Medical tourism in Turkey: treatments and travel

Turkey has become one of the most active destinations for people who travel abroad for planned medical care. Large city hospitals, private clinics and specialized centers treat visitors for cosmetic, dental, eye, fertility and many other services.

According to official health tourism data from Turkey's International Health Services company using figures from the national statistics authority, 1,538,643 people received healthcare services in Turkey under health tourism programs in 2023 and 1,506,442 people did so in 2024, with revenue a little above 3 billion US dollars each year. The same dataset reports that by the end of the third quarter of 2025 1,080,387 people had already visited for healthcare services, with revenue above 2.1 billion US dollars. These numbers, accessed in November 2025, show that international patients are now a stable part of the health system rather than a small and occasional visitor group.

Why Turkey for medical care

Several factors draw international patients to Turkey. The country has invested in modern hospitals, digital imaging and operating theaters, and many doctors work in large teams that focus on specific areas such as heart surgery, oncology or cosmetic surgery. Major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya have become medical hubs with combined tourism and health services.

A 2024 review of health tourism statistics reported that Turkey ranks among the top countries for health tourism globally and that around 40 health institutions held international accreditation at that time. In recent years government agencies have also set targets to increase the number of international patients and expand digital health support such as teleconsultations.

For patients, strengths often include a wide range of elective procedures, shorter waiting times than in some home systems and the ability to combine treatment with a familiar holiday style environment.

Common treatments and specialties

International visitors travel to Turkey for many kinds of care. Common areas include:

• Hair transplantation and scalp treatments. Turkey is widely known for hair restoration surgery using methods such as follicular unit extraction, where individual hair follicles are moved from dense areas to thinning areas.
• Cosmetic and plastic surgery. Frequent procedures include rhinoplasty, breast surgery, body contouring, facelift and eyelid surgery. These aim to adjust shape and appearance and sometimes help with function such as breathing.
• Dental treatments. Patients often seek dental implants, crowns, veneers and full mouth rehabilitation in dental centers that serve international visitors.
• Bariatric or weight loss surgery. Operations such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass can support weight management when lifestyle measures alone have not been enough, for people who meet clinical criteria.
• Eye and vision care. Eye hospitals provide laser vision correction, cataract surgery and treatment for some retinal or corneal problems.
• Orthopedics and spine care. Joint replacement, ligament repair and spine surgery are available in teaching and private hospitals.
• Fertility and IVF. Clinics offer assessments and treatments such as in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination for couples who have difficulty conceiving.
• Oncology and cardiac care. Large tertiary centers provide multidisciplinary cancer treatment and heart care including angiography, angioplasty and cardiac surgery.

Whether any of these options are suitable in your case depends on detailed assessment by a qualified specialist who reviews your medical history and test results.

Quality, accreditation and safety

Turkey combines a national hospital licensing system with voluntary international accreditation. Many large hospitals hold accreditation from Joint Commission International, which assesses safety and quality standards. A 2025 overview noted that more than 50 hospitals in Turkey carried JCI accreditation, mainly in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya, although the exact list changes over time.

Other analyses of 2023 and 2024 data describe Turkey as ranking around seventh globally in health tourism and highlight that dozens of hospitals and clinics also hold other recognitions such as ISO 9001 quality certification and health tourism certificates issued by the Ministry of Health.

At the same time media reports and patient stories show that quality can vary. While many centers provide structured care and clear follow up, some patients have experienced complications or poor communication especially in high volume cosmetic and dental clinics. This makes independent checks important before you commit.

Before choosing a provider you can:

• Confirm that the hospital or clinic is licensed and, if relevant, has a health tourism certificate from the Ministry of Health.
• Check whether the facility is listed in the JCI directory or another recognized accreditation body and verify that the certificate is current.
• Review the surgeon's training, specialty registration and years of focused experience in the procedure you are considering.
• Ask about infection prevention policies, anesthesia safety and emergency backup such as intensive care units.
• Request copies of all reports and operative notes in a language you understand.

Travel basics and practicalities

Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport serve most international medical travelers, with additional hubs in Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Travel times from many regional capitals can be a few hours which allows short trips for diagnostics and follow up.

