Insurance in Turkey for Foreigners & Property Owners
Insurance in Turkey is an important part of protecting your property, health, vehicle, travel plans and financial security. For foreigners living in Turkey and international property owners, understanding the different types of insurance is particularly important because some policies are compulsory, while others are optional but can provide valuable additional protection.
Turkey has a wide range of insurance products, including DASK (compulsory earthquake insurance), Konut (home insurance), Common Area insurance, health insurance, vehicle insurance, Kasko and travel insurance. The right combination depends on your personal circumstances, property, residency status, vehicle and lifestyle.
This guide explains the main types of Insurance in Turkey, what they generally cover, and why they may be important for foreigners, property owners and residents.
How Insurance in Turkey works?
Insurance in Turkey allows individuals and businesses to transfer certain financial risks to an insurance company in exchange for a premium. If an insured event occurs, the insurer may compensate the policyholder or provide services according to the policy terms, limits, exclusions and applicable legislation.
Some insurance products are legally compulsory. For example, qualifying properties are subject to Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası (DASK), while motor vehicles subject to the relevant legislation must have compulsory traffic liability insurance. Other products, including home insurance, Kasko and private health insurance, are generally voluntary.
It is important to remember that insurance policies are not identical. Two policies with similar prices can have significantly different coverage, limits, exclusions, deductibles, hospital or repair networks and additional services.
1. DASK – Compulsory Earthquake Insurance
DASK, officially called Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası (ZDS), is Turkey’s compulsory earthquake insurance system.
Qualifying residential buildings and independent units are subject to DASK, and the policy must be renewed annually by the relevant owners or holders of usufruct rights.
DASK provides coverage for direct material damage caused by an earthquake and certain damage resulting from earthquake-related fire, explosion, tsunami and landslide, within the policy’s limits. Covered building components can include foundations, main walls, floors and ceilings, stairs, elevators, corridors, roofs, chimneys and other specified structural elements.
What DASK does not cover
DASK should not be confused with comprehensive home insurance. It does not generally cover household furniture and belongings, loss of rent, alternative accommodation expenses, bodily injury, death or many indirect financial losses.
This is why property owners should consider whether additional Konut Insurance is appropriate.
DASK premiums and coverage amounts are calculated according to factors including the building’s construction type, risk group and insured area. Accurate information about the property is therefore important when arranging a policy.
2. Konut – Home Insurance
Konut Sigortası, or Home Insurance, is designed to provide broader protection for your home and, depending on the policy, your belongings and liabilities.
Unlike DASK, which focuses on specified earthquake-related building damage, a Konut policy can be structured to cover a much wider range of risks.
Depending on the insurance product, coverage may include:
- Fire
- Water damage
- Theft and burglary
- Storm and other natural events
- Glass breakage
- Household contents
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Third-party liability
- Emergency assistance
- Alternative accommodation
- Other optional protections
The exact coverage depends on the policy. Therefore, property owners should examine the policy wording, limits, exclusions and additional benefits rather than choosing a policy based solely on price.
A simple way to remember the difference is:
DASK = compulsory earthquake protection for qualifying building risks
Konut = broader home and contents protection according to the policy
For many homeowners, having both can provide substantially more complete protection.
3. Common Area Insurance – Ortak Alan
For apartment buildings, residences and large residential complexes, protecting an individual apartment is only part of the insurance picture.
Residential complexes contain valuable shared facilities and infrastructure, including:
- Swimming pools
- Gardens
- Parking areas
- Lobbies
- Corridors
- Elevators
- Saunas and fitness areas
- Technical rooms
- Water systems
- Electrical installations
- Security facilities
- Other common property
Common Area Insurance (Ortak Alan Sigortası) can be arranged to protect common property and, where included, relevant liability risks according to the policy.
This can be particularly important for residential complexes because damage to a shared facility can create significant costs for the site management and property owners.
For example, a major fire, water incident or other insured event affecting a common facility can require substantial repairs. Liability coverage can also be important where an insured third party suffers injury or property damage in a covered common area.
For site and apartment management, reviewing the existing policy and identifying gaps in protection can therefore be an important part of responsible property management.
4. Health Insurance in Turkey
Health coverage is one of the areas where foreigners should be especially careful because the appropriate solution depends on their individual status.
Turkey has a public health insurance system through SGK/GSS, as well as private health insurance products.
* SGK / GSS
Genel Sağlık Sigortası (GSS) is Turkey’s General Health Insurance system administered through SGK.
People can become covered through different legal and employment-related statuses. Certain foreigners can also become eligible for GSS if they meet the applicable conditions.
* Private Health Insurance – ÖSS
Özel Sağlık Sigortası (ÖSS) means Private Health Insurance.
It can provide private healthcare coverage according to the selected policy, potentially including inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, surgery, diagnostic services and other benefits.
For foreigners without SGK, an appropriate private health insurance policy can be particularly relevant.
* Supplementary Health Insurance – TSS
Tamamlayıcı Sağlık Sigortası (TSS) is different from ÖSS.
