04.07.2026 01:20
The "Wellness Services Regulation," which aims to support the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals, was published in the Official Gazette. With the new regulation, "Wellness Centers" will be established as standalone units or within facilities in areas ranging from accommodation facilities to sports clubs. In these centers, which will offer customized healthy living programs for citizens—from speech therapy to mud baths, from traditional and complementary medicine practices to psychological support—it will be mandatory to have at least one full-time physician.
The 'Wellness Services Regulation' was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.
WELLNESS CENTERS AND UNITS WILL BE ESTABLISHED
The regulation introduces a new health service delivery model aimed at supporting individuals' healthy lifestyle habits and improving their quality of life. It aims to provide protective, developmental, supportive, and rehabilitative services to enhance individuals' physical, mental, and social well-being without therapeutic intent.
Under the new regulation, services may be offered as wellness centers or wellness units. These centers and units can be established within accommodation facilities, elderly care centers, disability care centers, and sports clubs, or they may operate in standalone buildings. Standalone centers must have a minimum enclosed area of 500 square meters, while units must have at least 300 square meters. Licensing procedures will be carried out by provincial health directorates.
PERSONALIZED HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED
The practices offered in wellness centers, without therapeutic intent, can be tailored to the individual based on age, general health status, lifestyle, and risk factors. The goal is for these services to support overall well-being and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Centers must have a full-time physician, one of whom will serve as the responsible physician. Other healthcare professionals may also provide healthy living services within their scope of duties and authority.
COMPREHENSIVE WELLNESS SERVICES CAN BE OFFERED
Under the regulation, a wide range of healthy living practices are targeted for provision, including but not limited to: speech and language therapy, exercise and physical activity services, mud therapy, physiotherapy services, traditional and complementary medicine practices (GETAT), psychological support services, seawater and marine-based treatment methods, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, rehabilitation services, art therapies, sun therapy, thermal health therapies (spa), and salt therapy.
CAN COLLABORATE WITH HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CENTERS
Medical devices used in related services can be kept on site with the approval of the Ministry of Health. For potential emergencies, centers will collaborate with a hospital or medical center and will include an emergency intervention room within their facilities. Laboratory and imaging services may be outsourced.
WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTH TOURISM
With this new wellness model, it is aimed to effectively introduce increasingly widespread 'healthy and quality aging' (longevity) practices to Turkey and to develop health tourism services in this field.