Medical tourism involves traveling to other countries to seek medical care. The motives for medical travelers are diverse, but affordability, quality of care, and no waiting lists are often among the top priorities. However, due to intense competition, choosing a destination based on your needs can be challenging. European countries have a great reputation for quality of care, but which one would you choose as your medical destination? In the following section, you will read about the top ten medical tourism destinations in Europe.
1-Turkey
turkey is now welcoming around 700,000 foreign patients, making it a medical tourism hub. In addition to significant investments in advertising, Turkey has recently focuses on improving the quality of medical care. Around fifty hospitals in Turkey have achieved JCI accreditation that make Turkey a safe medical tourism destination. The reasons for popularity of Turkey as a medical tourism destination include:
- affordable, cost effective price: in comparison to other European countries, Turkey prices are much lower and you can save 60 % to 70 % on medical bills.
- Highly equipped and modern hospital: Turkish hospitals are equipped with latest technologies
- All-inclusive packages: what makes turkey a favorable destination for many people around the world is highly inclusive package so you should never worry about your accommodation and transfer.
- No waiting lists: Turkey hospital receives patients immediately so you have not to waits for months for your medical treatment
- Access to the world: Turkey have many flights to approximately any country around the world. The geographical location of Turkey as the cross-section of Asia and Europe makes it an accessible destination for many people
Turkey is best known for treating neurosurgical, ophthalmological, oncological, cardiac, and orthopedic conditions.
Check out our recommended medical centers in Turkey
2-Germany
When it comes to highly advance medical treatment, Germany is often the first country that is suggested. Germany receive more than 250,000 patients from all over the world.
German hospitals are famous for their outstanding medical standards, which are among the highest in the world. In addition, Germany is often an early adopter of modern treatments, often making them available ahead of other countries. The education and training of surgeons and other medical professionals in Germany are of excellent quality. Medical universities in the country also play a significant role in international medical research.
As one of the top leading industrial nations, Germany boasts an extremely well-developed infrastructure. As a result, medical treatment is readily available to all, with an abundance of options for patients to choose from.
Why do many people choose Germany as their medical destination?
- Innovative technologies: Germany has a reputation for highly advanced technologies and equipment that cannot be easily found in other countries
- Treatment for rare diseases: Germany for many years have researched and worked on treatments for many difficult or rare conditions, such as cancer treatment.
- Patient-centered method of treatment: Germany for many years have worked and implemented a patient-centered healthcare system which lead to high quality medical care.
- High standard of safety: Germany strictly complies to safety standards.
Patients mostly comes to Germany for these specialties:
Oncology
Cardiac surgery
Orthopedics
Neurosurgery
Hematology
3-Italy
Italian hospitals have a great reputation for cancer treatment, and Italy manufactures most of the equipment for radiotherapy and cancer treatment. Italy is also known for having the most natural thermal resources in the world, making it a popular destination for wellness and spa treatments. Many patients from around the world come to Italy for rehabilitation.
The advantages of Italy as a medical tourism destination are
- High quality healthcare system
- the possibility of combining treatments with holidays.
- many research hospitals in Italy offering innovative treatment
- affordable price for US and Canada citizen
Read more about top reasons to choose Italy as your medical tourism destination:
4-Spain
In recent years, Spain turns to be a popular medical tourism destination. Many people from the US, Canada, and Britain choose Spain for their medical treatment. Twenty-two hospitals in Spain are JCI-accredited. A diverse set of medical treatments are available, especially in the excellent chain of facilities in Barcelona and Madrid, which can rival any developed nation in treatment standards.
So, why people choose Spain as their medical destination:
– Affordable price: While the prices are similar to Germany and other European countries, the fees are much lower than in the US and Canada, making it a favorable destination for them.
– Excellent post-operative care: Spain offers great post-operative care.
– Possibility of combining treatment and holiday: Spain is a top country among tourists for its outstanding nature, culture, and mild climate. Patients can combine high-quality treatment with an unforgettable vacation.
Patients consider Spain as one of the best medical tourism countries in such specialties as:
– Neurosurgery
– Oncology
– Orthopedics
– Hematology
5-Belgium
According to the Euro Health Consumer Index (ECHI) 2015, the healthcare system in the Netherlands is the best in Europe. However, there is still room for improvement in waiting times. As a result, Belgium has become the most preferred destination for Dutch patients seeking treatments in orthopaedics, heart surgery, and caesarean operations. This trend is not new and has been existent for decades. Not only the Dutch but patients from France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the US also come to Belgium for medical treatments. In 2010, more than 46,000 patients from neighboring European countries visited Belgium for medical care, and they mostly crowded in Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Hasselt, and Ghent, which are famous tourist destinations.
Till now you learn about five medical tourism destinations. Check out our blog for more information on medical tourism.
