2024-03-28 12:43:27
Bulgaria receives about 50,000 medical tourists annually, reports the Romanian information site Hotnews, citing data from the National Statistical Institute. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, medical tourism is a niche that can complement summer and winter holiday tourism in the country. One of the main reasons why Bulgaria is becoming a popular destination for health tourism is the very low prices.
Treatment in Bulgaria can be 60-70 percent cheaper than in Western Europe or the USA, without sacrificing quality, the site points out. For example, dental implants in Bulgaria can cost up to 80 percent less than in the UK, and cosmetic surgery can be up to 50 percent cheaper than in the US.
Nearly 20,000 foreigners visited Romania last year for treatment, and the total amount they paid amounted to 125 million lei (25 million euros), which means just over 1,000 euros per person, Hotnews also points out.
Romania is sought after for various medical procedures, especially dental care, aesthetic and plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery and oncology treatment. Romania is also known for its progress in minimally invasive surgeries, the site notes.
Neighboring Hungary, however, attracts about 2 million medical tourists annually, which is 100 times more than Romania, Hotnews commented. According to the publication, Hungary is known for its excellent results in dental care, cosmetic surgery, orthopedic treatment and ophthalmology services.
In the Czech Republic, the figures are similar to those of Romania – about 20,000 foreigners visit the country for medical procedures annually, with the most popular services related to dentistry, eye surgery, infertility treatment, reconstructive surgery, stem cell therapy and orthopedic surgery.
Each year, between 40,000 and 60,000 health tourists visit clinics in Serbia, according to the National Association of Travel Agencies. The most requested medical services in Serbia are facelifts and facial maintenance, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, chemical peels and botox. The publication notes that the country adheres to EU standards in the field of health care and there are many doctors who have undergone training or specialization in Western Europe or the United States, BTA reported.