In Turkey, the insurance system is designed in a comprehensive and extensive manner, covering a wide range of needs for citizens and residents. From health insurance that guarantees medical and healthcare services, to car insurance that protects you against potential damages from accidents, and home insurance that provides financial security against unforeseen events. Each of these insurance types is designed to make your life more comfortable and worry-free. Below, we will explore some of the most important types of insurance in Turkey that can bring you peace of mind and greater security.
Medical (health) insurance in Türkiye:

The various types of insurance in Turkey include a wide range of coverage options, with health insurance being one of them. Health insurance in Turkey covers medical expenses, consultations, medications, hospitalization, and other healthcare and treatment services. This type of insurance can be provided by the government, private companies, or other insurers.
One of the essential requirements for legal residence in Turkey is health insurance. Individuals who apply for residence in Turkey with minimal costs need to obtain health insurance, which is considered one of the necessary documents to complete their residence application. The various types of insurance in Turkey include health insurance plans that genuinely cover medical services.
Contrary to the misconception you may hear, health insurance is not just a document for residency but actually provides real medical services to its holders. Individuals should pay attention to how and under what conditions they can use this insurance.
Different insurances in Türkiye (health insurances)
- Medical insurance for foreigners (Yabancı için sağlık sigortası)
- Individual medical insurance (Bireysel sağlık sigortası)
- Supplementary health insurance
Social security insurance in Türkiye

Social insurance in Turkey is a system of insurance and social security managed by the Social Insurance Institution of Turkey (SGK). These insurances consist of three main sections:
- Health Insurance: Health insurance in Turkey is mandatory for all Turkish citizens. This insurance covers medical and healthcare services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, medications, and specialized treatments. The majority of medical expenses are covered by social insurance.
- Retirement Insurance: This insurance is designed to secure income and livelihood for individuals after retirement. Those who are currently employed contribute a portion of their income to retirement insurance. Once retirement benefits are granted, this insurance provides a fixed income or monthly allowance to individuals.
- Disability Insurance: Disability insurance is provided when an individual is unable to work due to illness or injury in the workplace. In such cases, social insurance offers financial benefits and support services to individuals who are disabled, ensuring their income and livelihood.
These insurances are designed to ensure the livelihood and social services for Turkish citizens, as well as to maintain the social and economic security of the country.
SSK insurance covers individuals who work privately, while self-employed insurance (Kendi İşveren Sigortası) is for those who have registered a company. If you want to choose one of these three types of insurance in Turkey, all three are part of the SGK (Social Security Institution) system.
There is a specific rule for the retirement age in each of these types of insurance.
For men, the retirement age is calculated at 60 years, and for women, it is 55 years. Additionally, the required work duration is 7,000 days, or approximately 20 years of work in Turkey.
There is a specific rule for the retirement age in each of these types of insurance.

The Social Security Institution of Turkey (SGK) provides its insurance services to both foreign individuals and Turkish citizens through various packages.
Employer-based SSK insurance is one of the types of insurance in Turkey. This insurance is for foreign individuals who are authorized to work in Turkey, as well as for Turkish citizens. It cannot be done on a self-employed basis and must be arranged through an employer.
Self-employed insurance, known as BAĞKUR, is another type of insurance in Turkey. This insurance is specifically for individuals who have registered a company or own a business. These individuals can make contributions to their own self-employed insurance.
The third type of insurance is GSS (General Health Insurance), which is specifically for Turkish citizens. Individuals who later become Turkish citizens can also benefit from this type of insurance. Contributions to this insurance are made individually.
Commercial insurance in Türkiye

Another type of insurance in Turkey is commercial insurance. Commercial insurance includes 63 private and public companies.
It includes international companies, Turkish companies, and those that operate as representatives in Turkey, providing services such as life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, fire insurance, and more.
Use of Iranian insurance in Türkiye

