Two routes: tourist entry or residence permit
Royal Turkish Schools, part of the same group as Royal Turkish Travel, runs Turkish language courses in Istanbul and Izmir. Students come for anything from one week to a full academic year, and the right insurance follows the way they stay in the country.
If you come on an e-Visa, a consulate visa or visa-free and leave again within your permitted stay, you are a visitor and need tourist cover. If you stay longer and apply for a short-term residence permit, including a student permit, the insurance becomes part of the residence application and has to meet the residence rules.
Short courses on tourist entry
For a course on tourist entry, choose a tourist policy that starts on the day you land and ends on the day you fly out, not only the course dates.
Our tourist policy covers sudden illness and accidents up to USD 35,000 in total, with emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and a 24-hour assistance line. Prices start from EUR 9.90 for 1 week, EUR 19.90 for 1 month and EUR 34.90 for 3 months; the exact price depends on your age and dates. If you need a consulate visa for the course, the same policy meets the EUR 30,000 requirement named by Turkish missions.
Long stays and the student residence permit
For a long programme with a student residence permit, the policy must be valid in Türkiye for the whole permit period, issued by an insurer licensed in Türkiye and meet the minimum cover of the Treasury circular for residence applications. Göç İdaresi checks it electronically, so a tourist policy is not used for this application.
According to the Göç İdaresi FAQ, applicants under 18 have no insurance obligation. For a 2-year permit, a 1+1-year policy or 2 years of state health insurance (GSS) is accepted. We quote compliant residence permit policies within one business day and usually issue the policy on the day you pay.
EHIC, home insurance and Erasmus
Students from the EU often rely on the European Health Insurance Card at home and on exchanges inside Europe. It is not valid in Türkiye, because Türkiye is not in the EU or EEA.
If you take part in Erasmus or another exchange, ask your sending institution or your own insurer in writing whether your cover applies to treatment in Türkiye, for which dates and up to what amount. If the answer is no or unclear, or if you need a residence permit, arrange a policy that covers your stay in Türkiye before you leave.
Practical tips for students
- Set the policy dates by your flights, not by the first and last day of class.
- If you extend your course, buy cover for the extra days so that it starts the day after your current policy ends.
- Planning diving or motorcycle trips? These are excluded dangerous sports; skiing only counts if added.
- Routine check-ups, vaccinations and psychological treatment are not covered by a tourist policy.
- Save the assistance number +90 216 681 75 45 in your phone and keep the certificate PDF with your passport copy.