Abortion is legal in Turkey, but access is increasingly described by researchers and rights groups as uneven—particularly within parts of the public hospital system. The issue has resurfaced in broader discussions on demographics and “family policy,” as government-led initiatives aimed at raising birth rates keep reproductive health in the public conversation.
This report explains what Turkish law permits, what patients and advocates say they encounter in practice, and provides a practical list of physicians who publicly state they offer termination services. It is not a medical endorsement or a quality ranking; rather, it is a directory-style starting point for readers looking to verify options and ask the right questions.
Is abortion legal in Turkey?
Yes. Turkey’s legal framework for termination is rooted in the Population Planning Law No. 2827 (1983), which regulates pregnancy termination and related procedures. English-language versions of the law are available through international legal repositories and confirm that abortion is legal within defined conditions.
The 10-week rule
In general terms, the law allows termination on request up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. That headline rule is widely reiterated by academic and policy sources summarizing Turkish law and practice.
Consent requirements
Consent requirements vary by circumstance:
- Married women: multiple legal and academic summaries note that spousal consent is required under the Population Planning Law framework.
- Minors (under 18): summaries and rights reports commonly state parent/guardian consent is required.
Exceptions beyond 10 weeks
After 10 weeks, abortion may be permitted under specified medical grounds (for example, serious risk to the pregnant person’s life/health or severe fetal conditions), depending on clinical assessment and documentation.
In addition, several legal summaries note that pregnancies resulting from a crime (including sexual assault) may be terminated up to 20 weeks under the Turkish Criminal Code provisions cited in legal commentary.
The reality gap
While the legal framework remains in place, the core access question in 2026 is not simply “Is it legal?” but “Where can it be obtained in practice—especially in the public system?”
A January 2026 report by bianet, based on outreach to state hospitals in multiple provinces, described widespread refusals and referenced some institutions citing “institutional policy” as a reason for not providing services.
Independent research and advocacy reporting have made similar claims over the past several years. A 2024 Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) post described a sharp mismatch between legality and availability in public hospitals.
Academic research has also examined availability by sector. A 2026 study summarizing nationwide data reports substantially lower abortion provision in public hospitals compared with private hospitals, characterizing barriers as multi-layered (including refusals and misinformation).
This matters for patients because delays—whether from appointment bottlenecks or refusals—can collide with the 10-week limit, increasing stress and reducing options.
What “safe care” looks like — clinically, not politically
International clinical guidance emphasizes that abortion is safest when performed with appropriate, evidence-based methods by trained providers and within a regulated health system.
WHO guidance describes vacuum aspiration as a recommended surgical method for induced abortion at earlier gestations and recommends against outdated sharp curettage practices in routine care.
For readers, the practical takeaway is not to self-diagnose a method—but to ensure the provider can clearly explain:
- Gestational dating (how many weeks)
- Method offered and why it’s appropriate
- Anesthesia and pain control options
- Emergency protocols and follow-up
The List
1) Op. Dr. Burcu Kardaş Arslan (Istanbul)
Dr. Burcu Kardaş Arslan is Istanbul-based and provides public-facing patient information on termination services, including an outline of how the procedure is typically approached and what factors can affect the overall visit (such as gestational week and anesthesia planning). Her information pages focus on process clarity—what patients can expect before, during, and after the procedure—an approach that can help readers prepare questions ahead of an appointment. She also appears on a major appointment platform where patients can review services and book consultations through standard channels.
2) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Zülfikaroğlu (Ankara)
Based in Ankara, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Zülfikaroğlu lists termination services among her gynecology and obstetrics offerings and provides straightforward access points for inquiries and scheduling. Her public materials are positioned in a broader women’s health portfolio, which is relevant for patients who want the same clinic to handle both the procedure and follow-up care. She is also listed on a widely used appointment site that details offered procedures (including abortion-related services) and provides clinic/location information for prospective patients.
