Health tourism regulation 2026: current rules and obligations

Which health tourism regulation applies in 2026?

The current legal framework is the Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health published on 26 April 2025. It remains the core reference in 2026, together with current Ministry notices, authorization lists and certification criteria.

What is the purpose and scope of the regulation?

The regulation sets the principles for healthcare services provided to international patients, the intermediary organizations involved, and tourist-health services. It aims to establish an authorized, traceable, patient-safety-focused and auditable system.

Who is affected by the regulation?

The framework concerns authorized healthcare facilities, intermediary organizations, international patient units, health professionals involved in the process and contracted partners whose services form part of the patient journey.

Authorization certificate and authorized-provider requirement

Institutions should verify that they and the organizations they work with hold the authorization required for their role. An authorization certificate should be treated as an ongoing operating standard rather than a one-time document.

2026 certification and accreditation calendar

Ministry announcements may set transition, accreditation or certification deadlines for different institution types. Organizations should establish a responsible team, gap list, evidence file and calendar well before the applicable deadline.

Key points in the international patient process

• Secure collection of medical information.
• Medical pre-assessment and transparent treatment planning.
• Foreign-language communication and informed consent.
• Transfer, accommodation and admission coordination where applicable.
• Discharge, records and post-treatment follow-up.
• Complaint and complication management.

Website and promotional content

Institution name, address, services, healthcare professionals and authorization information should be current and verifiable. Misleading guarantees, unclear responsibility or unverifiable superiority claims can create regulatory and reputational risk.

2026 compliance checklist for institutions

1. Verify authorization status and official records.
2. Review certification or accreditation obligations.
3. Document the international patient journey.
4. Review website and promotional claims.
5. Confirm data-protection and consent processes.
6. Update partner contracts and responsibilities.
7. Schedule internal training and periodic compliance reviews.