Moldova's medical tourism boom: Attracting patients from around the world
Moldova is emerging as a popular destination for international patients, who are increasingly choosing private clinics for high-quality, modern medical services at affordable prices.
Over the past five years, their numbers have grown significantly. Most patients come from Romania and Italy, as well as Ukraine, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and the US, seeking dental work, cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, or other complex procedures.
In a clinic in the capital, Chișinău, we met an Italian patient who had travelled to Moldova for dental work.
“I received a strong recommendation from a friend. He is Moldovan but lives in Italy, and had visited the clinic himself. He suggested I try it. I contacted them via social media, received some advice, and decided to go ahead. I felt very positive about the experience.”
Doctors confirm the growing number of foreign patients. Many have also learned Italian to communicate more easily.
“The key factors are the doctors; we have qualified specialists who can, for the most part, handle all the problems patients present. And clinics are advancing very quickly with modern technology, investing heavily in both equipment and staff training,” said dentist Andrei Mereuță.
Statistics show that revenues from medical services for international patients have already exceeded $60 million in 2024.
“If we continue at the same pace, we anticipate revenues of around $70-75 million from medical service exports by the end of the year. While before COVID medical tourism primarily served the diaspora, we are now seeing medical services being offered to non-residents of Moldova,” stated Natalia Ciobanu, President of the Global Medical Tourism Council.
Moldova also attracts international students due to its well-developed educational system.
“Statistical data shows we also have a considerable increase in the export of educational services, and in this field, the University of Medicine is a leader, which demonstrates the quality of our educational system and that very good medical specialists are being trained here in Moldova,” specified Andrei Revenco, Executive Director of the Medical Tourism Association.
Moldova is currently capitalising on only 5% of its potential in medical tourism. Specialists estimate that the country has the potential to reach annual revenues of $1.5 billion from services offered to international patients.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
