All international students studying in Türkiye are legally required to have valid health insurance in order to obtain a residence permit and to benefit from healthcare services without interruption. There are two main options available for our students:
This is a state-provided insurance system that allows students to benefit comprehensively from public hospitals and contracted private hospitals in Türkiye.
Application Process:
Students must apply to the Provincial Directorates of the Social Security Institution (SGK) within the first three months following their initial registration date.
Advantage:
Students covered by GSS can benefit from healthcare services in public hospitals under the same conditions as Turkish citizens.
Important Note:
Students who fail to apply within the first three months will lose their right to benefit from GSS for the entire duration of their studies.
This is another widely preferred option, especially for residence permit applications due to its speed and accessibility.
Coverage:
In order to be accepted for residence permit applications, the insurance policy must meet the “Minimum Coverage Requirements for Residence Permit Applications.”
Validity:
The duration of the policy must cover the entire period of the requested residence permit.
Private Hospitals:
Private insurance policies are generally valid in hospitals contracted with the respective insurance company.
Continuous Coverage:
It is the student’s responsibility to renew their health insurance before it expires in order to maintain the validity of their residence permit.
Residence Permit File:
When attending the residence permit appointment, students must include the original signed/stamped policy document or an electronically signed copy in their application file.
Visa Exemption and Bilateral Agreements:
Students from countries that have social security agreements with Türkiye (such as Germany, the Netherlands, etc.) may fulfill their insurance requirement by submitting official documentation (formulary documents) proving their status.
For the continuity of your academic success, it is strongly recommended that you maintain valid health coverage and consider benefiting from the state-provided GSS system during your registration period.