Health law in Turkey is the body of rules that governs how healthcare services are organised, delivered, financed and supervised. It covers the relationship between patients and healthcare providers, the licensing and inspection of hospitals and clinics, the professional obligations of doctors, and the remedies available when treatment causes avoidable harm. For both Turkish citizens and the growing number of international patients who travel to Turkey for treatment, understanding the basics of Turkish health law is the first step towards protecting their rights.
What Is Health Law?
Health law, also called health care law or healthcare law, is a field of law that regulates the healthcare sector as a whole. It brings together elements of administrative law, contract law, tort law, criminal law and data protection law. In practice, health law answers questions such as who may provide medical services, under which conditions a clinic may operate, what information a patient must receive before treatment, and who is responsible when something goes wrong.
In Turkey, health law is not contained in a single code. Instead, it is built on several key statutes and regulations, supported by decisions of the Ministry of Health and the case law of the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) and the Council of State (Danıştay).
Health Law vs Medical Law: What Is the Difference?
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical. Health law is the broader concept: it covers public health policy, health insurance, hospital licensing, pharmaceutical regulation and the overall organisation of the healthcare system. Medical law is narrower and focuses on the individual relationship between doctor and patient, including informed consent, confidentiality, standards of care and medical malpractice. In other words, medical law is one important part of health law.
The Legal Framework of Health Law in Turkey
Turkish health law operates through a layered framework of laws and secondary legislation. The most important sources include:
- Fundamental Law on Health Services No. 3359 (1987): Sets out the core principles for organising and managing healthcare services, including the licensing and supervision of private healthcare providers.
- Law No. 1219 on the Practice of Medicine and Medical Sciences: Regulates who may practise medicine and dentistry, professional obligations and compulsory professional liability insurance for doctors.
- Patient Rights Regulation: Defines the rights of patients, including the right to information, informed consent, privacy and the right to file complaints.
- Medical Deontology Regulation: Sets the ethical rules that doctors must follow in their professional conduct.
- Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health: Governs institutions and intermediaries that provide services to international patients.
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098: Provides the basis for contractual and tort liability in compensation claims.
- Turkish Penal Code No. 5237: Covers criminal liability, such as negligent injury and negligent homicide, in cases of serious medical error.
- Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698: Treats health data as special category personal data that requires a higher level of protection.
Social security and public health insurance are regulated separately under Law No. 5510 on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance. Occupational health and safety in the workplace is also a distinct area, mainly governed by Law No. 6331, and is not usually treated as part of healthcare law in the narrower sense.
Recent Reforms: Law No. 7557 (2025)
On 24 July 2025, Turkey introduced Law No. 7557 Amending Certain Laws Related to Health, one of the most wide-ranging health law reforms in recent years. Among other changes, the law:
- Limits physicians and dentists to working in a maximum of two healthcare institutions, with existing permits at private institutions to be renewed under the new rules,
- Introduces a near-total advertising ban for private healthcare providers, with significant administrative fines for violations,
- Allows patients to give informed consent electronically, verified through biometric methods or recognised electronic identification,
- Strengthens the tracking of pharmaceuticals and introduces heavy fines for fake or unauthorised medical devices,
- Expands the audit powers of the authorities over healthcare providers.
For clinics, hospitals and health tourism companies, these reforms make legal compliance more important than ever. For patients, the new rules on advertising and consent may become relevant when assessing whether a provider acted lawfully.
Patient Rights Under Turkish Health Law
Patient rights are at the centre of health law in Turkey. Under the Patient Rights Regulation and related legislation, every patient, including foreign nationals, is entitled to:
- Receive clear information about their diagnosis, treatment options and risks,
- Give or refuse informed consent before any medical intervention,
- Have their medical information kept confidential,
- Access and obtain copies of their medical records,
- Be treated with respect and without discrimination,
- File complaints and seek legal remedies when their rights are violated.
When these rights are breached, patients may apply to the patient rights units of hospitals, to the Ministry of Health, or directly to the courts. You can read more about these rights in our Patient Rights & Medical Malpractice Turkey Guide.
