First of all, one must know that foreigners living in Turkey have the right to be examined and benefit from other health services for foreigners in Turkey like Turkish citizens. Article 60 of the Turkish Constitution clearly states that each individual has the right to social security and health benefits. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey provides health services for foreigners in Turkey for all citizens or foreigners, regardless of race, language, religion, gender, political opinion, philosophical belief or economic and social status. In our article, you can find information about how foreigners who are in Turkey for different reasons can benefit from health services and health insurance coverage.
Table of contents
- Social Security Institution
- Private Health Insurance
- Foreign Tourists Benefit from Emergency Health Services for foreigners in Turkey
- The Status of Foreigners Employed under the Service Contract
- International Social Security Agreement
- General Health Insurance
Health Services for foreigners in Turkey: Social Security Institution
There are many options to benefit from health services for foreigners in Turkey. In addition, it is a legal obligation for foreigners to have health insurance during their time in Turkey. In addition, they must obtain residence or work permits. If the health insurance coverage of foreigners in their home countries complies with the legal requirements in Turkey, they can continue to be covered by the same insurance during their stay in Turkey. The employer registers foreigners working for a workplace-based in Turkey in the social security institution system (SGK).
The Social Security Institution (SGK) gives foreigners access to inpatient or outpatient services in all public hospitals and clinics. It covers most health services, including pregnancy, occupational injuries and diseases, while also providing temporary incapacity benefits. It also grants discounts to most private hospitals and clinics.
Foreigners who already have valid residence permits in Turkey and do not have an employment contract can benefit from health services for foreigners in Turkey by paying a monthly premium to SGK. Premiums may vary depending on age, nationality, health record and insurance coverage.
Health Services for foreigners in Turkey: Private Health Insurance
Alternatively to SGK, they can get a comprehensive health insurance policy from local or international organisations that provide private health insurance services, which offers medical examinations in contracted private hospitals. Foreigners generally prefer private hospitals over public institutions, as they also have English-speaking doctors.
Benefits of Emergency Medical Services for Foreign Tourists
Emergency health services for foreigners in Turkey for a short period are free of charge for tourists, regardless of whether they are private or public health institutions. In this way, foreigners who are not covered by any insurance can access health services in Turkey free of charge in case of emergency.
The social insurances, social insurances and general health insurance law no. 5510 regulates the Status of Foreigners Employed under the Service Contract. In Article 4 of this law, the provisions concerning individuals deemed insured also apply to foreigners working under service contracts. According to the principle of reciprocality, an exception is for citizens of countries under the international social security agreement. Foreigners who work for a short time on behalf of non-resident organisations in Turkey or under their own names and accounts and are still subject to the social security legislation of their own country are not considered insured in Turkey.
As a result, foreigners working on service contracts other than international social security are considered by their employers to be insurance holders to pay social security and health premiums. Naturally, such foreign nationals are entitled to use all health services under the payroll of a company based in Turkey.
International Social Security Agreement
Turkey has signed international social security agreements with many countries. These bilateral agreements determine the applicable legislation for employed foreigners and the equal treatment of foreign employees. These agreements support issues related to the protection of rights and consolidation during the period of insured services. Turkey has signed bilateral agreements with Albania, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Libya, Norway, Czech Republic, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, Cyprus, France, Macedonia, Georgia and Switzerland.
Health Services for foreigners in Turkey: General Health Insurance
General Health Insurance protects the individual’s health status and provides financing of the costs incurred when the person is a health risk. Persons covered by General Health Insurance are listed in Article 60 of the Social Security and General Health Insurance Act. This article, which is presented with the principle of reciprocality in mind, states that foreigners who do not have insurance under the legislation of a foreign country but have a residence permit in Turkey are covered by General Health Insurance. Therefore, foreigners residing in Turkey for more than a year are subject to General Health insurance premiums to obtain insurance assistance in Turkey.
Get healthcare from Turkey
Discussion about this post