Many people dream of a life without glasses or contact lenses – and when looking at the prices for laser eye surgery abroad, it often seems temptingly cheap. Offers from Turkey, the Czech Republic or Hungary advertise impressively low costs per eye and promise state-of-the-art technology. But is it really worth it?

In this blog, we take a closer look at the costs of laser eye surgery abroad, explain where hidden additional costs lurk, what the risks are and why patients are well advised to also consider the quality and aftercare in their home country. Finally, we show why providers such as SmartLaser in Austria are a smart alternative – with fair prices, maximum safety and comprehensive care right on your doorstep.

Laser eye surgery abroad: Is it worth it financially?

Many patients flirt with the idea of having their eyes lasered abroad because they are often advertised with low prices. At first glance, laser eye treatment in countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary or Turkey actually seems cheaper – especially if you only look at the pure costs per eye. However, the comparison is only worthwhile if you also take into account the additional costs, the quality of the clinics and the risks involved in aftercare.

Costs in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia:

In Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary or Slovakia, LASIK or Femto-LASIK treatment often costs between 800 and 1,200 euros per eye. This sounds attractive at first – especially in comparison to Austria, where you pay around 1,500 to 2,000 euros per eye for high-quality laser treatment. However, the low-cost offers often charge separately for important services such as preliminary examinations, aftercare, special eye drops and possible follow-up treatment.

Laser eye surgery in Turkey

Turkey has been a hotspot for medical tourism for years, including laser eye surgery. Prices starting at 700 euros per eye attract many patients, especially in metropolitan areas such as Istanbul or Izmir. But it is important to take a closer look here: Travel costs, accommodation, translation services, preliminary and follow-up examinations and medication are often additional items. Language barriers and differences in medical standardization can also make consultation and subsequent care more difficult.

Other popular countries for treatments abroad

In addition to the countries mentioned above, Poland, Lithuania, Spain and Thailand also attract international patients. While Poland and Lithuania are similar in price to Eastern Europe, Spain and Thailand are usually somewhat more expensive – climate and tourism play a role here.

Why prices are often lower abroad:

There are several reasons for the low prices for laser eye surgery abroad, most of which have to do with the local conditions – not necessarily with poorer medical quality. In countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary or Turkey, labor costs for staff are significantly lower, and fixed costs such as rent, equipment or administration are often far below the level in Austria.

Many foreign eye clinics also work with high case numbers, which enables them to offer cheaper package prices for LASIK, Femto-LASIK or smile treatments. In addition, there are state subsidies for medical tourism in countries such as Turkey, where providers specifically attract patients from abroad.

Which additional costs are often overlooked when undergoing laser eye surgery abroad

People who opt for laser eye treatment abroad often only pay attention to the low treatment price – but overlook the numerous additional costs that can quickly add up. It is precisely these hidden items that often make the supposed price advantage smaller than expected.

Travel, accommodation and meals

Flights, train or car journeys abroad, overnight stays in hotels and meals on site are among the most important additional costs. Depending on the country, these can easily amount to several hundred euros – especially if you are traveling from Austria to Turkey or Spain, for example. Many patients also forget that they often need a companion, especially in the first few days after the procedure.

Prevention, aftercare and possible follow-up treatment

A low price per eye sounds tempting, but preliminary examinations, check-up appointments and special eye drops are often not included in the package. These then have to be paid for separately – as does any follow-up treatment if the initial correction does not fit perfectly. Organizing aftercare in the home country is also often difficult and involves additional costs, as not every Austrian eye clinic accepts foreign cases.

Costs in the event of complications or repeat surgery

If a complication occurs after the procedure – such as dry eyes, inflammation or an unexpected change in vision – it becomes expensive. This is because it is often necessary to travel abroad again to receive treatment. Travel arrangements at short notice, additional medical costs and possibly a repeat procedure can quickly wipe out the original price advantage. In addition, there is often no direct contact person on site, which makes the situation more stressful for patients.

Medical quality at eye clinics abroad?

The medical quality of laser eye surgery abroad can vary greatly. There are providers in the Czech Republic, Hungary or Turkey who work with state-of-the-art laser technology, well-trained surgeons and high standards of hygiene. At the same time, there are also clinics that operate with outdated technology, less experienced staff or low medical standards in order to save costs.

Another problem is that the quality of aftercare is often difficult to assess, and there is often no local contact person in case of questions or complaints later on. While high-quality laser eye treatment is strictly monitored in Austria, patients abroad should find out in advance about certifications, the qualifications of ophthalmologists and genuine patient reviews. This ensures that the procedure is not only inexpensive, but also safe and sustainable.

Laser eye surgery costs abroad and health insurance / health insurance company:

Many patients wonder whether their health insurance will cover part of the costs of laser eye treatment abroad. The clear answer: In Austria, statutory health insurance does not generally cover the costs of laser eye surgery – whether in Austria or abroad – because it is considered an aesthetic correction rather than a medically necessary one.

This can look different with private supplementary insurance: Some providers reimburse a proportion of the costs if certain conditions are met, e.g. high visual impairment, contact lens intolerance or medically justified visual problems. However, this usually only applies to treatments within Germany and patients must submit a cost estimate in advance and have the necessity certified by a doctor.

Important: Even if the prices abroad seem cheaper, you should check with your health insurance provider in advance to find out whether any costs will be covered – otherwise you will be stuck with the entire bill including travel, accommodation and aftercare.

Why laser eye surgery in Austria is almost always the better choice for you:

Even if laser eye surgery abroad initially seems cheaper, more and more patients are consciously opting for treatment in Austria – and for good reasons. Providers such as SmartLaser, who work closely with the premium EyeLaser clinic, not only offer fair prices, but also the highest medical standards, state-of-the-art laser technology and experienced eye surgeons.

A major advantage: you have the same contact person directly on site throughout the entire treatment – from the preliminary examination to the procedure and aftercare. There are no additional costs for travel, hotels or follow-up checks, and help is available immediately in the event of any complications. In addition, SmartLaser’s prices per eye are designed in such a way that they are also attractive for patients who were originally thinking of going abroad.

In short, having a laser treatment in Austria saves you stress, time and often money – with maximum safety and comfort.