Patients from Russia: urological surgery in Istanbul
Direct flights from many cities and a consultation in Russian through an interpreter. This page covers what applies to you.
About 3–4.5 hours on a direct flight, depending on your departure city
Direct flights to Istanbul operate from Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg and a number of other cities. Schedules change, so confirm your flight with the airline before an operation date is set.
The consultation is held in Russian, with an interpreter arranged before the appointment. The international patient coordinator works in English.
Settlement is usually in euros or US dollars. International cards and transfers from Russia may be subject to restrictions, so resolve payment in advance rather than on the day of admission. Ask us which options apply at the time of your trip.
Visa
Visa rules vary with the type of passport and are updated from time to time. Because wrong information could leave you stranded at the airport, we do not state the rule here; check your own position with the official source.
Settle payment before you fly, not on arrival
This is the most common source of difficulty for patients from Russia, and it is not a medical one. International payment options have changed in recent years, and what worked six months ago may not work now. Write to us beforehand and confirm which method is available at the time of your trip. Leaving it to the day of admission is the worst option.
Bring the images, not only the report
Patients from Russia usually arrive with well-organised documentation, which is an advantage. But a radiologist’s report does not replace the images themselves: to plan an operation the surgeon needs to look at them. Bring the CT or MRI on a disc or as files. This often saves a day and the cost of a repeat scan.
Follow-up after you return
Follow-up is carried out remotely: you send in test results, they are reviewed and the next check is scheduled. Reports are written so that a doctor in Russia can continue your care without consulting us at every step — what exactly was done, what to monitor and at what intervals. There is no need to fly back for a routine check.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa?
Rules depend on the type of passport and change from time to time, so we do not state them here. Check your position with the official Turkish source before booking.
How do I pay for treatment?
Confirm this with us before travelling, as the available methods change. Plan payment in advance rather than on the day of admission.
Will the documents be in Russian?
Medical reports are prepared in English, the common language between doctors, and their content is gone through with you in Russian at the appointment. If you need a translation, say so before discharge.
Let us review your file
If you have test results, imaging or a pathology report, share them in advance and avoid having investigations repeated unnecessarily.
Back to the international patients page: ME Urology Clinic