Ankara, the capital, is a city where many foreigners live and file residence applications. For a residence permit, a valid health insurance policy is mandatory. In this detailed guide, we review the price of residence insurance in Ankara in 2026, the up-to-date coverage, contracted hospitals, required documents, payment methods and online issuance.
Why Insurance Is Mandatory in Ankara
Under Law No. 6458 «on Foreigners and International Protection», every foreigner applying for a short-term residence permit (ikamet) in Ankara must hold a private health insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage. This applies to all permit types: tourist, property, student, family.
The policy is attached to the application through the e-ikamet system with its number and the company name; the original may be requested on the appointment day (randevu). The policy is purchased before filling in the application, because its number is entered in the form. Common exception: the spouse of a Turkish citizen with active, debt-free SGK may not need a separate policy.
What the Policy Covers in 2026
Coverage is identical across all approved companies and cannot be expanded or reduced — it is a standard, mandatory product. The current minimum-coverage regulation is Circular 2024/34, in force since 1 April 2025 (it replaced the 2016/16 and 2021/8 versions). Between companies, only the price and the size of the hospital network differ.
- Outpatient care (consultation, tests, X-ray, prescription medicines) — annual limit of about 15,000 TL; your share is 20% at a contracted hospital and 40% at a non-contracted one.
- Inpatient care (surgery, hospital stay, intensive care) — unlimited at contracted hospitals; up to 150,000 TL at non-contracted ones (20% share).
- Intensive care — up to 100 days per year; physiotherapy — 15 sessions.
- Waiting periods: half the term for outpatient, three quarters for non-contracted inpatient; emergencies are covered immediately.
Pregnancy and childbirth, as well as dental care, are not covered (except dental care after a traffic accident). The policy is valid only in Turkey.
How Much Insurance Costs in Ankara
The price does not depend on the neighborhood, but on year of birth and policy term (one or two years). Tariffs are based on age brackets: younger applicants pay less, and above 60–65 the rate rises noticeably. Since coverage is identical, the price difference between companies comes from network size and promotions, not from the «quality» of the policy.
Check your up-to-date price by age in the Yab Sigorta app, which offers instant quotes from several approved companies. If you will soon move to a higher age bracket, a two-year policy locks in the current, lower price for two years.
Contracted Hospitals in Ankara
The policy is valid at private hospitals and medical centers contracted with your company, and since April 2025 at contracted public city hospitals (Şehir Hastanesi) — for example Ankara Bilkent and Etlik City Hospital; there, outpatient care is covered up to 15,000 TL (80%) and inpatient up to 250,000 TL (100%).
At a contracted hospital you pay only your share (20% outpatient, 0% inpatient) and the company pays directly; at a non-contracted one you pay first and are then reimbursed, with a higher share (40%). Before your visit, check the list of contracted institutions (anlaşmalı kurumlar) on your company's website.
Documents and Applying via e-ikamet
Insurance is one of the documents in the residence file. Usually required: the e-ikamet application form, passport and a copy, a biometric photo, proof of address, proof of financial means, fee receipts, and the insurance policy. The exact list is generated by the system according to the permit type.
Order: you buy the policy → fill in the e-ikamet form → enter the policy number and company → get an appointment (randevu) → attend with the originals. That is why the policy is bought first. Bring a printout of the policy to the appointment (the first pages with the data and the verification code are usually enough).
Payment Methods
With the Yab Sigorta app you can pay by international Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay, as well as cards such as Amex where they are accepted internationally. Some local cards may not work internationally due to restrictions beyond our control — this is a problem with the card, not the service.
Payment is a single, upfront amount; installments generally do not exist in mandatory insurance. After issuance there is no refund; only if there is an error on the policy is it corrected and reissued free of charge — so check your data immediately.
Common Mistakes and Avoiding Rejection
Most rejections come not from the policy itself, but from the issuance details. Before applying, check:
- The policy start date matches the residence start date (and, at renewal, the expiry of the current permit).
