Moldova Emerges as a Growing Medical Tourism Hub in Eastern Europe

Published on December 15, 2025

The global medical tourism sector has seen increased activity across Eastern Europe, with Moldova recording measurable growth in international patient travel. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 4 billion MDL was allocated to healthcare development, supporting infrastructure upgrades, private sector expansion, and international alignment. As a result, Moldova has positioned itself as a destination where medical travel is supported by modern facilities, trained professionals, and reduced waiting times. In 2024 alone, medical tourism activity generated USD 79 million, with over 36,000 international patients accessing treatment across the country.

Tourism Experiences Linked to Medical Travel

Medical tourism is often shaped by the broader travel environment associated with treatment journeys. In Moldova, medical travel has been structured around short stays, coordinated schedules, and recovery-focused planning. Accommodation, airport transfers, and logistical assistance have commonly been integrated into medical travel arrangements, allowing treatment timelines to align with travel itineraries.

Language accessibility also supported travel comfort. English-speaking medical staff were widely present in private facilities, alongside additional multilingual capabilities. Coordinated assistance services were structured to support international patients throughout arrival, treatment, and departure stages, reducing administrative barriers during travel-linked medical visits.

Travel Decisions Shaped by Convenience and Timing

Medical travel decisions are often influenced by logistical simplicity and time efficiency. Direct air connections between London and Chișinău have supported this trend, with flight durations averaging 3.5 hours. Up to 11 weekly flights were available from London airports including Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, and Heathrow. One-way fares were commonly available from £27–45, with lower prices typically observed when bookings were made approximately 37 days in advance.

Arrival procedures remained streamlined due to Chișinău International Airport being located 13 kilometres from the city centre. Transfers were facilitated through public transport and official taxi services, with costs generally ranging between £6 and £10. These factors collectively contributed to Moldova’s accessibility for short-duration medical travel.

Healthcare Travel Supported by International Standards

International recognition has played a role in Moldova’s medical tourism expansion. Medpark International Hospital received Joint Commission International accreditation, a global standard held by fewer than 1,000 healthcare institutions worldwide. The facility operated across more than 40 medical specialties and treated over 160,000 patients annually.

In 2024, Moldova assumed the presidency of the Global Healthcare Travel Council for the 2024–2026 term, reflecting increased institutional visibility within the global medical tourism network. Dental care recognition was also recorded through international awards received by private clinics operating within the country.

Further infrastructure development included the inauguration of Molecular Medicine and Personalised Medicine centres in December 2024, supported through €2.15 million in World Bank funding. These facilities added to Moldova’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities without altering the existing scope of medical tourism services.

Workforce Capacity and Service Coverage

Moldova’s healthcare system employed nearly 12,000 doctors and more than 23,000 medical staff as of 2024. Service coverage extended across major medical specialities, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, reproductive medicine, plastic surgery, gastroenterology, and paediatrics.

Facilities located primarily in Chișinău were equipped with advanced imaging systems, modern laboratories, high-precision surgical equipment, and neonatal intensive care units. These assets supported both domestic healthcare delivery and international patient volumes without reliance on extended waiting lists.

Measured Growth in Medical Service Exports

Medical service exports nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024, driven largely by dental services and reproductive medicine. Long-term targets aimed to increase Moldova’s share of the global medical tourism market from 5% to 20% by 2030.

Lower costs, consistent access timelines, internationally recognised facilities, multilingual staff, and direct air connectivity collectively contributed to Moldova’s expanding role in medical tourism within Eastern Europe.

Image Source: AI