Iran Medical Tourism Statistics and Travel Status: Dated Figures with Sources

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026

According to a Health Ministry official, Iran received about 1.1 million medical tourists in the Iranian year 1401 (which ended in March 2023), mostly from neighbouring countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. As of 27 October 2026, the UK and Canada advise against all travel to Iran. This page lists each figure with its year and source, explains why figures differ, and shows the status of official travel advisories with the date they were checked.

Definitions

A medical tourist is a person who travels to another country to receive medical care. An IPD (International Patient Department) is a unit in a healthcare facility licensed by the Ministry of Health to admit international patients.

Iran's medical tourism figures come from different bodies that use different definitions. For example, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts recorded 125,000 medical tourists in the Iranian year 1398, while a Health Ministry official cited about 1.1 million for 1401. The two numbers cannot be compared directly.

Table of figures

Iran medical tourism figures with year and source
Figure	Value	Year	Source
Medical tourists in Iran	About 1.1 million	1401 (March 2022 to March 2023)	Health Ministry official, via Tehran Times (2023)
Medical tourists recorded by the tourism ministry	125,000	1398 (to March 2020)	Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, via IMTJ (2020)
Share of Afghan nationals among them	48.8%	1398	Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, via IMTJ (2020)
Centres permitted to accept foreign patients	About 200	Reported 2023	Head of the Health Ministry's tourism office, via Tehran Times
Hospitals with one-year licences among those receiving medical tourists	121 of 154	2019	Health Scope (2023)
Year IPD departments were established	2015	2015	Health Scope (2023)
Health tourists at licensed centres in Mashhad	Over 20,500	First quarter of 1403 (2024)	Mashhad health tourism official, via Tehran Times (2024)
Licensed hospitals and specialised clinics in Mashhad	46	2024	Mashhad health tourism official, via Tehran Times (2024)
Fall in inbound health tourists (industry association estimate)	60 to 70% since June 2025	Reported February 2026	Head of the Khorasan Razavi health tourism association, via Kojaro

Where patients come from

A Health Ministry official, quoted by Tehran Times, said most medical tourists come from neighbouring countries including Iraq and Afghanistan. In August 2024 a Mashhad health tourism official named the city's top 10 source countries as Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Bahrain, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman and Turkey.

Licensed centres

The Ministry of Health issues IPD licences to hospitals, limited surgical centres, infertility treatment centres, general and specialised clinics, and dental clinics. The current list is published on iht.behdasht.gov.ir. The figures in the table above are dated; check the official list for any facility's status today.

How treatment prices in Iran are set

Each facility quotes a price for each patient after a doctor reviews the records. Cost depends on the treatment, the doctor, length of hospital stay, follow-up, hotel, flights and companions. Prices can move with the exchange rate, so a quote should state its currency and how long it is valid.

This page gives no price figures because we have not found a current, dated official source for them. LSevin does not publish fixed prices and sends a written quote after the consultation.

Travel status (checked 27 October 2026)

GOV.UK (updated 13 August 2026) says the FCDO advises against all travel to Iran, and warns that British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.

The Government of Canada (updated 13 October 2026) advises avoiding all travel to Iran due to the volatile security situation in the region. Other governments may advise differently, so read your own government's advisory. LSevin does not declare travel safe.

How this page is maintained

LSevin reviews this page and shows the date it was last checked at the top. Every figure carries its year and source. Figures from news reports are attributed to the named official, and industry association estimates are labelled as such. When a newer official figure is published, we replace the old one and update the review date.

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Frequently asked questions

How many medical tourists visit Iran each year?

A Health Ministry official cited about 1.1 million for the Iranian year 1401. Other bodies using different definitions recorded lower numbers, and an industry association reported a sharp fall since June 2025.

Is it safe to travel to Iran for treatment?

LSevin does not declare travel safe. As of 27 October 2026 the UK advises against all travel to Iran and Canada advises avoiding all travel there. Read your own government's advisory.

Which countries do most of Iran's medical tourists come from?

According to a Health Ministry official, mostly neighbouring countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. In Mashhad, Afghanistan and Iraq headed the 2024 top 10 list.

How many medical centres in Iran are licensed for foreign patients?

A 2023 report put the number at about 200 permitted centres. The current list is published on iht.behdasht.gov.ir.

Why do Iran's medical tourism statistics differ?

Different bodies, such as the Ministry of Health and the tourism ministry, use different definitions and counting methods. Always check the year and source of each figure.

How much does treatment in Iran cost?

This page gives no price figures because we found no current official source. Each facility sets a price per patient, and LSevin sends a written quote after the consultation.

When was this page last checked?

On 27 October 2026. The review date is shown at the top of the page.

This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. The treating physician decides whether a treatment is suitable.