One of the most common questions we get from expats in Turkey is: “Do I need health insurance or TSS?” The answer depends entirely on your situation. Here’s the definitive breakdown.
The short answer
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| No SGK, applying for first residence permit | Foreign health insurance |
| No SGK, renewing residence permit | Foreign health insurance |
| Enrolled in SGK via employer | TSS (to access private hospitals) |
| Enrolled in SGK voluntarily | TSS for private care, health insurance to be safe for permit |
| Working remotely, no Turkish income | Foreign health insurance |
What is foreign health insurance (yabancı sağlık sigortası)?
Foreign health insurance is a standalone private health policy issued by a Turkish-licensed insurer. It provides full health coverage independently of the Turkish state system (SGK).
Who needs it:
- Expats with no SGK coverage
- Anyone applying for a first Turkish residence permit
- Those who want the flexibility of fully private healthcare
Accepted for:
- First-time residence permit applications ✅
- Permit renewals (without SGK) ✅
- Private hospital access ✅
What is TSS (Tamamlayıcı Sağlık Sigortası)?
TSS is a complementary health policy — it works on top of SGK (Turkish state insurance), not instead of it. Without SGK, TSS has no function.
Who needs it:
- Expats enrolled in SGK (via Turkish employment or voluntary contribution)
- People who want to use private hospitals without high co-payments
What it does:
- Covers the personal contribution (katkı payı) not covered by SGK
- Allows you to use contracted private hospitals
- Significantly reduces out-of-pocket private healthcare costs
Accepted for residence permit without SGK: ❌ Generally not accepted
Can I use TSS for my residence permit?
Possibly, in limited circumstances. If you were enrolled in SGK before your permit application date, and your SGK enrollment is still active, some immigration officers may accept TSS. However this is inconsistent — for a clean application, foreign health insurance is the safe choice.
Which costs more?
Generally, foreign health insurance costs more than TSS because it provides standalone coverage. TSS is subsidised by SGK being the primary payer.
For most working-age expats, TSS premiums are 30–50% lower than equivalent standalone policies.
Can I have both?
You can, but it’s rarely necessary. If you have SGK + TSS, you have strong coverage for both state and private facilities without needing a separate full health policy.
Get the right policy
Request a quote and tell us your SGK status →
We’ll recommend the right product for your situation and compare prices from 30+ Turkish insurers.
