When I first arrived in Turkey, the biggest uncertainty was health insurance. Questions like “How much will I pay if I go to a public hospital?” and “What if there is an emergency?” kept nagging me. Education insurance in Turkey is both a legal requirement and a much-needed insurance for international students. This system saves you hospitalization costs, makes it easier to get a residence permit and allows you to focus your mind on your studies.
Education insurance is one of the documents required during university enrollment and general health insurance (GHI) can be obtained through SGK (Social Security Institution). If you apply within three months from the date of enrollment, you can benefit from the public health services provided by the Republic of Turkey as a citizen of the state. All you need is a student certificate from your school and a short petition.
Some universities also support their students with insurance. Sometimes policies are prepared at more affordable prices with contracted insurance companies. But the state’s GHI system is still one of the most widespread and reliable options. You can get comprehensive health care for about 25 USD per month.
Health Insurance Options for International Students
Turkey has two main health insurance options: the state-subsidized GHI and private health insurance. If you choose the GHI, you pay a low premium to the government and have affordable access to public hospitals. Private insurances, on the other hand, usually offer advantages such as faster service, the option of private hospitals and English language support. But prices are rising accordingly.
For example, while you pay about 25 USD per month for the GSS, you may have to pay between 100 and 300 USD per year if you want to get private insurance. Private insurance is also included in the enrollment requirements of some universities. Institutions such as Ozyegin University require students to have private insurance and provide detailed information.
University health centers should not be forgotten. Many large campuses offer basic medical examinations, prescription medication and first aid. These centers are often free of charge, even if you don’t have insurance. However, in case of a serious illness or surgery, you must have a valid education insurance. With education insurance, you may even be able to get discounted services at private hospitals. To learn more about university health centers in Turkey and what kind of services they offer, check out our guide.
There is an alternative for some European citizens: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). With this card, citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can receive health care from public hospitals in Turkey. However, there is something to pay attention to here: The EHIC card may not cover all costs. In particular, prescription drugs, specialist doctor examinations or some tests may cost extra. Therefore, it is very important to find out the scope of validity of your card before coming to Turkey.
The EHIC application process can take several weeks. If you are studying in Turkey, it is advisable to complete this process while you are in the country. After you arrive in Turkey, it may be enough to show your passport, student certificate and EHIC card when applying to a public hospital. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that additional documents will be requested.
What to Consider When Buying Education Insurance
The mistake most students make here is to choose the cheapest insurance and not look at the content. However, cheap policies usually only cover emergency intervention. Issues such as normal examinations, medications or psychological counseling may not be covered. Education insurance should function not only as a document, but also as a health insurance. When choosing your policy, be sure to pay attention to the following items:
- Is there outpatient and inpatient coverage?
- Are services such as psychological support, dental and eye examinations included?
- Is it valid for international travel?
- Is English support available for students who do not speak Turkish?
Also, don’t forget: many insurances are issued annually. Since they are not automatically renewed the following year, it is up to you to follow up. You should renew your policy at least one month before it expires. Especially during the period of registration renewal or residence permit extension, you may have serious problems if your insurance is not active.
Insurance companies usually send the policy digitally, but some universities also require a hard copy. Having both versions on hand will make it easier for you. Also note that documents prepared in Turkish may require translation.
Living Costs in Turkey and Realistic Budget Plan
Living in Turkey may be more affordable than in Europe, but it all depends on the city, lifestyle and, of course, costs, including education insurance. Insurance costs are an invisible item for most students, but one that should be budgeted for regularly. In addition to fixed expenses such as rent, transportation, food and internet, unforeseen health-related situations can also strain your budget.
Here are the average monthly health-related expenses of an international student in Turkey:
| Medical Expenses | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Examination at public hospital | 3 – 5 |
| Doctor visit at private hospital | 25 – 80 |
| General Health Insurance (GHI) | 25 / month |
| Private health insurance (basic level) | 100 – 300 / year |
| Medication (prescription/standard) | 1 – 15 |
| University health center service | Usually free |
Education insurance may seem like just an “expense” here, but it actually protects you from huge costs in the long run. If you go to a private hospital without insurance even once, you may be charged well over 100 USD. Some treatments can even cost up to 500 USD. That’s why education insurance is indispensable in this budget table.
Depending on your accommodation, choice of city and lifestyle, monthly expenses other than health (transportation, food, social life, etc.) vary between 350-600 USD on average. If you are studying in big cities like Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir, you should be prepared to go a little over this amount. But you can manage your budget more easily in student-friendly cities like Konya, Kayseri or Eskişehir.
If you want detailed comparisons, our Cost of living guide in Turkey is for you.
Secure Your Health and Education
One of the things I thought the most when I came to Turkey was “everything is great but… what if I get sick?”. But with a good education insurance, that stress disappeared in an instant. Everyone thinks about university, dormitory and visa documents, but education insurance is actually one of the cornerstones of your continued existence in Turkey.
This insurance is essential to receive treatment in public hospitals, to receive support from private hospitals, and to carry out residence permit procedures smoothly. You must have a comprehensive and documentable policy valid for at least 12 months.