Today, you no longer have to receive treatment in the country where you live. Medical tourism is becoming ever more popular among patients from CIS countries. Residents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus most often choose Western Europe, Israel and the USA for medical travel.
In this article, we have put together a ranking of Western European countries by standard of medicine and conditions for medical tourism. Let us look at where Europe’s best healthcare system is, and where the best balance of price and quality of medical services can be found.
Europe’s leaders in medical standards: what to choose from
Year after year, the same leaders top the rankings of European countries with the best healthcare systems. The list traditionally includes Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Norway.
Healthcare system rankings are compiled according to specific indicators.
Studies of this kind usually use criteria such as patients’ rights, safety, waiting times for treatment, the quality of services provided to patients, equal access to medicine, life expectancy, and healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP and per capita.
Global and European rankings show a clear pattern: the more developed the country, the better and stronger its healthcare system, and the more attractive it becomes to medical tourists.
Let us take a closer look at the European countries most visited by medical tourists, which most often top the rankings of the best healthcare systems.
Medicine in Germany
Stereotypically, Germans are not seen as a nation devoted to a healthy lifestyle — think of the beer festivals and the fondness for rather unhealthy food in general. Yet Germans remain among the healthiest people in the world, thanks to an impressive national healthcare system.
Average life expectancy in Germany is 81 years, and waiting times for treatment and GP appointments are very short. The country has several outstanding public hospitals offering good, modern treatment across all major medical disciplines.
In addition, everyone in work is required to have state health insurance, which ensures that medical care is equally accessible to all.
Medicine in France
France ranks 14th on the list of the world’s top 20 healthcare systems, and that comes as no surprise. Medical services in France today are of a very high standard, and average life expectancy is 82 years.
In France, primary healthcare is provided by around 23,000 general practitioners, with a fixed fee of around 23 euros per visit at public clinics. As in almost every Western European country, medicine in France is insurance-based. This means that insurance covers most treatment costs.
Naturally, if you are not a citizen of the country and have no health insurance, the prices for services will differ.
Medicine in Sweden
Swedish men rank fourth in the world for life expectancy. Sweden ranks 10th in Europe for its impressive standard of healthcare, and although patients contribute to the costs, most of their treatment is paid for by the state. Standards of care in Swedish hospitals are very high, and every citizen is entitled to treatment.
Medicine in the Netherlands
The country has more than 150 urgent care centres, open every day, 24 hours a day, so patients can obtain the medical help they need quickly and easily. The Netherlands also has more than 120 general practice centres and 94 emergency departments with operating theatres. Almost 100% of the population can be taken to an emergency unit within 45 minutes.
Most hospitals in the Netherlands are private. There are up to 10 public hospitals where junior doctors are trained. The Dutch healthcare system achieves excellent results in prevention, patient information and respect for patients’ rights.
Medicine in Switzerland
Switzerland continues to hold leading positions in almost every European ranking. The Swiss healthcare system is a true phenomenon.
In 2019, Switzerland was named the “best country” to live in by U.S. News and World Report. The publication highlighted two main strengths: the country’s near-perfect rating for economic and political stability and its outstanding healthcare system.
Average life expectancy in Switzerland is 83 years. Compulsory basic health insurance guarantees everyone living in the country access to high-quality medical care.
It is worth noting that waiting times for appointments in Switzerland are minimal.
Maternity cover is excellent: it includes antenatal care, all birth-related costs and a week-long postnatal stay in hospital, during which the new mother is taught how to care for her baby. Postnatal home visits by a qualified midwife are also provided.
Incidentally, giving birth in Switzerland is one of the most popular areas of medical tourism. The children of many well-known people — celebrities, politicians and business leaders — have been born at Switzerland’s finest private clinics, such as Sant’Anna, a clinic with more than a century of history.
Healthcare spending in Switzerland is very high compared with most European countries. As a result, Switzerland can boast Europe’s best clinics, with the most advanced equipment.
The same can be said of the medical staff, from some of the world’s best doctors to nurses and management.
Diagnostics in Switzerland are also exceptionally advanced, which directly affects the quality of treatment and recovery rates.
Treatment in Switzerland is fairly expensive compared with medicine in Eastern Europe. This price gap, however, reflects an equally large gap in quality and service. In Switzerland, both are exceptionally high.
If you are looking for the best conditions for treatment, diagnostics or childbirth, we will help you connect with the country’s best doctors and clinics.
