Turkey's Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health

International health tourism is one of the fastest-growing areas of Turkey’s healthcare sector. Sustaining this potential requires a clear and auditable legal framework for healthcare providers and intermediary organisations.

The “Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health”, published in Official Gazette No. 32882 of 26 April 2025, sets the minimum standards in this field. It also redefines the conditions under which healthcare institutions and intermediary organisations obtain an authorisation certificate.

Purpose and Scope of the Regulation

The Regulation pursues two main objectives:

• to set minimum standards for healthcare and intermediary services provided within the scope of international health tourism and tourist health,
• to regulate the procedures for authorising and supervising healthcare institutions and intermediary organisations.

It comprehensively covers all organisations serving foreign nationals who travel to Turkey to receive healthcare. Certain exceptions also apply, for example foreign nationals receiving healthcare in situations of war or disaster.

International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate

The international health tourism authorisation certificate defined by the Regulation is mandatory for healthcare facilities and intermediary organisations operating in this field. It is subject to specific application and assessment procedures.

The transparency and auditability of these procedures matter in two ways: for the legal certainty of the organisations providing services and for the protection of international patients. Operating without an authorisation certificate exposes an organisation to serious administrative and legal risks.

Service Standards and Responsibilities

Healthcare facilities must operate in line with the standards applicable to the services they provide and comply with the rules set out in the Regulation.

Complication insurance: The Regulation makes complication insurance mandatory. This requirement improves the safety of the services provided and limits the organisation’s financial exposure in potential disputes.

Accommodation and transport: Intermediary organisations must provide these services through authorised travel agencies, and the services are expected to meet a high standard.

Services Relating to Tourist Health

The Regulation guarantees access to healthcare for foreign nationals temporarily present in Turkey who fall suddenly ill. Emergency healthcare must be provided immediately within the legal framework, and fees are to be collected only after the service has been delivered.

In practice, this means healthcare institutions cannot make payment security a precondition for treatment in an emergency.

Pricing and Invoicing

Prices for services provided within the scope of international health tourism are set by the Ministry of Health. Healthcare facilities must show the details of the services provided clearly on the invoices or sales receipts they issue.

This transparency obligation also serves as evidence in the organisation’s favour in pricing disputes and inspections.

Legal Assessment for Healthcare Providers and Intermediaries

The Regulation introduces uniform standards for organisations active in health tourism. This new framework aims to strengthen the international competitiveness of both the Turkish healthcare system and the health tourism sector.

At the same time, the obligations relating to authorisation certificates, insurance, pricing and intermediary relationships create new compliance and dispute risks for these organisations.

istlegal Attorneys at Law advises healthcare facilities and intermediary organisations on authorisation procedures, intermediary and service agreements, and disputes involving international patients.