Travelling to Istanbul for Treatment from the UK, Germany, Austria or Switzerland

What are the entry requirements for Türkiye?

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and can change. This article is not visa advice; check the official sources below before you book.

These pages also cover passport or ID validity requirements. If you hold dual nationality or are not a citizen of the country you live in, check the rules for the passport you will travel on.

• UK: GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice – Turkey, Entry requirements (gov.uk).
• Germany: Auswärtiges Amt, Türkei – Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (auswaertiges-amt.de).
• Austria: BMEIA, Reiseinformation Türkei (bmeia.gv.at).
• Switzerland: EDA, Reisehinweise für die Türkei (eda.admin.ch).
• If an e-Visa is required, use only the official Republic of Türkiye e-Visa website, evisa.gov.tr, and be wary of unofficial sites that charge extra fees.

Which airport should I fly to: IST or SAW?

Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side. Many airports in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland have flights to one or both; check current schedules with the airlines.

Do not choose on fare alone. Consider which side of the city your accommodation and appointments are on, as the journey across Istanbul can vary considerably with traffic.

Book your flights once your treatment schedule has been confirmed in writing. A changeable ticket makes things easier if your plan shifts.

How do I get from the airport to my accommodation?

If your plan includes a transfer, ask in writing for the meeting point, the driver's or coordinator's contact details and what happens if your flight is delayed. Share your flight number in advance.

If a transfer is not included, the airports' official websites list the transport options. Having your address written in Turkish makes taxi journeys easier.

Will there be language support in English or German?

MetClinic Global coordinates communication in Turkish, English and German, from the pre-assessment request through travel planning to follow-up after you return.

Ask in advance who will interpret during the examination and the consent conversation. The consent form and aftercare instructions should be given to you in writing in a language you understand.

• Start a free pre-assessment request

Do I need travel or health insurance?

Insurance is often overlooked. Check your policy to see whether your travel insurance covers planned treatment abroad; many standard policies exclude it.

• Ask your insurer in writing whether planned treatment, treatment-related complications and a changed return flight are covered.
• If a provider offers complication insurance, ask in writing what it does and does not cover.
• GHIC and EHIC cards are not valid in Türkiye; ask your insurer whether your travel and health cover applies abroad.
• If you live in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, speak to your health insurer in advance about treatment abroad and follow-up checks once you are home.

How do I plan follow-up care after returning home?

Follow-up should be planned before you travel. Before leaving Istanbul, get written aftercare instructions, a list of any medication you need to take and a contact for questions. Your treating doctor will explain which signs need attention.

It is sensible to let your GP know you have had treatment abroad and to share copies of your documents. MetClinic Global can coordinate follow-up communication between you and your treating doctor after you return.

In a medical emergency, call your local emergency number (999 or 112 in the UK; 112 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland).

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What else should I know before the trip?

A few practical details make the trip much smoother.

• Time difference: Türkiye uses UTC+3 all year, so the difference from the UK and Central Europe changes with daylight saving time.
• Mobile data: Türkiye is not covered by EU roaming rules; check your tariff or consider a local data package.
• Money: the local currency is the Turkish lira; check with your bank that your card works abroad.
• Plugs: Türkiye uses type C/F sockets, so travellers from the UK need an adaptor; Swiss three-pin (type J) plugs need one too.