The Best Countries for Hair Transplants 2025: Costs, Risks & Safety Tips

When you think of hair transplants abroad, Turkey is likely the first country that comes to mind. Renowned for its medical tourism — especially hair restoration surgery — Turkey has become so synonymous with the procedure that its national airline is often jokingly referred to as “Turkish Hairlines.” And if you find yourself on one of its flights, you’ll probably see a few passengers with bandaged heads.

However, Turkey isn’t the only destination for affordable hair transplant surgery. Many other countries offer high-quality procedures at lower costs (the average price of a hair transplant in the U.S. is $13,610). Ultimately, there’s no single “best” country for a hair transplant —  the right choice depends on your budget and where you'd like to visit.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top destinations for hair transplants abroad and address common questions about the safety and risks of medical tourism.

There isn’t one best place to get a hair transplant. Arguably, the easiest and safest thing to do is to get a hair transplant in your home country, where you don’t have to worry about travel logistics, and you’re familiar with the laws and regulations.

However, many people choose to get a hair transplant abroad, as they tend to be much more affordable than getting one in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.

Below, we’ll cover 10 common travel destinations for hair transplants.

1. Turkey

Average cost: $2,676, according to 2021 data from Statista.

Perhaps the most well-known tourist destination for hair transplants is Turkey. The Turkish Medical Tourism Market was valued at $1.89 billion in 2023 alone (a figure that includes more than just hair transplants).

Turkey is known for its skilled hair transplant surgeons, internationally accredited hospitals and medical facilities, affordable costs, and all-inclusive packages that include things like airport transfer, accommodations, aftercare, and more.

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, “While Turkey has reputable, highly skilled surgeons, low-cost hair transplants in Turkey may be performed with fewer safeguards, meaning the patient is responsible for thoroughly researching their chosen clinic and surgeon.”

2. United States

Average cost: $13,610

The U.S. tends to have strict medical standards, which means most clinics are reputable. Plus, it’s home to some cutting-edge hair transplant technology, including robotic-assisted transplants like ARTAS and NeoGraft. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re based in the U.S., so staying local eliminates the cost and logistics associated with travel.

You can learn more in our guide to hair transplant costs, time, and recovery.

3. Mexico

Average cost: $3,202

Since most international hair transplant clinics will not cover the cost of airfare, Mexico is a convenient and affordable option for patients in the U.S. and Canada. 

According to findings from Global Health Intelligence, “some estimates put the total number of medical tourists to Mexico at between 1.4 to 3 million annually, with 40 to 60 percent of those people coming from the U.S.”

4. South Korea

Average cost: The general consensus is that hair transplants in South Korea cost about $6,000 to $8,000.

Research shows that 248,000 medical tourists visited South Korea in 2022, and is continuing to grow. In 2023, more than half of South Korea’s medical tourists were from Japan and China. 

Most people visit for dermatology or plastic surgery (a hair transplant would fall into the “dermatology” category, though we do not have good data on transplants specifically).

5. Thailand

Average cost: $5,758

Thailand's average cost of a hair transplant falls exactly in the middle of the 11 countries highlighted by Statista (Turkey is the least expensive, and Canada is the most expensive, at an average of $17,500).

Thailand has many hair transplant clinics in its main cities, Bangkok and Phuket. One of the perks of getting a hair transplant in Thailand is that you can combine your surgery with a great vacation.

6. Hungary

Average cost: $3,650

Hungary offers some of the most cost-effective hair transplants out there. Research from 2017 found that the most popular reasons for visiting Hungary as a medical tourist were dental care, cosmetic surgery, and fertility treatments. Hair transplants in Hungary will likely get increasingly popular as its medical tourism market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% between 2023 and 2030, according to Global Benefits Vision.

7. Germany

Average cost: $7,372

Germany has strict healthcare regulations which is good news for those seeking safe and affordable hair transplants. While the country isn’t necessarily known for its plastic surgery (most medical tourists come to Germany seeking orthopedic and other medical surgeries) but they do have hair transplant clinics, especially in Berlin.

*Cost estimates from Statista

Beyond the price of treatment, there are other costs to consider when considering a hair transplant abroad. Some countries will require a medical visa, especially if you plan to stay more than ninety days. Other costs to consider include airfare, translators, hotels, and transportation, plus aftercare.

Medical tourism declined dramatically in the years following the pandemic, but it’s on the rise again. According to 2024 research, the medical tourism market size was valued at $41.75 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow about 16 percent from 2025 to 2030. 

Factors driving the medical tourist market include high medical costs in home countries, cost savings, increasingly sophisticated technologies and equipment abroad, hospitality, and personalized care. 

And while medical tourism of course encompasses more than hair transplant surgery, the global hair transplant market is a large piece of the pie — according to reporting from Medihair, the hair hair restoration market was  was valued at $9.5 billion in 2021, with most people citing quality and service as their driving criteria for seeking hair restoration abroad.

Getting a hair transplant abroad can be a safe and effective way to deal with hair loss, but it’s not risk-free.

Estimates from the ISHRS found that an average of 6 percent of hair transplant surgeries are to repair a “botched” hair transplant, typically done on the black market. This is why it’s so important to do a little research to try and find a hair clinic that’s accredited with the Joint Commission International (JCI), which helps to ensure compliance with global healthcare standards. 

And if you’re quoted a price for a hair transplant that’s well below national averages, it’s probably too good to be true.

In addition to the risks associated with hair transplantation specifically, there are also more general risks that come with medical tourism. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) outlines the following risk factors:

Potential For Complications. This includes wound infections, bloodstream infections, and diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Antimicrobial Resistance: “Healthcare facilities in another country may not have adequate infection control practices, and medical tourists could be at risk for getting a drug-resistant infection,” per the CDC.

Quality of Care: Licensure, credentialing, and accreditation vary by countries, which is why it’s important to exercise due diligence when picking a hair transplant clinic. The CDC also mentions the possibility of counterfeit medicine and lower quality medical devices.

Communication: If you don’t speak the language, there could be miscommunications. It’s never a bad idea to enlist the help of a translator, and some all-inclusive packages include one.

Air Travel: There is an increased risk of blood clots when flying after surgery. The CDC recommends delaying your return trip 10 to 14 days (which means you’ll get a vacation out of the experience, but also adds to the cost).

Continuity of Care: If you develop complications after returning, you’ll need to find a U.S.-based surgeon, which can be costly.

Here’s what to keep in mind about the best countries for hair transplants.

• Turkey is the most well-known destination for hair transplants, but not the only option – Many countries, including Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Hungary, and Germany, offer affordable and high-quality hair transplant procedures

• Medical tourism for hair transplants is growing – Rising healthcare costs in home countries and advancements in medical technology abroad have contributed to the rise, which includes many procedures in addition to hair transplants, including plastic surgery and fertility treatments

• While reputable hair transplant clinics and skilled surgeons are certainly out there, medical tourism has potential risks, including infections, unregulated practices, and post-surgery complications. That's why it's important to look into accreditation, understand local regulations (and hire a translator as needed), and plan for aftercare.

To learn more about hair transplants, check out our guide to what to expect from a hair transplant recovery timeline and FUE vs FUT hair transplants.