Turkey has 23 aviation medical centers — more than Germany (7), France (4), or the UK (4). Most are clustered in Istanbul (15 centers). Pricing starts around €320, making Turkey one of the more affordable options in the region.
But there's a critical caveat that shapes everything: Turkey is not an EASA member state. Turkish certificates are ICAO-compliant under the SHGM — not EASA Part-MED. This distinction determines whether a Turkish medical works for your career or leaves you needing a second exam.
Turkey at a Glance
23 Centers, 4 Cities
Istanbul (15), Ankara (3), Antalya (3), Izmir (2). All authorized by the SHGM (Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü — Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
€320–350 (Verified)
Only 2 of 23 centers publish pricing. Most require direct contact. Affordable by European standards.
ICAO — Not EASA
Turkish certificates are not valid for EASA operations. Only for Turkish-registered aircraft and Turkish operator licenses.
Critical: ICAO, Not EASA
This Is the Most Important Section of This Article
Turkey follows ICAO aviation standards regulated by the SHGM. It is not an EASA member state and not an EASA associated country. A Turkish Class 1 medical certificate is legally valid only for:
— Flying for Turkish airlines (Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, SunExpress, etc.) with a Turkish ATPL
— Operating Turkish-registered aircraft (TC- registration)
— Training at SHGM-approved Turkish flight schools
A Turkish medical is not valid for: flying with an EASA license, working for EASA-based airlines (Ryanair, Lufthansa, easyJet, etc.), or operating EU/EEA-registered aircraft. For those you need a separate EASA medical from an EASA member state.
| Aspect | Turkish (SHGM) | EASA |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ICAO Annex 1 | EASA Part-MED |
| Authority | SHGM | National CAA under EASA |
| Valid for | Turkish ops only | All 32 EASA states |
| Convertible? | No — new exam needed | Valid across EASA |
| Price range | €320–350 | €150–1,901 |
Regulatory Update — November 2025
On November 18, 2025, the SHGM removed the AeMC authorization framework from their official website. The Turkish Aviation Medicine Association (HVTD) has published a 2026 minimum price tariff (H1 2026) in coordination with SHGM, citing concerns about price-dumping undermining examination quality.
The practical impact for pilots is unclear — all 23 centers appear to remain operational. If you're booking a Turkish medical, confirm current authorization status directly with the center and verify they hold a valid SHGM certificate number (TR-AeMC-XXXX).
Pricing (What We Know)
Only 2 of 23 Turkish AeMCs publish pricing. The Turkish Aviation Medicine Association (HVTD) published a 2026 minimum price tariff to prevent undercutting — suggesting actual prices may be converging around a regulated floor. The rest require direct enquiry.
| AeMC | City | Initial | Renewal | English | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Başkent University | Ankara | €320 | €200 | Yes | No |
| Hisar Hospital | Istanbul | €350 | €220 | Yes | Yes |
The remaining 21 centers likely fall in a similar range. Turkey's healthcare is notably affordable — general medical costs are 50–70% lower than Western Europe. However, prices are typically quoted in Turkish Lira and fluctuate with the exchange rate.
Your Class 1 medical — up to €500 cheaper elsewhere.
Same EASA certificate, valid everywhere. Prices vary 5× between countries. Find the cheapest center near you.
Find Cheapest Center — €14.9923 Centers by City
Istanbul — 15 Centers
The overwhelming majority of Turkish AeMCs are in Istanbul. This makes sense — Istanbul has two major airports (IST and SAW), Turkish Airlines' headquarters, and most of the country's flight training infrastructure.
Hisar Hospital Intercontinental (€350) is the best-documented for foreign pilots — SHGM-authorized since 2010, online booking, English spoken. For the other 14 Istanbul centers, most operate within large private hospital groups (Medicana, Medipol, VM Medical Park) that handle aviation medicine as one department among many.
Centers are spread across both the European side (Ataköy, Bahçelievler, Gaziosmanpaşa, Florya) and the Asian side (Pendik, Ataşehir, Kadıköy, Çamlıca). Choose based on proximity to your accommodation or flight school.
Ankara — 3 Centers
Başkent University Hospital (€320) — the cheapest verified Turkish AeMC. University-affiliated, English spoken. Also Lokman Hekim Hospital and Koru Hospital — both SHGM-authorized but no published pricing. Ankara is relevant for pilots training at nearby Esenboğa-based schools and government/military aviation personnel.
