The green card (Yeşil Kart) is issued to individuals who do not have any social health insurance. There are specific conditions to qualify for a green card. For example, people whose monthly income is less than one-third of the minimum wage may be eligible, and green card holders are entitled to receive health services free of charge. A single family can include multiple green card beneficiaries. In this article, we will explain the green card premium amounts.
To apply for a green card, an application document must be obtained from the district governor’s office (kaymakamlık). With this document, the applicant requests a residence certificate (ikametgah ilmühaberi) and a poverty certificate (fakirlik belgesi) from the local headman’s office (muhtarlık). The headman completes the sections of the Green Card Application form that require local verification. After this step, the applicant must demonstrate that they do not have coverage under SSK, Bağ-Kur or the Pension Fund (Emekli Sandığı). This verification is carried out by visiting the relevant offices and making notes on the Green Card Application form. The applicant also needs to check the land registry and municipality records to prove they do not own any property. Once all documents are prepared, they must be submitted to the social assistance foundation at the district governor’s office. If all required steps are completed, the applicant can receive the green card within approximately one week. Green card holders do not pay for any health-related services. The card is valid for one year from the date of issue, and the validity can be extended by applying again at the SGK Green Card offices. If the applicant’s situation still qualifies, the card’s validity will be renewed.
There have been recent changes affecting green card premiums. With the transition to the General Health Insurance system (Genel Sağlık Sigortası, GSG), the separate green card system was phased out. To avoid disadvantaging existing green card holders, they were brought under the scope of General Health Insurance. Under the new regulations, those without any social coverage are also entitled to benefit from the system. If the per-person income in a household exceeds 279 TL, progressive premium payments apply. People without any health insurance can apply at the district governor’s office to access free health services. General Health Insurance introduced a premium mechanism for people not previously covered by social security. Those with income above the minimum wage pay 100 TL, while those whose income exceeds twice the minimum wage pay 200 TL in premiums. These are the current guidelines for green card premium amounts.
If a green card holder’s monthly income is less than one-third of the minimum wage, the state will cover their premiums. Any portion beyond that threshold must be paid by the individual. Since the transition to the GSG system, former green card holders are evaluated under General Health Insurance. Eligibility and contribution levels are determined through an income assessment conducted by the Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, SGK). It is expected that some green card beneficiaries will be required to pay premiums. The amounts to be paid to SGK depend on minimum wage figures and the results of the income test. Some beneficiaries will be obliged to make state premium payments; those who fail the income test will need to pay the applicable green card premium amounts themselves. If the assessed monthly income is below one-third of the minimum wage, the state will pay the premiums.
Regarding specific premium calculations: individuals with income below one-third of the gross minimum wage have their premiums covered by the state. Those whose monthly income falls between one-third of the gross minimum wage and the full gross minimum wage must pay a General Health Insurance contribution equal to 12% of one-third of the gross minimum wage. Individuals with income between the gross minimum wage and twice the gross minimum wage will pay an amount equivalent to 12% of the gross minimum wage. Those whose income exceeds twice the gross minimum wage must pay a General Health Insurance premium equal to 12% of twice the gross minimum wage.