Turkish Ministry of Health Facility Licence

Overview

The Turkish Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı) is the central government body regulating all healthcare facilities and practitioners in Turkey. A Ministry operating licence is the mandatory legal credential for any clinic or hospital performing medical or surgical procedures. It is a regulatory licence rather than a voluntary accreditation.

Founded: 1920 · Headquarters: Ankara, Turkey

What It Covers

The Ministry inspects facility infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and clinical governance. It issues licences for specific procedure categories — cosmetic surgery, dental practice, IVF, hair transplantation — and enforces specialty restrictions. Separate departments administer licensing, inspections, and disciplinary procedures.

Limitations

A Ministry licence is a minimum legal requirement, not an indicator of clinical excellence. The licence confirms that the facility is legally authorised to operate; it does not evaluate outcomes, patient satisfaction, or compare facilities. Practitioner-level verification is via the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) register.

Renewal and Validity

Licences are renewed periodically; specific categories (e.g., hair transplant centres) have been subject to tightened requirements in recent years. Verification is via the Ministry's online licence portal.

How to Verify

Verify any claim of Turkish Ministry of Health Licence accreditation directly at: shgm.saglik.gov.tr

If a clinic claims this accreditation but does not appear in the public register, ask for the certificate number and expiry date. Contact the accrediting body directly to confirm.