Health insurance

This page is for Turkish citizens who will live, study, or work in Ukraine. It explains when health insurance is mandatory in Ukraine, how a policy works in Ukraine, what you should look for when choosing a policy, and why your social security coverage in Türkiye is not valid in Ukraine. For emergency assistance and the state healthcare system, see U6.1.

• Temporary residence permit (посвідка на тимчасове проживання): when applying, a valid health insurance policy and a copy covering the entire duration of the permit are required. This condition applies to all application purposes (education, employment, family reunification, etc.), except for certain military categories specified by law.
• When renewing an expired temporary residence permit, a policy covering the entire new period is also required.
• Valid health insurance is required when applying for a type D student visa and when the student enters through the border.
• For the insurance requirement for short-term visa-free entry, see U1.3.
• Insurance covers payment for paid medical assistance, including emergency assistance, provided to a foreigner temporarily staying in Ukraine (see U6.1).

• Resolution No. 667 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regulates payment as follows:
  • If you have a contract with an insurer established in Ukraine, the insurer pays the treatment costs directly to the healthcare institution upon presentation of the payment document.
  • Under a policy issued by a foreign insurer (not established in Ukraine), payment is guaranteed by an insurer in Ukraine if that insurer has a mutual recognition agreement with the foreign insurer in Ukraine.
  • Payment may also be made by an assistance company (medical assistance coordination company) named in the policy and operating in Ukraine.
  • If the costs exceed the insurance limit, you pay the difference.
  • If there is no policy or entitlement to free treatment, you pay the entire cost.

• Duration: For a temporary residence permit, the policy must cover the entire duration of the permit. Since a student's permit is issued for the study period, plan the policy according to this period.
• Coverage: Check that emergency assistance, hospitalization, and ambulance costs are covered. Emergency assistance is also chargeable for a foreigner temporarily staying in the country.
• Payment method: Check whether the insurer makes direct payments in Ukraine (through an established insurer, a mutual recognition agreement, or an assistance company).
• Limit: Remember that you will pay the difference if the limit is exceeded.
• Exclusions: Ask the insurance company in writing about the policy's exclusions concerning war and martial law.
• Copy: The original policy and a copy are required when applying for a residence permit.
• Cost: Study in Ukraine indicates that the annual health insurance cost for students is up to 1,000 euros.

• Ukraine's state-guaranteed healthcare program is not a premium-based system; it is funded from the state budget and accessed through a declaration with a family doctor (see U6.1).
• According to the Ukrainian Government's statement, people who can sign a declaration include holders of a permanent residence permit; a temporary residence permit is not included on this list.
• Students studying on a Ukrainian state scholarship receive healthcare services in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. However, annual health insurance is not included in the scholarship; the student pays for it.
• According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye's Travel Health page, there is no state insurance system similar to SGK for foreigners in Ukraine. Foreigners who wish may obtain private health insurance; depending on the policy, treatment at contracted clinics and medication from contracted pharmacies may be free.

• There is no social security agreement in force between Türkiye and Ukraine. Ukraine is not included in SGK's list of 35 agreements currently in force.
• According to the guide prepared by SGK for citizens abroad (2022), negotiations on an agreement with Ukraine are ongoing.
• Healthcare assistance provisions exist in the agreements Türkiye has concluded with only 19 countries. Therefore, healthcare assistance documents used in countries with agreements are not issued for Ukraine.
• For borrowing your periods of employment in Ukraine toward retirement in Türkiye, see O1.5.

• State Migration Service of Ukraine (ДМС) — residence permit and policy requirement · Web: dmsu.gov.ua
• Study in Ukraine — student visa and insurance requirement
  • Telephone: +380 44 359 05 39, +380 67 402 63 61 · Email: info@studyinukraine.gov.ua
• National Health Service of Ukraine (НСЗУ) — state-guaranteed program · Information line: 16-77
• Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Kyiv
  • Address: Panasa Myrnoho Sok. No: 22, 01011 Kyiv
  • Telephone: +380 44 281 07 50 · Emergency: +380 63 211 47 65
• Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Odesa
  • Telephone: +380 48 722 79 11 · Emergency: +380 93 711 00 24, +380 93 711 00 26
• SGK — social security agreements and overseas service borrowing · Web: sgk.gov.tr
• Consular Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29

• Going to a residence permit appointment with a short-term policy that does not cover the entire duration of the permit.
• Forgetting to obtain a new policy when renewing the permit.
• Assuming that your SGK registration in Türkiye will cover treatment costs in Ukraine.
• Relying on a policy that cannot make direct payments in Ukraine and only reimburses costs afterward, leaving you to pay a large expense upfront.
• Not reading the policy's war and martial law exclusions.
• Assuming that health insurance for scholarship students is included in the scholarship.

• Is insurance mandatory when entering Ukraine as a tourist? For short-term entry requirements, see U1.3. Insurance is mandatory for residence permits and student visas.
• Is a policy I purchased in Türkiye valid in Ukraine? Under Resolution No. 667, payment under a foreign insurer's policy may be made through a mutual recognition agreement with an insurer in Ukraine or through the assistance company specified in the policy. Before applying for a residence permit, ask the Migration Service office whether your policy will be accepted.
• How much does insurance cost? Study in Ukraine indicates a cost of up to 1,000 euros annually for students. The price varies according to the coverage and limit.
• I am covered by SGK; will SGK pay if I receive treatment in Ukraine? There is no social security agreement between Türkiye and Ukraine. Rely on your private insurance for costs in Ukraine.
• I have a permanent residence permit; do I still need private insurance? Holders of permanent residence permits can sign a declaration with a family doctor and benefit from the state program. Private insurance may still be useful for services not covered by the program.

• Migration Service of Ukraine – Temporary residence permit (document list)
• Diia – Temporary residence permit service card (No. 00929)
• Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine – Procedure for medical assistance to foreigners (Resolution No. 667)
• Study in Ukraine – Visa requirements
• SGK – Social security agreements
• SGK – Social security guide for citizens living abroad (PDF)
• Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye – Travel Health, Ukraine
• e-Government – Emergency notification abroad