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A comprehensive medical tourism guide to Budapest

Hungarian Parliament Building on the Danube River embankment in Budapest framed by bright orange and yellow autumn maple leaves
The Hungarian Parliament Building along the Danube River framed by autumn foliage in Budapest.

Budapest is a popular destination for medical tourism. Learn all about where to go and how much to pay in our comprehensive guide.

Key Takeaways
  • • Budapest is widely recognized as the undisputed capital of European medical tourism, especially famous for providing exceptional quality dentistry and plastic surgery at highly affordable prices.
  • • Thousands of international patients confidently travel here annually to receive premium medical care that is fully compliant with strict EU standards, often saving up to 60% compared to typical UK or US prices.
  • • The city uniquely allows patients to comfortably combine their necessary medical procedures with a relaxing holiday, utilizing the numerous famous thermal baths for optimal postoperative recovery.

When it comes to getting top medical care at a good price, Hungary comes at the top of the list for medical tourism destinations in Europe. Even if you need to spend money to book a flight over, get airport transfer into the city, and check into a hotel, you’ll find that the cost of medical or dental treatment is low enough for you to not only break even, but even save on top – not to mention you’ll get a little holiday in Budapest included in the price! 

Hungarian doctors and dentists have qualifications that are recognized by the European Union, and the country is at the forefront of areas like dentistry, diagnostics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. Doctors and nurses are highly skilled, and many hospitals and clinics are equipped with the latest technology, especially in the case of private clinics.  

From medical care, diagnostics, and dentistry to plastic surgery and medical beauty treatments, we’re here to give you the low down on your medical options in Budapest, so you can find the best treatment for you.

Private Clinics 

Modern Medicover clinic lobby in Budapest featuring brown leather seating booths, wood paneling, indoor plants, and geometric ceiling lights
The modern reception and patient waiting lounge at a Medicover clinic in Budapest.

If you’re looking for a diagnosis or need some minor treatment without the waiting list and with a comfortable, if not a luxurious environment, then Budapest is a great destination for you. Hungary offers diagnostic services in its private clinics that are quick to get an appointment for and come at a favorable price, whether you need a heart examination, ultrasound, or mammogram. 

Budapest’s private health clinics serve all kinds of operations, births, examinations, and specialist consultations – all in an environment not dissimilar to a 4- or 5-star hotel. Although these clinics are often expensive for Hungarians earning Hungarian wages, western travelers will find them much cheaper than getting medical care back at home. 

Often clinics will specialize in one area, but you can find larger clinics or private hospitals with a wider range of services. 

Dentistry 

Dentist wearing magnifying loupes and assistant in blue scrubs treating a patient in a dental chair under a lamp
A dental specialist and assistant performing a procedure in a modern Budapest dental clinic.

Hungary is one of Europe’s leading dentistry hubs. Although many other cities like those on the Austrian border, such as Sopron, are popular, Budapest is still the hub of high-quality dental services with good prices for Western visitors. You can find many private clinics offering the best dental healthcare across Budapest. So, whether you need a root canal, a crown, implants and more, you can find the right dental service for you in Budapest. 

Dental Clinics in Budapest:

Helvetic Dental 
Address: Révay u. 12. 
Website: https://www.helvetic-clinics.co.uk/ 

Mdental 
Address: Teréz körút 55-57.
Website: https://mdentalclinic.eu/ 

Forest & Ray Dental 
Address: Váci út 64.
Website: https://frdental.hu/en/ 

Save on Dental Care 
Address: Kassák Lajos u. 19. 
Website: https://www.saveondentalcare.org/ 

Plastic Surgery 

Close-up of a surgeon in a blue glove drawing a dashed pre-operative line under a woman's eye
Pre-operative marking beneath the eye prior to a cosmetic eyelid procedure.

Budapest is a popular destination for those looking for plastic surgeons. There is a selection of world-class plastic surgery options in Budapest, with stop private clinics offering safe and inexpensive options for those looking to enhance their looks. Hungarian plastic surgeons can only begin working after a minimum of 13 years of internship, so you can be assured that quality control is high. Services like skin-tightening, rejuvenating procedures, phototherapy and more traditional forms of cosmetic surgery are available in Budapest. 

Clinics for cosmetic surgery:

Budapest Plasztikai Intézet 
Address: Széchenyi István tér 7/8. 
Website: https://budapestplasztika.hu

Pataki Plastic Surgery 
Address: Számadó u. 6. 
Website: https://drpataki.hu/ 

Hair Transplants 

Doctor in a white lab coat marking a dashed hairline contour on a male patient's forehead during a consultation
A specialist marking the hairline during a hair restoration consultation in Budapest.

A hair transplant is a popular form of plastic surgery that can help against baldness. Hair bulbs from one part of the body are transplanted to another part of the body, giving patients natural, lasting results. Hair can be grown and cut as normal, without any risk of rejection whatsoever. 

