Newsletters
As ofApril 1, 2025, basic health insurance in Türkiye for foreigners will now be accepted in selected state hospitals across Türkiye. This long-overdue reform marks a significant shift in the nation’s approach to health care coverage for expatriates and foreign residents, bringing both enhanced oversight and broader accessibility. However, alongside this expansion of services,dramatic price increasesare expected, fundamentally altering the insurance landscape.
For years, expats have been subjected to dubious insurance schemes—policies sold under official-sounding names yet offering little to no real-world medical coverage. These so-called insurance plans, often available for as little as₺500 ($13.16) to ₺1,000, served merely as a bureaucratic checkbox for residence permit applications rather than genuine health coverage. Under the new regulatory framework, such ineffective policies will bephased out, ensuring that all insurance offerings meet a state-supervised standard.
Perhaps the most critical benefit of this initiative is the expansion of valid coverage intopublic hospitals, particularly in smaller cities where private medical facilities are often inadequate. However, the coverage in state hospitals will initially applyonly to emergency treatments. For scheduled appointments and elective procedures, further clarifications will be provided in upcoming regulatory updates for health insurance in Türkiye.
While the reform promises better protection for policyholders, it also comes with financial implications.Effective April 1, 2025, the cost of foreign health insurance is expected to rise significantly. The primary reason? Insurance companies will no longer pay excessive commissions to agencies but will instead remit profit shares directly to the government.
Additionally,annual minimum coverage limits will be adjusted, and insurers will requireupfront paymentsbefore issuing policies. This means that while insurance will become more expensive, it will also be significantly more functional—offering legitimate access to health care services rather than being a mere formality for visa applications.
To help navigate these changes, we have compiled a comprehensive table below, detailing the expected coverage percentages under the new system and listing the state hospitals where these policies will be honored.
Annex 1 - Public health care institutions
City
Hospital Name
Ankara
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Ankara Bilkent Şehir Hastanesi
Ankara
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Ankara Etlik Şehir Hastanesi
Antalya
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Antalya Şehir Hastanesi
Bursa
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Bursa Şehir Hastanesi
Gaziantep
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Gaziantep Şehir Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı İstanbul Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura Şehir Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı İstanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı İstanbul Haseki Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Taksim Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın Şehir Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Pendik Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İstanbul
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Bağcılar Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
İzmir
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı İzmir Şehir Hastanesi
Kocaeli
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Kocaeli Şehir Hastanesi
Mersin
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Mersin Şehir Hastanesi
Muğla
T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Muğla Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
Annual Minimum Coverage Limits
Contracted health care institutions
Non-contracted health care institutions and public health care institutions not listed in Annex-1
Public health care institutions listed in Annex-1
Annual minimum Limit
Contribution rates
Annual minimum limit
Outpatient Treatment
₺15,000
Insured: 20% Company: 80%
₺15,000
Inpatient Treatment
Unlimited
Insured: 0% Company: 100%
₺150,000
For those looking tocircumvent the impending price hikes for health insurance in Türkiye, there is a brief window of opportunity. Before the April 1, 2025, policy changes take effect, individuals can secure insurance coverage with a validity date extending untilMarch 31, 2027—ensuring compliance with residence permit requirements while avoiding the anticipated surge in premiums.
To request a quote before the price hikes, you may use thisform for health insurance via Expat Solutions.
About the author:Kagan Orhan is a human resources and immigration consultancy expert at “Expat Solutions Turkey”, dedicated to facilitating the adaptation processes of foreigners in Türkiye with the expertise and knowledge in managing legal procedures such as residence permit applications, work permits, business establishment, real estate and citizenship processes for foreigners settling in Türkiye with their team of lawyers and consultants.
2 min read
