The Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Türkiye published amendments to the Private Health Insurances Regulation, introducing revised requirements for lifetime renewal guarantees, waiting periods, switching between insurers and policyholder disclosure. The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2026. The framework for the lifetime renewal guarantee (ÖBYG) is standardised across insurers and cannot be changed to the detriment of the insured, with the right defined and monitored via a central system and usable with any insurer once obtained. Eligibility is tied to three years of uninterrupted cover and a claims-to-premium ratio below 80% at the end of that period, and the option is available to policyholders who are not older than 60 at policy inception; insurers must also present the ÖBYG option at the offer stage. Waiting periods are limited to the initial entry period into the system and are no longer applied at renewal (except in cases of interruption), and accrued waiting time is preserved when switching insurers through the central system. Additional measures require timely, complete and accurate information to policyholders on coverage, pricing and other terms that may affect their choices.
Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Türkiye 2025-10-20
Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Türkiye tightens private health insurance rules on lifetime renewal guarantees and waiting periods from 1 January 2026
Türkiye's Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency has amended the Private Health Insurances Regulation, effective 1 January 2026, standardizing lifetime renewal guarantees and revising waiting periods and policyholder disclosure requirements. The lifetime renewal guarantee is centrally monitored, with eligibility based on three years of uninterrupted coverage and a claims-to-premium ratio below 80%. Insurers must provide complete and accurate information on coverage and terms to policyholders.