Who can be voluntarily insured? This question is frequently asked by people who are not currently employed but wish to benefit from social security rights. Voluntary insurance allows individuals to secure retirement rights by paying their own contributions. It is an important option especially for housewives, farmers, Turkish citizens living abroad and people with irregular employment.
According to the updated SGK regulations for 2025, the conditions and scope of voluntary insurance are clearer and application procedures have become more digital. We will explain in detail what voluntary insurance is, who can benefit from it, application requirements, contribution amounts, and how it affects retirement.
What Is Voluntary Insurance and What Is It For?
Voluntary insurance is a social security system that enables people who are not employed by an employer or who do not work at all to become insured by paying contributions on their own behalf. The system is important for individuals who want to gain retirement rights, benefit from general health insurance, and access other social security services.
What Does Voluntary Insurance Do?
- Ensures the completion of required contribution days for retirement.
- Allows those who take a break from working to continue paying contributions.
- Makes it possible for citizens living abroad to obtain retirement rights in Turkey.
- Housewives, freelancers, and unemployed people can be included in social security.
- The individual determines the monthly contribution amount based on their income and pays the contributions each month.
Important note: Those who opt for voluntary insurance are considered insured under the 4B (Bağ-Kur) status and are assessed accordingly.
When Is It Preferred?
- People who have left a job but are close to retirement.
- Individuals working informally who want to pay contributions.
- People who work intermittently and have gaps in employment.
- Housewives living in Turkey without social security.
- Turkish citizens living abroad who wish to remain affiliated with SGK.
Who Can Be Voluntarily Insured? 2025 Requirements
Those eligible for voluntary insurance are people without social security who run their own businesses or are not actively employed. Under the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law in force in 2025, eligible individuals can join the voluntary insurance system if they meet certain conditions.
Who Can Be Voluntarily Insured as of 2025
- Turkish citizens who are at least 18 years old.
- Housewives with no employment record.
- Self-employed people or those who run their own businesses but do not have Bağ-Kur registration.
- Turkish citizens residing abroad.
- Individuals who previously worked and paid contributions but are not currently employed.
- Those employed in insured work who want to fill contribution shortfalls due to missing days.
Basic Conditions to Apply
- Not being employed under SGK.
- Not receiving a monthly wage from any workplace.
- Being at least 18 years old.
- Having a residence address within Turkey (except for overseas applications).
- Applying to the SGK directorate or through the e-Government system with the required documents.
Attention: You cannot be both compulsorily insured and voluntarily insured at the same time. If you have mandatory insurance, a voluntary insurance application will not be accepted.
How to Apply for Voluntary Insurance
The voluntary insurance application can be made in person at SGK or online via e-Government. The application process is straightforward but must be completed with the correct documents. After the application is finalized, the person becomes insured by starting to pay the monthly contribution amount determined.
Application Methods
1. Applying Through SGK Offices
- You can apply at the Social Security Center in your province or district.
- Complete the “Voluntary Insurance Enrollment Declaration” form.
- Submit a photocopy of your identity card and proof of address to complete the application.
- SGK officers process the application through the system and begin your registration.
2. Applying Through e-Government
- Log in to the government portal.
- Search for “Voluntary Insurance Application.”
- Your personal information will populate automatically on the form; review and submit it.
- When SGK registers your application in the system, you will receive a notification.
Required Documents
- Photocopy of Turkish ID card.
- Residence (address) information.
- The SGK entry form for voluntary insurance.
- If there are previous SGK records, a service statement (can be obtained from e-Government).
Note: Approved applicants are considered insured starting from the first day of the month in which they begin paying contributions.
What Are the Retirement Conditions with Voluntary Insurance?
Retirement through voluntary insurance allows individuals who regularly pay contributions to SGK to retire once they reach a certain age and number of contribution days. As of 2025, retirement conditions vary according to the start date of insurance and gender.
Conditions Required for Retirement (2025)
Voluntary insured persons are evaluated under the 4B (Bağ-Kur) status. Therefore, Bağ-Kur retirement conditions apply:
Women
Insurance entry on or before 01.10.1999:
- 20 years (7200 days) of contributions
- Age requirement: 56
Insurance entry between 2000 and 2008:
- 9000 days of contributions
- Age requirement: between 58 and 60
Men
Insurance entry on or before 01.10.1999:
- 25 years (9000 days) of contributions
- Age requirement: 58
For entries after 2000:
- 9000 days of contributions
- Age requirement: between 60 and 63
Note: Those with missing contribution days can complete their deficit by purchasing days for childbirth, military service, or through overseas contribution buyback.
How to Apply for Retirement
- Apply in person at the provincial SGK directorate.
- Alternatively, submit an online application via the e-Government “retirement application” screen.
- Required documents include contribution records, a photocopy of your ID, and the retirement request form.
Once retirement entitlement is approved, SGK typically starts pension payments within about 1–2 months. Payments are made via post office or bank accounts.
Do Voluntary Insured Persons Have the Right to Health Services?
Voluntary insured persons who pay contributions to SGK also pay general health insurance (GSS) contributions and thus gain the right to use health services. However, to receive health care, these contributions must be paid fully and on time.
What Do Those Who Pay GSS Gain?
- Free outpatient and treatment services at public hospitals.
- Access to family physicians, polyclinics, tests, analyses and prescriptions.
- All services are within coverage except for drug co-payments.
- Discounted services at SGK-contracted private hospitals.
- Treatment expenses are covered through the relevant social security center.
Those Who Do Not Pay GSS Contributions
- Voluntary insured persons who pay only retirement contributions but not GSS contributions cannot receive health services.
- If they want to use health services, they must apply for GSS separately and pay the required contributions.
What Happens If There Is an Outstanding Contribution Debt?
- Those with overdue health contribution debts temporarily lose the right to receive health services.
- Until the debt is paid and the status is updated, they cannot be examined in non-emergency areas of hospitals.
Recommendation: Paying both retirement and GSS contributions regularly secures your health coverage and prevents interruptions in the retirement process.