How to choose a clinic in Turkey: 8 checks before you book
Choose a facility that is on the Turkish Ministry of Health official list (680 licensed facilities, 224 of them in Istanbul), whose surgeon is named and sees you before the procedure, and which gives you a written quote covering what is included and the aftercare once you are home. Price should never be the first criterion.
Updated 30/10/2026 · general information, not a substitute for medical advice.
1. The official licence
The Turkish Ministry of Health publishes the list of hospitals and medical centres licensed to treat foreign patients. Ask the clinic for its official registered name and check it on the Official list of licensed facilities (Turkish Ministry of Health). Many well-known brands operate under another name or inside a partner hospital: that is normal, but you need to know where you will be treated.
See the 224 licensed facilities in Istanbul →
2. The surgeon, not just the brand
Ask for the surgeon’s or dentist’s name, specialty and experience. Check that they carry out the main steps themselves. A video consultation before you travel – with them, not a sales coordinator – is a good sign.
3. A complete written quote
The quote should list: the exact procedure, anaesthesia, pre-op tests, nights in hospital and hotel, transfers, medication, compression garments, interpreter and check-ups. Anything missing will cost extra.
4. The hospital and anaesthesia
For surgery under general anaesthesia, ask whether it takes place in a hospital with an intensive care unit, and who the anaesthetist is.
5. Your stay and flight home
Ask how many nights are recommended and when you will be fit to fly. Leave a margin rather than booking a tight return flight.
6. Aftercare back in the UK
Who do you contact with questions? Will the surgeon review your check-up photos? What happens if there is a complication – another trip, a revision? Get the answers in writing. The NHS advice Cosmetic surgery abroad (NHS) is worth reading before you commit.
7. Reviews
Read recent reviews on several independent platforms, including negative ones and the clinic’s replies. How to read reviews →
8. Price – last
A price far below other facilities should make you ask what is included. See the prices clinics publish →
Frequently asked questions
Do Turkish clinics need a special licence for foreign patients?
Yes. Facilities treating foreign patients for health tourism need a licence from the Turkish Ministry of Health. The list is public; we show on every profile whether the facility is on it.
Is JCI accreditation compulsory?
No. JCI is a voluntary international accreditation, mostly held by large hospitals. Not having it does not make a facility unsafe, but having it is an extra safeguard. Check that it applies to the facility where you will actually be treated.
Sources: Official list of licensed facilities (Turkish Ministry of Health); Cosmetic surgery abroad (NHS).
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