Blogs and Articles

How to Sue a Clinic or Doctor in Turkey as a Foreign Patient Turkey is a major destination for international patients seeking plastic surgery, dental treatment, hair transplantation and other medical procedures. While many treatments are completed without difficulty, complications can sometimes leave foreign patients facing corrective surgery, additional medical expenses, loss of earnings and …

Divorce in Türkiye for Foreign Nationals: Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, and Legal Procedure With an increasing number of international marriages, cross-border relocations, and multinational families residing in Türkiye, questions surrounding the dissolution of marriage under Turkish private international law have become critical. Foreign citizens residing in Türkiye or foreign nationals married to Turkish citizens frequently ask …

Medical malpractice can leave a patient dealing not only with physical complications, but also with additional medical expenses, loss of income, emotional distress and the cost of corrective treatment.For international patients who travelled to Turkey for plastic surgery, dental treatment, hair transplantation or another medical procedure, one of the first questions after something goes wrong …

The presentation content for the “Beyond Compliance to Stewardship” panel, held on September 9, 2026, at the JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea, was prepared by Zen Law Partners in collaboration with Gordon Barrett. During the panel discussion, the focus went beyond mere compliance with legal regulations in the business world to address the adoption …

Foreign nationals who wish to work legally in Turkey are generally required to obtain a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (“Ministry”). Under Law No. 6735 on International Labour Force (“International Labour Force Law”), the employment of foreign nationals in Turkey is subject to specific rules and authorisation requirements. One …

Divorce becomes more complicated when there is an international element involved. One spouse may be a Turkish citizen and the other a foreign national, both spouses may be foreigners living in Turkey, or the couple may have married or divorced in another country while still having legal ties to Turkey. In these cases, the first …

If you are planning to stay in Turkey longer than your visa or visa-free period allows, you may need to apply for a residence permit. The application itself may seem relatively simple, but in practice, problems often arise because the wrong type of residence permit is selected or the documents submitted do not properly support …

This guide provides general information about residence permit applications in Turkey under Law No. 6458. Application requirements may very depending on the applicant’s nationality, purpose of stay and individual circumstances. Last updated: July 2026 What Is a Residence Permit in Turkey? A residence permit is an official authorisation that allows a foreign national to legally …

What Qualifies as Foreign-Source Income Under Article 20/D of the Turkish Income Tax Law Introduced by Law No. 7582 on Amendments to Certain Laws?What Has Changed in Turkish Tax Law with Law No. 7582?Published in the Official Gazette dated 4 June 2026 and numbered 33270, Law No. 7582 on Amendments to Certain Laws introduced significant …

Do You Suffer from Medical Negligence in Turkey?Turkey has become one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism, welcoming hundreds of thousands of international patients each year for cosmetic surgery, dental treatment, hair transplantation, bariatric surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedic procedures and many other medical treatments. While the vast majority of procedures are completed successfully, some …

Turkey’s New 20-Year Foreign Income Tax Exemption(Law No. 7582)A Practical Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs, Investors and Remote WorkersTurkey has introduced a significant new tax incentive for individuals who are considering relocating their personal, professional or investment life to Turkey. With Law No. 7582, a new foreign income tax exemption regime has been introduced under Article …

MALPRACTICE–COMPLICATION DISTINCTION Especially in malpractice-related lawsuits, it is of great importance to distinguish between malpractice and complications when evaluating the facts. Indeed, every medical intervention carries certain risks. A complication refers to pathological events that occur during the course of a disease and to the transformation of a medical condition into another disorder. As discussed …

Türkiye has become one of the leading destinations for dental tourism, welcoming thousands of patients from the United Kingdom each year. Competitive prices, shorter waiting times, and comprehensive treatment packages encourage many patients to travel abroad for procedures such as dental implants, crowns, porcelain veneers, and full-mouth restorations. For many patients, the treatment is completed …

THE CONCEPT OF ABSOLUTE NULLITY IN TURKISH LAWOne of the most frequently discussed concepts in the legal sphere in recent times has been that of absolute nullity. Particularly following certain legal disputes that have garnered public attention and the discussions on social media, there has been intense curiosity about what absolute nullity means, under what …

Legal Liability and Patient Rights in Medical Procedures1. Trust and Accountability in HealthcareDevelopments in the field of human rights have had a direct impact on the topic of “medical malpractice” within the broader field of health law. Today, the right to health is recognized as a human right in numerous international documents, such as the …

Informed Consent and the Legal Rights of Foreign Patients in TurkeyIn recent years, Turkey has become one of the world’s most popular destinations, particularly in the field of medical tourism. Many patients from Europe, especially the United Kingdom, choose Turkey for cosmetic surgery, dental treatments, hair transplants, bariatric surgery, and various specialized medical procedures. Due …

What Is a Suspended Sentence (HAGB)? A suspended sentence (HAGB) means that the sentence imposed on the defendant does not take legal effect for a specified probationary period. If the defendant complies with the obligations set by the court and does not commit any new intentional crimes during the probationary period, the sentence is dismissed. …

Vehicle Owners' Rights and Judicial Practices 1. The Concept of Impairment In traffic accidents involving one or more vehicles in motion on a roadway that result in death, injury, and/or property damage, it is possible to file claims for compensatory and/or punitive damages. In such cases, the depreciation in the value of the vehicle involved …

Consumer Rights Complaints Adjudication Panels, Application Processes, and Judicial Practices Continuing from Our Previous Post In my previous post, we examined the concept of defective goods and services; this week, we will provide information on the avenues for filing a complaint. 1. Application Methods The avenues available to consumers for exercising their statutory rights are …

Consumer Rights and Seller Liability 1. The Purpose and Importance of Consumer Law While the concept of consumer law is regulated within a general framework by the Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098, it is specifically protected by the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502, which is designed to safeguard the fundamental rights and interests of …

Current Assessment Under the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 Introduction With the rise of digitalization, the protection of personal data has become one of the top priorities for both individuals and companies. The Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698, commonly referred to as the KVKK, serves as the …

GUARANTEE OF PRIVACY: PROTECTION OF HEALTH DATA AND THE PATIENT'S RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY Last week, we discussed the topics of CONSENT and THE DUTY TO INFORM. In this article: · “What is patient privacy?” · “With whom and when can personal health data be shared?” · “What happens if the right to privacy is violated?” …

The Right to Consent in Medical Intervention and Challenges in Practice In my article last week, I discussed how, pursuant to Article 56 of our Constitution—which forms the foundation of the right to health in our country—everyone’s right to live in a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being is a fundamental human right, …

In accordance with Article 56 of our Constitution, “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment.” This issue is very important to us and is simply defined as the right to health. “The right to health is one of the fundamental human rights.” In fact, it is included in many international …

Last week, in our discussion on “What to Consider When Starting a Business,” we touched on the importance of starting with a business plan, choosing the right type of business, the significance of the lease agreement and location, as well as the necessary licenses, permits, and operating documents. This week, we’ll take a look at …

What Should You Consider When Starting a Business? What Should You Consider When Starting a Business? Starting a business in a productive city like Kahramanmaraş, with its strong entrepreneurial spirit, is a major goal for many people. However, building this endeavor on a solid legal foundation is essential for sustainability and success. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs …

Following the establishment of the Kahramanmaraş İstiklal Sports Club in 2016, and particularly after the change in the board of directors last year, the Kahramanmaraş Governor’s Office, the Kahramanmaraş Mayor’s Office, along with business leaders and, most importantly, the support of the people of Kahramanmaraş, the club earned the right to advance to the top …