Turkey has taken substantial steps to restructure and enhance its health tourism industry through the introduction of the latest health tourism regulations, known formally as “Uluslararası Sağlık Turizmi ve Turistin Sağlığı Hakkında Yönetmelik.” Implemented to establish clear standards and strengthen patient safety and satisfaction, these regulations came into effect recently, highlighting Turkey’s commitment to becoming a premier global destination for medical travelers.
The primary goal of the new regulations is to standardize service provision, establish minimum requirements, and introduce stringent oversight mechanisms to regulate facilities and intermediary organizations involved in health tourism. The scope includes international patients seeking treatment in Turkey and covers private and public healthcare providers, universities, and intermediary service providers, explicitly excluding cases under social security agreements or emergency humanitarian care.
Under the new regulations, all healthcare facilities and intermediary agencies engaged in medical tourism must obtain an official Health Tourism Authorization Certificate from relevant authorities. The certificate, mandatory for all healthcare providers and intermediaries, is non-transferable and specific to individual branches or facilities.
Healthcare facilities such as hospitals, medical centers, dialysis centers, and medical laboratories must achieve accreditation from the Turkish Healthcare Quality and Accreditation Institute (TÜSKA). Other facilities are required to obtain a specialized certification from the Turkish Ministry of Health, thereby ensuring standardized quality and safety of care provided to international patients.
The new regulations require all healthcare facilities performing surgical or invasive medical procedures within international health tourism to obtain complication insurance. This requirement safeguards patients by covering potential complications arising post-treatment, reflecting Turkey’s dedication to comprehensive patient care. Existing facilities have until December 31, 2025, to comply with this mandate.
A significant digital initiative under the new regulations is the “HealthTürkiye Portal,” an online platform for recording, monitoring, supervising, and promoting Turkey’s healthcare services internationally. All authorized facilities and intermediaries are required to maintain up-to-date information on this portal, ensuring transparency and facilitating patient decision-making processes.
Intermediary organizations must provide around-the-clock customer support in at least two foreign languages. Websites must also be multilingual, thereby enhancing patient communication and service accessibility. Healthcare providers are required to establish dedicated international patient units, with documented foreign language proficiency for assigned staff.
Immediate Effect: All new entrants must meet current standards upon application.
End of 2025: Mandatory complication insurance coverage for applicable facilities.
End of 2026: All healthcare providers must secure accreditation from TÜSKA or obtain relevant certification from the Ministry of Health.
Existing organizations previously authorized must comply fully within six months from regulation implementation or face cancellation of their certificates.
The regulations significantly bolster patient safety through rigorous accreditation, complication insurance, and stringent oversight. These enhancements will increase patient trust and satisfaction, critical factors influencing Turkey’s global health tourism appeal.
By aligning with international standards and adopting best practices, Turkey positions itself as a highly competitive medical tourism hub. Transparent, standardized, and regulated medical tourism services promise increased international patient influx and economic benefits.
Through the HealthTürkiye Portal, Turkey demonstrates a progressive approach towards digital transformation in healthcare, facilitating better patient management and enhancing the global image of Turkey’s medical tourism services.
Turkey’s updated health tourism regulations mark a transformative shift toward enhanced patient care standards, operational transparency, and international competitiveness. These rigorous new measures promise to elevate Turkey’s status as a trusted, high-quality destination for medical tourists, setting a robust foundation for the sector’s sustainable growth.