30.10.2026 03:17
With the new regulation concerning General Health Insurance (GSS) premium debts, it is planned to write off the debts of approximately 1.4 million people totaling 3 billion lira. Under the proposal expected to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), unpaid premium debts from before 2017, together with late payment penalties and increases, will be forgiven. After the regulation is enacted, citizens will be able to check their debt status via e-Devlet.
Details of the new regulation, which concerns millions of people with premium debts under the General Health Insurance (GSS), have begun to emerge. In addition to premium debts from past years, late payment penalties and late payment interest are also planned to be cancelled. If the regulation becomes law, the debts of approximately 1.4 million people, amounting to 3 billion lira, are expected to be cancelled.
WHO WILL THE GSS PREMIUM DEBT AMNESTY COVER?
People who are not under the social security umbrella and who cannot receive health services through retirees and employees affiliated with SGK are considered within the scope of General Health Insurance.
These people include those who do not continue their education after the age of 18, those who finish high school at the age of 20 and do not go to university, university graduates who do not work, and other people who are mandatorily covered by GSS.
A debt arises if citizens who are obliged to pay their premiums themselves do not make payments. Late payment penalties and late payment interest are also added to these debts.
GSS DEBTS FROM BEFORE 2017 WILL BE CANCELLED
The most important article of the regulation, which is expected to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, will be the cancellation of unpaid General Health Insurance premium debts from before 2017.
Previously, a similar amnesty had been applied for GSS premium debts from before 2016. With the new regulation, the aim is to expand the scope and also forgive unpaid premium debts from before 2017.
Accordingly, in addition to the principal amounts of the debts, late payment penalties and late payment interest related to these debts will also be waived.
THE DEBTS OF 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE AMOUNTING TO 3 BILLION LIRA WILL BE CANCELLED
The planned regulation is expected to cover approximately 1.4 million people. The total GSS premium debt envisaged to be cancelled under the amnesty is at the level of 3 billion lira.
After the regulation becomes law, citizens will be able to query their General Health Insurance premium debts via e-Government.
HOW MUCH IS THE GSS PREMIUM IN 2026?
For people who have to pay their premiums themselves under General Health Insurance, the monthly premium amount that should be applied in 2026 is stated as 781 lira.
This amount concerns citizens who do not have any social security coverage and who are obliged to pay premiums according to the result of the income test.
If premiums are not paid, debt accumulates and the total obligation may increase due to delay.
THE STATE PAYS THE GSS PREMIUM FOR 5.7 MILLION PEOPLE
According to the latest data announced by the Social Security Institution (SGK), 2 million people in Turkey benefit from health services by paying their General Health Insurance premiums themselves.
In contrast, the GSS premiums of 5.7 million people are covered by the state. Citizens who do not have the ability to pay premiums must undergo an income test to benefit from this support.
CAN GSS PREMIUM DEBT BE CANCELLED THROUGH AN INCOME TEST?
People who cannot pay their GSS premiums can have their premiums covered by the state by undergoing an income test. If the income test determines that the per capita income within the family is less than one third of the gross minimum wage, the obligation to pay premiums is undertaken by the state.
According to the 2026 amount stated in the news, if the per capita income is below 11 thousand TL, GSS premiums are covered by the state. The existing premium debts of people who meet these conditions can also be cancelled. For the income test, an application must be made to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation in the district of residence.
CAN PEOPLE WITH GSS PREMIUM DEBT BENEFIT FROM HEALTH SERVICES?
Citizens with General Health Insurance premium debt can benefit from the health services offered by the state in a limited way. Those under the social security umbrella, those who pay their GSS premiums regularly, and people without premium debt can benefit from health services.
Citizens with premium debt can also receive services under certain conditions at health institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health, health practice and research centers of state universities, and private health institutions with which SGK has an agreement.