Medical Repatriation between Turkey and France
A complication after a hair transplant, cosmetic or bariatric surgery in Istanbul, or an accident during a stay in Antalya: we organize the medically escorted return to France.
Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, has become one of the world's leading medical tourism destinations (hair transplants, dental, cosmetic and bariatric surgery). The vast majority of procedures go smoothly, but when a post-operative issue does arise — infection, bleeding, an anesthesia-related complication — a fast, medically escorted repatriation can become necessary.
Ambulance Flight also organizes evacuations for holidaymakers (Antalya, Bodrum, the Aegean coast) affected by an accident or medical emergency.
Common situations on this route
- Complication after a hair transplant or cosmetic/bariatric surgery in Istanbul
- Accident or medical emergency during a holiday (Antalya, Bodrum...)
- Hospital stay requiring transfer to a specialist unit in France
- Patient requiring continuous cardiac or respiratory monitoring during the flight
Airports served
On the Turkey side
- Istanbul – Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Istanbul – Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
- Antalya – Antalya Airport (AYT)
- Izmir – Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
On the France side
- Paris – Charles de Gaulle & Orly
- Lyon–Saint-Exupéry
- Marseille Provence
- Nice Côte d'Azur
Formalities & coordination
A repatriation from Turkey involves specific flight clearances and customs coordination for the air ambulance, as with any non-EU destination. For cases linked to a medical tourism complication, a fast and complete clinical handover from the Turkish facility is essential for care to continue smoothly on arrival.
Depending on the patient's condition, a flight with cabin pressure held at sea level (our Sea Level Flight service) or a full critical-care set-up on board may be required — our coordinating physician determines the right configuration together with the Turkish care team.
Customs and consular formalities vary case by case and change over time. Our team confirms the exact documents required from the first contact.
Related services
Common questions about this route
Call our 24/7 medical desk. We contact the Turkish facility directly to assess the clinical situation and determine, if needed, the safest way to organize the return to France.
That depends entirely on the patient's condition and the surgeon or treating physician's assessment. In some cases a commercial flight with medical escort is enough; in others, a dedicated air ambulance with critical-care equipment is required.
A medical situation abroad can't wait.
Our coordinators are available right now — every day, at any hour.