Antalya — 3 Centers
Medical Park Antalya, Olimpos Hospital, and Rich Hospital — all SHGM-authorized. No published pricing, Turkish language listed. Antalya is a growing flight training hub with good weather year-round. Several flight schools operate from Antalya Airport (AYT).
Izmir — 2 Centers
TAPDİ Buca and Tınaztepe Hospital. No published pricing. Izmir serves the Aegean coast flight training community.
Which Center to Choose
English-Speaking Foreign Students
Hisar Hospital, Istanbul (€350) — online booking, established since 2010, English confirmed. Best-documented option for international applicants.
Cheapest Verified
Başkent University, Ankara (€320) — university hospital, English spoken. €30 cheaper than Istanbul. Good for Ankara-based students.
Turkish-Speaking Pilots
Any of the 23 centers. Ask your flight school for a recommendation — they'll know which centers are efficient and which to avoid. Hospital groups like Medicana (3 Istanbul locations) and Lokman Hekim (Istanbul + Ankara) offer multiple branches.
Antalya-Based Training
3 local options — contact all three for pricing and English availability. Medical Park Antalya is part of a major hospital chain and likely the most accessible for foreigners.
Turkey Flight Schools + Medical
Turkey is a major flight training market — warm weather, lower costs than Western Europe, and a booming domestic aviation industry. Most Turkish flight schools will recommend a specific AeMC. If yours doesn't, these are the natural pairings:
| Training Area | AeMC Options | Centers |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Hisar Hospital (€350), Medicana group, Medipol | 15 |
| Ankara | Başkent University (€320), Lokman Hekim, Koru | 3 |
| Antalya | Medical Park, Olimpos, Rich Hospital | 3 |
| Izmir | TAPDİ Buca, Tınaztepe Hospital | 2 |
See our complete guide to flight schools in Turkey for training costs and school comparisons.
When You Need EASA Instead
If your career goal includes flying for any European airline, with an EASA license, or with EU-registered aircraft, you will eventually need an EASA medical. You have two approaches:
Option A: Get EASA from the Start
If you know you want to fly in EASA countries, skip the Turkish medical and get your initial Class 1 at an EASA AeMC. The closest EASA options to Turkey are Bulgaria (Sofia, €150), Greece (Athens/Thessaloniki, €550), or Cyprus. This avoids paying for two separate medicals.
Option B: Turkish First, EASA Later
Train in Turkey with a Turkish medical. When you convert your license to EASA later, get an EASA medical then. This makes sense if you're undecided about your career path or plan to start at a Turkish airline and potentially move to Europe later. Budget for the additional EASA medical (€150–500) at conversion time.
For Foreign Students Training in Turkey
If you're a European citizen training in Turkey because of lower costs or better weather: get your EASA medical before you start training. A quick trip to Sofia (€150) or Athens (€550) gives you an EASA certificate that works everywhere — including Turkey (ICAO compliant) and Europe. One medical, both systems covered.
Nearby Non-EASA Countries: Ukraine & Moldova
Ukraine (2 AeMCs: Kyiv, Kremenchuk) and Moldova (1 AeMC: Chișinău) are also ICAO — not EASA. Ukrainian and Moldovan pilots pursuing EASA careers face the same situation as Turkish pilots: they need a separate EASA medical from an EASA member state. The closest EASA options are Romania (INMAS Bucharest, €100–150) and Bulgaria (Sofia, €150).
Quick Recommendation
Turkish career path: Hisar Hospital Istanbul (€350) or Başkent Ankara (€320). Both English-speaking, established.
European career path: Skip Turkish medical. Get EASA in Bulgaria (€150) or Greece (€550). Use that for Turkish training too.
Undecided: Get Turkish medical now (cheaper, local). Budget €150–500 for EASA medical later if you convert.
Turkish SHGM-Authorized AeMCs
Hisar Hospital Intercontinental — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Istanbul, Turkey
Non-EASA
Başkent Üniversitesi Ankara Hastanesi — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Ankara, Turkey
Non-EASA
Özel Doğan Tıp Merkezi — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Istanbul, Turkey
Non-EASA
Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi Gaziosmanpaşa Hastanesi — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Istanbul, Turkey
Non-EASA
TAPDİ Buca Tıp Merkezi — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Izmir, Turkey
Non-EASA
Medical Park Antalya Hastanesi — Havacılık Tıp Merkezi
Antalya, Turkey
Non-EASA
View all 23 aeromedical centers
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