Short answer: plastic surgery in Turkey is cheaper mainly because everything around the operation costs less – salaries, rent, hospital running costs, hotels – not because the surgery itself is simpler. According to Eurostat, health services in Türkiye cost about a third of the EU average.
1. Much lower price levels
Eurostat compares what the same basket of goods and services costs in each country. For health, Türkiye scored 33 in 2024, where the EU average is 100:
| Country | Price level for health, 2024 (EU = 100) |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | 223.7 |
| Austria | 148.4 |
| Netherlands | 139.8 |
| Belgium | 120.8 |
| Germany | 111.9 |
| France | 98.9 |
| Türkiye | 33.2 |
The same pattern holds for everyday life: overall consumer prices in Türkiye were 47% of the EU average in 2024. Nurses' salaries, hospital rent, a hotel night and a taxi to the airport all cost a fraction of what they cost in Western Europe.
2. Costs in lira, prices in euros
Turkish clinics pay most of their costs in Turkish lira but set prices for international patients in euros. The lira has lost much of its value against the euro in recent years, which keeps euro prices low.
3. No VAT on top – and anaesthesia included
In several European countries purely cosmetic surgery is subject to VAT – 19% in Germany, 21% in the Netherlands, 20% in France – and published price lists often exclude both VAT and anaesthesia. Our prices are all-inclusive written prices with nothing added on top.
4. Volume and packages
Istanbul is one of the busiest cities in the world for aesthetic surgery. High volumes mean experienced teams and fixed agreements with hospitals, hotels and transfer companies, which makes a package price possible.
What does a price include?
For example, a tummy tuck at Esthebeyond costs €2,950, or €3,300 together with 360° liposuction – including hotel, hospital stay, VIP transfers, blood tests, follow-up visits, compression garment, complication insurance and 1 year of online aftercare. Flights are not included. Compare that with published prices at home in our cost comparison.
What is not cheaper
- Your time: 5–10 days in Istanbul and time off work.
- Flights and, if you bring someone, their flight.
- Aftercare at home: a local doctor for wound checks may cost extra.
When cheap becomes a risk
A low price is explained by the factors above – not by skipping safety. Be wary when a price is far below every other clinic: that is usually where corners are cut, such as no surgeon consultation, a small practice instead of a hospital, or flying home too early. Read our guide Is plastic surgery in Turkey safe? before you choose.
Sources
- Eurostat – Purchasing power parities and price level indices (prc_ppp_ind), 2024
- Bundesfinanzhof – Umsatzsteuer bei Schönheitsoperationen (V R 33/12)
- BOFiP – TVA, actes de médecine et de chirurgie à visée esthétique (rescrit 2012/25)
- BTW Instituut – PFC Clinic-arrest: medische en cosmetische handelingen
Updated: · Information on this website is general and does not replace a medical consultation.