Payment and Deposit Terms for Cura

These Payment and Deposit Terms explain, in general, how payments, deposits and related conditions may work when you use Cura as an international patient. They apply when Cura helps coordinate care with independent clinics and partners in Turkey, Iran and other destinations.

This page is for information only. It does not replace any contract you sign with a clinic, hotel, transport provider or finance company. It is not legal, financial or tax advice. You should read provider terms carefully and seek independent professional advice when needed.

1. Scope and relationship with other documents

These terms sit alongside our Terms of Use and our Finance Policy. They focus on practical questions about who you usually pay, how deposits work and what may happen if your plans change.

Each clinic or partner has its own payment and cancellation rules. Those rules form part of your direct contract with that provider and will usually take priority over the general guidance on this page if there is any difference.

2. Cura’s role in payments

Cura is an information and coordination service. Cura is not a clinic, hospital, bank or payment institution. In most cases, Cura does not receive or hold payments for medical treatment on its own account.

In most situations:

You pay medical costs directly to the clinic, hospital or doctor treating you
You pay travel, accommodation and similar services directly to the hotel, apartment provider, transport company or other partner
Cura may receive commission or service fees from clinics or other partners as explained in our Finance Policy, but this is separate from your own payments to those providers

In limited cases, Cura may help collect a deposit or service fee when this has been agreed in advance with a clinic or partner. When this happens, we will explain in writing who receives the money, what the payment is for and how it will be treated if plans change.

3. Deposits with clinics and partners

Clinics and other providers often use deposits to confirm bookings and protect against late cancellations that leave operating rooms, staff or reserved rooms unused. The amount of any deposit and the rules that apply to it are set by the provider, not by Cura.

A deposit may be requested, for example, to:

Reserve an operation date or procedure slot
Hold time with a specific surgeon or medical team
Secure accommodation or airport transfers during busy periods
Confirm a package that combines treatment, travel and support services

Providers in Turkey, Iran and other countries are generally expected to follow consumer protection rules that require clear advance information about prices, contract terms and any deposit that may not be fully refundable.

Before paying any deposit, you should ask the provider to confirm in writing:

The exact deposit amount
What the deposit covers
When the deposit is refundable
When the deposit is partly or fully non refundable

If Cura helps coordinate the deposit, we will normally ask the clinic or partner to share written conditions so you can review them before deciding.

4. Payment methods

Payment methods vary by country and provider. Cura cannot guarantee that a specific method will be available at any clinic or hotel. Common options may include:

Payment by international or local bank card at the clinic or hotel reception
Bank transfer to a clinic or partner account
Cash payment within local legal limits and provider internal rules
Online payment links or gateways provided by clinics or partners

You should confirm directly with the provider which payment methods they accept, whether limits or extra charges apply and which currency will be used. For example, some providers in Turkey or Iran may present estimates in a foreign currency but collect payment in local currency using the exchange rate of the day.

5. When payments are usually made

Payment timing depends on the provider and the type of service. Typical patterns include:

A deposit or prepayment to confirm your booking or secure a surgery date
Payment of the main treatment amount shortly before or on the day of the procedure
Separate charges for extra nights, extra tests or additional procedures if they are needed
Final settlement of outstanding amounts before discharge or accommodation check out

Some providers may require higher levels of prepayment for international patients. Others may allow staged payments. Cura can help you understand the provider proposal, but the final payment schedule is part of your agreement with that provider.

6. Refunds, cancellations and changes of plan

6.1 General principles

Refund and cancellation rules are set by the clinic or partner under local law. There is no single rule that applies to every provider or country. However, many consumer protection and e-commerce frameworks expect cancellation fees and deposit retention to be fair and clearly explained in advance.

For this reason, Cura encourages international patients to request written information from providers about:

How to cancel or change a booking
Any time limits or notice periods that affect refunds
How much of a deposit or prepayment may be kept in different cancellation situations
What happens if the provider cancels or reschedules

6.2 Situations where refunds may be possible

Each provider policy is different, but deposits or prepayments may be refundable, for example, when:

The doctor or clinic decides after a full assessment that treatment should not go ahead
It becomes clear that you are medically unfit to travel or undergo the procedure
A visa is refused or major travel restrictions arise outside your control and you cannot reasonably travel
The clinic cancels or cannot provide the agreed treatment dates and no suitable alternative is offered

These examples are not promises. You must rely on the written cancellation policy shared by the clinic or partner.