Individuals who have immigrated to Turkey can benefit from insurance in Iran and make use of it. However, they should note that in this case, insurance coverage is optional for owners of professions and freelance occupations.
Therefore, insurance payments through these occupations do not require an employer and do not cause any legal issues.
Is there a cost for insurance in Iran for people who immigrated to Turkey?
Depending on the type of insurance and specific conditions, insurance in Iran for individuals who have immigrated to Turkey may incur a cost. The insurance cost may vary based on factors such as the type and scope of coverage, age, gender, health status, and other variables.
Additionally, the insurance company and the relevant laws and regulations can also have an impact. For more accurate information about the cost of insurance in Iran and the related conditions, it is advisable to contact reputable insurance companies in Iran and obtain information from reliable sources.
It should be noted that these individuals, since they live outside of Iran, cannot pay the insurance premiums to a company based inside Iran.
According to the social security insurance laws, Iranian individuals who have mandatory insurance in other countries cannot use the mandatory insurance in Iran. They must be insured on a voluntary basis.
To use insurance in Iran, you can use the social insurance agency in Istanbul.
Regarding insurance for those living in Turkey, they can continue their insurance in Iran as well. Upon reaching retirement age, they can retire in Iran.
Even individuals or children who do not have insurance in Iran and have not reached the insurance eligibility age in Iran but have turned 18 in Turkey can create a social security file for themselves in Iran. They can establish an insurance history and begin their insurance coverage through the Iranian insurance agency in Turkey.
These individuals can pay their insurance premiums on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. While living in Turkey, their social security insurance can be recorded in Iran. This insurance can be maintained simultaneously with employment in Turkey, allowing the person to have insurance history in both countries.
Car insurance in Türkiye

In Turkey, car insurance is an important and mandatory requirement for drivers. Car insurance in Turkey is compulsory, and you must purchase insurance for both public and private vehicles.
This type of insurance typically includes various coverage options such as third-party insurance, driver accident insurance, vehicle damage and theft insurance, and liability insurance for traffic accidents.
Turkey, in order to support owners of motor vehicles as well as individuals who suffer injury or damage due to accidents involving these vehicles, has covered this matter through two types of insurance policies.
Traffic Insurance (Trafik Sigortası): In 1990, due to the increase in car production and the number of car owners, it was decided that this insurance policy would be provided on a mandatory basis.
In Turkey, if a vehicle does not have Traffic Insurance, it will be seized by the police and fined. This type of insurance covers both financial and bodily injury for third parties.
Casco insurance or car body insurance in Türkiye

Kasko Insurance, or comprehensive car insurance (Kasko Sigortası) in Turkey, is a voluntary type of insurance designed to protect your personal vehicle in the event of various accidents and damages.
This insurance coverage includes damages resulting from traffic accidents, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and collisions with animals, as well as theft and vehicle fires.
One of the reasons for using this insurance is that cars in Turkey are often luxury vehicles, and for this reason, it is advisable to have comprehensive insurance (Kasko) to ensure proper protection.
The premium for Kasko insurance is calculated based on factors such as the value of the vehicle, its type, model, usage, the driver’s history, and whether there have been any previous claims or damages.
In car comprehensive insurance (Kasko) in Turkey, as a contract between the insurer and the policyholder, there is no fixed payment limit. The coverage and payouts depend on the terms outlined in the insurance policy.
This means that in the event of an accident and damage to the vehicle, the insurer is required to cover all repair and restoration costs without setting a specified payment limit.
Comprehensive car insurance in Turkey is particularly attractive because, in the event of significant damage or theft of the vehicle, the restoration costs may be high. Without a payment limit, it is considered an effective protective option.
Traffic or third party insurance in Turkey
Traffic insurance (or third-party insurance) in Turkey is a type of liability insurance purchased by the vehicle owner to cover the costs of damages caused to other individuals or vehicles in the event of an accident.
This type of insurance helps cover financial liability in the event of injury or damage to others or their vehicles. It is specifically known as “third-party” or “traffic” insurance and is mandatory in Turkey and many other countries.
It should be noted that, unlike Iran, where compensation for damages is based on **diyah** (blood money) and Islamic principles, in Turkey, compensation is paid according to a specified limit set by the insurance policy.
For death, injury, or any type of property damage, a specific compensation limit is determined, and insurance pricing is based on that. Additionally, the type of vehicle, model, trim, and year of manufacture affect the annual insurance cost in Turkey.
International third party insurance – green card
The Green Card insurance serves as a type of coverage for travel and crossing borders with a personal vehicle. This card is essential for ensuring liability insurance coverage in the event of an accident in other countries.
In other words, if you plan to travel to another country with your personal vehicle, you must obtain Green Card insurance for your vehicle.
The Green Card insurance system currently includes 48 member countries, including Iran and Turkey. By using the Green Card insurance, you can activate third-party insurance in the destination country where you are traveling.
This card serves as proof of the validity of your insurance in different countries and allows you to have the necessary coverage in case of an accident in other countries.
Therefore, if you plan to travel to one of the countries that are members of the Green Card insurance system, you can obtain and activate your third-party insurance for the destination country.
Quorum to retire in Turkey