Visa rules depend on nationality. Many travelers can visit without a visa for short stays or apply online for an electronic visa through the Republic of Turkey's official e-visa system at the e-Visa portal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes detailed visa tables and links to the e-visa portal at the official visa information page, where eligible visitors complete a short form, pay the fee and download their visa. As rules can change you should always check these official sites and your own government's travel advice before you book flights.

For elective surgery people typically plan to stay in Turkey between one and two weeks, longer for complex procedures or when several operations are combined. This allows time for in person assessment before treatment, early recovery and at least one follow up visit. Your doctor may advise different timing based on your health, travel distance and procedure.

Turkish is the official language. In large hospitals international patient departments and private clinics staff often speak English and sometimes Arabic, Russian or other languages. Many centers offer interpreters and patient coordinators, but it is still useful to confirm language support in advance.

Major hospitals and hotels accept international cards and bank transfers. Smaller clinics and guesthouses may prefer cash or local payment methods. Clarify how deposits, refunds and extra services are handled and keep receipts for insurance or tax purposes if relevant.

Care pathway for international patients

Although each clinic has its own process, many international patients follow similar steps:

• Initial contact. You share your concerns, treatment goals and previous reports such as scans or lab results through a secure channel.
• Preliminary medical review. A doctor or clinical team reviews your information and may request extra tests from your home country to better understand your situation.
• Remote consultation. Video or phone consultations help answer questions, discuss possible options and outline risks and recovery expectations.
• Provisional plan and estimate. The clinic prepares a draft treatment plan and a cost estimate. This is based on current information and may change after an in person examination.
• Travel planning. Once you agree to proceed you arrange flights, accommodation and airport transfers. Some providers offer package support for hotels and local transport.
• In person assessment and tests. On arrival you meet your doctor, confirm the plan and complete any necessary tests to check that the procedure is safe for you.
• Treatment and early recovery. The procedure takes place in a hospital or clinic followed by monitoring, pain management and early rehabilitation where needed.
• Discharge and follow up. Before you travel home the team reviews wound care, medication and warning signs to watch for and shares copies of your records.
• Ongoing follow up from home. Some clinics schedule remote follow up calls to review healing and answer questions during the first months after treatment.

Cost factors without prices

Turkey is often described as more affordable than many patients' home countries, but the real cost of care varies widely. Understanding the main cost drivers can help you compare options more clearly.

• Procedure type and complexity. Simple procedures or single area surgeries usually involve fewer resources than complex or combination operations.
• Facility level. Treatment in a tertiary hospital with intensive care and advanced imaging may cost more than in a smaller day surgery center, but can be important for higher risk patients.
• Surgeon and team experience. Fees may differ based on the surgeon's seniority, sub specialisation and the size of the support team.
• Anesthesia, devices and materials. Implants, prostheses, grafts and long theater times add to overall cost.
• Length of stay. Extra nights in hospital or hotel, home nursing, physiotherapy and interpreter services can all increase total spending.
• Season and travel choices. Flight prices, hotel rates and local transport costs change by season and major events.

When comparing offers, check what is included in each quote, such as pre operative tests, medications, compression garments, follow up visits and emergency care plans.

Cultural tips and accessibility

Turkey is a majority Muslim country with diverse cultural influences. In most cities everyday dress is relaxed, although modest clothing is appreciated in religious sites. In hospitals staff are used to caring for international patients and usually explain what to expect during examinations and procedures.

Appointments may run later in the day than in some countries and it is common for relatives to accompany patients in waiting areas. If you prefer privacy you can ask about private rooms and visitor rules before you book.

Most modern hospitals have ramps, lifts and accessible toilets, but some older buildings and surrounding streets may be harder to navigate with wheelchairs or mobility aids. If you have specific access needs discuss them with the clinic in detail so they can arrange suitable rooms, equipment and transport.

Respectful communication, using simple language and checking understanding on both sides, can help prevent misunderstandings when medical and cultural expectations differ.

How Cura can help

If you are exploring options for treatment in Turkey a coordination service such as Cura Medical Tourism can help you compare clinics, collect medical opinions, organise airport transfers and interpretation and keep your records in one place. This support can make logistics simpler while you still keep final decisions with your local doctors and chosen specialists.

This guide is for general information only. It does not replace advice from qualified health professionals or official visa and travel guidance. Always confirm details about medical plans, provider credentials, visa rules and travel advisories before you decide to travel.