Regulation on Cooperation in International Health Services Published.

The Regulation on Cooperation in International Health Services (‘the Regulation’), implemented by the Ministry of Health, entered into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated 14 February 2026.The Regulation, issued to ensure coordination in international health services between the Ministry of Health and health facilities belonging to state universities (‘Institutions’) that have been granted international health tourism authorisation certificates, regulates the procedures and principles of cooperation for the provision of international health services.

The Regulation, which is based on Article 12 of Law No. 1219, has implemented a ‘flexible assignment model’ for physicians, dentists and specialist healthcare personnel.

With the Regulation, Institutions will now be able to cooperate to ensure that healthcare services provided by service personnel can be delivered at the healthcare facility belonging to the service recipient organisations. In other words, the way has been paved for doctors, dentists and specialist healthcare personnel to be assigned between two institutions on a planned, temporary or case-by-case basis.

In this regard, within the framework of the Regulation;

• The Regulation forbids the provision of services within the cooperation in units and centres with restrictions on full-time work in their specific legislation. The validity of the cooperation is subject to a written protocol. The Regulation sets a minimum content of the protocol (branches, remuneration, termination conditions, etc.) and gives the authority to sign t to the Minister and the Rector. The duration of the protocol is limited to a maximum of 3 years.

• The consent of the personnel providing the service must be obtained, and these personnel must be included in the protocol list. Furthermore, no separate contract will be concluded between the personnel providing the service and the service recipient organisations.

• Personnel providing services may form a working team from among the healthcare personnel working at the service provider organisation within the scope of the cooperation, with the approval of the service provider organisation. The Regulation specifies the procedures regarding the consent and notification processes for personnel to be included in the working team and the maintenance of their insurance status.

• The Regulation also provides that the personnel providing the service must fulfil their training, research and professional obligations at the service provider organisation without interruption. Similarly, it is regulated that the members of the working team must also fulfil their duties at their organisation without interruption.

• Personnel providing services are held responsible for diagnostic and treatment procedures, as well as procedures performed within the scope of surgical or invasive interventions, and for the actions and procedures of the working team. However, service recipient organisations are held responsible for follow-up procedures such as secondary procedures, follow-up after surgical or invasive interventions, control visits, other care and support services.

• Patients wishing to receive international healthcare services may apply directly to the service recipient organisation, the personnel providing the service, or one or more intermediary organisations contracted by the service recipient organisation. The fee for international healthcare services is determined based on the tariff announced within the scope of public healthcare service pricing. Accordingly, the supply of medicines and medical supplies is left solely to the service recipient organisations; it is stated that advance payment may be taken from the patient. It is regulated that at least 60% of the international healthcare service fee shall be taken as an advance payment from patients who do not have any social security coverage.

• The Regulation also introduces a mechanism for the distribution of collected between service recipient organisations and service provider organisations . Accordingly, 50% of the total amount (after deducting the cost of medicines/supplies) will be transferred to the service provider organisations. After the organisation's share and deductions arising from relevant legislation have been made, the remaining amount will be distributed to staff and the working team. Finally, it has been regulated that data relating to the provision of international healthcare services will be reported monthly to the Ministry by the service recipient organisations via SİNA.

In conclusion, the Regulation aims to establish a controllable, sustainable and high-quality healthcare service ecosystem. Along with the Regulation, Türkiye will increase its share in the global healthcare market while also certifying service standards within the legal framework.

AUTHORS

Nuri Melih İnce

Osman Tuna Kısaoğlu