6.3 Situations where refunds may be limited

Deposits or prepayments may be partly or fully non refundable when:

You cancel at very short notice and the clinic cannot reuse the reserved time
You do not arrive on the agreed date or time, or you do not attend the procedure without notice
The provider has already incurred costs such as tests, accommodation bookings or staff preparation
The booking involves custom or special services that cannot be reused

Providers should only keep amounts that reasonably reflect their actual or expected loss or costs. If you believe a clinic or partner is acting unfairly, you may wish to seek advice from a local consumer authority or legal professional in the country where the provider is based.

6.4 Deposits handled by Cura

If Cura collects a deposit on behalf of a clinic or partner, we will keep it in a separate account or clearly record it as held for that provider. Refund rules will still follow the provider policy and any written confirmation you received at the time of payment.

If we receive clear written instruction from both you and the provider to refund or transfer a deposit, we will process this as soon as reasonably possible through the same method or another agreed method. We may ask for additional information to verify identity and help prevent fraud.

7. Bank fees, exchange rates and third-party charges

Your bank, card issuer, payment service or wallet provider may charge its own fees for international payments, such as conversion costs, service charges or interest. These charges are outside Cura’s control and are also outside the control of most clinics.

When a price is converted between currencies, the final amount you pay may differ from the original estimate because of:

Changes in exchange rates between the estimate date and payment date
Different rates used by banks, card networks or payment processors
Extra fees for cash withdrawals or international transfers

You should check with your bank or payment provider in advance so you understand any possible extra costs.

8. Instalments and third-party finance

Some patients choose to use third-party finance, such as loans or instalment plans, to pay for treatment or travel. These products are usually offered by independent finance companies or banks.

Cura is not a credit institution and does not grant loans. If Cura provides information about finance options, this is only a signpost to external providers. Any credit agreement is strictly between you and the finance company.

Before entering into any finance agreement, you should:

Read the contract carefully, including interest charges, fees and repayment schedule
Consider the total cost of credit and the impact on your budget
Seek independent financial advice where appropriate

In some cases, Cura may receive a referral fee from a finance provider in line with local law and industry practice. Such arrangements do not change the price of the loan you pay, but we aim to be transparent about them in our discussions with you.

9. Local expectations in Turkey, Iran and other destinations

Providers that work with Cura must follow the laws of the country where they are established, including rules on consumer protection, medical tourism, malpractice and contract transparency.

In Turkey, consumer protection law focuses on protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers. It sets standards for fair contract terms, accurate price information and mechanisms for resolving disputes.

In Iran, consumer and e-commerce rules are developing and now include provisions on truthful information, fair commercial practices and withdrawal rights for certain distance contracts, with some exceptions for personalised or time-sensitive services.

Cura designs its processes so payment and deposit information is clear and providers share key conditions in a language you can understand. However, Cura cannot guarantee that every provider complies with all local rules at every moment. Your direct contract with the clinic or partner remains the main legal reference for your rights and obligations.

10. No guarantee of price or outcome

All examples of deposits, payment schedules or refund situations on this page are general. They do not guarantee that any specific clinic, partner or case will follow the same pattern. Prices can change and different medical findings may affect the services you need.

Medical decisions, including whether a procedure is appropriate and which tests or follow up are required, belong to qualified clinicians. Cura cannot guarantee any medical result or any particular total cost.

11. Changes to these Payment and Deposit Terms

We may update these Payment and Deposit Terms from time to time, for example when laws change in Turkey, Iran or other countries where we operate, or when we adjust our business model or payment processes.

When we make important changes, we will update the date shown at the top of this page and may post a notice on the website. The updated version will apply from the date it is published.

12. Contact us about payments and deposits

If you have questions about these Payment and Deposit Terms or about a specific payment or deposit related to coordination with Cura, please contact us.

Email for payment and deposit questions: [email protected]

You can also find our latest contact details on the Contact page.

Please remember that Cura cannot give personal legal, financial or tax advice. For questions about your rights under consumer law in a particular country or about complex financial arrangements, you may wish to consult a qualified professional or an appropriate public authority.