Türkiye to implement a new basic health insurance policy for foreign residents by April 1, 2025.

As of April 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 increases are 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 be phased 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 into public hospitals, particularly in smaller cities where private medical facilities are often inadequate. However, the coverage in state hospitals will initially apply only to emergency treatments. For scheduled appointments and elective procedures, further clarifications will be provided in upcoming regulatory updates for health insurance in Türkiye.

A shift in health insurance in Türkiye: Higher costs, more comprehensive coverage

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 require upfront payments before 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

Annual Minimum Coverage Limits

Locking in lower rates before price surge

For those looking to circumvent 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 until March 31, 2027—ensuring compliance with residence permit requirements while avoiding the anticipated surge in premiums.

Source: https://www.turkiyetoday.com/ 

About the author: Kagan Orhan is a human resources and immigration consultancy expert at “Expat Solutions Turkey”,