Short answer: It depends. If the total fee is fixed in a specific foreign currency in a written quotation or contract, and it does not state that exchange rate differences will be charged separately, the clinic should not unilaterally request a higher amount on the payment date. However, the total amount may change if the price was set in Turkish lira, if the foreign currency equivalent was shown only as an estimate, or if the contract clearly states that the exchange rate applicable on the payment date will be used.

What matters here is not only exchange rate movements on the payment date. You should consider together which document establishes the price, who the agreement was made with, the terms of any deposit or advance payment, taxes and additional services, the source of the exchange rate used, and whether the price is genuinely fixed.

The Difference Between a Foreign Currency Price and a Turkish Lira Price

In health tourism, a quotation may be prepared in euros or pounds sterling, for example. If the total amount is clearly stated in a foreign currency, a validity period is specified, and the payment plan is based on that amount, this strongly suggests that the price is fixed. Nevertheless, read not only the document title but also the terms and conditions and the provisions beneath the signature.

Some quotations set the total fee in Turkish lira and show an equivalent amount in euros, pounds sterling, or US dollars. In this case, the foreign currency amount may be provided for information purposes only. If payment is to be made in Turkish lira, the date and source to be used for the exchange rate calculation may not be clearly specified; in such cases, the clinic’s later use of an exchange rate of its own choosing may lead to a dispute.

If the quotation includes wording such as the exchange rate on the payment date, the central bank exchange rate, the bank’s selling rate, the clinic’s collection rate, or similar language, clarify its meaning in writing. The statement “an exchange rate difference will apply” may not be sufficiently clear on its own; you should also ask which rate, which time, and which payment item will be used as the basis.

Documents That Determine Whether the Price Can Change

First, review together the price quotation sent to you, the treatment plan, the pre-information document, the service contract, the deposit document, and any invoice or pro forma invoice. WhatsApp or email correspondence may also show the price discussions; however, it may not always carry the same weight as a written contract.

The agreement may have been made directly with the clinic, or a health tourism intermediary, coordinator, or another company may be involved. It is important to establish to whom you made the payment, who issued the invoice, and who committed to the price. If there is a discrepancy between the quotation provided by the intermediary and the clinic’s collection document, request a written explanation of the difference before making payment.

Price elements you should review

  • Currency: Is the total fee stated in euros, US dollars, pounds sterling, or Turkish lira?
  • Nature of the price: Is the amount described as “fixed,” “estimated,” “starting from,” or “approximate”?
  • Exchange rate method: If an exchange rate difference applies, which institution, bank, or official source’s rate will be used?
  • Exchange rate date: Will the quotation date, deposit date, procedure date, invoice date, or payment time be used?
  • Payment plan: Will the deposit fix the price, or will it only reserve the appointment?
  • Scope: Are consultation, procedure, anesthesia, laboratory tests, medication, accommodation, transfers, and follow-up services included in the same total?
  • Taxes and expenses: Are bank fees, card surcharges, taxes, or transfer costs included in the price?

Steps to Take If an Exchange Rate Difference Is Requested on the Payment Date

If you are quoted a higher amount during payment, do not rely solely on a verbal explanation. Ask in writing why the new amount is being requested, the source of the exchange rate used, the calculation date, and the contract clause on which it is based. A calm and clear email can create a more useful record for any later assessment than a telephone conversation.

Checklist before payment

  • Convert the total price in the initial quotation and the newly requested amount into the same currency and compare them.
  • Read the quotation’s references to “exchange rate difference,” “exchange rate on the payment date,” and “price change” carefully.
  • If you have paid a deposit, check in the documents whether it will be deducted from the total fee.
  • Determine whether the additional fee results from a change in the treatment scope or solely from the exchange rate.
  • Request a screenshot of the exchange rate used for the new calculation, the invoice, or an official calculation statement.
  • Before paying, obtain written confirmation of the updated total fee and the services included.
  • Until the uncertainty is resolved, avoid signing a new document or making an additional payment under pressure.

If you feel that you have to make the payment, also ask whether doing so will be considered acceptance of the price. Some documents may contain wording that could be interpreted as acceptance of the new terms upon payment. For this reason, stating your objection or reservation in writing before payment may be important when the specific circumstances are assessed.

Does Paying a Deposit Fix the Price?

Paying a deposit does not always mean that the total price has been definitively fixed. Its effect depends on how it is defined in the deposit document and the contract. An advance payment treated as “part of the total fee” may not have the same legal and practical consequences as a reservation fee intended only to secure a date.

After receiving the deposit, the clinic may have previously stated clearly that the price could change. However, it is important to consider whether this condition was presented to you in an understandable manner, how precisely the exchange rate calculation was defined, and whether the change remains within the limits set out in the contract. Review the document you signed before assuming any specific outcome regarding a refund, deduction, or cancellation.

Distinguish Exchange Rate Differences from Changes in Service Scope

An additional amount requested on the payment date may not always result from the exchange rate. A new laboratory test, a different procedure method, an additional night of accommodation, extra medication, or a service not specified initially may have become relevant. Ask for a separate explanation of whether the price increase results from a change in scope or from the application of an exchange rate.

The final treatment plan may change after examination and clinical assessment. This does not mean that every price increase is automatically valid. Request written information in advance about why the additional service is considered necessary, how much it costs, and whether it can be provided without your approval.

Risky Wording to Watch For

Statements such as “prices may change,” “the patient is responsible for exchange rate differences,” or “the final price will be confirmed on the procedure date” may create uncertainty if no further details are provided. If it is unclear when these statements apply, whether there is an upper limit, or when you will be notified of a price change, request a written explanation before payment.

If the quotation was provided only in a social media message or during a verbal conversation, this may also create difficulties in proving the agreed terms. Keep the treatment plan, total fee, payment schedule, exchange rate method, cancellation and refund terms, and the prices of additional services in a single written file. It may also be helpful to record the dates of the documents and who sent them.

Information Channels Available in a Dispute

First, request a written explanation and a detailed calculation from the clinic or intermediary organization. If the issue cannot be resolved, you can seek information through consumer advice services or legal advice in your country, or through the current application channels of the relevant official authorities in Turkey, together with your payment documents, contract, correspondence, invoices, and quotations.

The authorization status of the organization providing the healthcare service, the intermediary’s role, and whether the dispute concerns consumer law, contract law, or healthcare services may affect the appropriate route for seeking assistance. Therefore, verify the current official channels before directing yourself to a specific authority. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice or a definitive determination of your rights.

Related Questions

  • Which clauses should I check in the price contract I signed for health tourism in Turkey?
  • How can I clarify the refund or deduction terms for the deposit I paid in writing?
  • What documents should I request if the clinic later asks for an additional fee?