From Hair Transplants to Fertility Treatments: Explore 5 Top European Destinations for Medical Tourism
Key Points
1. Türkiye, Germany, and Spain are prominent European destinations for medical tourism.
2. Hungary and Greece are also noteworthy, particularly for their affordable treatment options.
3. While costs vary by country, they remain significantly lower than U.S. medical expenses.
Medical tourism, the practice of traveling abroad for medical care, is gaining popularity. Each year, thousands choose Europe for quality and affordable healthcare, benefiting from minimal wait times.
Europe draws medical tourists with diverse treatments ranging from cosmetic surgeries to dental and fertility procedures, bolstering local economies. The global medical tourism market, valued at $79.4 billion in 2023, continues to grow, driven by advanced technology and competitive pricing.
This article explores some of Europe’s top medical tourism destinations, highlighting each country’s strengths.
Germany
Known for its high-quality healthcare, Germany welcomes 250,000 international patients annually, offering expertise in orthopedic, cardiology, oncology, and neurosurgery treatments. The country boasts 1,874 hospitals and a high availability of doctors (4.5 per 1,000 inhabitants), ranking high with a Healthcare Access and Quality Index score of 92 out of 100.
Although Germany is the priciest on this list, it remains far more affordable than the United States. For example, knee replacement surgery costs between €10,000 and €28,000 ($10,530 - $29,480) compared to $15,000 - $75,000 in the U.S.
Greece
Rapidly growing in medical tourism, Greece scored 90.4 out of 100 on the Healthcare Access and Quality Index and offers a high doctor-to-patient ratio (6.3 doctors per 1,000 people). Greece is particularly popular for affordable cosmetic and fertility treatments, with an IVF cycle costing €3,000 to €5,000, significantly lower than U.S. prices.
Hungary
Hungary, particularly renowned for dental care, attracts about 100,000 medical tourists annually. With healthcare spending at €1,171 per capita, it offers affordable yet quality services. Dental implants, for instance, range from €800 to €1,200 in Hungary, about half of U.S. prices.
Spain
With a Healthcare Access and Quality Index score of 91.9, Spain offers high-quality services in a variety of fields, including fertility treatments and cosmetic procedures. Spain has 845 hospitals and 4.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, welcoming nearly 140,000 medical tourists annually. Rhinoplasty in Spain costs €3,000 to €10,000, lower than in the U.S.
Türkiye
A major hub for cosmetic procedures, Türkiye attracts around 700,000 medical tourists annually, largely for affordable hair transplants. With over 1,500 hospitals and 2.3 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, it ranks well with a Healthcare Access and Quality Index score of 74.4. Hair transplants in Türkiye start at €2,000, far less than U.S. costs.
Methodology
This list was created by analyzing:
- Healthcare spending per capita
- Number of hospitals
- Doctor-to-patient ratio
- Annual international patient count
- Healthcare Access and Quality Index score, indicating effectiveness in healthcare