- The name and passport/YKN number are error-free and match the passport.
- The policy is from an authorized agent, with a verification code and electronic signature.
- It is a residence policy with the coverage statement, not travel insurance.
If there is an error, the data is corrected and the policy reissued free of charge. Buying through an official app automatically rules out most of these risks.
When to Buy the Policy
The policy is bought before filling in the e-ikamet form, because its number is entered there. The start date must match the start date of the requested residence. If the appointment (randevu) is late, that is no problem: the policy is valid from its start date, and the appointment is only a document check.
At renewal, the policy starts on the expiry date of your current permit; so buy it a few weeks before the permit expires to avoid any coverage gap.
Family Insurance in Ankara
Each family member is insured with a separate policy according to their year of birth — there is no single «family» policy at a flat price. A separate policy is issued for spouses and for each child; children's prices depend on their year of birth and are usually lower.
You can issue the policies of all members one after another in a single app; make sure each policy's start date matches the residence start date of the person concerned. For a large family, compare the total of the policies with the monthly SGK contribution × 12.
Residence Policy, Not Travel Insurance
A common mistake is buying travel insurance instead of a residence policy. 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 minimum coverage.
When buying, therefore, make sure you request an actual residence policy, not travel insurance. From the outside this mistake looks like a «cheap policy», but it is a different product that does not satisfy the Migration Office requirement.
Where to Buy Safely
The safest way is to buy through the official app of the authorized agent Yab Sigorta: you get an official policy with a verification code and electronic signature, correct coverage and accurate dates — ready for the application, with no intermediary and no risk of forgery.
Beware of «very cheap» offers on social media; since coverage is identical, a suspiciously low price usually points to forgery or the wrong product. Buying directly through the official channel also protects you from hidden commissions: you pay only the company's tariff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is insurance mandatory for residence in Ankara?
Yes, to obtain and renew a short-term residence permit in Ankara a private health insurance policy with minimum coverage is required; its number appears in the e-ikamet application.
How much is insurance in Ankara?
The price depends on year of birth and policy term, not on the neighborhood. The up-to-date price is shown in the Yab Sigorta app.
In which hospitals is the policy valid in Ankara?
At contracted private hospitals and, since April 2025, at contracted public city hospitals such as Ankara Bilkent and Etlik City Hospital. The list is on your company's website.
What is the difference between a contracted and non-contracted hospital?
At a contracted hospital you pay only your share (20% outpatient, 0% inpatient) and the company pays directly; at a non-contracted one you pay first and are then reimbursed, with a higher share (40%).
What documents besides insurance are required?
Usually: e-ikamet form, passport and copy, biometric photo, proof of address and means, fee receipts, and the policy.
Can I buy with just the passport?
Yes, with the passport, the YKN or the tax number — any one of them is enough.
How do I pay if my card does not work?
By international card or Apple/Google Pay, or by a Turkish bank card after obtaining residence. Some local cards do not work internationally.
When should I buy the policy?
Before filling in the e-ikamet form, because its number is entered there. The start date matches the residence start; at renewal, the expiry of the current permit.
Is a single policy possible for the whole family?
No, each member is insured with a separate policy by year of birth, children included. They are issued one after another in a single app.
Are pregnancy or dental care covered?
No (except dental care after a traffic accident).
What is the difference between a residence policy and travel insurance?
A residence policy satisfies the requirement and includes the coverage statement; travel insurance is cheaper but invalid for residence and leads to rejection.
What do I do if there is an error on the policy?
Contact the insurer; the data is corrected and the policy reissued free of charge. Check the data immediately.
How do I avoid forged policies?
Buy through the official app of an authorized agent; an authentic policy carries a verification code and an electronic signature.
Is a refund possible?
After issuance there is no refund, only if there is an error on the policy is it corrected and reissued free of charge.
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