Urgent announcement

In an incredible twist, the British Embassy has just announced that the Turkish authorities have agreed some changes to the recently introduced UHI legislation.

The new compulsory requirement to register for Turkish health insurance will NOT apply to British residents in Turkey.

Here is the latest announcement from the British Embassy in Turkey web site:

Latest Update on Turkish Health Insurance Regulations
This is an update to our notice earlier today 25 January about the sudden changes to the Turkish health insurance system which have introduced compulsory state health insurance for foreigners when they have been in Turkey as registered residents  for over a year. Foreigners in this category are required to join the system by the end of January or face  a fine for non-payment. 

The Ambassador and a consular team called on the Turkish authorities today.  He set our concerns over the substance, cost, lack of clarity and short notice of the change that has been announced. 

After further discussion, we have established with the Turkish authorities that the situation is now as follows:

Following our representations, the new compulsory requirement to register for Turkish health insurance will NOT  (NOT) apply to British residents in Turkey.

But British residents who have already chosen to join the Turkish system will be allowed to continue in it.

And other British residents will be allowed to join the Turkish scheme if they wish to do so. 

Under the rules in their current form,  those who have been resident for over a year  and delay joining the Turkish system beyond  the deadline of 31 January 2012 can choose to join later;  but they would have to make a backdated payment to cover the period from 31 January if they had been resident in Turkey for a year at that date, and pay a fine. 

We are in continuing contact with the Turkish authorities over all this, including about the fine given that the situation remains confused and that our resident community members have not had adequate time or information to make such an important decision. 

We will let you know as soon as we have more information.

So, the law as it stands says that foreigners with residency permission, who have been resident in Turkey for at least one year, and who do not qualify for health treatment in their own country, must join the SGK scheme, HOWEVER, it isn't compulsory if you are British. 

So 'must join' no longer means 'must join'.  This is an amazing about turn.

But is this a permanent decision or just a temporary suspension of the law?

And what about British citizens married to Turkish partners?

What about our American, Belgian, Dutch (and so on) friends?  Are they given the same break, or have British people got a unique concession?

Has all this been communicated to local SGK offices?  How are they keeping up with this these developments?

What happens if you get one of those letters they were going to send out giving one month's grace to join?  If you get one, can you tear it up? 

Plus, we note that if you choose to join later, you will have to pay premiums back dated to 31st January 2012, and pay a fine.

This sounds like a Sword of Damocles, because if at some point you choose to join, the cost of catching up will be enormous.  This could push people away from taking out health insurance, leaving them exposed to the risk of paying huge hospital bills, if they become seriously ill.

Please remember, looking beyond the question of whether it is compulsory or not, there are good reasons to have health insurance.  If you wish to join the SGK scheme, get yourself registered before 31st January, to avoid a fine.

Please note however, that we are not providing you with insurance advice.  You should obtain your own professional advice in financial matters of this kind.

We don't think this is the last announcement on this important and hugely complicated subject. Once again, we seem to have more questions than answers.

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey