Good news for Turkish citizens living abroad: SGK debt consolidation procedures can now be completed through the e-Government (e-Devlet) platform. With the start of the new year, the Social Security Institution (SGK) continues to lead in the number of services available via e-Devlet. Since 2015, SGK has maintained its top position by offering 127 different services through the system.
Before this change, SGK services were provided via the Interactive Social Security Center (ESGM) based on identity information. SGK has migrated nearly all of its services to e-Devlet. While ESGM only allowed querying 4/A service statements, e-Devlet now gives access to records for all branches—4/A, 4/B, and 4/C—as well as bank and private pension fund information.
SGK Debt Consolidation Procedures Are on e-Devlet
SGK debt consolidation procedures are now available on e-Devlet. Last year the platform began accepting requests for military and maternity/childbirth debt consolidation. Insured workers can submit their military and maternity debt consolidation applications through e-Devlet and can also track which Social Security Center received their file once the process is complete.
Once a military debt consolidation request is processed, related procedures can be finalized within 15 days. This digital workflow has significantly reduced paper use and streamlined the process.
Lawyers and trainee lawyers who spent the first six months of their unpaid internship in court and the remaining six months under supervision at a law office can apply to consolidate that one-year internship period via e-Devlet. After logging in, start the process from the SGK applications section using the link titled “Application and Tracking for Consolidation of Time Spent in Lawyer Internship by Those Last Insured Under 4/A.”
Physicians can also consolidate periods of doctoral study or medical specialization, whether completed domestically or abroad, through e-Devlet. Begin the procedure under SGK applications by selecting “Application and Tracking for Consolidation of Doctoral or Medical Specialization Periods for Those Last Insured Under 4/A.”
Overseas Debt Consolidation Now Handled via e-Devlet
Overseas debt consolidation is now processed through e-Devlet. Turkish citizens working abroad, blue card holders, and homemakers can complete consolidation requests more easily. Typically, the most-requested documents are related to overseas employment. For overseas consolidation, the “Entry-Exit Document” previously required from the Police Department can now be obtained through e-Devlet.
This update removes much of the paperwork previously needed for overseas consolidation applications. The only document that still generally must be obtained from consular offices is the “Work Certificate.”