(Tirana) – Once known as a reclusive communist state, Albania now attracts millions of tourists each year. Among them, a rising number come not just for the beaches but for affordable medical procedures, ranging from dental implants to cosmetic enhancements.
Dritan Gremi, the head of a well-known dental clinic in Tirana, prefers calling it “happiness tourism” rather than “medical tourism.” His clinic, along with others in the capital, offers services that meet European quality standards but at a fraction of the cost. Many clients from countries like Italy, France, Belgium, and Switzerland are drawn by package deals that include travel and accommodations, making the experience both affordable and convenient.
Despite rising demand, Albania has also faced scrutiny regarding safety standards in its medical tourism sector. Following recent incidents of poor outcomes in other medical tourism destinations, Albanian health authorities have increased inspections. Last month, prosecutors checked 30 cosmetic clinics for unauthorized products, including Botox, which is restricted in Albania.
For clients like Stephane Pealat from Valence, France, Albania provided a chance to address severe dental problems at a manageable cost. Faced with a steep estimate of around €50,000 in France, Pealat explored options in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Spain, eventually choosing Albania. He and his brother, also needing extensive dental work, decided to proceed after visiting Gremi’s clinic in Tirana, where the cost was €13,500—a significant reduction.
For Nathalie Gangloff, an event organizer from Cognac, France, the decision was also based on cost. Her dental work in France would have been €42,000, but in Tirana, she paid under €15,000. After a series of procedures, she proudly displayed her new smile on social media.
Albania’s appeal extends beyond dental work to cosmetic treatments, with more clients seeking procedures like lip fillers and breast augmentations. Albanian clinics leverage lower operational costs to offer competitive pricing, making the sector lucrative. Industry estimates suggest medical tourism brings in €200 to €250 million annually, with approximately 50,000 Italians alone visiting for treatments each year.
The president of Albania’s national doctors association, Fatmir Ibrahimaj, advised both local and foreign patients to exercise caution. “A doctor is not a five-star or no-star hotel,” he remarked, urging patients to thoroughly research clinics rather than relying solely on online advertisements.
Albanian dermatologist Monika Fida noted that requests for hyaluronic acid injections to enhance lips are especially popular among foreign patients. Each year, Fida’s clinic alone treats 750 to 1,000 patients from abroad.
Albania’s medical tourism sector also appeals to Italians like 60-year-old chef Vera Panaitov, who initially visited for dental work but also opted for breast and waist procedures, citing her desire to look and feel beautiful at any age.
With Albania’s clinics catering to a range of aesthetic needs, this “happiness tourism” sector shows little sign of slowing down, despite the need for careful consideration by prospective clients.
