Hip Replacement Abroad: A Complete Guide for UK Patients (2026)

Two reasons come up again and again:

• The wait. Orthopaedics has the largest NHS waiting list in England — 843,419 pathways at the end of August 2026, with only 61.1% waiting under 18 weeks. See NHS hip and knee replacement waiting times.
• The price of going private at home. A self-pay total hip replacement in the UK averages around £14,500. See private hip replacement cost in the UK.

Going abroad is not the right answer for everyone. It works best for people who are fit to travel, want surgery within weeks rather than months, and are comfortable organising their recovery at home.

Prices vary a lot between countries and hospitals, so compare written quotes rather than advertised "from" prices. As one example, here is our partner hospital in Jelenia Góra, south-west Poland:

The Poland package includes general anaesthesia, surgery and implant, three nights on the ward, up to seven outpatient physiotherapy sessions after discharge, a patient coordinator and a post-operative consultation. Flights, hotel and a private room are extra. Prices are from the hospital's price list (July 2026) at €1 = £0.86.

The full price list by implant, and what is and is not in the package, is in hip replacement in Poland.

Your surgeon recommends the implant after examining you and your X-rays, but it helps to know the terms you will see on a quote:

• Cemented — the implant is fixed to the bone with bone cement.
• Cementless — the implant has a textured surface that the bone grows onto over time.
• Ceramic / anti-allergic — ceramic bearing surfaces or metal-free components, sometimes used for patients with metal sensitivities.
• Dual mobility — a design with an extra moving part, often used when the risk of dislocation is higher.

Ask for the brand and exact model in writing. Our partner hospital uses Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson) and Enovis LIMA implants — brands used in UK hospitals.

The NHS publishes a treatment abroad checklist. Its warning signs are worth repeating — think carefully if there is:

• a hard sell, or pressure to decide quickly
• a lack of information
• no discussion of possible complications
• no mention of aftercare

Before you book, you should have in writing:

1. the hospital's name and address, and your surgeon's name — so you can check them independently
2. the implant brand and model
3. exactly what the price includes, and what it doesn't
4. what happens, and who pays, if there is a complication
5. how long you'll stay and when you are expected to fly home
6. what records you'll take home for your GP, and in which language

With OrthoVoyage, the steps are:

1. Free assessment. A short questionnaire about your hip, your symptoms and your timeline.
2. Review and written plan. You receive the hospital, surgeon, implant, price and itinerary in writing — before you pay anything.
3. Deposit. A 20% deposit, paid directly to the hospital, secures your date.
4. Travel. Direct flights from London Luton to Wrocław take about two hours, followed by a road transfer to the hospital.
5. Surgery and ward stay. Three nights on the hospital ward.
6. Outpatient physiotherapy. Up to seven sessions after discharge, so plan to stay nearby.
7. Home. You fly once your surgeon clears you, with medical records in English for your GP and a written rehabilitation plan.

Blood clots are the main travel-related concern after joint replacement, and UK guidance on flying after surgery varies. Clot prevention — typically blood-thinning medication, compression stockings and getting you moving early — starts straight after the operation, and your surgeon decides when you are fit to fly.

Read flying after a hip or knee replacement for what UK guidance says and how to make the journey as safe and comfortable as possible.

• The NHS does not fund private treatment abroad. The S2 route covers only state healthcare in EU countries, with NHS approval in advance. See can the NHS pay for surgery abroad?
• Your GHIC or EHIC card does not cover planned treatment abroad.
• Most travel insurance policies do not cover planned treatment abroad, so you may need specialist cover.
• The NHS advises discussing your plans with your GP before you decide — they will be looking after you once you're home.