International patients seeking surgical care in Türkiye should be aware that, starting from January 2026, the Turkish Ministry of Health will require complication insurance for all surgical procedures within the health‑tourism sector. This measure is designed to enhance patient safety, protect travellers from unforeseen financial burden and elevate the overall standards of health‑tourism services. CK Health Turkey welcomes this change as a natural extension of our long‑standing commitment to transparency, patient rights and comprehensive after‑care.
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Why complication insurance is becoming mandatory
Health‑tourism brings thousands of patients to Türkiye each year for cosmetic, bariatric and reconstructive surgeries. Although these operations are performed by qualified surgeons in accredited hospitals, complications can occasionally occur. Without insurance, managing complications can result in unexpected costs and logistical challenges for patients. The new regulation aims to ensure that:
- Patient safety comes first – medical facilities and providers must adhere to higher standards and maintain clear protocols to mitigate complications.
- Patients are protected financially – the policy covers necessary treatments, revision procedures and hospital costs when a medically recognised complication arises, helping to prevent a sudden financial burden on the patient.
- Health‑tourism standards improve – mandatory coverage encourages healthcare providers to operate within a more accountable and responsible framework, raising the overall quality of services.
By making complication insurance compulsory, Türkiye aligns its health‑tourism practices with international norms and reassures patients that their well‑being is safeguarded from start to finish.
What the insurance covers
Complication insurance is not a general health policy; it addresses only unforeseen, medically recognised complications that arise after surgery or other interventions performed in Türkiye. According to the coverage summary, the policy pays for:
- Unexpected medical complications after a surgical or interventional procedure in Türkiye.
- Revision surgery or second operations when a doctor determines that additional intervention is medically necessary.
- Clinically recognised complications directly related to the original procedure.
In practice, this means that if a patient experiences a post‑operative complication such as an infection, bleeding, anastomotic leak or organ torsion, the costs of hospitalisation, surgical revision and medically necessary treatment are covered. Many policies provide an inpatient treatment benefit (for example, €5 000) for complications related to aesthetic or obesity surgery. Coverage typically includes:
- Revision surgeries and interventions to correct complications.
- Hospital and medical costs for readmission following a complication.
- Emergency treatment for sudden illnesses or injuries during travel (benefits up to €30 000 are common in comprehensive plans).
- Transportation back to Türkiye if a revision is required and the patient has already returned home; many policies reimburse economy‑class airfare up to €1 000.
- Accommodation expenses while the patient receives complication care (often up to €100 per day, subject to medical approval).
- Legal protection and third‑party liability – some policies contribute toward legal fees for disputes arising from covered complications (e.g., €500 for legal protection and €3 750 for third‑party liability).
- Other travel‑related benefits, such as coverage for baggage loss during flights (up to approximately €350) and repatriation of remains in the event of death.
These benefits vary by insurer but generally reflect the goal of ensuring that patients receive timely, appropriate care without worrying about finances.
Duration and territorial scope
Complication insurance does not provide lifelong coverage. The coverage summary notes that policies are typically valid for six months after the procedure. Certain extended plans may offer coverage for up to twelve months. Coverage applies only within Türkiye, and any revision or additional procedure must generally be performed in the country to be eligible for reimbursement. Travel‑insurance components may also include a maximum travel duration (for example, up to 92 consecutive days) after which the policyholder must return to their country of residence and re‑enter Türkiye to renew coverage.
Eligible procedures
The policy applies to surgeries and interventions performed in an operating theatre and often excludes minor, non‑surgical or purely cosmetic treatments. Aesthetic surgery (nose, breast, buttocks, liposuction), obesity surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass) and orthopaedic procedures are usually covered when performed in health‑tourism accredited hospitals. Procedures must be scheduled through a licensed healthcare provider or intermediary, and the insurance is arranged by the provider or intermediary—not by the patient.
Situations that are not covered
It is important for prospective patients to understand what complication insurance does not cover. The coverage summary explicitly excludes:
- Medical malpractice, negligence or professional fault claims.
- Patient non‑compliance with medical instructions.
- Pre‑existing medical conditions and related complications.
- Aesthetic dissatisfaction or unmet expectations (e.g., cosmetic results not meeting personal preferences).
