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Italians spent 60 million euros in Albanian dental clinics, figures on an increasing trend
2026-01-25 16:25:26 / EKONOMI&SOCIALE
Dental clinics have become one of Albania's most successful markets, as their business is growing at an explosive pace due to high demand from abroad.
Official data shows that last year, dental clinics in Albania received more than 18,000 patients from Italy, a figure that increased by 45 percent compared to 2024.
The Puglia newspaper writes that this figure is no surprise to professionals, considering that savings can reach 70% compared to prices in Italian clinics. And Puglia is at the forefront of this trend.
The Economic Factor: An Almost Mandatory Choice
Maria, 58, from Bari, recounts her experience: “I needed to completely repair my upper teeth. In Italy, they had offered me over €15,000. I couldn’t afford it.” Maria’s story is not unique. According to data from the National Association of Italian Dentists, 40% of Italians forgo dental care for economic reasons, a percentage that rises to 52% in Southern Italy.
“It’s not just about low-cost dental tourism,” explains Dr. Antonio Pascale, a dentist from Bari who has visited several Albanian clinics. “Tirana’s modern equipment offers European quality standards at competitive prices thanks to lower labor and operating costs.”
Geographical Proximity: A Strategic Advantage
For residents of Puglia, Albania is a particularly convenient destination. Direct flights from Bari to Tirana take just 45 minutes and average a round-trip ticket of 50-80 euros. This is less than the cost of reaching Milan or Rome by train.
Giuseppe, 62, from Lecce, has just completed a course of treatment: “I left in the morning and had my appointment that afternoon. I stayed for four days in a hotel in the center of Tirana, which was included in the package. It was like a short vacation, with the added bonus of solving a problem I had been putting off for years.”
Dental tourism in Albania has created a veritable industry. Several airlines have increased their flights on the Puglia-Albania route, and many clinics offer all-inclusive packages that include transfers, accommodation, and assistance in Italian.
Advanced Technology and Specializations
One of the aspects that most surprises Italian patients is the technological level of Albanian clinics. Many facilities, opened in the last five years, are equipped with 3D diagnostic equipment, digital scanners and computer-guided implantology technology.
“I found more modern equipment than anything I had seen in Italy,” confirms Francesca, 45, from Taranto. “The surgeon used a 3D navigation system to place the implants with near-perfect precision. He explained every step, showing me everything on the screen.”
Advanced implant techniques such as All-on-4 are particularly in demand, an increasingly popular solution for those who need to rebuild an entire dental arch. This method allows for the restoration of all teeth using only four strategically placed implants, significantly reducing time and costs compared to traditional methods that require 6-8 implants per arch.
“This technique is ideal for patients with low bone mass who would otherwise require costly and lengthy bone regeneration procedures,” explains Professor Marco Esposito, professor of implantology at the University of Bari. “It is a well-established method, used worldwide for more than twenty years, with success rates exceeding 98%.”
A phenomenon that is expected to grow
Analysts predict that the trend will continue to grow in 2026. Estimates suggest that over 25,000 Italians will travel to Albania for dental care by the end of the year. This figure reflects not only affordability, but also growing confidence in the quality of services provided.
“For many families in Puglia, especially pensioners and workers on average to low incomes, this is the only way to access complex dental care,” notes Lucia Martino, president of the Puglia Consumers’ Association. “We need to ask ourselves why costs are so high in Italy and what can be done to make dental care more accessible.”
The phenomenon also raises questions about the Italian healthcare system. While public dental care for adults is practically non-existent, with endless waiting lists and limited availability, countries like Albania are building an entire industry based on excellence and accessibility.
According to a 2025 study by Bocconi University, medical tourism outside Italy is now worth over 300 million euros per year, approximately a third of which is dedicated to dentistry. Albania captures approximately 60% of this flow, surpassing traditional destinations such as Croatia and Hungary./ Kapitali.al
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