Europe Medical Tourism Market Size

Europe Medical Tourism Market Analysis

The Europe Medical Tourism Market size is estimated at USD 15.80 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 35.87 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.82% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The European medical tourism market is anticipated to grow with rising awareness about medical tourism and government initiatives, as well as the presence of advanced medical infrastructure and medical care services. The medical infrastructure of European healthcare facilities provides a wide range of treatment and management for various chronic diseases. The advanced infrastructure, skilled medical professionals, and cost-effective treatment are expected to boost the number of medical tourists visiting the region. For instance, as per the data published by the United Nations Tourism in 2023, Europe received 54.5% of all international tourist arrivals in 2023. The continent welcomed 700.4 million foreign travelers, and Southern/Mediterranean Europe attracted the most international tourists, with 307.4 million arrivals in 2023. Thus, growing medical tourism in Europe is expected to boost the market during the forecast period.

Further, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council data published in January 2024, France is the third top destination for medical tourism in Europe, with a global ranking at the 11th position. France is highly rated in the Destination Environment and Medical Tourism Industry categories. It receives a significant number of medical tourists, primarily from the European Union, seeking cosmetic, bariatric, and oncology, among other treatments. France offers substantial cost savings compared to the United States for complex procedures, with potential savings of up to 70% for orthopedic procedures. Thus, cost benefits and advanced healthcare infrastructure in European countries attract tourism in the region, boosting market growth.

Furthermore, the recent developments by the service providers are expected to increase medical tourism in the region, which is likely to boost the market’s growth in the region. For instance, in January 2022, Mastercard established a new Tourism Innovation Hub in support of the Spanish government. This hub, located in Madrid, aims to foster innovation, research, and collaboration to create solutions for a sustainable and inclusive recovery in global tourism.

Therefore, owing to factors such as increasing advancements in the healthcare infrastructure and the quality of services, the market studied is anticipated to witness growth during the forecast period. However, the challenges associated with medical tourist visas and cost constraints are likely to impede market growth.