Liver Transplant in Turkey - Clinics, Costs, Surgeons (2026)

This guide was last reviewed and updated on December 27, 2025 in accordance with A-Medical’s editorial policy. All medical content, statistics, and clinical claims have been verified by licensed healthcare professionals and sourced from peer-reviewed journals, official transplant registries, and Ministry of Health data.

Liver Transplant in Turkey: Costs, Clinics and Surgeons

Liver transplant in Turkey is a proven, life-saving option for international patients who face limited access or long delays in their home countries, especially those suffering from conditions like cirrhosis, liver cancer, hepatitis B or C, and acute liver failure. With over 90 percent one-year survival rates and a global reputation for advanced living donor liver transplant techniques, Turkey offers both medical excellence and accessibility. Turkey ranks 2nd worldwide in living donor liver transplants, performing 1,731 procedures in 2024 alone, and its accredited centers report 92 to 95 percent success rates, comparable to top institutions like the Mayo Clinic.

For many foreign patients, the biggest concern is finding a donor or waiting months for an organ match. In Turkey, where liver transplants are primarily performed using living donors, and where transplant centers specialize in highly complex procedures, there is no national waiting list for international patients. Since 2011, over 3,000 foreign patients from more than 80 countries have received successful liver transplants in Turkey. With more than 45 high-capacity transplant centers, the majority JCI-accredited, patients gain access to world-class care with minimal delays.

This comprehensive guide serves as your roadmap, providing expert-backed data on surgical protocols, the 4th-degree kinship rule, current 2026 costs, and the JCI-accredited hospitals that define Turkey's medical excellence.

What Is a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or failing liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. It is typically recommended for patients with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure when other treatments no longer work. The transplant can involve either a full liver from a deceased donor or a portion of liver from a living donor. The liver is unique among organs for its ability to regenerate, which allows both the donor and recipient livers to grow back to normal size within a few weeks. The operation involves connecting blood vessels and bile ducts with high precision to restore full liver function in the recipient.

When Is a Liver Transplant Necessary?

A liver transplant is considered the last resort when the liver loses its ability to function and no longer responds to conservative medical treatments.

Specialists typically recommend a liver transplant when one or more of the following conditions are present:

1. Cirrhosis caused by chronic liver disease
2. Liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma)
3. Acute liver failure from toxins or infections
4. High MELD score indicating advanced liver damage
5. Severe symptoms like ascites or hepatic encephalopathy

Types of Transplant: Why Living Donor Is the Gold Standard in Turkey?

In Turkey, Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT) is the primary method for international patients due to legal regulations and superior clinical outcomes.

1. Legal Priority: International patients are legally eligible only for living donor transplants, as deceased donor organs are reserved for citizens on the national waiting list.
2. Zero Wait Time: Unlike cadaveric transplants which can take years, living donor liver transplant in Turkey can be scheduled immediately once a compatible donor is found.
3. Superior Organ Quality: Transplants use healthy, screened donors, resulting in one-year survival rates of 92–95%.
4. Minimal Cold Ischemia Time: Since donor and recipient are in adjacent rooms, the organ's time without blood flow is under 60 minutes (compared to 12–18 hours for cadaveric organs), drastically reducing graft failure risks.
5. Rapid Regeneration: Thanks to the liver’s unique biology, both the donor’s remaining liver and the recipient’s new graft typically return to 90% volume within 6 to 8 weeks.
6. Proven Expertise: With over 1,700 procedures annually, Turkish surgeons have mastered the most complex cases, including ABO-incompatible (cross-blood type) transplants.

Who Is Eligible for a Liver Transplant in Turkey?

