Today many people are employed and, by paying their premiums through that employment, benefit from government-provided healthcare services at reduced costs. Those who start a job fall under mandatory insurance and do not need to apply separately to any institution. However, mandatory coverage may not suit everyone. For this reason, the state offers alternative arrangements to allow individuals to obtain insurance.
In Turkey, people who want insurance but are not covered by mandatory schemes can enroll under voluntary insurance. Some individuals do not meet the conditions required for mandatory coverage, and others may have previously met the conditions but later lost them. This is where voluntary insurance becomes relevant. Alongside how to start voluntary Bağ-Kur coverage, it is also important to know how voluntary Bağ-Kur is terminated.
There are specific conditions for qualifying for voluntary insurance and voluntary Bağ-Kur. Residents of Turkey who have not signed a social security agreement for the period they live in the country may apply for voluntary Bağ-Kur. Those who are not employed in a way that would require mandatory insurance under the relevant law can apply. People who work fewer than 30 days in a month or who do not work full time are also eligible to apply. In addition, those who do not receive disability or old-age pensions in Turkey from other social insurance records, and individuals who are at least 18 years old, can apply for voluntary Bağ-Kur. Voluntary insurance takes effect from the date the application is recorded by the institution and is processed accordingly.
The locations where voluntary Bağ-Kur applications can be submitted are also defined. First-time applicants for voluntary insurance should submit their applications to the Provincial Directorate of Social Security or to Social Security Centers in their place of residence. At the time of application, the Voluntary Insurance Entry Form must be completed and submitted together with proof of residence. Those reapplying for voluntary Bağ-Kur can submit a simple petition requesting re-enrollment.
There are situations in which voluntary insurance ends. Voluntary Bağ-Kur coverage terminates when a request for closure is submitted. If a person applies for a pension and is granted the pension right, the voluntary insurance ends. If a voluntary Bağ-Kur insured person dies without outstanding premium debt, the coverage also terminates.
To request closure of voluntary Bağ-Kur insurance, a valid petition must be delivered to the local Social Security Institution.
Sample Petition for Closure of Voluntary Insurance
Republic of Turkey
SOCIAL SECURITY INSTITUTION
GİRESUN PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE
GÖRELE SOCIAL SECURITY CENTER
Subject: Closure of Voluntary Insurance.
I am registered with your directorate under Bağ-Kur registration number ………………. I request that my voluntary insurance be terminated;
Respectfully submitted for your information.
……/……./2016
Turkish ID No: …………………
FULL NAME: …………………..
Signature ………………………………
Address :
If you become employed and you already have voluntary Bağ-Kur insurance, you generally do not need to take any action to close your voluntary Bağ-Kur. If you prefer certainty in your records, you may visit the Social Security Institution where you initially registered your voluntary Bağ-Kur and submit a petition requesting termination with the necessary information. In other words, voluntary Bağ-Kur ends automatically on the date mandatory insurance begins.