Information Note Regarding the Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Health Services
This information note examines the Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Health Services, prepared by the Ministry of Health, published in the Official Gazette dated 12 November 2025 and numbered 33075, and which entered into force on the same date. The important points are summarised below.
- Purpose and Scope of the Regulation
The Regulation establishes the fundamental principles and criteria for promotional and informational activities in health services; it regulates the procedures and principles for monitoring these activities and the sanctions to be applied in case of non-compliance. Within this scope, the Regulation restricts all promotional activities aimed at attracting customers by private healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and international health tourism agencies, particularly in digital media; it requires that all content intended for information purposes be ethical, measured, and free from manipulation.
- General Advertising Ban and Basic Principles
According to the Regulation, advertising is defined as ‘any activity that promotes a product, service, person, institution or organisation in the field of health and exceeds the limits of promotion and information’, and implicit or explicit advertising in the provision of health services is prohibited. However, it is emphasised that promotion and information must be carried out solely for informational purposes and in a manner appropriate to public health. At this point, it is important to assess whether the activities mentioned under the subject headings below fall within the scope of the advertising ban:
- General Ethical Rules: Promotion and information must comply with general morality, medical deontology and professional ethics rules.
- Authorisation: Information related to the provision of healthcare services may only be provided by authorised healthcare professionals.
- Prohibition of Misleading Content: Promotion and information that misleads the public, misdirects them, or promotes one’s own services to the detriment of other organisations is prohibited.
- Requirement for Scientific Accuracy: It is prohibited to include explanations about medical and treatment methods that have not been scientifically and clinically proven, have not become established medical methods, or have not been defined and regulated by the Ministry, or to use statements suggesting that diseases are treated or assisted in treatment with these methods.
- Use of Titles: It is prohibited to write and use specialist titles based on certificates or similar educational documents, except for the main and secondary specialisations determined by Law No. 1219 on the Practice of Medicine and Allied Professions.
- Prohibition on Satisfaction/Gratitude: It is prohibited to share advertisements in written, visual, audio press, social media or websites based on expressions of gratitude or satisfaction from patients or their relatives regarding healthcare services.
- Prohibition on Referral: It is prohibited for promotional and informational materials to contain content that directly or indirectly refers patients to healthcare professionals or healthcare institutions.
- Prohibition on Creating a Perception of Superiority: It is prohibited to create a perception that the device, product or service related to the healthcare service is different or superior to others, to make promotions that abuse people’s trust or exploit their lack of information, and to make implicit or explicit promotions of companies, products or brands and provide internet links.
- Prohibition on Marketing Activities: It is prohibited to use healthcare services in marketing activities such as raffles and gifts.
- Prohibition on Fee Disclosure: It is prohibited to include information on fees, discounts, campaigns or promotions in promotional and informational activities.
- Communication Prohibition: It is prohibited to make promotional and informational communications by calling individuals’ personal telephone numbers without their knowledge and consent, or by sending messages via letter, text message, email, or social media tools.
- Social Media Responsibility: Those who engage in promotional and informational activities that violate the Regulation on social media and websites, as well as those who share such content, are held equally responsible.
- Rules Regarding Privacy and Patient Images
In accordance with the Regulation, promotional activities must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Patient Rights Regulation, the Personal Data Protection Law No. 698, and the Regulation on Personal Health Data. Those who act contrary to these provisions are subject to the necessary sanctions within the framework of the relevant laws.
The following principles must be observed when using visual content within the scope of the Regulation:Visual content must not be misleading, untruthful, or contrary to general moral rules, nor should it promote the healthcare facility or its staff in a manner that exceeds the limits of promotion.
- The explicit consent of the patient (or their parent/guardian if they are a minor or incapacitated) must be obtained before any visual content belonging to the patient can be used. Consent can be obtained using the Visual Content Recording and Processing Consent Form in Appendix 1 of the Regulation.
- The patient has the right to withdraw their consent/approval at any time without any conditions, and this request must be processed immediately.
- Patients who do not give permission to share images must be assured that there will be no changes in diagnosis and treatment applications or fees charged.
- It is prohibited to make any payment or discount to the patient in exchange for permission, or to give them a gift.
- The videos and photographs to be used must not be untrue, must be displayed without misleading makeup, and must not be technologically altered or corrected afterwards.
