The Complete Guide to Medical Tourism in 2024: Where to Go and How to Do It Right
May 9, 2025
It’s no news that travel is now much more accessible than ever, and this is how ‘medical tourism’ has come to become a thing too.
What this means is, many more people are traveling to another country to receive medical treatments or procedures.
Two main reasons are lower costs and availability of procedures outside of the country of residence.
Interesting statistics:
✔ The global medical tourism market was valued at approximately $47 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach over $111 billion by 2029.
✔ The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for medical tourism, accounting for 75% of the global market in 2021.
✔ In 2022, it was estimated that 348,000 UK residents travelled abroad for medical treatment.
✔ Patients can potentially save up to 70% on treatment costs compared to the United States by utilizing medical tourism.
In this article, we’ll see:
- Why millions now cross borders for care
- The top destinations for every medical need
- How to avoid nightmare scenarios
- Visa and logistics tips most guides miss
Why do people become medical tourists?
Cost is the #1 reason.
For example, a heart bypass is $150,000 in the US, $25,000 in India and $12,000 in Thailand
Quality is the second reason.
Many overseas hospitals rival home country standards:
- JCI accreditation (this is the gold standard)
- US/UK trained doctors
- Cutting-edge technology
Wait times is the third reason.
If you need a hip replacement, you can be sure to wait about 12 months in Canada compared to about 3 days in Mexico
Privacy is another major one.
Celebrities and executives often prefer discreet foreign clinics.
What are the top medical tourism destinations?
Dental - Hungary
Why?
40% cheaper than Western Europe
Budapest has 200+ English-speaking dentists
Cosmetic - South Korea
Why?
World leaders in plastic surgery
Non-surgical treatments 60% cheaper than US
Cardiac - India
Why?
1/10th the US price
Apollo Hospitals outcomes match Cleveland Clinic
Fertility - Spain
Why?
LGBTQ+ friendly laws
50% cheaper IVF than UK
Orthopedics - Thailand
Why?
Bumrungrad Hospital does 50 knee replacements daily
1/3 US prices
Cancer - Germany
Why?
Pioneering immunotherapy
Many treatments unavailable elsewhere
What visa considerations should you keep in mind?
Medical visas exist in countries like India, Thailand, Malaysia and Turkey, for example.
Typical requirements include a doctor's letter, treatment confirmation and proof of funds.
Essential medical tourism tips for you…
1. Research accreditation first
Look for:
- JCI
- ISO
- Country-specific certifications
2. Get medical records translated
Google Translate won't cut it for MRI results
3. Factor in follow-ups
Some procedures require multiple visits
4. Check visa durations
Will you need extensions for recovery?
5. Avoid discount brokers
Book directly with hospitals when possible
6. Plan for complications
Buy medical evacuation insurance
7. Consider recovery locations
Beach resorts beat hotel rooms post-surgery
8. Verify doctor credentials
Many countries have online registries
9. Budget 30% extra
Hidden costs always appear
10. Learn basic local medical terms
"Pain" and "allergy" are most important
11. Bring a companion
You'll need help post-anesthesia
12. Check medication laws
Some painkillers are banned internationally
What are the red flags to avoid?
No proper website
Only communicates through WhatsApp
Requests full payment upfront
No patient references
Located in remote areas
Medical tourism can save lives and money but only with proper planning.
