HEALTH TOURISM INCENTIVES

The most basic competence criterion that intermediary organizations wishing to operate in the field of health tourism must meet in order to obtain the international health tourism authorization certificate is to have a Group A Travel Agency Business Certificate issued by TÜRSAB..

The Health Tourism Authorization Certificate is an activity permit issued by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey to health institutions and intermediary institutions with Group A agency status, which will operate in the field of health tourism, showing that they meet the competence criteria in the legislation for health tourism activities.

It is a legal obligation for companies carrying out health tourism activities to obtain an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate, and the activities of companies without an authorization certificate may be suspended by the Ministry. Institutions that can benefit from tax and incentive advantages by obtaining a Health Tourism Authorization Certificate:

Health Tourism Support Table

Companies holding the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate can recover 60-70% of their expenditures in cash.

Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Support

60% of the expenses related to advertising, promotion and marketing activities to be carried out abroad and in foreign languages are supported.

The support rate for activities in target and priority countries is 70%.

Expenses related to the design, updating, iconicization and management of social media and search engine advertisements are supported up to a maximum of 15,000 TL per month for 2024. In order for these expenses to be supported, regular promotion of the social media page through sponsored advertisements is required.

Patient Roadside Assistance

60% of the airfare of patients coming to Turkey is supported.

In order to benefit from the support, the patient entering Turkey must register with the health institution within 7 days at the latest.

Agency Commission Support

60% of the commission expenses paid by healthcare organizations to intermediary institutions are supported.

Only health institutions benefit from this support, and travel agencies that bring patients through foreign agencies are not eligible for support. 

The maximum commission amount subject to support cannot exceed 20% of the treatment cost subject to the commission invoice.

Employment Support

60% of the gross salary of the employed personnel is supported.

In order to be supported, the staff must speak a foreign language at a sufficient level and have at least an associate’s degree. Support is not provided for personnel who are not pre-approved by the Ministry

Foreign Language and Health Tourism Training Support

60% of the foreign language and health tourism expenses of the personnel employed are supported.

In order for the expenses to be supported, foreign language or health tourism training must be received from institutions and organizations that have signed a protocol with the Ministry.

Overseas Unit Rent Support

60% of the tax-inclusive gross rent and commission expenses of the office(s) opened abroad are supported. Documentation expenses related to the opening and operation of the office/unit and shared office expenses are covered by the support.

The maximum number of units to be supported is 25.

If the expenditure activity is carried out for target and priority countries, the support rate is increased by 10 basis points (to 70%).

International Event Participation Support

60% of the expenses of participation with a booth in international events determined by the Ministry are supported. Transportation, registration fees, booth expenses and economy class transportation expenses of up to 2 representatives are included in the support.

If the expenditure activity is carried out for target and priority countries, the support rate is increased by 10 basis points (to 70%).

Booth expenses include stand design, construction, installation and stand related expenses such as shelving, lighting, internet, electricity, cleaning, carpeting, tables, chairs, etc. and do not include expenses related to security, hostess and interpretation services.

Domestic Event Participation Support

60% of the expenses of participation with a booth in domestic events determined by the Ministry are supported. Transportation, registration fees and stand expenses are included in the support.

Booth expenses include stand design, construction, installation and stand related expenses such as shelving, lighting, internet, electricity, cleaning, carpeting, tables, chairs, etc. and do not include expenses related to security, hostess and interpretation services.

International Trademark Registration and Protection Support

Expenses related to the registration and protection of trademarks first registered in Turkey and then abroad are supported at a rate of 60%.

If the expenditure activity is carried out for target and priority countries, the support rate is increased by 10 basis points (to 70%).

Trademark/patent office services for the registration of the trademark abroad, consultancy, research and examination expenses to be made regarding whether the trademark is registered in the name of another company/organization in that country, legal consultancy and other legal expenses related to the protection of the trademark abroad are supported.

Registration renewal, court and trial expenses are not covered by the support.

Legal consultancy expenses related to the protection of a trademark registered abroad are supported up to a maximum of 200.000 TL per year.

Certification (Market Entry Documents) Support

Expenditures incurred by institutions for documents, certificates and accreditations obtained from accredited institutions are supported at a rate of 60%.

Expenditures related to the documents required for the opening or operation of a pre-diagnostic center or office are also covered by the support.

Renewal expenses are supported. The annual support amount for renovation expenses cannot exceed 50% of the annual support upper limit.

Supported Documents

-JCI (Joint Commission International) Akreditasyonu

-TEMOS Certificates

-QHA Trent Accreditation

-Accreditation Canada

-Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI)

-Standards of Accreditation in Health (SAS) Certificate

-ISO/IEC 27000 Series

-OHSAS 18000 Series

-ISO/IEC 14000 Series

-ISO 10002

-The American Accreditation Commision International (AACI)

-Europespa

-TÜV Rheinland “International Spa Standard”

-Global Healthcare Accreditation

-Well Hotel Certification

-JACIE Document

-SRC Center of Excellence Document

-Person Centered Care

-Great Place to Work

Domestic Promotion and Training Support

Expenses related to training and promotion programs organized exclusively for the promotion of domestic facilities/services and deemed appropriate by the Ministry with the participation of academics, experts, press members, experts, industry representatives invited from abroad are supported at a rate of 60%.

Support is given for a maximum of 5 programs in a calendar year.

Pre-approval is obtained from the Ministry at least 1 month before the event.

Complications and Travel Health Insurance Support

Expenses related to complication and travel health insurance taken out from insurance companies based in Turkey for patients coming to Turkey for treatment are supported at a rate of 70%.

In order for insurance expenses to be supported, the insurance policy must be issued to cover the treatment period in Turkey, only for treatments to be performed in Turkey and only for travel to Turkey.

Product Placement Support

60% of the product placement expenses in feature films, documentaries, series, animated films and programs and digital games screened abroad are supported.

In order for product placement expenses to be supported, prior approval must be obtained from the Ministry before the expenditure is incurred.