Türkiye generated $761.5 million in health tourism revenue in the first quarter of 2026, welcoming 302,487 international patients, according to Mustafa Eröğüt, board member of the Service Exporters' Association (HIB) and chairperson of its Health Care Services Committee.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, Eröğüt said the positive momentum from 2025 has continued into this year. In 2025, Türkiye received 1,398,580 health tourists and earned $3.022 billion from the sector.
"More importantly, average health tourism revenue per patient increased by around 39% compared with the same period last year, showing that Türkiye is evolving into a destination that not only attracts more patients but also generates higher value-added healthcare services," Eröğüt said.
He attributed the growth to Türkiye's advanced healthcare infrastructure, internationally accredited medical institutions, and highly qualified professionals. The country offers services across a wide range of specialties, including aesthetic and plastic surgery, hair transplantation, dental treatments, ophthalmology, orthopedics and traumatology, cardiology, oncology, IVF treatments and bariatric surgery.
Source markets and emerging demand
Eröğüt noted that Türkiye welcomes health tourists from approximately 180 countries. Key source markets include Germany, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Russia, Libya and Gulf countries. He also highlighted a notable increase in demand from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in recent years.
"Sub-Saharan Africa, the Gulf region, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and North America offer significant potential," he said, adding that promotional efforts are focused on strengthening Türkiye's brand recognition in global health tourism.
Why it matters
The 39% jump in per-patient revenue signals a shift from volume-driven health tourism to higher-value services, which could improve margins for hospitals and clinics. Türkiye's ability to attract patients from diverse regions — Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa — reduces dependency on any single market. However, Eröğüt stressed the importance of combating unregistered operators to protect Türkiye's international reputation, advising patients to verify that providers are officially authorized and to secure written contracts.
Türkiye has more than 1,500 healthcare institutions across over 40 cities, including hundreds of internationally accredited medical centers. Treatment costs are between 40% and 70% lower than in Europe, according to Eröğüt, but the goal is to position Türkiye "not only as a cost-effective destination but as a globally recognized health care brand distinguished by reliability, quality, advanced technology and patient satisfaction."
