Turkey is characterized by the concept of medical tourism, where foreigners and tourists from all over the world come to receive treatment, health care, and undergo cosmetic operations, because cosmetic medicine in Turkey is the best in the world, and the development of the health and medical sector in it in addition to low prices in exchange for the quality of services provided compared to other European countries , and it is important for any tourist or visitor in Turkey to know the form of health care and types of health insurance provided in Turkey.

Health insurance in Turkey

The Turkish government provides health care to anyone who works legally in Turkey, free of charge, and for all hospitals and government institutions. Health insurance in Turkey is not limited to workers only, but also includes the poor who receive health care free of charge through the so-called green card, in addition to providing Health insurance for all children up to the age of eighteen.

Foreigners working in Turkey legally and registered in health and social insurance are entitled to treatment in government hospitals and government health centers, either free of charge or with discounts, and for any foreigner in Turkish territory to obtain a short-term residence, he must obtain valid health insurance For not less than one year, it is worth noting that there is private health insurance for foreigners in Turkey that allows them to receive treatment in high-quality private centers and hospitals.

Types of health insurance in Turkey

The Turkish government offers several types of health insurance, and the type of insurance provided to a person depends on his nationality or the nature of his work.

In this article, we mention the most important types of health insurance in Turkey:

General Health Insurance: GSS

The Turkish citizen is subject to the General Health Insurance (GSS) when he fulfills one of two conditions, the first is that he receives the salary that qualifies him to obtain insurance, or if he does not apply for a green card, and when benefiting from the insurance, 3% of the value of the minimum wage is paid, and it includes public health insurance In Turkey, both parents and children under the age of eighteen, in addition to children under the age of twenty-one who are studying in high school, and children at university under the age of twenty-five.

Social Security Insurance GSK-SSK

This type of insurance is characterized by its comprehensiveness for both health and social insurance, that is, it provides a pension and health insurance for those who reach the retirement age, or in the event of the expiry of a certain period of service, and the beneficiaries of this insurance pay a low percentage of the costs of treatment in private health institutions, in addition to Benefit from all public and private health services, and insurance premiums are paid monthly.

Bağkur Insurance

Turkey is unique around the world with the advantage of health insurance for non-working people who do not pay to the retirement fund or social security, and the beneficiaries of this insurance can pay a monthly amount back and benefit from the retirement system, and therefore, treatment services can be received free of charge and the beneficiary of the Bağkur insurance bear’s 20% of the value of the treatment And medication for the duration of the payment of premiums and retirement.

The Ministry of Health in Turkey is responsible for regulating health care, and for this purpose, plans, laws and regulations are drawn up with the various departments in Turkey. The Ministry of Health is keen to secure health care service for all members of society, regardless of gender, language, religion, politics, and economic and social status of the individual.

Health care services for foreigners in Turkey:

Foreign tourists:

They are foreigners who are not covered by any insurance system, but who can obtain health care for free in emergency cases, based on the circular issued by the Prime Minister, which provides for the provision of health services in emergency cases to all those in need without any discrimination by private health care institutions or the public.

Foreigners working in Turkey under employment contracts:

Law No. 5110 was issued on May 31, 2006, which regulates the Social Insurance Law, which includes insurance branches, both short and long-term.

Article 4 of this law stipulates that the provisions relating to individuals obtaining insurance shall apply to foreigners who work in employment contracts, except for foreigners from countries where the international social security contract is based on the principle of reciprocity.

It should be noted that foreigners who work in Turkey for short-term periods on their own and are still subject to their social security legislation or work on behalf of non-resident institutions, are not considered insurance holders in Turkey.

As for foreigners who work on service contracts, they are considered owners of insurance, and the premiums of social security and health care are paid by the companies employing them, and it is  normal that these foreigners are eligible to benefit from all health care services.

Citizens of a foreign country with an international social security contract working in Turkey:

Bilateral international social security contracts have been signed with many countries, thus implementing reciprocity between workers in both countries. To social security and its continuity within the mother country, and herein lies the principle of reciprocity.

As for the countries that have bilateral contact with Turkey, they are:

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Romania, England, Georgia and Albania, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Libya.

Foreigners with a residence permit (global health insurance):

It is the insurance that maintains the state of health care for individuals and finances the costs arising when individuals are exposed to health risks, which is called comprehensive health insurance.

Article 60 of the Social and Comprehensive Health Insurance Law is allocated to individuals benefiting from comprehensive health insurance. This article stipulates that the principle of reciprocity is observed, and therefore foreigners who have a residence permit in Turkey and who are not beneficiaries of insurance under the law of a foreign country are able to obtain comprehensive health insurance.

In the event that the period of stay in Turkey exceeds more than a year, he can apply for comprehensive health insurance in Turkey and thus pay the insurance premiums.

Insurance plans in Turkey:

The Turkish state provides its citizens and foreigners with access to medicine within private hospitals and clinics that insurance companies deal with.

There are many private hospitals, clinics, and Turkish and international companies that offer insurance plans and provide health care in Turkey.

It is worth mentioning in the end that this article seeks to give a general idea of the subject of health insurance and not a legal opinion to be taken, so it is worth seeking legal advice when necessary.