3) Jin. Op. Dr. Nursen Dörücü (Istanbul)
Dr. Nursen Dörücü’s Istanbul presence is supported by a dedicated women’s health website that explicitly includes services and emphasizes consultation availability and patient communication. The public-facing structure is designed as a service hub, presenting termination care alongside broader gynecology and maternity services—useful for readers who want one provider to address multiple needs (dating ultrasound, contraception counseling, follow-up). She is also listed on a major appointment platform where vacuum termination appears among the stated areas of practice.
4) Op. Dr. Aslı Alay (Istanbul)
Istanbul-based Op. Dr. Aslı Alay publishes patient-oriented explainer pages on abortion/termination, including definitions and general considerations that patients frequently search for before contacting a clinic. This “information-first” approach can be helpful for readers trying to understand terminology and to build a shortlist of questions for a first consultation. She is also profiled on a major appointment platform where offered services include termination, alongside other gynecologic procedures and consultations.
5) Op. Dr. Aşkın Evren Güler (Ankara)
Op. Dr. Aşkın Evren Güler lists abortion/termination services in Ankara and frames the topic within legal-week context and clinical decision-making, encouraging prospective patients to seek specialist care rather than informal guidance. Public materials describe termination as part of a wider gynecology practice, which may matter for readers who want continuity (counseling, procedure, and post-procedure monitoring) under one roof. On a major appointment platform, “vacuum termination” is explicitly included among services, with location and booking routes available for verification.
6) Op. Dr. Burcu Saygan Karamürsel (Ankara)
Ankara-based Op. Dr. Burcu Saygan Karamürsel provides detailed public information that addresses timing questions—such as why very early gestations may require careful ultrasound confirmation—reflecting a clinical emphasis on accurate dating and differential diagnosis. These are the kinds of issues patients often overlook when they focus only on “how soon can I book,” so this content can be a useful signal for readers who value structured pre-procedure evaluation. Her site also discusses legal-week framing in general terms and situates termination care within standard women’s health services and follow-up.
7) Op. Dr. Ayşe Darama (Istanbul)
Op. Dr. Ayşe Darama publishes Istanbul-focused content on vacuum termination and related practical topics, including how the method is generally described and what post-procedure considerations are commonly discussed in clinics. She also maintains pages that break down abortion types and explain terminology in a way that aligns with common patient search intent (“painless vacuum abortion,” “types,” “what to expect after”). Her professional profile is available through a major appointment platform that summarizes background and practice history, allowing readers to cross-check credentials and access points.
8) Op. Dr. Sultan Özkan Karataş (Izmir)
In Izmir, Op. Dr. Sultan Özkan Karataş appears both through an official website presence and a major appointment platform listing that includes termination among services. Her public-facing profile positions termination care within comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology, which may appeal to readers who prefer clinics that handle contraception counseling and broader reproductive health planning as part of routine care. For those comparing options across cities, having both an official site and an appointment-platform profile can make it easier to verify scope of services and determine next steps for consultation.
9) Op. Dr. Melek Büyükkınacı Erol (Antalya)
Op. Dr. Melek Büyükkınacı Erol lists termination services in Antalya and provides clinic details and informational pages that situate abortion care within a broader women’s health and fertility-related practice. This can be relevant for readers who want a provider comfortable with a wide range of reproductive health scenarios, including counseling and follow-up planning. She also appears on a major appointment platform under obstetrics/gynecology and infertility-related specialization areas, offering an additional channel for readers to confirm services, location, and scheduling pathways.
10) Op. Dr. Funda Yazıcı Erol (Antalya)
Antalya-based Op. Dr. Funda Yazıcı Erol provides public materials that emphasize clinical safety concepts patients often look for—such as sterile conditions and ultrasound use to confirm gestational location and dating. She also maintains blog-style explainers that describe how abortion procedures are generally performed in modern practice and what the clinical workflow may include. In addition to her Turkish pages on “Antalya kürtaj,” her broader site footprint presents gynecology and obstetrics services for international and local audiences, making it easier for readers to validate practice scope before contacting a clinic.
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