Investment support institutions in Turkey
Compulsory health insurance (Universal Health Insurance, or UHI) for foreigners has been postponed until Jan. 1, 2012.
This week, we have three different emails on three different topics. The first email is from Abbas. He asks:
“Dear Sadettin;
I am an administrative expert in an Iranian foreign investment company and my job is to provide Iranian investors with information regarding doing business in other countries. We need brief information on how investors can opt for business in Turkey.
I am looking forward hearing from you. Sincerely, Abbas.”
Dear Abbas, two different establishments study foreign investments in Turkey. The first of them is the Investment Support and Promotion Agency, or ISPAT. The agency is an official institution of government. The official website of the agency is www.invest.gov.tr.
The second institution about foreign investments is the International Investors Association, or YASED. This association is a civil organization. The official website of the association is www.yased.org.tr. You can find information about the investment process from both institutions.
[HH] Health insurance
The second question is from Alan. He asks about health insurance and says:
“Merhaba Sadettin Bey,
I have a war Disablement Pension from the U.K. which entitles me to U.K. National Health Service treatment whenever I return to U.K. without having to wait three months or to become a permanent U.K. resident. Will I still need to pay for UHI in Turkey? Alan.”
Dear Alan, compulsory health insurance (Universal Health Insurance, or UHI) for foreigners has been postponed until Jan. 1, 2012. So you do not have to apply for UHI in Turkey. If your U.K. insurance is not valid in Turkey, you will have to apply for UHI after Jan. 1, 2012.
[HH] Car insurance problem
The last mail is from Dennis, who shares with us a car insurance problem. He says:
“Dear Sadettin,
I read each week your column, Local Expats Corner. I want to talk about an experience [that I have had].
My wife and I have lived in Turkey for over seven years and have had our car insured with one of the biggest insurance companies in Turkey. It was after reading an article on living in Turkey and driving a car on a U.K. driving license that had stated that if a U.K. person lived in Turkey for more than six months with a resident permit, the U.K. license would be invalid.
They confirmed that if we were involved in an accident which was our fault they would not pay out any money. When I asked why after all these years of taking our yearly premiums they had they not informed us about this, the reply was that it was not their policy to inform customers about Turkish law. We applied for Turkish driving licenses. One does not have to take a test. A simple medical and [application] to the traffic police after completing forms [is enough]. Yours faithfully, Dennis.”
I thank Dennis for sharing experiences.
Hurriyet Daily News/14.01.2011
This week, we have three different emails on three different topics. The first email is from Abbas. He asks:
“Dear Sadettin;
I am an administrative expert in an Iranian foreign investment company and my job is to provide Iranian investors with information regarding doing business in other countries. We need brief information on how investors can opt for business in Turkey.
I am looking forward hearing from you. Sincerely, Abbas.”
Dear Abbas, two different establishments study foreign investments in Turkey. The first of them is the Investment Support and Promotion Agency, or ISPAT. The agency is an official institution of government. The official website of the agency is www.invest.gov.tr.
The second institution about foreign investments is the International Investors Association, or YASED. This association is a civil organization. The official website of the association is www.yased.org.tr. You can find information about the investment process from both institutions.
[HH] Health insurance
The second question is from Alan. He asks about health insurance and says:
“Merhaba Sadettin Bey,
I have a war Disablement Pension from the U.K. which entitles me to U.K. National Health Service treatment whenever I return to U.K. without having to wait three months or to become a permanent U.K. resident. Will I still need to pay for UHI in Turkey? Alan.”
Dear Alan, compulsory health insurance (Universal Health Insurance, or UHI) for foreigners has been postponed until Jan. 1, 2012. So you do not have to apply for UHI in Turkey. If your U.K. insurance is not valid in Turkey, you will have to apply for UHI after Jan. 1, 2012.
[HH] Car insurance problem
The last mail is from Dennis, who shares with us a car insurance problem. He says:
“Dear Sadettin,
I read each week your column, Local Expats Corner. I want to talk about an experience [that I have had].
My wife and I have lived in Turkey for over seven years and have had our car insured with one of the biggest insurance companies in Turkey. It was after reading an article on living in Turkey and driving a car on a U.K. driving license that had stated that if a U.K. person lived in Turkey for more than six months with a resident permit, the U.K. license would be invalid.
They confirmed that if we were involved in an accident which was our fault they would not pay out any money. When I asked why after all these years of taking our yearly premiums they had they not informed us about this, the reply was that it was not their policy to inform customers about Turkish law. We applied for Turkish driving licenses. One does not have to take a test. A simple medical and [application] to the traffic police after completing forms [is enough]. Yours faithfully, Dennis.”
I thank Dennis for sharing experiences.
Hurriyet Daily News/14.01.2011
