Foreign students in Turkey obtain a student residence permit, which requires health insurance. Students' questions: is there a discount, student SGK or a private policy, and what documents are required? In this guide, we explain student residence insurance for 2026 in detail: price, discounts, coverage, documents and purchase.
Does a Student Need Insurance for Residence
Yes, student residence requires a valid health insurance policy. The student has an alternative: within the first three months after first registration, the foreign student can join the SGK with a reduced student tariff.
If this deadline is missed or you prefer the private policy, a private residence policy (often with a student discount) is purchased normally. So the student has two paths; to avoid rushing, decide before applying. The policy is bought before filling in the e-ikamet form, because its number is entered there.
Private Policy or Student SGK
Student SGK offers wider coverage (public hospitals and medicines) at a reduced tariff, but you must join within the first three months and it is a monthly contribution. If the deadline is missed, returning under student conditions is generally difficult.
The private policy, on the other hand, is bought immediately online, paid in one go and is generally cheaper per year for the basic requirement. The choice depends on your need: for regular medicines and wide access to public hospitals, the SGK; for an affordable and immediate policy, the private policy.
Is There a Discount for Students
Yes, many companies offer a reduced-price student tariff; this usually requires a student certificate (öğrenci belgesi) from the university. Since most students are young, the base price is low, and the student tariff makes it even more affordable.
Check up-to-date student prices in the Yab Sigorta app, which compares several approved companies and shows directly the most advantageous one by your age and student status.
What the Student Policy Covers
Coverage is identical to any residence policy. The current minimum-coverage regulation is Circular 2024/34, in force since 1 April 2025 (it replaced the 2016/16 and 2021/8 versions). Outpatient care of about 15,000 TL per year (20%/40% share), inpatient unlimited at contracted hospitals, intensive care 100 days, physiotherapy 15 sessions.
Pregnancy and dental care are not covered (except dental care after an accident). So the student policy does not differ in coverage, only in a possible price discount.
Documents: the Student Certificate
For student residence, usually required: e-ikamet form, passport and copy, biometric photo, admission/enrollment certificate (öğrenci belgesi), proof of address and means, fee receipts. The exact list is generated by the system.
The student certificate is important twice over: for student residence and for the student insurance tariff. So obtain it early from the university.
How Much the Student Policy Costs
The price depends on year of birth and term; with a student certificate, the student tariff reduces it further. For a young student, it is usually the most affordable insurance option.
If you study for several years, compare one and two years: a two-year policy locks in the price and saves you reissuing after a year. Check the up-to-date price in the Yab Sigorta app.
Timing and Deadlines
Timing is important twice over for the student. If you choose the SGK path, you must join within the first three months after first registration — a deadline easy to miss in the bustle of the start of the year, so decide early. If you choose the private policy, buy it before the e-ikamet application, because its number is entered there.
The policy start date must match the start of the student residence. Obtain the student certificate early from the university; it is required both for residence and for the student tariff.
Switching Between SGK and Private
Students often ask whether it is possible to switch. In practice: if you have missed the three-month SGK student deadline, returning under student conditions is generally difficult; the private policy remains. So the decision on the SGK is best made quickly.
The private policy, on the other hand, can be bought at any time before the residence or renewal application. If your situation changes (for example if you start working), check the up-to-date rules; your status and insurance options may change.
Payment for Students
With the Yab Sigorta app, pay by international Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you do not have an international card, the options are: payment with the help of family via a suitable card, or opening an account at a Turkish bank after obtaining residence.
Payment is in one go, upfront. After issuance there is no refund, only if there is an error on the policy is it corrected free of charge. Check the data immediately.
How to Buy the Student Policy
In the Yab Sigorta app, enter your data (passport or YKN), choose the student tariff if it exists and pay; the official policy arrives by email. The start date must match the start of the student residence.
Advice: decide early between the student SGK path (join within the first three months) and the private policy; this avoids rushing before the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a student need insurance for residence?
Yes, student residence requires valid health insurance. The alternative is to join the student SGK within the first three months; otherwise, a private policy is purchased.
Is there a discount for students?
Yes, many companies offer a student tariff with a student certificate. Up-to-date prices are in the Yab Sigorta app.
For a student, private policy or SGK?
The private policy is bought immediately, paid in one go and is generally cheaper. Student SGK is wider but it is a monthly contribution with a three-month deadline.
Is the student policy's coverage different?
No, coverage is identical to any residence policy. The difference is only a possible price discount.
What documents for the student policy?
For the discount, the student certificate. For residence: e-ikamet form, passport, photo, enrollment certificate and proof of address and means, fee receipts.
Can I join the student SGK after three months?
Reduced student joining is within the first three months; afterwards, returning under student conditions is generally difficult, and the private policy remains.
How do I pay if I have no international card?
With the help of family via a suitable card, after residence by a Turkish bank card, or by an international card from another country.
How much is the student policy?
It depends on year of birth and term; the student certificate reduces it via the student tariff. For a young student, it is usually the most affordable option.
Is a two-year policy advantageous for a student?
If you study for several years, yes: it locks in the price and saves reissuing after a year.
How do I buy the student policy online?
In the Yab Sigorta app with the passport or YKN, and with the student tariff if it exists; it arrives by email.
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