Healthcare

@cdw057

Interesting point. As far as I know, if you are a foreigner, you usually cannot apply for SGK unless you are legally working in Turkey and your employer registers you. In that case, yes, SGK is possible. After getting SGK, you can also consider tamamlayıcı sağlık sigortası (complementary health insurance). With this system, part of the medical costs is covered by SGK and the rest by private insurance, usually with a much lower premium. In the end, it really depends on your status in Turkey and whether you have Turkish citizenship (for example, through investment). Each case can be a bit different.

@cdw057
Interesting point. As far as I know, if you are a foreigner, you usually cannot apply for SGK unless you are legally working in Turkey and your employer registers you. In that case, yes, SGK is possible. After getting SGK, you can also consider tamamlayıcı sağlık sigortası (complementary health insurance). With this system, part of the medical costs is covered by SGK and the rest by private insurance, usually with a much lower premium. In the end, it really depends on your status in Turkey and whether you have Turkish citizenship (for example, through investment). Each case can be a bit different. - @leyli baysahatova

I am certain that all expats are eligible to enroll in SGK after residing in Türkiye 1 year.  This is outlined on many websites including this official website from Türkiye's Presidency of Migration Management.  I recommend visiting this website as it is a PDF file titled General Health Insurance for Foreigners which provides a good scope of information. I am not an expat yet but intend to become one by late spring of next year.  I am not familiar with whether SGK will suit my needs but will research so that I can make an informed decision upon reaching my first year.  My best regards to everyone's adventures as expats or in becoming one.

@Gino_C

Ah, I see — you’re referring to Genel Sağlık Sigortası (GSS). Got it now. Yes, that’s different from SGK through employment. Thanks for the clarification.

@Gino_C

Ah, I see — you’re referring to Genel Sağlık Sigortası (GSS). Got it now. Yes, that’s different from SGK through employment. Thanks for the clarification.

@leyli baysahatova

You may be correct as I am not as well versed on this topic.  But I will say that I have seen many sites stating that expats are eligible for insurance coverage through SGK after 1 year of residence.  For example on the website legalclarity.com, an article states "For expats not automatically enrolled through employment, voluntary enrollment in SGK is an option after the one-year residency period. This requires paying monthly premiums, which were approximately ₺800 or $30." 

Additionally, my expat American friend living in Kuşadsı, who is retired, relies on SGK insurance for his healthcare.  But as you state, he may be using Genel Sağlık Sigortası (GSS) which may be different from what you state as SGK insurance.  Thanks for your clarification.  😊

I asked AI (Co-Pilot) and he came up with the below

Allianz TSS pricing does NOT work like your current €1,000/month policy.

Key differences:

No global cover

No lifetime actuarial pricing

Pre‑existing conditions are mostly handled by SGK, not Allianz

Allianz prices mainly on age + city + hospital network, not diagnosis

TSS is top‑up insurance, not full risk insurance. [allianz.com.tr]

Allianz TSS price ranges (2026 data)

Based on Allianz’s own published TSS price tables for 2026 and expat market data:

Allianz TSS (annual premiums)

Age band Narrow network Wide network

51–55 7,800 – 12,500 TL 11,000 – 15,500 TL

56–60 ~10,000 – 15,000 TL ~14,000 – 20,000 TL

61–65 ~14,000 – 22,000 TL ~18,000 – 28,000 TL

(Prices increase in Istanbul / Antalya vs smaller cities) [kasko360.com]

Converted to EUR (roughly):

€30 – €80 per month

This is normal for Allianz TSS

Chronic conditions do not multiply the premium

SGK cost (public insurance)

For voluntary SGK enrollment (foreign resident):

Linked to minimum wage

Roughly €150–180 per month

Covers:

Epilepsy (neurology, hospitalisation)

Cholesterol treatment

Accidents (fractures, surgery)

Subsidised medication

[restproperty.com]

Combined monthly cost (what YOU should expect)

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Realistic combined cost (SGK + Allianz TSS)

Component Monthly EUR

SGK €150–180

Allianz TSS €30–80

Total €180–260/month

Even with:

Your medical history

Wide hospital network

Large private hospitals

➡ Still under €300/month

What Allianz will and won’t cover (important)

Allianz TSS WILL cover

Private hospital surcharges

Doctor fees

Diagnostics (MRI, blood work)

Surgery co‑payments

Allianz TSS MAY exclude initially

Existing epilepsy for outpatient visits (often waiting period)

But inpatient epilepsy care is usually covered via SGK anyway

This is normal and not a problem because:

Epilepsy management = SGK domain

Private comfort = TSS domain

[allianz.com.tr]

Why your premium won’t “explode” due to epilepsy

This is the key misunderstanding Western insurers rely on:

Allianz TSS does not price future epilepsy risk

SGK absorbs catastrophic and chronic costs

Allianz only tops up difference fees

Therefore:

No €1,000/month shock

No lifetime underwriting

No annual medical inflation spiral

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What could push the quote higher (watch these)

Allianz will quote higher if you:

Choose Istanbul + widest network

Add outpatient visit limits (10–12/year)

Add dental / optical

Add spouse to same policy

Still, even worst‑case: ➡ €300–350/month total is the upper realistic bound

What to tell Allianz (to avoid mistakes)

When requesting the quote, say explicitly:

“I will be SGK‑registered and want Tamamlayıcı Sağlık Sigortası, not full Özel Sağlık Sigortası.

Chronic conditions can remain under SGK.”

This avoids them:

Quoting the wrong product

Trying to sell Özel Sağlık Sigortası (much more expensive)

Bottom line (very clear)

Expected quote:

Allianz TSS: €30–80 / month

SGK: €150–180 / month

Total: ~€200–250 / month

Compared to today:

€1,000 → €200–250

Same or better real‑world care

Far lower stress and admin

3/20/26, 3:38 PM Inbox (242) -