Going abroad for treatment? Check first.
Independent UK checklists, country guides and clinic information for dental, hair, cosmetic, weight-loss, eye, IVF and orthopaedic treatment abroad.
Accreditations to look for
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is travelling abroad for planned healthcare — typically elective procedures like dental implants, hair restoration, cosmetic surgery, weight-loss surgery, IVF, eye surgery or joint replacement. According to the Office for National Statistics, 523,000 UK residents travelled abroad for medical treatment in 2024 — up from 431,000 in 2023, a 50% rise in two years. Turkey alone accounted for nearly 200,000 of those visits.
Most journeys are clinically successful. The ones that go wrong usually involve avoidable shortcuts: unverified surgeons, unlicensed facilities, no aftercare plan, or compressed recovery timelines that ignore DVT risk on the flight home. The FCDO confirms 7 British nationals died in Turkey in 2025 following medical procedures (gov.uk source); every page on cliniccheck is designed to help you spot the shortcuts before you pay a deposit.
UK vs abroad: indicative price comparison
Indicative starting prices in GBP. Always request itemised written quotes from any specific clinic.
| Treatment | UK private from | Abroad from | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Treatment | £2,400 | £450 | ~70% |
| Hair Transplant | £6,000 | £1,500 | ~75% |
| Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery | £7,500 | £2,200 | ~60% |
| Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery | £11,000 | £3,500 | ~65% |
| Eye Surgery (LASIK & Cataract) | £4,000 | £1,100 | ~65% |
| IVF & Fertility | £8,000 | £2,800 | ~60% |
| Orthopaedic & Joint Surgery | £14,000 | £6,500 | ~55% |
| Cardiac & General Surgery | £25,000 | £9,000 | ~60% |
Browse by treatment
From dental implants to bariatric surgery — what to know before you book.
Popular destinations
Where UK patients most often travel for treatment — with the things to watch for.
Start with a checklist
Free, independent checklists written for UK patients. Use them before you pay any deposit.
Featured clinics
Hospitals and clinics with the licensing and accreditation we recommend you verify.
Istanbul Smile Clinic
Hospital-based dental clinic in Şişli specialising in implants, full-arch restorations and zirconium crowns. T…
Budapest Dental House
Long-established central Budapest practice. Provides itemised treatment plans and a two-stage care model (prep…
Antalya Hair Restoration Center
FUE and DHI hair transplant clinic in Antalya serving UK patients with all-in packages from £1,500. Confirm th…
Warsaw Hair Clinic
Smaller-volume European clinic offering surgeon-led FUE. Suits patients who prioritise EU regulation and consu…
Istanbul Aesthetic Hospital
JCI-accredited private hospital handling rhinoplasty, BBL, breast surgery and gastric sleeve. Higher-risk proc…
Prague Plastic Surgery Institute
Surgeon-led Prague clinic offering rhinoplasty, breast surgery and facelifts. Two-week recovery in Prague is p…
Tijuana Bariatric Center
Hospital-based gastric sleeve and bypass programme with a strong record of UK patients. Confirm the lead surge…
Apollo Chennai International
World-renowned tertiary hospital with dedicated international patient wing. Strongest in cardiac surgery, join…
Why cliniccheck?
Independent
We don't take bookings, commissions, or paid clinic placements. Listing is not an endorsement; verification is up to you, and we give you the tools.
Practical checklists
Plain-English questions to ask, red flags to spot, and country-specific safety notes — designed to be used before you pay a deposit.
Written for the UK
NHS interaction, FCDO advice, UK travel insurance and aftercare options — all considered from a UK patient's perspective.
Patient stories
How people used cliniccheck before they travelled.
Latest guides
How to research clinics, what travel insurance covers, and more.
How much does a knee replacement cost? UK prices vs Europe in 2026
A private knee replacement costs £12,000–£17,000 in the UK and £6,500–£11,000 in Europe; on the NHS it is free but the wait is long. Here is the full UK vs Europe cost comparison, what each quote actually includes, and the rehabilitation maths that decides whether travelling is worth it.
Travel insurance after surgery: hysterectomy, transplant, cataracts and cosmetic procedures
Declaring a recent operation changes your travel insurance — and failing to declare it can void the policy entirely. What UK insurers ask after a hysterectomy, transplant, cataract surgery, breast surgery or a hair transplant, and when you are safe to fly.
Bariatric surgery cost in 2026: UK prices vs abroad
Bariatric surgery costs £9,000–£15,000 at UK private hospitals — a gastric sleeve from £2,500 in Turkey and £3,500 in Mexico. The full 2026 price list by procedure and country, what "all-inclusive" packages leave out, and the lifetime costs no quote mentions.
Common questions
The three things UK patients ask us most before they start researching.