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Hip and Knee Replacement in Spain: Prices for UK Patients, and How Poland Compares (2026)
A total knee replacement in Spain costs about €10,100 to €12,990 on the few prices that are published, and a hip replacement about €12,990. That is close to the lower end of UK private prices, so Spain is chosen for climate and convenience more than for savings. Most Spanish hospital groups do not publish self-pay prices at all.
Key facts
- A private hospital in Valencia lists a total knee replacement at €10,100 with the implant included, one hospital night, and €450 extra for follow-up and physiotherapy (hospital website, seen 7 October 2026).
- Fixed-price packages at private hospitals in Málaga and Alicante are listed at €11,990–€12,990 for a knee and €12,990 for a hip, including four to five days in a private room.
- A GHIC or EHIC is not accepted at private hospitals in Spain, and the NHS S2 route covers public providers only.
- London Luton Airport gives flight times of 2 hours 10 minutes to Barcelona, 2 hours 35 minutes to Alicante and 2 hours 50 minutes to Málaga.
- At OrthoVoyage's partner hospital in Poland a knee replacement is €8,620 and a hip replacement €6,940.
Checked 8 October 2026
What is published in Spain
| Source | Operation | Published price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private hospital, Valencia | Total knee replacement | €10,100, implant included | Consultation, pre-operative assessment and surgery; one hospital night; follow-up and physiotherapy €450 extra |
| Fixed-price package, private hospital in Málaga | Total knee replacement | from €11,990 | Consultation, pre-operative assessment, fees, implant, four to five days in a private room, two follow-up consultations |
| Fixed-price package, private hospital in Alicante | Total knee replacement | €12,990 | As above, up to five days |
| Fixed-price package, private hospital in Alicante | Total hip replacement | €12,990 | As above; special implant types excluded |
Seen 7 October 2026. We found no large Spanish hospital group publishing a full self-pay price list, so expect to ask for quotes.
Who Spain suits
Spain makes sense if you live there for part of the year, have family nearby, or want to recover in a warm climate with frequent flights home. Residents of Great Britain made an estimated 15,000 visits to Spain for medical treatment in 2024.
It makes less sense on price alone. At €10,100 to €12,990, a Spanish knee replacement is within reach of the lowest UK published group price of £13,020 once flights and accommodation are added.
Practical points
- Flights: from London Luton, 2 hours 10 minutes to Barcelona, 2 hours 35 minutes to Alicante and 2 hours 50 minutes to Málaga.
- GHIC: GOV.UK says the card is for medically necessary state healthcare and will not be accepted at private hospitals.
- NHS funding: the S2 route applies to public providers only.
Spain or Poland?
| Spain (published prices) | Poland (OrthoVoyage partner hospital) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total knee replacement | about €10,100 – €12,990 | €8,620 |
| Total hip replacement | about €12,990 | €6,940 |
| Hospital stay included | one night to five days, by provider | three days |
| Physiotherapy | extra at the hospital that itemises it | up to seven outpatient sessions included |
| Flight from London | 2 h 10 min to 2 h 50 min | about two hours to Wrocław |
For a hip replacement the published Spanish package is about €6,000 above the Polish list price; for a knee, €1,500 to €4,400 above — for a flight that is no shorter. Before you pay a deposit anywhere, get a Polish quote to set beside it — the assessment is free and takes a minute. See orthopaedic surgery in Poland for what the Polish prices include.
OrthoVoyage is a medical travel concierge, not a hospital, and does not give medical advice. We arrange surgery in Poland; the Spanish figures here are published prices we do not control.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a knee replacement in Spain?
About €10,100 to €12,990 on published prices seen 7 October 2026. The lower figure includes one hospital night with physiotherapy extra; the higher packages include four to five days in a private room.
Is Spain cheaper than the UK for a hip or knee replacement?
Only slightly. Published Spanish prices of €10,100–€12,990 sit close to the lowest UK private group prices once travel and accommodation are added.
Can I use my GHIC for a joint replacement in Spain?
No. GOV.UK says the GHIC is for medically necessary state healthcare and will not be accepted at private hospitals, and it does not cover planned treatment.
Sources
- Spain travel advice — health — GOV.UK
- Planned treatment: S2 funding route — NHS
- Estimated number of visits by residents of Great Britain to overseas countries for medical treatment, 2024 — Office for National Statistics
- Destinations: Alicante, Málaga, Barcelona — London Luton Airport
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Always discuss treatment options with your GP or a specialist.
Related pages
Knee Replacement in Poland: Cost, What's Included and How It Works for UK Patients (2026)
Knee replacement in Poland from €8,620 (about £7,420): price list by implant, what the package includes, what is extra, travel and how to check a hospital.
Hip Replacement in Poland: Cost, What's Included and How It Works for UK Patients (2026)
Hip replacement in Poland from €6,940 (about £5,970): price list by implant, what the package includes, what is extra, travel and how to check a hospital.
How Much Does a Private Knee Replacement Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)
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