Every year, thousands of people travel to Turkey for cosmetic surgery, drawn by affordable prices, advanced hospitals, and experienced surgeons. But not every clinic offers the same level of safety and transparency.
If you’re considering a procedure abroad, your first goal should be choosing a licensed and ethical cosmetic clinic that puts patient safety before marketing promises
This guide explains how to check if a beauty clinic in Turkey is safe and officially approved and what foreign patients should look for before traveling.
Check Clinic Registration with the Turkish Ministry of Health
- All legitimate cosmetic surgery clinics in Turkey must be registered and inspected by the Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı). Ask if the clinic is registered.
- Ask the clinic for their license number (they are required to provide it).
- You can verify this number through the official Ministry of Health website or by contacting a local health directorate (İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü).
- Clinics without a visible license certificate or that refuse to share it should be avoided.
Tip: Every licensed clinic must display a “Sağlık Bakanlığı Onaylı” (Approved by Ministry of Health) certificate near the entrance or reception area.
Verify the Surgeon’s Medical License and Specialty
Your doctor should be a board-certified plastic surgeon, not just a “cosmetic practitioner.”
To confirm this:
- Ask for the surgeon’s registration number with the Turkish Medical Association (TTB – Türk Tabipler Birliği).
- Verify their credentials on the TTB’s online database or by calling the local chamber of physicians (Tabip Odası).
- You can also check if they are a member of reputable organizations such as TPCD (Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
Tip: If the surgeon refuses to share their credentials, this is a major warning sign.
Ask for Official Documentation and Invoices
Reputable clinics in Turkey always provide:
- Official invoices (fatura) with the clinic’s tax number.
- A written consent form in English or your language, explaining risks and procedures.
- A pre-surgery consultation report signed by your doctor.
Avoid clinics that ask for full payment in cash without documentation. Legal clinics in Turkey must issue invoices for every medical service.
Make sure to read our article “10 Essential Tips for Successful Cosmetic Surgery in Turkey” before having surgery.
Check Online Reviews—But Be Critical
While online reviews can help, not all are reliable.
When checking reviews:
- Focus on independent platforms (e.g., Google Maps, WhatClinic, Trustpilot).
- Look for detailed feedback, not generic “everything was perfect” comments.
- Beware of clinics with hundreds of 5-star reviews written within the same week.
- Reading patient experiences in Facebook groups or Reddit forums can also give a more honest picture.
- Check the Facility’s Safety Standards
Medical and hygiene regulations
- Ask if they have JCI (Joint Commission International) or ISO certification.
- Confirm that emergency equipment and anesthesia safety measures are available on-site.
- A reputable clinic should have a 24-hour on-call doctor and a sterile operating room—not just a beauty salon setup.
- Confirm Translation and Post-Op Support for Foreign Patients
Foreign patients should have access to:
- A translator or English-speaking coordinator.
- A written post-operative care plan in English.
- A clear contact person for aftercare or complications.
- Clinics that avoid responsibility once the patient leaves Turkey are common.
- Before surgery, ask, “If something goes wrong after I return home, how will you support me?”
Red Flags
Avoid clinics that:
- Offer very low prices that seem “too good to be true.”
- Refuse to show licenses or medical certificates.
- Ask for payment in cash only.
- Operate inside hotels or apartments.
- Use aggressive marketing or promise “perfect results.”
Choosing a cosmetic surgery clinic in Turkey is not just about the price or photos you see online. It’s about safety, transparency, and trust.
Take your time, verify every document, and only proceed when you feel fully informed and confident.
Because real beauty in medical tourism starts with honesty and patient safety — not marketing promises.
