change from the previous time?
If you have moved to a higher age bracket, it may rise slightly. Coverage does not change. Check the up-to-date price in the app.
What documents for the renewal?
Usually: e-ikamet form, valid passport, current permit, photo, proof of address and means, fee receipts and the new policy.
How do I pay the renewal policy?
In one go by international card or Apple/Google Pay via the app. A refund is only possible if there is an error on the policy.
What do I do if my permit expires very soon?
Buy a new policy with start date = expiry of the current permit and apply for renewal early, not on the last day.
What is the difference between renewal and first purchase?
The main difference is the start date: at renewal, the expiry of the current permit. The process and coverage are identical, the price may vary slightly with age.
Is the renewal policy bought online?
Yes, in a few minutes, and it arrives by email as an official PDF.
What are the most frequent mistakes at renewal?
Wrong start date, leaving it to the last day, data errors, or a term that does not cover the whole renewal. Check before paying.
How do the policies look at family renewal?
A separate new policy per member; each one's start date matches their permit expiry. They are issued one after another in a single app.
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