1. End-stage liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma)
2. Sufficient general health to tolerate major surgery
3. MELD score indicating medical necessity
4. Living donor aged 18-55 with compatible blood type
5. Donor with healthy BMI and no liver disease
6. 4th-degree blood relative or Ethics Committee approval for unrelated donors
7. Psychological readiness of both donor and recipient
8. Complete medical documentation and relationship proof

Legal Requirements for Foreign Liver Transplant Patients in Turkey

1. Donor and recipient must be related up to the 4th degree (parents, siblings, uncles/aunts, first cousins)
2. Spouses must be legally married for at least two years to qualify as donors
3. Unrelated donors require approval from the Provincial Ethics Committee
4. Official proof of relationship is mandatory (translated and notarized)
5. Documents must have Apostille certification or consular verification
6. Both donor and recipient must pass a legal interview process conducted by hospital and health authorities
7. Psychological evaluation reports are required for both parties
8. Full informed consent forms must be signed prior to surgery

We manage all legal paperwork for your liver transplant in Turkey, including translations, notarizations, and ethics committee coordination, so you don’t have to worry about the process.

The 4th-Degree Kinship Rule for Living Donor Liver Transplant in Turkey

To qualify for a living donor liver transplant in Turkey, the donor must be a blood relative or legally married spouse, within the 4th-degree kinship as defined by Turkish law.

Accepted kinship levels for a living donor liver transplant in Turkey include:

1. 1st Degree: Parents and children
2. 2nd Degree: Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren
3. 3rd Degree: Aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces
4. 4th Degree: First cousins, great-grandchildren of shared ancestors
5. Spouses: Must be legally married for at least two years

If the donor is not related within these categories, the case must be approved by a Provincial Ethics Committee, which requires proof of a close, long-term, non-commercial relationship. All relationships must be documented with an official Certificate of Kinship, translated into Turkish and apostilled before Ministry of Health review.

Blood Group Compatibility in Liver Transplant Surgery

1. Type O: The "Universal Donor." Can donate to any group but can only receive from O.
2. Type AB: The "Universal Recipient." Can receive from all blood types.
3. Type A: Can donate to A or AB; can receive from A or O.
4. Type B: Can donate to B or AB; can receive from B or O.

Unlike blood transfusions, the Rh factor (+ or -) does not matter in liver transplantation. A B+ donor can safely donate to a B- recipient.

If a compatible donor is not available, Turkish centers can perform "ABO-Incompatible" liver transplants. This involves a specialized pre-operative process (plasmapheresis) to filter antibodies from the recipient’s blood, allowing for a successful transplant across different blood groups.

Beyond blood types, surgeons perform a "Cross-Match" test to ensure the recipient doesn't have specific antibodies that would attack the donor's tissue.

Is ABO-Incompatible Liver Transplant Possible in Turkey?

Yes, ABO-incompatible liver transplant in Turkey is possible, but only in highly specialized centers and under strict medical conditions. This type of transplant is not routine, because it involves a higher risk of rejection and requires advanced immunological preparation.

How Is Liver Transplant Surgery Performed in Turkey?

1. Pre-Surgery: Medical records are evaluated remotely. Once approved, travel, hospital admission, and surgeon assignment are confirmed before the patient arrives in Turkey.
2. The Operation: Two surgical teams work at the same time. One team operates on the donor and the other on the recipient. Surgeons use advanced microsurgical techniques to connect the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile ducts. Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound is used to confirm stable blood flow.
3. Surgical Duration: The operation takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the case complexity.
4. Post-Operative Care: Patients are observed in a transplant ICU for one to two days. Immunosuppressive medication begins right away. Liver regeneration is monitored through imaging in both donor and recipient.

How Long Does Liver Transplant Surgery and Hospital Stay Take?

