Mandatory Health Insurance For Expats In Turkey

Expats with permanent residence in Turkey will have to apply for mandatory health insurance by January 31st

London, UK (Pryce Warner International) January 24th, 2012 – Any Expat that fails to register for the new mandatory health insurance by this time will face a fine of 886TL (£300).

Health insurance will be mandatory for any Expat whose residency permit is for one year or more. To take out the policy individuals are required to go to their nearest SGK office.

The cost of the insurance program is roughly 2500TL (£1000) per year. The premium rate is the same for individuals as for married couples, meaning a co-habiting but unmarried couple would pay double the amount of a married couple.

Several commentators have already pointed out that this law is unfair on those that already have private health insurance, and may ultimately lead to a decline in the country's private health insurance industry. This is because if individuals have to pay for government health insurance anyway there would be little reason for them to also have private health insurance.

One issue that remains to be confirmed is whether or not British Expats will be required to register. As the NHS provides health cover for all British citizens, the Turkish government is deciding whether or not this means British Expats already have a form of health insurance.

Once this is decided British Expats may be required to provide evidence of existing health cover in the UK or a general letter from the UK Health Ministry.

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By: Aneil Fatania
Financial Editor
Pryce Warner International Group
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