How to Obtain a Health Tourism Authorization Certificate in Turkey? (2025 New Regulation Update)

A critical development has occurred for health facilities and intermediary organizations wishing to conduct international health tourism activities in Turkey! The "Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist's Health", which entered into force on April 26, 2025, introduces significant changes and new standards, especially in the processes for obtaining and renewing the **Health Tourism Authorization Certificate**.

In this article, within the framework of the most current 2025 regulation, we discuss in detail how to obtain the Health Tourism Authorization Certificate, which conditions have been updated, what the critical changes are, and how Plus Global Consultancy can support you during this mandatory compliance process. Our aim is to guide you in quickly adapting to the new health tourism regulation, obtaining your authorization certificate smoothly, and continuing your activities on a legal basis.

2025 New Health Tourism Regulation: Key Highlights!

The main updates introduced by the April 26, 2025 Regulation, directly affecting the Authorization Certificate processes, are as follows:

1. Physician Experience Requirement Removed: The 5-year experience requirement previously sought for physicians in health tourism activities has been removed.
2. Personnel Language Requirement Eased: The requirement for foreign language-speaking personnel has been reduced to 1 in private practices/small dental polyclinics, and from 4 to 2 in intermediary organizations.
3. Agency Collaboration Facilitated: Intermediary organizations can provide accommodation/transfer services through contracted Group A travel agencies, even if they are not one themselves.
4. Complication Insurance Became Mandatory: It is now mandatory for health facilities to have complication insurance for surgical/interventional procedures performed in operating rooms (Compliance Deadline: 31.12.2025).
5. Personnel Work Restriction: Health tourism personnel cannot work for more than 2 intermediary organizations simultaneously.
6. Performance Audit by USHAŞ: Facilities and intermediary organizations will be evaluated by USHAŞ based on performance criteria at least once a year. In case of insufficiency, suspension for 3 or 6 months will apply, followed by cancellation if compliance is not achieved upon re-evaluation.
7. Accreditation/Certificate Requirement Clarified: TÜSKA accreditation is mandatory for hospitals, medical centers, etc., while other health facilities must obtain a certificate from the Ministry (Compliance Deadline: 31.12.2026).
8. HealthTürkiye Portal Mandatory: All authorized organizations must register on the portal and conduct their processes through it.
9. Inactivity Status: The certificates of organizations inactive in health tourism for the past year will be canceled.
10. CRITICAL COMPLIANCE PERIOD: Organizations with existing certificates have ONLY 6 MONTHS from the regulation's entry into force date (ending approx. October 26, 2025) to comply with the new regulation! Certificates of non-compliant organizations will be canceled!

How to Obtain the Health Tourism Authorization Certificate? (According to the 2025 Regulation)

Under the new regulation, health facilities and intermediary organizations must follow different criteria and application procedures to obtain the **International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate**.

1. Authorization Certificate for Health Facilities (Hospitals, Clinics, Private Practices, Medical Centers etc.)

Health facilities must apply to the Ministry of Health (via the EKIP system) to obtain the Authorization Certificate. The application primarily requires the following documents and conditions (Refer to Regulation Annex-1/A for details):

• HealthTürkiye Portal membership application document.
• Application petition (Facility and representative information).
• Certified license/operating permit/certificate of conformity.
• Work documents for personnel in the International Health Tourism Unit.
• Having received a minimum score of 85 from the last Health Quality Assessment (not required if holding TÜSKA/Ministry certificate).
• Having at least 1 personnel member in the International Health Tourism Unit meeting one of the specified foreign language proficiency requirements (Details below).
• Declaration of an active website with at least one foreign language option.
• Additionally: Mandatory Complication Insurance (by 31.12.2025) and TÜSKA Accreditation/Ministry Certificate (by 31.12.2026) must be obtained.

2. Authorization Certificate for Health Tourism Intermediary Organizations and Agencies (Agencies etc.)

Intermediary organizations must apply to USHAŞ (International Health Services Inc.) to obtain the Authorization Certificate. The application primarily requires the following documents and conditions (Refer to Regulation Annex-1/B for details):

• HealthTürkiye Portal membership application document.
• Application petition (Organization and representative information).
• Certified Group A Travel Agency Operating License OR service procurement contract with an authorized agency.
• Copy of the Trade Registry Gazette (indicating health tourism as a field of activity).
• Trade registry certificate and signature circular.
• Certified balance sheet from the previous year.
• Call center service procurement contract (if applicable).
• Personnel employment declarations (min. 2 personnel if call center is in-house).
• Having at least 2 individuals among the call center and responsible personnel meeting one of the specified foreign language proficiency requirements (if call center is in-house - Details below).
• Infrastructure or commitment to provide 24/7 call center service in at least 2 languages.

Foreign Language Proficiency Requirements for Health Tourism Authorization Certificate (2025 Regulation)

According to the new regulation, for the authorization certificate, both health facility unit personnel and intermediary organization personnel (in relevant cases) must meet one of the following conditions:

• Exam Score: Minimum 65 points from YÖK/ÖSYM exams (e.g., YDS) or an equivalent internationally recognized certificate.
• European Language Portfolio: B2 level language proficiency certificate.
• Academic Title: Minimum associate professor title.
• Diploma: Graduation diploma from undergraduate programs taught in a foreign language or from departments like Language/Literature/Teaching/Translation/Interpreting.

Health Tourism Incentives and Supports

Remember! Obtaining the Health Tourism Authorization Certificate is mandatory to benefit from the attractive Health Tourism Incentives provided by the Ministry of Trade! These incentives cover many items such as advertising/promotion, overseas office rent, employment, patient travel, and insurance.

Click here for detailed information on Health Tourism Supports and Service Export Incentives.

Simplify Your Authorization Certificate Process with Plus Global!

As seen, obtaining the Authorization Certificate and complying with the standards under the 2025 New Health Tourism Regulation requires a detailed process. It is crucial not to miss the **6-month critical compliance period**.

As Plus Global Consultancy, we guide you through this complex process with our years of experience and up-to-date legislative knowledge. Our Health Tourism Authorization Certificate Consultancy services for health facilities and intermediary organizations include:

• Current Status Analysis: Identifying your deficiencies according to the new regulation.
• Application File Preparation: Preparing all necessary documents completely and accurately.
• Process Monitoring: Tracking your applications with the Ministry of Health or USHAŞ.
• Compliance Support for Standards: Guidance on issues like accreditation/certification, insurance, personnel, and digitalization.
• HealthTürkiye Portal Integration: Technical support for portal registration and usage.
• Incentive Consultancy: Application and process management for government incentives you can benefit from after obtaining your certificate.

We serve health institutions and intermediary agencies all over Turkey, primarily in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Contact our expert team to quickly adapt to the new regulation and obtain your Health Tourism Authorization Certificate smoothly!

Don't waste time, complete the 6-month compliance process with the assurance of Plus Global!

Click here to contact us.