Compulsory Health Insurance (SGK) in Turkey 2026: Expats Guide & Benefits
For expats and foreign employees working legally in Turkey, compulsory health insurance (SGK) is automatically activated on the first day of employment. Managed by the Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu), this insurance is a legal obligation for employers and represents one of the most critical employment rights. In this guide, we outline how the SGK system operates, its extensive coverage, and the core differences between SGK and private health insurance in 2026.
How Compulsory Worker Insurance Works
Under local labor law, your employer must register you with the SGK system when they issue your work permit (Çalışma İzni). The features of the system include:
- Employer Responsibility: The employer coordinates the registration and pays the monthly premiums. Non-compliance results in severe financial penalties.
- Monthly Deductions: Premiums are deducted as a percentage of your gross salary (14% social security, 1% unemployment insurance), complemented by a larger contribution from the employer.
- Family Coverage: The primary worker's SGK plan covers non-working spouses and dependent children under the age of 18 (or up to 25 if university students) without additional costs.
- Instant Coverage: SGK coverage becomes active after your employer pays the premiums for 30 consecutive days.
SGK vs. Private Health Insurance in Turkey
| Criteria | Compulsory Insurance (SGK) | Private Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 100% free in public and university hospitals. | High coverage in private network hospitals. |
| Family | Automatically covers dependents for free. | Separate policies must be purchased for each individual. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Fully covered immediately with no waiting period. | Often excluded or subject to 12-month waiting periods. |
Checking Your Status
Foreigners can easily verify if their employer is paying SGK contributions by logging into the government portal e-Devlet and searching for the service "SGK Tescil ve Hizmet Dökümü" or checking treatment eligibility under "SPAS Müstehaklık Sorgulama".
