What are the risks of health tourism? Why MEPs are calling for better protection of patients abroad

Lower costs, a more comfortable experience, and the lack of availability of certain treatments closer to home are some of the reasons Europeans seek healthcare abroad. However, this so-called “health tourism” comes with unpredictable risks. 

“More and more European citizens are traveling abroad to receive medical treatment, attracted by lower costs and shorter waiting times, but often without proper awareness of the associated risks,” MEP Michele Picaro (Italy/ECR) told Euronews. 

He wants a European-level discussion on the need for minimum safety and quality standards even in non-EU healthcare facilities, to protect citizens by giving them more information about what's at stake.

Countries such as Turkey, Thailand, and South Korea have become popular destinations, offering low prices and experiences that resemble five-star hotel services. 

“Healthcare is getting more and more expensive and getting difficult to access in some countries across Europe. So, it's only reasonable to expect that some of our citizens will travel to wherever they can to get the best value and a timely service for their money,” said MEP Billy Kelleher (Ireland/Renew Europe) during a recent debate in the European Parliament.

However, despite the initial appeal of seeking treatment abroad, there are significant risks linked to aftercare and potential side effects that pose problems once patients are back in Europe.

High price to pay

There have been several reports in the EU of patients returning from treatment abroad with complications. 

In March 2023, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) linked 87 cases of botulism - an illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves causing breathing difficulty, muscle paralysis, and even death in some cases - to intragastric injections of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), commonly known as Botox, carried out in Turkey. 

Private clinics in Turkey advertise the local affordability of such procedures compared to elsewhere, with prices often around half of equivalent costs in Europe. 

“In the beginning, patients come back feeling quite pleased because they think that their problems have been solved at half the price. But six months later there are often relapses, serious infections, and sometimes then the treatment is even more complex and more costly,” said Valentina Palmisano (Italy/The Left). 

Another concern raised is the lack of access to up-to-date medical records for treatments conducted abroad, which makes aftercare in Europe more difficult. 

Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi also warned of the risks of relying on clinics in third countries that may not uphold the same standards as those in the EU. 

"In many cases, there is little or no legal recourse if something goes wrong. and patients may be exposed to unregulated medical practices", he told MEPs in Strasbourg. 

He added that while EU medical facilities must comply with strict health and safety regulations, ensuring treatments meet high standards, regulations in non-EU countries vary significantly. 

European cross-border healthcare

The EU has already tools in place for citizens who need to seek medical treatment outside of their country, but within European borders: the cross-border healthcare directive.  

However, MEPs warned that its implementation remains inconsistent. 

"Cross-border medical care enables patients in the EU to seek medical treatment in other member states, but the rules are still too complex and not used enough,” said Tomislav Sokol (Croatia/EPP).  

He added that, although these rules are in place, many patients are unaware of their rights or how to benefit from them, and called on the Commission to simplify the rules and ensure easier access to cross-border care.