TSS is designed for people who already have SGK/GSS and provides additional benefits according to the specific policy and contracted healthcare network.
Therefore:
SGK/GSS + TSS = public health coverage + supplementary private insurance benefits
while:
ÖSS = private health insurance according to the selected policy
This distinction is extremely important when choosing Insurance in Turkey.
* Health insurance for foreigners
Health insurance can also be relevant to residence-permit applications. However, it is not accurate to say that every foreigner must purchase private health insurance.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, qualifying health coverage may come through SGK/GSS, a bilateral social-security arrangement, qualifying foreign coverage or an appropriate private health insurance policy. The requirements also vary according to the type and duration of residence application.
For example, the official Migration Management guidance states that certain foreigners applying for residence permits of less than one year may be required to provide travel health insurance covering the requested period, while different rules apply to applications of one year or more and to students or people covered through SGK.
For this reason, foreigners should have their individual situation checked before purchasing a policy.
5. Vehicle Insurance in Turkey
Vehicle owners should understand the difference between Mandatory Traffic Insurance and Kasko.
* Mandatory Traffic Insurance
Trafik Sigortası, formally the Karayolları Motorlu Araçlar Zorunlu Mali Sorumluluk Sigortası, is compulsory for motor vehicles subject to the relevant legislation.
Its main purpose is to cover the vehicle operator’s legal financial liability toward third parties arising from an accident, subject to applicable limits and conditions.
It should not be confused with comprehensive insurance for your own vehicle.
* Kasko Insurance
Kasko is voluntary vehicle insurance designed to protect the insured vehicle against specified risks.
Depending on the selected product and additional coverage, Kasko can protect against risks such as:
- Collision
- Accidental damage
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Natural events
- Glass damage
- Roadside assistance
- Replacement vehicle
- Other optional benefits
The Turkish insurance framework recognizes different Kasko structures, with the exact scope determined by the applicable policy and conditions.
A useful combination for many vehicle owners is therefore:
Mandatory Traffic Insurance + suitable Kasko
The first addresses compulsory third-party liability, while Kasko can provide protection for the insured vehicle according to the policy.
6. Travel Insurance
Travel Health Insurance (Seyahat Sağlık Sigortası) provides protection against certain medical and assistance risks during a covered journey.
It can be relevant for:
- Foreigners travelling to Turkey
- Turkish citizens travelling abroad
- International holidays
- Business trips
- Visa applications
- Schengen travel
- Temporary stays
- Families traveling internationally
Depending on the policy, travel insurance can provide benefits relating to unexpected illness or accidents, emergency medical treatment, medical transportation and other assistance services.
Travel insurance is different from long-term private health insurance. It is designed for a defined travel period and has its own limits, exclusions and conditions.
Which Insurance Do You Need in Turkey?
The right combination depends on your circumstances.
| Your situation | Insurance to consider |
|---|---|
| Property owner | DASK + Konut |
| Apartment/residence complex | Common Area |
| Foreigner applying for residence | Appropriate qualifying health coverage |
| Person covered by SGK wanting additional private benefits | TSS |
| Person seeking private healthcare | ÖSS |
| Vehicle owner | Mandatory Traffic Insurance + optional Kasko |
| International traveller | Travel Health Insurance |
For a property owner, for example, DASK alone may not provide comprehensive protection. Adding suitable Konut insurance can address additional risks affecting the home and belongings.
For a residential complex, individual DASK policies do not replace the need to consider protection for shared facilities and common areas.
For a foreign resident, the most appropriate health insurance depends on their SGK status, residence situation and individual needs.
How to Choose the Right Insurance in Turkey
When comparing Insurance in Turkey, don’t focus only on the premium.
Consider:
Coverage: What exactly is insured?
Limits: How much will the insurer pay?
Exclusions: What isn’t covered?
Deductibles: Will you have to pay part of a claim?
Network: Which hospitals, repair centres or service providers are included?
Additional benefits: Does the policy provide assistance, replacement accommodation, roadside assistance or other services?
Renewal: What happens when the policy expires?
Eligibility: Does the policy meet your specific legal or administrative requirements?
For foreigners, it is particularly important to make sure that any policy being purchased for an official purpose actually meets the relevant current requirements.
Insurance Services for Property Owners & Foreigners in Turkey
At Property By Sahar, we combine our experience in real estate, property management and insurance to help property owners and residents understand their insurance options.
Whether you have recently purchased an apartment in Alanya, own a holiday property, manage a residential complex, live in Turkey as a foreigner, own a vehicle or travel internationally, we can help you explore suitable insurance solutions.
Our insurance services include:
DASK • Konut • Common Area • Health • Vehicle • Kasko • Mandatory Traffic • Travel Insurance
Our aim is not simply to find the cheapest policy. It is to help you understand what you are buying, what is covered and which solution is appropriate for your circumstances.
Protect what matters most.
Property By Sahar
Real Estate • Property Management • Insurance
Insurance in Turkey can be an important part of protecting your property, family, health, vehicle and financial future. The right policy can provide valuable peace of mind while helping you manage unexpected risks.