1. Surgery Duration: 8 to 12 hours depending on case complexity
2. Intensive Care Stay: 2 to 4 days after surgery
3. Hospital Room Stay: 10 to 14 additional days in a regular ward
4. Post-Discharge in Turkey: 2 to 3 weeks of follow-up and lab monitoring
5. Total Stay in Turkey (Patient): 4 to 6 weeks recommended
6. Living Donor Stay: 5 to 7 days in hospital, full recovery in a few weeks
7. A-Medical Support: Ongoing coordination and care throughout the entire stay

Risks and Possible Complications of Liver Transplant Surgery

1. Organ Rejection: The most common risk; usually managed with medication adjustments rather than re-operation.
2. Infection: Increased vulnerability due to immunosuppressants; mitigated by A-Medical’s sterile transfer and accommodation protocols.
3. Biliary Issues: Potential bile duct leaks or blockages; minimized through advanced microsurgical techniques.
4. Vascular Complications: Risk of blood clots in the connected vessels; monitored 24/7 via intraoperative and post-op Doppler ultrasound.
5. Immunosuppressant Side Effects: Long-term risks like kidney strain; managed by specialized hepatologists through regular blood panel monitoring.
6. Donor Safety: Minimal risks for the donor (e.g., minor wound issues), as the liver begins rapid regeneration immediately.

Survival Rates and Expected Outcomes After Liver Transplant

Liver transplant in Turkey offers world-class outcomes, with one-year survival rates between 92% and 95%, aligning with leading global centers in the United States (SRTR) and Europe (ELTR). Five-year survival rates typically range from 75% to 82%, supported by experienced surgical teams and structured post-op care.

Success rates are even higher in living donor liver transplants, thanks to early surgical timing and healthier organ quality. Over 90% of patients return to normal daily life within a year, while pediatric success rates in Turkey exceed 95%, confirming its global leadership in this field.

Life After Liver Transplant: Recovery and Long-Term Care

After liver transplant in Turkey, patients follow a structured care plan that includes daily immunosuppressants, regular blood tests, and strict hygiene measures to reduce infection risk. Certain foods, especially grapefruit, are strictly avoided due to dangerous drug interactions. Foods like raw meat and unpasteurized dairy must be avoided to protect the liver during the early recovery phase.

Most patients begin light walking within the first week, return to work after 3 to 6 months, and resume moderate exercise around the 12-week mark. Alcohol, raw meat, and unapproved medications remain permanently restricted.

How Much Does a Liver Transplant Cost in Turkey?

The average liver transplant in Turkey costs between $55,000 and $90,000, including diagnostics, surgery, ICU care, hospitalization, and post-operative follow-up. These are comprehensive medical packages that often cover translation, accommodation, and airport transfers, making the process smoother for international patients.

Although prices are lower than in Western countries, Turkish hospitals maintain high quality through JCI accreditation, experienced surgical teams, and strict safety protocols. Costs may vary based on the patient’s condition, hospital, and donor type. Any out-of-pocket expenses, such as medication or extra stay, are disclosed in advance for full transparency.

How A-Medical Helps Reduce Liver Transplant Costs Without Compromising Safety

At A-Medical, we help international patients access liver transplant in Turkey by partnering with accredited hospitals and trusted transplant surgeons. We negotiate directly with top centers to keep costs competitive and pricing fully transparent, without compromising medical quality or safety.

We manage the entire process from start to finish. This includes legal documentation, travel logistics, language support, and post-operative care coordination. If any complications arise after surgery, we ensure patients receive affordable extended treatment through our network of JCI-accredited transplant centers. Our mission is to make liver transplant in Turkey safe, accessible, and worry-free.

Why Choose Turkey for Liver Transplant Surgery?

1. Global Ranking: Turkey ranks 2nd in the world in living donor liver transplant volume, according to the Turkish Society of Nephrology (2025).
2. High-Volume Expertise: In 2024, Turkish centers performed 1,731 liver transplants, over 90% of which were from living donors. High-volume hospitals in Turkey have significantly lower complication rates.
3. Superior Survival Rates: Top hospitals performing liver transplant in Turkey report one-year survival rates of 93.5% to 95%, exceeding global averages and matching US (SRTR) and European (ELTR) benchmarks.
4. JCI-Accredited Excellence: More than 30 liver transplant centers in Turkey are JCI-accredited, ensuring world-class protocols in surgery, donor safety, and post-operative care.
5. Pediatric Success: Specialized Turkish liver transplant centers achieve pediatric survival rates above 95%, making Turkey a global hub for child and infant transplants.
6. Innovation in Complexity: Turkish liver transplant surgeons lead in advanced techniques like ABO-incompatible and split-liver transplants, which are offered only in a few elite centers worldwide.

