Overseas Health Procedures

In Which Countries Does Health Insurance Apply?

Nineteen of the social security agreements signed by our country cover health benefits. These countries are: Germany, Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Montenegro, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Tunisia.

However, health benefits have not yet been implemented for Azerbaijan, Italy, and Tunisia.

• The health provisions of the agreements with Germany, Belgium, Italy, Montenegro, TRNC, Hungary, and Tunisia cover insured persons under Articles 4/1-(a), 4/1-(b), and 4/1-(c) of Law No. 5510, as well as retirees under these statuses and their dependents.

• The health provisions of the agreements with Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Romania, and Serbia cover only insured persons under Article 4/1-(a) of Law No. 5510, retirees under this status, and their dependents.

Additionally:

• No health benefit certificates (forms) are issued for retirees temporarily (touristically) visiting the Netherlands and France.

• No certificates are issued for insured persons or retirees traveling to Hungary for touristic purposes, but insured persons’ dependents residing permanently in Hungary are covered.

• No certificates are issued for insured persons’ dependents residing permanently in Czechia, but they may benefit if eligible.

• For France, no certificate is issued to Turkish citizens insured under our institution traveling temporarily for touristic purposes; only French citizens working under Article 4/1-(a) of Law No. 5510 and their dependents receive certificates.

• For TRNC, since 01.04.2014, no certificates have been issued to Turkish citizens insured under our institution, retirees, or their dependents traveling for touristic purposes or residing permanently. These individuals can benefit from healthcare in TRNC using their Turkish ID number.

• TRNC citizens and non-Turkish citizens insured under our institution may benefit from TRNC healthcare services by presenting appropriate forms foreseen in the agreement to the TRNC social insurance institution.

Who Can Benefit From Health Services Abroad Under Social Security Agreements?

Unless otherwise stated in the agreements, insured persons employed under a service contract by one or more employers and their dependents, as well as those receiving pensions under this scope, may benefit from health services abroad on behalf of our institution in contracting countries. In Germany, Belgium, TRNC, Montenegro, Hungary, Italy, and Tunisia, the self-employed and civil servants are also included.

• Insured persons temporarily or permanently posted abroad must submit to the Institution a letter from their employer specifying the assignment period and reason.

• Only the insured person receives a certificate for temporary assignments abroad, while both the insured person and their dependents receive certificates for permanent assignments.

For dependents and pensioners/stipend recipients traveling abroad for education purposes, the following must be submitted along with the “Health Assistance Request and Declaration Form for Contracted Countries”:

• For high school education: A document from the Ministry of National Education or Turkish consular representations confirming equivalency to high school level.

• For associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees: A letter of acceptance from the foreign university, and proof from e-Government, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), or consular representations that the institution is recognized at the relevant level, plus semester schedule.

• For Erasmus: A letter from the Turkish university confirming participation under Erasmus, plus the semester schedule.

Documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by Turkish translations.

Note: No certificate is issued for the insured person themselves when going abroad for education.

For those traveling abroad for touristic purposes:

• Article 4/1-(a) insured must provide an annual paid leave document under Article 53 of Law No. 4857.

• Article 4/1-(b) insured must have no outstanding premium debt (including the month prior to request).

• Article 4/1-(c) insured must provide an annual leave document from their institution.

Except in France, touristic travelers are only entitled to emergency healthcare. In France, under the agreement, they may access all healthcare services in line with French legislation.

General health insurance holders sent abroad for treatment, along with their dependents, may benefit from health services during their stay.

Those permanently residing abroad may access all health services under the legislation of their country of residence.

Special conditions apply for permanent residence in Germany: insured persons must have resided there continuously for 183 days in the past year to be issued a certificate, starting from the 184th day. Dependents require official documentation from German health funds confirming no entitlement to German healthcare, or the T/A 5 form.

How Do Foreign Insured Persons Access Healthcare in Türkiye?

Foreign insured persons from contracting countries, whether touristic visitors or permanent residents, must present their health benefit certificates issued by their home country’s insurance institutions to the local Social Security Directorate/Center in Türkiye.

They will be issued a YUPASS number, enabling them to access contracted healthcare providers in Türkiye under the same terms as Turkish insured persons, except for co-payments and contributions required by law.

Healthcare from non-contracted providers is only reimbursed in emergencies, subject to submission of medical reports and invoices for review.

Duration of Benefits for Contracting Country Pensioners Permanently Residing in Türkiye

Pensioners permanently residing in Türkiye benefit from healthcare for the period stated on the certificate issued by their home country’s insurance institution, until notified otherwise. Rules for determining dependents vary by agreement (e.g., under Turkish law for some countries, under foreign law for others).

Certificates may be issued with a one-year validity or without an end date. However, the foreign insurance institution may terminate entitlements at any time.

Reimbursement of Self-Paid Healthcare Costs

Foreign insured persons who receive treatment in Türkiye without a valid certificate and pay expenses themselves may apply to their home country’s insurance institution for reimbursement. Whether repayment is made depends solely on the legislation of the relevant country; our Institution has no responsibility in this regard.