KÜHEYLAN HUKUK
Health Insurance for Foreigners: Do Foreigners with a Residence Permit have to have General Health Insurance (GSS)? Article 60 of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510; Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection Article 35 was prepared based on the legislation in force as of 2026 and official sources dated October 2026.
Article 60 of Law No. 5510 regulates the conditions of being considered as universal health insurance holders for people whose residence is in Türkiye. Foreign citizens who have a residence permit and who are not insured under the legislation of a foreign country are considered to be universal health insurance holders, provided that the principle of reciprocity is taken into account (Art. 60/1-d). Those who reside in Türkiye for less than one year are not considered universal health insurance holders within the scope of this clause. This distinction is one of the most frequently misunderstood issues in the residence permit application.
What is GSS and How Does It Concern Foreigners?
General health insurance (GSS) is the system provided by the Social Security Institution that regulates access to health services for people residing in Türkiye. For foreigners, the issue is important in two respects: the requirement for health insurance when applying for a residence permit and the right to benefit from health services after the permit.
According to Law No. 5510, when is a foreigner included in the scope of GSS?
Article 60 of the Law considers certain groups of people whose residence is in Türkiye as universal health insurance holders. The prominent provisions regarding foreigners are as follows:
Foreign citizens who have a residence permit and are not insured under the legislation of a foreign country, provided that the principle of reciprocity is taken into account (Art. 60/1-d).
Persons who have an international protection application or status and are recognized as stateless (Art. 60/1-c-2).
Foreign students studying in Türkiye. If they make a request within three months from the beginning of the academic year, they are considered universal health insurance holders, regardless of the conditions in paragraph (d).
Persons for whom a protective measure has been issued in accordance with Law No. 6284 and who do not have insurance, under certain conditions.
The law also does not consider those who have resided in Türkiye for less than one year among those falling within the scope of subparagraph (d) of the first paragraph, as universal health insurance holders. For this reason, it may be necessary to have another private or foreign country insurance within the first year.
In family residence permit requests, the sponsor is required to have health insurance covering all family members (6458 article 35/1-b). In other types of residence permits, the insurance requirement may look different at the level of regulation and practice. Which insurance will be accepted for which type of residence permit should be confirmed by the provincial immigration administration, taking into account current practice. The scope, duration and guarantees of the private health insurance policy should be examined before application.
In the application of paragraphs (d) and (g) for married people, the law leaves it to the spouses' own choice as to which spouse will be the universal health insurance holder and which will be the dependent. This arrangement may provide a practical advantage when planning the insurance scheme of foreign spouses who come with family residence. Income, insurance premium and employment status should be evaluated together to make the right choice.
GSS premium is determined according to reference values such as the lower limit shown in the law and the category of the person. Since premium amounts are updated every year, the amount is not given in this guide. The current amount should be obtained from the Social Security Institution. Accumulation of premium debt may affect eligibility for health benefits.
Foreign residence permit holder If not insured under the legislation of another country, on the basis of reciprocity (Art. 60/1-d)
Student GSS can be counted upon request within 3 months.
Premium Updated annually; The current amount should be obtained from SGK.
Case Summary Form: Fictional example: A foreign employee living in Türkiye with a short-term residence permit does not know whether he can immediately enter the GSS, even though he does not have insurance abroad. He plans to get a family residence permit for his wife. Process: The lawyer examines the person's residence period, foreign insurance status and permit type. The need for private insurance for the first year, the possibility of UHI in the following period and the insurance requirement for family residence are planned together. Result: With proper planning, the gap between health insurance and residence permit application is reduced. The outcome varies depending on the individual's specific situation and current practice.
Does every foreigner with a residence permit fall within the scope of GSS?
No. The law looks for those who are not insured under the legislation of a foreign country and certain conditions. Those who reside in Türkiye for less than one year are not considered GSS within the scope of clause (d).
Can students benefit from GSS?
Foreign students can be considered for GSS if they request it within three months from the beginning of the academic year.
What insurance is required for a family residence permit?
The sponsor is required to have health insurance covering all family members (6458 art.35/1-b).
Does private health insurance replace GSS?
In some cases, private insurance may be accepted when applying for a residence permit. Acceptance conditions must be checked against the application.
How much is the GSS premium?
Since the amount is updated annually, it is not given in this article. Current premium should be learned from SGK.
Which of the spouses will have GSS?
For those who are married, the law leaves the choice to the spouses. Preference results should be evaluated together.
Assuming that GSS will be taken for the first year.
Not checking the scope and duration of the private insurance policy before applying for residence.
Bypassing the insurance requirement covering all family members for family residence.
Allowing premium debt to accumulate.
Not evaluating the insurance choice between spouses together with income and employment status.
Health insurance directly affects both the residence permit and daily life of the foreigner. Choosing the right type of insurance can prevent both rejection of the residence permit application and unexpected treatment expenses. Küheylan Law Firm provides legal support in the evaluation of health insurance conditions during the residence permit process of foreigners, family residence applications and social security disputes.
Important Legal Notice: The legal explanations contained in this guide have been prepared by Küheylan Law Firm for general information purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The unique conditions of each file may change the outcome. In order not to miss the application, objection and lawsuit deadlines, it is recommended to get legal support from a lawyer before the process begins. © 2026 Küheylan Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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