In 2025, European hospitals are expected to treat more than 2 million international patients, generating $18.62 billion in revenue. What was once a niche market has become a serious economic engine, growing faster than most traditional healthcare sectors.
As global healthcare costs continue to rise and it becomes easier for patients to travel across borders, Europe’s position in this space is drawing new attention.
Dr. Kevin Ciresi brings decades of experience to this landscape. After performing thousands of procedures, he moved into healthcare operations, leading teams at Athenix Body Sculpting Institute and Lifestyle Lift. Now, through KFC MDInc Consulting, he focuses on international healthcare strategy and patient mobility.
Europe’s medical tourism market grew from $10.26 billion in 2024 to $18.62 billion in 2025, an 81% jump in just one year. It’s a clear sign that patient behavior is shifting. People are looking for better value, easier access, and higher quality, regardless of national borders. Current projections indicate that the market will reach $48.73 billion by 2033, growing at a rate of nearly 19% annually.
Geographic and Infrastructure Advantages
Europe’s strength isn’t just about lower costs. The continent offers advanced healthcare infrastructure, highly trained professionals, and easy mobility between countries.
“The distances are far less,” Kevin Ciresi explains. “You can drive 400 miles in Europe and be in two completely different countries. In the U.S., that barely gets you from San Francisco to L.A., and nothing changes.” His extensive background in healthcare operations gives him unique insight into how geography impacts patient care delivery.
European Commission data backs this up. Around 60% of medical travelers choose destinations based on technology and personalized care. Germany treats approximately 250,000 international patients annually, generating around €1.2 billion. Turkey treated 1.4 million in 2023, with 40 JCI-accredited hospitals supporting that volume.
Here’s what top destinations are known for:
- France: Cancer care, reconstructive surgery
- Spain: Fertility treatments, organ transplants
- Italy: Cardiac procedures, rehab services
- Poland: Dental care is 70% less than in Western Europe
- Germany: Orthopedics, diagnostics
- Turkey: Hair transplants, cosmetic surgery
Demographic Catalysts
“Within five years, 22% of Europe’s population will be over 60 or 65,” Kevin Ciresi points out. That demographic shift means more demand for joint replacements, cardiac care, and other elective or chronic condition services. His analysis on healthcare trends frequently explores how aging populations reshape medical systems.
Nearby regions also look to Europe. Patients from the Middle East often seek complex procedures they can’t get locally. North Africans come for lower-cost options than their home private systems. And Eastern Europeans take advantage of EU mobility rights to get quicker access to specialized care.
Europe now accounts for 36.4% of the global medical tourism market, outpacing the Asia-Pacific region (25.5%) and North America (26%). That lead comes from a mix of modern systems, multilingual staff, and long-standing medical expertise.
Quality Assurance and Standardization
Some critics question whether international care can meet the same safety and quality standards as domestic care. Kevin Ciresi doesn’t shy away from that.
“If you’re planning a trip to Florida, you look up your hotel, you check the reviews, you plan your itinerary,” he says. “It’s no different with medical travel, you need to do your research.”
European hospitals back that up with credentials. In 2024 alone, 53 facilities were certified by Joint Commission International. Many others meet ISO and European Society for Quality in Healthcare standards.
Telemedicine, digital records, and multilingual care coordinators also make a big difference. Patients can have consultations before flying out and stay in touch with doctors post-procedure. “You need your home doctor on board, too,” Ciresi adds. “That’s just smart care planning.”
Cost Comparisons and Access
“Healthcare is tiered everywhere,” Kevin Ciresi says. “The U.K. has universal care, but if you want something faster, you go private.” This perspective comes from his unique transition from the exam room to the board room, where he’s witnessed healthcare systems from both clinical and operational angles.
And the numbers speak for themselves:
- Cardiac bypass: $123K (U.S.) vs. $24K (Germany)
- Hip replacement: $40K (U.S.) vs. $13K (Spain)
- Dental implants: $3K (U.S.) vs. $900 (Hungary)
- IVF: $15K (U.S.) vs. $4.5K (Czech Republic)
- Knee replacement: $35K (U.S.) vs. $11K (Poland)
Private European hospitals that cater to international patients often exceed local standards, thanks to investments in advanced equipment and rigorous care protocols. Medical tourism-related investment in Europe reached $2.8 billion in 2023, particularly in newer destinations that are modernizing to meet demand.
What About American Patients?
Approximately 1.2 million Americans travel abroad for medical care each year, but only 15% of them choose to go to Europe. Most still choose Mexico, Costa Rica, or Asia.
“Will more Americans come? Sure,” Kevin Ciresi says. “But it’s a bigger lift. It’s a longer trip and more of a commitment.” His professional network and experience spans both U.S. and international healthcare markets, giving him a clear view of patient preferences.
Still, Europe has key advantages: FDA-equivalent medications, English-speaking providers, and often a more familiar cultural experience. Some U.S. patients even seek out advanced treatments (like stem cell therapies) that aren’t FDA-approved at home.
Some insurers are taking notice. U.S. employers are increasingly covering overseas procedures if they can cut costs by at least 30%. Medical travel agencies report 45% annual growth in Americans heading to Europe for orthopedic and dental care.
Tech, Tools, and the Future
Digital health is rapidly becoming a vital part of the experience. AI tools connect patients with doctors based on their condition and budget. VR allows patients to “tour” clinics and meet doctors before booking. Blockchain secures and transmits medical records across borders.
“Virtual consults, AI-powered matching, centralized data and outcome sharing, it’s all part of what’s coming,” says Ciresi. His business ventures and consulting work often focus on integrating technology into healthcare operations.
Add wearable devices, translation apps, and transparent pricing tools, and you get a much smoother and brighter experience.
Growth and Consolidation
“There’s still a lot of fragmentation,” Kevin Ciresi says. “You’ve got someone in Turkey, someone in Sicily, someone in Britain, but nobody’s pulled it together into a full picture.”
That’s starting to change. Big hospital networks are going global. India’s Apollo Hospitals now partners with three European sites. The Cleveland Clinic has consultation centers in London and Rome. These alliances help standardize care and referrals.
Governments are stepping in too. Italy fast-tracked its medical visa process from 60 to 15 days. Greece offers tax breaks to clinics. Portugal is investing €50 million in English-language training for healthcare staff.
“It’s cyclical,” Ciresi notes. “When economies dip or recover, so do patient flows.”
By 2030, Europe’s medical tourism market is projected to hit $42.26 billion—more than doubling in five years. Growth will be fueled by:
- Wellness + medical travel hybrids
- Preventive care and longevity medicine
- Corporate wellness programs with international screenings
Eastern Europe is also becoming increasingly competitive. Croatia is ramping up dental and cosmetic services. Romania is building cardiac surgery programs. The Czech Republic is expanding IVF services.
Sustainable Approach
Europe’s medical tourism growth has grown from $18.6 billion to a projected $42 billion. It is impressive, but success isn’t just about volume. It’s about maintaining quality and access while scaling smartly.
With individuals like Kevin Ciresi focusing on operational excellence, safety, and patient-centered care, the industry is evolving toward a more mature, systematized, and sustainable approach. His entrepreneurial initiatives in healthcare demonstrate how the sector can balance growth with quality outcomes. Growth is beneficial, but achieving better health outcomes and more intelligent systems is what matters most.
