Cheaper abroad doesn't always mean cheaper care. Here is what actually drives the price difference — staff costs, regulation, and what you are giving up.
Most UK patients travel for treatment because of price. It helps to know where the saving actually comes from.
Staff costs are typically 60–70% of the price gap. A consultant surgeon in Turkey or Hungary earns a fraction of a UK private consultant's fee — that is the largest single difference.
Real estate is the second biggest factor. Central London clinic space is among the most expensive in Europe.
Regulation and indemnity insurance add a meaningful percentage in the UK.
What you give up to access lower prices: continuity with your UK GP, easy follow-up, fast revision if complications arise, and the legal recourse of UK consumer law. None of those are deal-breakers — but they should be priced into your decision, not ignored.
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