Can You Pay Voluntary Bağ-Kur Premiums While Living in the UK?

Voluntary Insurance and Exceptions

The UK is among the exception countries where one can pay voluntary social security premiums without the requirement of residing in Turkey. Contributions made under this scope are classified under the 4/b (Bağ-Kur) status.

Important Considerations

• Costs: As of 2026, the general premium rate for voluntary insurance is 33%, with a minimum monthly premium of 10,899.90 TL .
• Difference from Debt Borrowing (Borçlanma): Voluntary insurance payments accrue premiums for the future, whereas international service borrowing (yurtdışı borçlanması) allows for purchasing past periods. The minimum daily cost for international service borrowing is 495.45 TL .
• Healthcare Services: Simply registering for voluntary insurance is not sufficient to access healthcare services. Generally, it is required to have paid 30 days of General Health Insurance (GSS) premiums in the last year and to have no outstanding premium debt .

Retirement and Employment Status

Whether you can receive a Turkish retirement pension while continuing to work in the UK depends on your initial insurance entry date and the method of retirement (whether international service borrowing was used). In some cases, working in the UK may lead to the suspension of your Turkish pension . Furthermore, the Turkey-UK social security agreement does not cover healthcare services .