6-Hungary
Hungary has gained a great reputation in the field of dentistry, with many skilled professionals and state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest technologies. Moreover, the prices of dental services in Hungary are much more affordable than in Western European private clinics. For instance, while an implant can cost up to 1500 Euros in Western Europe, the same procedure can be performed for as little as 800 Euros in Hungary.
Aside from its excellent dental care, Hungary is also well-known for its thermal waters and hot springs. This is due to Hungary’s advantageous geographical location, which allows it to have access to a high quality and quantity of thermal water. In fact, thermal water covers about 80% of Hungary’s territory, with the remains of ancient Roman spas still visible in places like Óbuda.
7. Portugal
Portugal is another country in Western Europe emerging fast as a prominent medical tourism destination. Its superb touristic offerings and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities run by a talented pool of medical and non-medical professionals fluent in English and other widely spoken international languages have been successful in drawing an appreciable volume of medical tourists.
Portugal’s healthcare system is well above European average. Moreover, the government has given top priority to medical tourism. It has established a multi-sectored task force by coordinating with different ministries and creating encouraging conditions for private partnerships.
Top private hospitals have set up international patient departments to give proper attention to foreign patients ensuring them a trouble-free comfortable experience all throughout. Many healthcare facilities have received JCI accreditation that would further build trust and reliability among foreign patients
8-Czech Republic
Czech Republic also has the reputation for high quality of care and affordability. The Czech Republic is an excellent option for healthcare in the European Union and in a part of Europe that offers many of the highly-developed European services one would expect but at a better value than its counterparts in the Western part of the continent.
The Czech Republic is known for being sought out for services like teeth whitening, cosmetic surgeries, and others.
You can save up to sixty percent compared to the UK on cosmetic surgeries: a breast enlargement with silicon implants costs £2,120 including one to two nights in a clinic in Prague, and nose reshaping costs £1,610 including one night in the clinic.
Prague is one of best E cities for living and in general. Whether you are visiting only for medical reasons or would want to seek out opportunities in the Czech Republic from a business and lifestyle standpoint, this country is worth considering.
Croatia boasts stunning natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, excellent cuisine, and warm hospitality. In recent years, the country has emerged as a leading medical tourism destination, with immense potential to become a major player in the European market. The country’s dental services are particularly noteworthy, with a growing number of reputable clinics attracting patients from across Europe, including the UK. The added appeal of Croatia’s azure waters and charming towns only adds to the allure of seeking high-quality, safe, and regulated dental treatment in this beautiful European destination.
In other parts of Europe, the Czech Republic has earned a reputation for its exceptional cataract surgery, while Cyprus is making strides in developing its private medical sector for medical tourists. Patients from Western Europe and Scandinavia, where private healthcare costs are often prohibitively high, will be pleased to know that affordable and quality medical treatments are just a short flight away within Europe’s borders. As global air travel resumes, the prospects for international medical tourism are looking brighter than ever.
9-Poland
Poland is the 17th most popular medical tourism destination in the world, attracting thousands of medical tourists every year. It is known for its medical facilities and Renaissance architecture. Since joining the European Union, Poland has become more prominent on the healthcare system map.
Like most popular medical tourism destinations, Poland is known for its lower costs compared to other European countries. Additionally, Poland invests heavily in wellness tourism and is famous for its thermal springs and spas. Many choose Poland for rehabilitation and aftercare. As you may have noticed, the most popular destinations for medical tourism are those that offer a combination of medical and wellness tourism.
It’s worth noting that this list can change at any time since every country is investing in medical tourism so the it is a very competing industry. Keep in mind that this is general information on the most popular European medical tourism destinations. You can find the best medical centers in Europe in Bookingsmed. To choose your preferred destination, you can consult a health travel agent since each country is more successful in certain medical procedures.
Can you suggest you favorite medical tourism destinations in Europe? Share your opinion with us
10-Croatia
Croatia boasts stunning natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, excellent cuisine, and warm hospitality. In recent years, the country has emerged as a leading medical tourism destination, with immense potential to become a major player in the European market. The country’s dental services are particularly noteworthy, with a growing number of reputable clinics attracting patients from across Europe, including the UK. The added appeal of Croatia’s azure waters and charming towns only adds to the allure of seeking high-quality, safe, and regulated dental treatment in this beautiful European destination.
In other parts of Europe, the Czech Republic has earned a reputation for its exceptional cataract surgery, while Cyprus is making strides in developing its private medical sector for medical tourists. Patients from Western Europe and Scandinavia, where private healthcare costs are often prohibitively high, will be pleased to know that affordable and quality medical treatments are just a short flight away within Europe’s borders. As global air travel resumes, the prospects for international medical tourist
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