Health Care Services at METU

The first point of contact for students experiencing health or psychological problems is the METU Health and Guidance Center (HGC). Students should present their Student ID Card at the Patient Reception Desk. Initial examinations, tests, and treatment are provided at the HGC within the scope of its services and in accordance with applicable regulations. If further examinations, tests, or treatment are required, students may be referred to public, university, or private hospitals.

A treatment fee, as determined by the Council of Higher Education, is charged for each visit to a physician. For detailed information, please visit the Health and Guidance Center website.

Health Insurance in Türkiye

Students are required to have valid health insurance during their stay in Türkiye. In addition to ensuring access to health care when needed during their studies at METU, valid health insurance is also a requirement for obtaining a residence permit in Türkiye.

Students have two options:

1. General Health Insurance (GSS) for International Students at METU

• SGK stands for Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu in Turkish).
• GSS stands for General Health Insurance (Genel Sağlık Sigortası in Turkish).

Full-time international students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible and strongly encouraged to apply for GSS.

With active GSS coverage, you can access health care services at public hospitals and receive discounts at certain private hospitals. GSS covers many health care services at public hospitals, although additional payments may be required for some procedures, and certain services may not be covered. It also allows you to purchase eligible prescription medicines at a discounted price, with a significant portion of the cost covered by your insurance.

If you wish to visit a private hospital, please note that the amount you pay depends on the hospital's pricing policies and its agreement with SGK. Some private hospitals have agreements with SGK, while others may charge additional fees that are not covered by your insurance. You can check whether a private hospital has an agreement with SGK before making an appointment.

How to Apply

Step 1: Collect the required documents

• Passport
• Residence Permit Card (if available)
• Student Certificate showing your foreigner identification number and the start date of the academic year. You can obtain this document through the METU Student Portal or by visiting the Registrar's Office.

Step 2: Visit the Çankaya SGK Office

Visit the Çankaya SGK Office and submit your application within three months of the first day of classes in the Fall semester.

Notes

• The monthly premium for student GSS is approximately 1,300 TL (as of 2026). You will need to make the required payments either through your bank account or at an ATM.
• If you need proof of your GSS coverage, you can obtain an official document through e-Devlet.
• You can start benefiting from health care services only after the first 30 days of activation.
• If you wish to cancel your GSS registration, you must submit a petition to SGK. Simply stopping your payments will not cancel your registration. If you do not formally cancel it, your debt may continue to accumulate until your studentship ends.
• For more information, you can call the SGK hotline at 170 or email gss@sgk.gov.tr.

2. Private Health Insurance

You can obtain private health insurance from any private health insurance company after arriving in Türkiye. Please make sure that your policy includes the following statement confirming that it meets the minimum coverage requirements for a residence permit:

İşbu poliçe 25/12/2024 tarih ve 2024/34 sayılı Vize ve İkamet İzni Taleplerinde Yaptırılacak Sağlık Sigortalarına İlişkin Genelgede belirlenen asgari teminat yapısını kapsamaktadır.

***International students who have valid health insurance coverage in Türkiye through their parents or under bilateral agreements must submit a document confirming their coverage to the Migration Office as part of their residence permit application.