In Turkey, various types of insurance and the pension system are crucial for Iranians or individuals who have obtained Turkish citizenship and completed the required naturalization process. For these individuals, it is very important to pay attention to the duration of their work activity in Turkey in order to transition to retirement and receive retirement benefits. To qualify for retirement in Turkey, individuals must have at least 7,500 days (equivalent to about 20 years) of activity. This period can be accumulated continuously, separately, or by reaching the age of 55. This is the required duration of work in Turkey to benefit from retirement benefits.
Fire insurance in Türkiye
In Turkey, various types of insurance are offered, including fire insurance. This type of insurance can be diverse and covers damages caused by fire, explosions, earthquakes, floods, theft, and more. Fire insurance in Turkey is used to protect properties and assets against various risks, providing property owners with assurance that in the event of an incident, financial damages will be covered.

That’s correct. After the devastating earthquake in 1999 in Turkey, which caused significant damage to infrastructure and properties, Turkey passed a law that mandates homeowners to purchase earthquake and natural disaster insurance. This type of insurance is known as DASK (Deprem Sigortası).
The main goals of these mandatory measures are to strengthen the resilience of infrastructure against earthquakes and reduce the financial risks and damages in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes. Through these measures, Turkey aims to guide society towards sustainable development and better resilience against natural hazards.
With this explanation, it should be noted that all compatriots who purchase property in Turkey must obtain a DASK insurance policy in order to register the property deed. Additionally, it is important to mention that the water, electricity, and gas departments require property owners to have a DASK insurance policy in order to carry out their administrative procedures.
Insurance with work permit or employer’s insurance

Work insurance, or more precisely “Employer-based Insurance” (SGK – Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu) in Turkey, is a type of social insurance provided to employees and employers. This insurance is based on the social insurance laws and regulations of the country, and its goal is to protect the rights and social guarantees of employees and employers in areas such as retirement, illness, workplace accidents, and childbirth.
Employers in Turkey are required to pay employer-based insurance premiums for their employees. This premium is shared between the employer and the employee, and it is then managed by the Social Security Institution (SGK). This employer-based insurance includes benefits and guarantees such as retirement, health insurance, workplace accidents, childbirth, maternity leave, and more.
Employers are required to pay employer-based insurance premiums in proportion to the salaries of their employees. This insurance ensures the social and economic rights of employees at various stages of life. In Turkey, this insurance is part of the social insurance system, which provides social and economic benefits and services to individuals and their families.
Summary
Various types of insurance in Turkey are designed to cover the different needs of individuals and businesses. Public health insurance (SGK) and private health insurance, property and asset insurance such as car insurance, home insurance, and travel insurance are among the most common types. Public health insurance is provided by the government and is mandatory for Turkish citizens and residents, while private insurance offers more options for health coverage.
Additionally, professional liability insurance and life insurance are available for those seeking more financial protection. These insurance types help individuals and businesses receive appropriate financial support when faced with risks and unforeseen events. For more comprehensive information about the available insurance options in Turkey, you can contact experienced professionals and legal advisors at the 4kHolding through this link.