- Pre- and post-procedure images must be displayed under the same environmental and technical conditions, and the date of the procedure and the date the image was displayed must be indicated.
- Sharing images of patients during medical interventions, procedures or operations is prohibited.
- Sharing visual content of private parts of the body in a manner that violates general moral standards is prohibited.
- Sharing visual content in a sponsored manner or in exchange for payment is prohibited.
- Shared visual content must be closed to user interactions such as comments, likes, and reposts.
- Visual content used in domestic advertising must include the statement: ‘Results may vary from person to person in every surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your doctor for detailed information before the procedure.’
- Regulations Specific to International Health Tourism
Within the scope of organisations providing international health services, certain rules and principles have been established in line with the Regulation, and special arrangements have been made.
- Overseas Target Audience: Provided that promotional and informational activities are conducted through a separate social media account or website targeting overseas audiences, that the provision of health tourism services is declared, and that automatic target audience definitions are disabled, sponsored advertising in official languages other than Turkish is permitted.
- Domestic Ban: Activities aimed at generating demand among persons residing in Turkey are prohibited, and it is stated that the domestic audience cannot be selected as the target audience on social media platforms, making it mandatory to disable automatic target audience definitions.
- Exceptional Use of Visuals: On platforms created for overseas audiences, stories, comments, or expressions of gratitude from patients undergoing treatment may be included, provided that patient privacy and general moral rules are respected and the patient’s explicit consent is documented.
- Logo Requirement: The use of the ‘HealthTürkiye’ logo is mandatory in international health tourism promotion and information activities.
- Price Announcements: Healthcare facilities and intermediary organisations offering international health tourism services may announce discounts, campaigns, and competitive prices.
- Prohibited Medical Procedures: It is prohibited to include medical procedures and treatment methods that are prohibited or not authorised in Turkey in these promotional activities.
- Control Mechanism and Sanctions
In accordance with the Regulation, it has been decided to establish a ‘Provincial Evaluation Commission for Health Information and Promotion Activities’ in each province with the approval of the governor. The Commission evaluates the compliance of promotional and informational activities with the Regulation and other relevant legislation within forty-five days; in cases of non-compliance, it initiates administrative sanction processes. Administrative and legal sanctions are applied to those who act contrary to the provisions of the Regulation within the framework of different legislation:
Violating Institution/Person
Basic Sanction Applied
Health Facilities and International Health Tourism Intermediary Organisations
Administrative sanctions are applied in accordance with the Administrative Sanctions Form for Promotion and Information Activities, which is included in Annex 2 of the Regulation, based on the Health Services Law No. 3359.
Physicians/Dentists Not Practising Their Profession Independently
The provisions of Law No. 1219 are applied. In addition, a notification is made to the public institution and professional organisation for disciplinary action.
Health professionals other than physicians and dentists who do not practise their profession independently
The necessary notifications are made to the Ministry of Trade or Provincial Directorates of Trade for evaluation by the Advertising Board within the framework of Law No. 6502 on the Protection of Consumers.
Those Providing Unauthorised/Unlicensed Health Services
Notification is made to the Advertising Board (Ministry of Trade/Provincial Directorate) and a criminal complaint is filed with the public prosecutor’s office.
Those Advertising Organ/Tissue Procurement
A criminal complaint is filed with the public prosecutor’s office in accordance with the provisions of Turkish Penal Code No. 5237.
Internet Content that Endangers Human Health
In accordance with Law No. 5651 on the Regulation of Publications Made on the Internet and the Fight Against Crimes Committed Through These Publications, applications are made to the competent authorities to block access. If the act constitutes a criminal offence, a criminal complaint is also filed.
Privacy Violations
Proceedings are conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 and the Regulation on Personal Health Data.
- Conclusion
The Regulation significantly narrows the scope of promotional, advertising, and informational activities in the health sector; it imposes serious restrictions, both in terms of content and technical aspects, particularly regarding the use of social media and the sharing of visual content.
The aim of the Regulation is to prevent healthcare services from becoming a commercial competitive tool and to protect patients from misleading, exaggerated or demand-generating promotions.
In this context, it is important for healthcare institutions and healthcare professionals to review their current promotional practices and restructure all content and interaction processes on digital platforms to comply with the provisions of the Regulation.
With limited exceptions for international health tourism, the Regulation generally introduces stricter ethical and legal standards for promotional activities related to healthcare services.