Budapest has many excellent hair transplant clinics, so you can find a good plastic surgeon and hair transplant expert with decades of experience easily. The procedure can actually be completed in a day at affordable prices and convincing results. 

Recommended Hair Transplant Clinics in Budapest:

Hair Palace 
Address: Lechner Ödön fasor 3 
Website: https://www.hairpalace.hu/

HIMG Clinic 
Address: Szegedi út 56
Website: https://himgeurope.com/ 

Beauty Salons 

Cosmetic salon room in Budapest with beige wingback armchairs, pink pedicure footstools, magnifying lamps, and gold wall mirrors
Plush treatment chairs and pedicure stations inside a modern beauty salon in Budapest.

You’ll find an abundance of beauty salons in Budapest—all you need to do is just look around each street corner. There is a variation in price and quality, and you’ll find many beauty salons with a range of services like hairdressing, manicures, pedicures, tanning booths, facial treatments, massages, and hair removal. 

If you’re staying in a spa and wellness hotel, chances are you’ll have your own beauty parlor in-house. 

Recommended Top Beauty Salons in Budapest:

Omorovicza Boutique & Spa  
Address: Andrássy út 45
Website: https://www.omorovicza.hu/ 

A-List Salon & Spa  
Address: József Nádor tér 8
Website: https://www.a-list.hu/ 

Eye Clinics 

Ophthalmologist wearing a blue surgical mask examining a blonde patient's eyes with a black slit-lamp microscope
An eye specialist performing a slit-lamp examination at a medical clinic in Budapest.

Laser vision and eye correction are also popular in the Budapest medical tourism scene. These clinics use cutting-edge technology, where you can get treatment and operations quickly, painlessly, and some even allow for payment in installments.  

Top Eye Clinic in Budapest:


Sasszem Optika 

Address: Bécsi út 183

Website: https://sasszemklinika.hu/ 

Costs

Want an idea of what medical treatment costs in Hungary? Here’s a guide to give you an idea of some of the treatments and the amount you may pay for them. 

Costs of medical treatments in Hungary

Cost comparison between Hungary and Germany 
ProcedureGerman HospitalsHungaryAverage Savings
Face Lift (rhytidectomy)€3,800 – $6,600€2,100 – €2,70030% – 60%
Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty)€3,100 – $3,800€1,800 – €2,00035% – 50%
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)€3,400 – €4,000€1,350 – €1,70050% – 65%
Cost comparison between Hungary and the UK

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
ProcedureUK HospitalsHungaryAverage Savings
Face Lift (rhytidectomy)£7,300 – £8,000£2,100 – £2,70070% – 80%
Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty)£4,800 – £5,500£1,800 – £2,00060% – 70%
Tummy Tuck£4,000 – £4,800£1,600 – £1,90050% – 65%
Liposuction (lipoplasty)£3,000 – £3,700£900 – £1,00065% – 75%
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)£3,500 – £4,500£1,500 – £2,30035% – 65%
General and Cosmetic Dentistry
ProcedureUK HospitalsHungaryAverage Savings
Porcelain Bonded Crowns£500£18060% – 65%
Root Canal (per canal)£200£6070%
Tooth Extraction£90£3065%
Tooth Whitening£475£28040%
Dental Implants£1,900£80055% – 60%

Planning Your Visit: What to Pair With This Stop

If you are putting together your itinerary, we recommend reviewing our essential Budapest practical visitor tips before you set out, browsing international stores inside the biggest shopping malls in Budapest, or strolling along Váci Street and Fashion Street shopping walks in downtown Pest. To experience even more of the city like a local, consider exploring our local guide to Primark Budapest, exploring our local guide to Tipping, as well as exploring our local guide to Hungarian language.

Many visitors also pair this stop with exploring our local guide to The famous Herend porcelain and the story behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is dental work so cheap in Hungary?

Dental work and medical procedures are more affordable in Hungary due to the lower general cost of living, lower commercial real estate costs, and reduced local labor wages. Despite the massive savings, all Hungarian medical professionals are regulated utilize the exact same premium European materials and state-of-the-art technologies found in Western clinics.

Is plastic surgery safe in Budapest?

Yes. Plastic surgery in Budapest is safe regulated. Hungarian plastic surgeons undergo rigorous extensive medical training and must adhere to strict mandatory European Union healthcare directives. Many top clinics employ experienced board-certified surgeons who communicate in English with their international patients.

How do medical tourists recover in Budapest?

Recovery in Budapest is often integrated with total wellness and relaxation. Because the city is rich in natural healing thermal water, many clinics recommend that patients spend their recovery days relaxing in the famous historic thermal baths, resting in premium affordable hotels, enjoying the beautiful local architecture.

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