Countries for medical treatment abroad: what each one publishes
Eight countries where clinics or official fee schedules publish prices for at least one of our five procedures. A country is listed under a procedure only when we found a price we could check.
Mexico
Closest for readers in the US and western Canada: Tijuana and Los Algodones are a walk or a short drive from the US border.
Prices for: MRI scans, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hip replacements and knee replacements.
Turkey
Three to four hours from the UK and Ireland, with many direct flights. Large private hospital groups run international patient offices.
Prices for: health check-ups, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hair transplants, hip replacements, knee replacements and IVF cycles.
Poland
Two to three hours from the UK and Ireland on budget airlines. In the EU, which matters for Irish readers using the Cross-Border Directive.
Prices for: MRI scans, colonoscopies, health check-ups, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hair transplants, hip replacements, knee replacements and IVF cycles. In the EU.
Hungary
About two and a half hours from London or Dublin. Budapest has many private clinics with English websites, especially dentists.
Prices for: MRI scans, colonoscopies, health check-ups, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hair transplants, hip replacements and knee replacements. In the EU.
South Korea
A long flight from Europe and North America, so it fits best when you are already visiting. Seoul hospitals run large check-up centres.
Prices for: MRI scans, colonoscopies and health check-ups.
Japan
Best as an add-on to a trip you are already taking. Japanese check-up centres (ningen dock) are thorough, but some require a medical interpreter and book months ahead.
Prices for: health check-ups, laser eye operations, dental implants and IVF cycles.
Thailand
The big Bangkok private hospitals run international patient centres and publish many package prices in baht.
Prices for: MRI scans, colonoscopies, health check-ups, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hip replacements, knee replacements and IVF cycles.
China
Public hospital prices are set by the government and are very low; international departments and private hospitals charge much more but work in English.
Prices for: MRI scans and colonoscopies.
How to choose a country
- Start with the trip, not the price: a short flight and fewer nights can matter more than a lower clinic price.
- Check whether the published price matches what you need (the same scan area, the same lens, the implant with its crown).
- If you live in Ireland, EU countries can be part-repaid through the HSE Cross Border Directive scheme.
- Choose somewhere you can return to if something needs checking, or where a clinic will work with your doctor at home.
Choosing a country: questions
Which countries are closest to the UK and Ireland?
Poland, Hungary and Turkey are a few hours away with many direct flights. Mexico is closest for the US, and Tijuana and Los Algodones sit on the border.
Why are some countries missing for some procedures?
We list a country only where a clinic or an official schedule publishes a price we could read. Many clinics give prices only on request; we do not fill those gaps with estimates.
Do you recommend any of these countries?
No. We compare published prices and official waiting times. Talk to your own doctor before planning treatment abroad.