Medical tourism means traveling abroad to receive medical services. The goal may be to receive a service that does not exist in the country of residence, a less expensive service in the country of tourism or a service that does not need a long line in the country of tourism. There are often more than one goal, including other tourism activities (visiting another country, visiting relatives or friends, pilgrimage, etc.). Cosmetic surgery, dentistry and infertility treatment are frequently sought services.

Psychiatric and medical treatments are rarely sought. The purpose of medical tourism may be prevention. The current example is the search for a vaccine against COVID 19 in another country when there is no vaccination program in the country of residence or there are not quality vaccines.

The dangers of medical tourism are acquiring infections, other complications of treatment, death of the patient, and financial, legal or cultural problems. A major obstacle is language problems. In some cases, the physician and the patient are in the same language, or may speak the same language well. However, in many cases, they need a translator. This increases the cost and causes new problems.