Funding elderly care in Turkey combines SGK health insurance, Ministry social assistance and private sector pricing. A common misconception is that SGK directly covers the monthly "boarding" fee for all seniors — in reality, SGK's role is primarily health-oriented. In 2026, the Ministry's provincial commissions updated the official floor-to-ceiling price bands for licensed private facilities.
2026 Official Private Facility Price Bands (Taban–Tavan)
| City / Region | 2026 Monthly Floor (TL) | 2026 Monthly Ceiling (TL) | VAT status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 20,250 TL | 106,616.25 TL | VAT added on top (+KDV) |
| Ankara | 14,260.84 TL | 86,280.19 TL | Price stated excl. VAT (KDV hariç) |
| Bursa / Nilüfer (municipal) | 12,000–25,000 TL | 27,500 TL (Alzheimer unit) | VAT-exempt (KDV muaf) |
| Izmir (municipal) | 2025 tariff rates remain (no 2026 increase) | — | — |
VAT treatment differs by city: Istanbul adds VAT to the stated price; Ankara's official band is stated excl. VAT; Nilüfer municipal tariffs are VAT-exempt. Always ask "Is VAT included?" when requesting a formal price quote.
Bursa Nilüfer Municipality 2026 examples: single room 18,000 TL/month; single occupancy in shared room 12,000 TL/month; suite 25,000 TL/month; care room 25,000 TL/month; Alzheimer night section 27,500 TL/month; day section 750 TL/day. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality voted to keep municipal care home tariffs at 2025 levels with no increase for 2026.
What SGK Covers for Facility Residents
| Expenditure Category | Free Residents (State) | Paid Residents (Private/State) |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding and Nutrition | Fully covered by the state | Covered by monthly fee |
| Examinations and Treatment | Covered by EYHGM budget | Standard SGK health rights |
| Medication Costs | Fully covered by the state | Paid by resident/family |
| Medical Devices (Hearing Aids/Prostheses) | Provided by EYHGM/official health bodies | Subject to SGK reimbursement rules |
| Monthly Stipend | Provided under Law No. 2022 | Not applicable |
Poverty Threshold for Free State Care
In 2025, "muhtaçlık" (poverty) under Law No. 2022 requires that household per-capita income be below one-third (1/3) of the net minimum wage after tax exemptions. People who own property but cannot generate sufficient income from it may also be eligible with a "Yoksulluk Belgesi" (Poverty Certificate).
Important: Elderly individuals with no legal caregivers, or whose caregivers lack sufficient financial means, may still qualify for free or reduced-fee care.
2026 State Benefits: Official Amounts
| Benefit | 2026 Amount | Who qualifies? |
|---|---|---|
| Evde Bakım Yardımı — Home Care Assistance (Jan–Jul 2026) | 13,878 TL / month | Fully dependent, low-income disabled individuals cared for at home by family |
| 65+ Elderly Allowance / Yaşlı Aylığı (Law No. 2022) | 6,393.02 TL / month | Persons 65+ not receiving SGK/Bağ-Kur pension, with income below 1/3 of net minimum wage |
| Ministry Residential Care (state facility) | Free (poverty certificate required) | Assessed as needy after social investigation; approx. 30% of Ministry facility residents are free |
Evde Bakım Yardımı is NOT a general elderly care benefit — it requires "fully dependent disabled" status under specific legal conditions. The 65+ Allowance is an income-supplement for qualifying seniors. Contact ALO 182 or the provincial directorate before applying for either.
Social Assistance Application: Key Documents
- ID card photocopy
- Documents showing income status (payslips, rental income, pension)
- Property ownership certificate showing real estate assets
- Application to Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services for Social Investigation Report
- Medical summary (epikriz) for Special Care units
- e-Devlet pre-application: "Huzurevlerine Yerleşme Talebi Ön Başvurusu" (for Ministry facilities)