Waiting Time for Liver Transplant in Turkey

Patients who use A-Medical’s medical tourism services for liver transplant in Turkey benefit from zero waiting time. Unlike the United States or Europe, where patients can wait 3 to 5 years for a deceased donor, liver transplant in Turkey via a living donor can be scheduled within days once medical and legal compatibility is confirmed.

Best Hospitals for Liver Transplant in Turkey

1. Memorial Hospital
2. Liv Hospital
3. American Hospital (Amerikan Hastanesi)
4. Medipol Mega University Hospital
5. Florence Nightingale Hospitals
6. Anadolu Medical Center
7. Acibadem Healthcare Group
8. Medical Park Hospitals
9. Hisar Intercontinental Hospital
10. Lokman Hekim Hospital

Best Liver Transplant Surgeons in Turkey

1. Prof. Abuzer Dirican: 29 years of experience, Florence Nightingale Hospital. Expert in surgical oncology and liver transplants. Authored key medical chapters.
2. Pekize Eker Balcioglu: 23 years, Hisar Intercontinental. Known for split-liver and living donor techniques. Trained in Europe.
3. Volkan Turunc: 25 years, Memorial Şişli. Uses all major transplant techniques. Experienced with international patients.
4. Murat Dayangac: 23 years, Medipol Mega. Trained at Mayo Clinic. Published over 70 transplant-related articles.
5. Mesut Pekmez: 23 years, Lokman Hekim. Active in national surgical associations.
6. Ayhan Dinçkan: 21 years, Liv Hospital Bahcesehir. Performed over 1,000 transplants, including combined organ operations.
7. Yildiray Yuzer: 41 years, Florence Nightingale. Over 4,500 transplants. Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

How A-Medical Can Help With Liver Transplant in Turkey

At A-Medical, we understand that for patients requiring a liver transplant in Turkey, every day counts. We eliminate the uncertainty and bureaucracy of medical travel, providing a direct pathway to the world's leading transplant surgeons.

1. Zero Waiting Time: We schedule your liver transplant in Turkey as soon as legal and medical approvals are in place, bypassing international waiting lists entirely.
2. Free Second Medical Opinion: Your medical records are reviewed remotely by leading JCI-accredited liver transplant surgeons in Turkey before you travel.
3. Full Legal and Ethics Committee Guidance: We handle the 4th-degree kinship verification or Ethics Committee applications required for living donor liver transplant in Turkey.
4. Access to High-Volume Transplant Centers: We work only with hospitals performing 100+ liver transplants annually, ensuring lower complication rates and better clinical outcomes.
5. Medical Visa Assistance: We issue official hospital invitation letters to support and speed up your medical visa process.
6. VIP Ground Transfers: Private vehicles are arranged for airport pickup, hospital visits, and hotel transportation, ensuring comfort and safety.
7. Medical Translation Support: Our certified interpreters assist during all medical consultations so that nothing is lost in translation.
8. Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing: You receive a fixed-price pro-forma invoice covering surgery, ICU, hospital stay, medications, and aftercare with no hidden fees.
9. Remote Follow-Up Coordination: After returning home, we help you maintain communication with your liver transplant surgeon in Turkey for lab reviews and long-term care.

FAQ

What is the top country for liver transplant surgery?

Countries like Turkey, the United States, and South Korea are leading centers for liver transplant due to outcomes, cost-efficiency, and medical expertise.

Which is the highest-rated liver transplant hospital globally?

The Mayo Clinic in the United States consistently ranks at the top due to research, surgical success, and innovation in liver transplantation.

Which hospital in Turkey is best for a liver transplant?

Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital is among the best, offering advanced surgical techniques and a highly experienced transplant team.