- Non‑surgical cosmetic procedures, such as Botox or fillers.
The sample policy also lists several other exclusions. Complications caused by physician malpractice or by unrelated diseases are not covered. Re‑operations performed solely for personal dislike of the aesthetic outcome, revision surgery for concha or septum problems, or elective procedures like buttock liposuction for purely aesthetic purposes fall outside the scope. Bariatric patients with a body‑mass index below 30, patients seeking additional procedures due to insufficient weight loss, or those experiencing gallstones, kidney stones or pancreatitis unrelated to the surgery cannot claim benefits. Rehabilitative and physical‑therapy costs, as well as supportive treatments such as blood‑pressure control, IV drips or blood‑sugar regulation, are generally excluded unless they are part of the medically necessary intervention. Additionally, patients residing in Türkiye and dual citizens (one of whom is Turkish) are typically not eligible for this insurance; it is designed for foreign nationals between 18 and 65 years of age who travel specifically for surgery.
Additional features and benefits
The mandatory insurance often includes travel‑assistance features that improve patient safety and logistical support:
- Transportation guarantee – if a patient must return to Türkiye for revision surgery or treatment of a complication, the policy reimburses the cost of an economy‑class flight, usually up to €1 000, after deducting a small co‑payment. This ensures that the patient can reach the treating hospital promptly.
- Accommodation coverage – when a complication requires the patient to stay outside the hospital, daily accommodation costs (typically €100 per day up to a maximum of €1 000) are covered once a doctor certifies medical necessity. Optional accommodation unrelated to complication treatment is not reimbursed.
- Third‑party liability – should an accident during travel cause injury or property damage to a third party, the policy pays compensation up to the specified limit (e.g., €3 750), subject to the general terms of Turkish third‑party liability law. Claims related to the insured’s profession, business activities, operation of a vehicle or moral damages are excluded.
- Legal protection – coverage for certain legal expenses (e.g., €500) helps resolve disputes between the insured and insurer arising from a covered complication, though disputes over personal taste or indemnities awarded in a lawsuit are not included.
- Medical travel coverage – most comprehensive plans provide up to €30 000 for hospitalisation, surgery and medication costs if the insured suffers an emergency illness or injury during travel.
- Funeral transportation and repatriation – if a covered illness or injury leads to death, the insurer arranges transportation of the body to the requested address; funeral and burial expenses themselves are not covered.
- Travel assistance – when a sudden illness or injury occurs, the insurer pays for ambulance or medically appropriate transportation to the nearest suitable medical centre, and for medically necessary transfers between hospitals. Air ambulance services are typically provided only when approved by the insurer’s physician.
- Baggage loss protection – if baggage is lost, stolen or damaged on a scheduled flight and not recovered within the period defined by the airline (usually 21 days), the insurer compensates the policyholder up to around €350, after deducting the amount paid by the airline and applying depreciation for older items. Money, jewellery, credit cards and documents are excluded.
These benefits underscore that complication insurance is not merely an add‑on; it is a comprehensive support package that addresses the medical, logistical and legal challenges that may follow a post‑operative complication.
Responsibilities and premium payments
The healthcare provider or intermediary organisation arranges the insurance on behalf of the patient. During pre-operative consultations, patients may choose whether the insurance premium is bundled into the package price or itemised as a separate line item. Regardless of the billing format, the premium must be paid in line with the policy’s payment terms for coverage to commence. Premiums must be paid as soon as the contract is concluded (or by the first instalment date when paid in instalments). If the premium or down payment is not paid, the insurer’s liability will not commence; failure to pay instalments may lead to cancellation of the contract and termination of coverage. Any unpaid premiums corresponding to a covered claim become due and payable once risk occurs.
Preparing for a safe surgical journey
From January 2026 onward, every international patient who travels to Türkiye for surgery will need to purchase complication insurance. This requirement ensures that any unforeseen post‑operative complication is managed promptly and without unexpected expense. CK Health Turkey remains committed to patient safety, transparency and regulatory compliance. By incorporating mandatory complication insurance into our packages, we provide peace of mind so that patients can focus on their recovery, knowing that comprehensive support is available should complications arise.
