Since the 2025 regulation, a health facility must take out complication insurance for surgical and interventional procedures done in an operating theatre for international health tourists. The duty is the facility's, not yours.
It does not cover every treatment. Much dental work, including many implant operations, is done in a dental chair rather than an operating theatre. Ask the clinic in writing whether your treatment is insured, by which insurer, and what the policy pays for.
What the regulation says
- The duty
- Article 6(1)(c): for surgical and interventional procedures carried out in an operating theatre within international health tourism, the health facility must take out complication insurance.
- Deadline
- Temporary Article 1(2) gave facilities until 31 December 2025 to comply.
- Responsibility
- Article 6(3) makes the facility and the agency responsible, according to the service each provides, for the care you receive while in Türkiye, including medical malpractice after treatment.
- In force since
- 26 April 2025, the date of publication in the Official Gazette (No. 32882). It replaced the 2017 regulation.
The court case
The rule has been challenged in Türkiye's Council of State (Danıştay), the highest administrative court. As reported by a Turkish law firm:
- 25 December 2025.The Tenth Chamber suspended the insurance duty while the case is heard (case no. 2025/3198).
- 21 May 2026.The Plenary of Administrative Chambers partly accepted the Ministry's objection. The insurance duty and the transition period apply again. The suspension continues only for the words “complication and” in Article 6(3).
- Now.The case about cancelling the regulation continues, and no final judgment had been reported when this page was updated.
Questions to ask the clinic, in writing
- Is my treatment done in an operating theatre or in a dental chair, and is it covered by your complication insurance?
- Which insurer, what policy number, and what does the policy pay for: further treatment, a hospital stay, travel?
- For how long after treatment does the cover last, and how do I claim from abroad?
- If my treatment is not covered, what does the clinic's own guarantee say? See guarantees.
Invoices and documents under the same regulation
Article 12 gives you rights that help with insurance claims, tax relief and care at home:
- The facility must give you a receipt or invoice, with a document listing each service and its unit price.
- On request, free of charge: a list of medicines and materials you paid for, your test results and X-rays or other images, and prescriptions for anything bought outside.
- An agency must, on request, give a detailed breakdown of what it charged for accommodation, transport, transfers, interpreting and advice.
See also dental records.
Frequently asked questions
Is complication insurance the same as travel insurance?
No. It is a policy the facility takes out for certain procedures. It does not cover your flights, your hotel or illness unrelated to treatment. See travelling for treatment.
Does the rule apply to every clinic?
It applies to health facilities treating international health tourists, for procedures done in an operating theatre. Check the clinic's authorisation first. See verify authorisation.