Understanding Turkey's Ministry of Health Licence
How to verify a clinic's MoH licence, what it means, and why it's the most important credential to check before booking.
- →Turkey's Ministry of Health issues 'International Health Tourism Authorization Certificates' — any clinic treating foreign patients legally must hold one.
- →You can verify a clinic's MoH authorization number directly at saglik.gov.tr using the clinic name or certificate number.
- →The certificate covers hygiene standards, qualified staff ratios, surgical equipment requirements, and emergency protocols.
- →Do not book at any clinic that cannot produce or link to their MoH authorization number — it is a legal red flag.
- →MoH certification is renewed annually and can be revoked; always check the current validity date.
What Is a Ministry of Health Licence?
In Turkey, every private medical facility — including aesthetic surgery clinics — must obtain an operating licence from the Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı). This licence confirms that:
- The facility meets minimum standards for surgical infrastructure
- The clinical staff hold valid specialisation certificates
- The facility has registered its location, capacity, and services
- The clinic is subject to periodic ministry inspection
Operating without a licence is illegal. However, unlicensed operations do exist — typically small "beauty centres" that market cosmetic procedures but are not authorised to perform surgery.
What a Licence Does NOT Guarantee
A Ministry of Health licence is a floor, not a ceiling. It confirms basic legality, not excellence. A licenced clinic may still:
- Employ surgeons with minimal experience in the procedure you want
- Have high complication or revision rates
- Provide poor aftercare
Think of the MoH licence the same way you would a restaurant's food safety certificate — necessary, but not sufficient evidence of quality.
How to Verify a Clinic's Licence
Method 1: Ask the Clinic Directly
Request the clinic's licence number and the name of their responsible physician (sorumlu hekim). Any legitimate clinic will provide this immediately.
Method 2: e-Devlet Portal
Turkish citizens and international patients can search the Sağlık Bakanlığı's health facility database. Facilities are searchable by province and facility name.
Method 3: ÇÖZÜM MERKEZİ (Resolution Centre)
The Ministry of Health operates a hotline (+90 182) where you can verify a facility's registration status.
The "Özel Hastane" vs "Poliklinik" Distinction
Turkish health facilities are classified:
| Type | Turkish | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Hospital | Özel Hastane | Full surgical suite, ICU, 24h nursing |
| Medical Centre | Tıp Merkezi | Surgical capability, limited inpatient |
| Polyclinic | Poliklinik | Outpatient only — cannot perform general anaesthesia |
| Aesthetic Centre | Estetik Merkezi | Limited scope — typically not licenced for surgery |
Some clinics marketing themselves as "Estetik Kliniği" operate as polyclinics or aesthetic centres — legally prohibited from performing procedures requiring general anaesthesia. Rhinoplasty, liposuction, and breast augmentation all require a facility licenced for surgery.
Green Flags on a Licence Check
- Licence is current (renewed within the last 2 years)
- Facility type matches the procedures offered
- Named responsible physician is a board-certified plastic surgeon
- Physical address matches the clinic you are visiting
On AestheticFinder
Every clinic on our platform has been verified against the Ministry of Health registry. Clinics carrying the green "MoH Verified" badge have a confirmed, current licence. We re-verify annually and downgrade badges when licences lapse.