Insurance & Travel Guidance

Everything you need to know before you travel

Planning a trip for medical treatment can feel overwhelming, especially if it is your first time travelling abroad for a procedure. This page covers everything you need to prepare, from insurance and visas to what to pack and how to book your flights.

If you have any questions, your patient coordinator is always available to help.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that all patients take out comprehensive travel insurance before travelling to Turkey. This is your responsibility to arrange, and it is an important part of protecting yourself.

What your insurance should cover

Not all travel insurance policies cover medical tourism. When choosing a policy, make sure it includes:

• Medical treatment abroad, specifically, cover for elective or planned medical procedures (many standard holiday policies exclude this)
• Medical repatriation, cover for returning to the UK if you are unable to fly home as planned due to a medical issue
• Trip cancellation, cover for non-refundable costs if you need to cancel for medical or personal reasons
• Extended stay, cover for additional accommodation and expenses if your recovery takes longer than expected
• Personal belongings, standard cover for luggage, valuables, and travel documents

Tips for finding the right policy

• Declare your procedure, you must tell your insurer that you are travelling for medical treatment. Policies that do not cover elective procedures will not pay out if you need to claim.
• Specialist providers, some insurance companies specialise in medical tourism cover. These policies are designed for people travelling for treatment and often provide better protection than standard travel insurance.
• Read the exclusions, pay close attention to what is not covered. Check for exclusions related to pre-existing conditions, complications, and elective procedures.
• Keep your policy documents with you, carry a copy of your insurance certificate and emergency contact numbers during your trip.

Your patient coordinator can point you toward providers that other patients have used, though we are not able to recommend a specific policy.

Mandatory complication insurance (Turkey)

As of January 2026, Turkish law requires that all international patients receiving medical treatment in Turkey are covered by mandatory complication insurance. This is a legal requirement introduced by the Turkish government to protect patients.

What it covers

This insurance covers the cost of any corrective medical treatment required as a result of a complication arising from your procedure. It is arranged by the hospital as part of your treatment package, you do not need to arrange it yourself, and there is no additional cost to you.

What it does not replace

Mandatory complication insurance is not a substitute for travel insurance. It covers clinical complications related to your procedure, but it does not cover:

• Flight cancellations or changes
• Lost luggage
• Non-medical trip cancellations
• Extended accommodation costs
• Medical repatriation to the UK

You need both: complication insurance (arranged for you) and travel insurance (arranged by you).

Visa information for UK passport holders

Good news: UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Turkey for stays of up to 90 days. You can enter with a valid passport and your stay for medical treatment will fall well within this limit.

Passport requirements

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Turkey
• Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp
• If your passport is due to expire soon, renew it before booking your travel

For non-UK passport holders

Visa requirements vary by nationality. If you are not a UK passport holder, please check the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or contact the Turkish embassy in your country. Your patient coordinator can also help you check your visa requirements.

What to pack

Here is a practical checklist to help you prepare. Your patient coordinator will also send you a procedure-specific packing list before you travel.

Documents (keep in your hand luggage)

• [ ] Valid passport (with at least 6 months' validity)
• [ ] Printed copies of your flight confirmation
• [ ] Travel insurance documents and emergency contact numbers
• [ ] Your treatment plan and hospital confirmation from The Health Store Turkey
• [ ] A list of any medications you currently take (including dosages)
• [ ] A letter from your GP if you have any pre-existing conditions
• [ ] Any medical records or test results requested by your surgical team

Clothing and comfort

• [ ] Loose, comfortable clothing for your recovery period, avoid anything tight over the treatment area
• [ ] Slip-on shoes or slippers (you may have limited mobility after your procedure)
• [ ] A light dressing gown for the hospital
• [ ] Comfortable pyjamas (front-opening if you are having upper body treatment)
• [ ] A small pillow or neck pillow for the flight home

Toiletries and essentials

• [ ] Any prescription medications you take regularly (in their original packaging)
• [ ] Basic toiletries (the hotel will provide most, but bring your preferred essentials)
• [ ] Lip balm and moisturiser (hospitals and flights can be very dry)
• [ ] Phone charger and a Turkish plug adaptor (Type F, two-pin round)
• [ ] Headphones, a book, or a tablet for entertainment during recovery
• [ ] A small amount of Turkish lira for incidentals (card payments are widely accepted)

What NOT to bring

• Avoid bringing large amounts of cash
• Do not bring medications that are not prescribed to you
• Leave expensive jewellery at home

Companion travel

You are welcome to bring a companion, a partner, family member, or friend. Many of our patients find it reassuring to have someone with them, and we encourage it.

What companions should know

• Accommodation: Your companion can stay in the same 5-star hotel room included in your package, at no extra charge
• Airport transfers: Your VIP airport transfer includes your companion
• Hospital visits: Companions are welcome to visit during hospital visiting hours. Our team will help them understand the schedule
• Activities: While you are in the hospital, your companion is free to explore. Izmir and Antalya are beautiful cities with plenty to see and do
• Flights: Your companion will need to book their own flight (see flight tips below)

Flight booking tips

We do not arrange flights for you, but here are some tips from our experience supporting thousands of patients:

• Book flexible or refundable tickets where possible, this protects you if your treatment date changes
• Fly into the correct airport, your patient coordinator will confirm whether you are travelling to Izmir (ADB) or Antalya (AYT)
• Allow enough recovery time before your return flight, your surgical team will advise on when you are safe to fly. Do not book a tight turnaround
• Consider seat selection, choose an aisle seat for the return flight so you can move around the cabin comfortably
• Check baggage allowance, you may be returning with post-procedure supplies or support garments

Airlines that fly to Turkey from the UK

Popular direct routes include flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Belfast to both Izmir and Antalya. Airlines include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, easyJet, Jet2, and others depending on the season.

Your patient coordinator can suggest the best airports and routes based on your departure city and treatment location.

Before you travel: final checklist

In the weeks before your trip, make sure you have:

• [ ] Confirmed your treatment date with your patient coordinator
• [ ] Arranged and paid for travel insurance
• [ ] Booked your flights
• [ ] Completed any pre-procedure assessments or blood tests requested by your surgical team
• [ ] Followed all pre-procedure instructions (dietary, medication, lifestyle)
• [ ] Packed your bag using the checklist above
• [ ] Shared your flight details with your patient coordinator so your airport transfer is arranged
• [ ] Saved our emergency WhatsApp number in your phone: +44 7733 596821

Questions?

If anything on this page is unclear, or if you have specific questions about your trip, your patient coordinator is here to help. No question is too small.

• Email: info@thehealthstoreturkey.com
• WhatsApp: +44 7733 596821

This page was last reviewed on 19 February 2026.