Medical Malpractice and Liability of Healthcare Providers
Medical malpractice is one of the most practical areas of health law. A healthcare provider may be held liable when treatment falls below the accepted medical standard and causes avoidable harm. Liability can arise in several ways:
- Civil liability: Patients may claim compensation for material and non-material damages from doctors and private hospitals under the Turkish Code of Obligations.
- Administrative liability: Claims arising from treatment in state hospitals are generally brought against the administration before the administrative courts.
- Criminal liability: In serious cases, doctors may face criminal proceedings for negligent injury or negligent homicide.
- Disciplinary liability: Professional bodies and the Ministry of Health may impose disciplinary sanctions.
Expert reports, usually prepared by the Council of Forensic Medicine or university hospitals, play a decisive role in determining whether negligence occurred. Patients who believe they have been harmed by medical treatment should seek advice from an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Turkey as early as possible.
Health Law for Clinics, Hospitals and Health Tourism Providers
Health law in Turkey also imposes strict compliance obligations on healthcare businesses. Private hospitals, outpatient clinics, aesthetic centres and health tourism companies must:
- Obtain and maintain the required licences and authorisations from the Ministry of Health,
- Employ properly qualified and authorised medical staff,
- Follow the rules on advertising and patient communication, which were tightened by Law No. 7557,
- Obtain valid informed consent and keep complete medical records,
- Protect patient data in line with Law No. 6698,
- Comply with the Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health when serving foreign patients.
Failure to comply may result in administrative fines, suspension of activities and civil or criminal liability. Legal review of contracts, consent forms and marketing materials is therefore an important part of risk management for healthcare providers.
Legal Rights of International Patients in Turkey
Turkey is one of the world’s leading destinations for health tourism, especially for cosmetic surgery, hair transplantation, dental treatment and bariatric surgery. International patients enjoy the same patient rights as Turkish citizens and may bring claims before Turkish courts if they suffer harm due to negligent treatment. Common legal issues for foreign patients include:
- Inadequate information or consent forms provided in a language the patient does not understand,
- Treatment performed by unauthorised or unqualified staff,
- Complications that are not properly followed up after the patient returns home,
- Disputes with health tourism intermediaries about responsibility for the treatment.
Many of these claims can be managed remotely through a lawyer in Turkey, with documents translated and submitted on the patient’s behalf. Patients harmed during cosmetic procedures can also review our guide on plastic surgery malpractice in Turkey.
How Oran Partners Can Help
At Oran Partners, we advise patients and healthcare providers on all aspects of health law in Turkey. For patients, we handle medical malpractice and patient rights claims, from evidence collection and expert review to negotiation and litigation. For clinics, hospitals and health tourism companies, we provide regulatory compliance support, contract review and representation in administrative and disciplinary proceedings. Our team works with both Turkish and international clients and provides clear guidance at every stage of the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is health law in Turkey?
Health law in Turkey is the set of laws and regulations that govern healthcare services, including the licensing of providers, the obligations of doctors, patient rights, health insurance and liability for medical errors. Its main sources include Law No. 3359, Law No. 1219 and the Patient Rights Regulation.
What is the difference between health law and medical law?
Health law covers the entire healthcare system, including regulation, insurance and public health. Medical law focuses on the relationship between doctor and patient, such as consent, confidentiality and malpractice. Medical law is therefore a part of health law.
Is healthcare free in Turkey for citizens?
Turkish citizens are generally covered by the General Health Insurance system under Law No. 5510, which provides access to a wide range of services in public hospitals. Contributions and co-payments may apply depending on the person’s status and the type of service, and private healthcare is paid separately.
Can foreign patients sue a clinic in Turkey?
Yes. Foreign patients have the same rights as Turkish citizens and may bring compensation claims or criminal complaints in Turkey if they are harmed by negligent treatment. A local lawyer can usually represent them without the need to travel to Turkey for every stage of the process.
What changed with Law No. 7557?
Law No. 7557, published on 24 July 2025, introduced significant changes to Turkish health law, including limits on where doctors may work, a near-total advertising ban for private healthcare providers, electronic informed consent and stricter rules on medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
