Kidney Transplant Abroad: A Complete Guide to Countries, Cost, Doctors & Success Rate
Discover affordable kidney transplant programs abroad.
Use our smart guide to explore the best countries with low costs & experts offering legal, safe, and quality renal transplantation.
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Which Are the Best Countries To Get Kidney Transplant Abroad?
India, Jordan, Mexico, Turkey and Korea are the top international centers for having a kidney transplant, thanks to the low cost of the procedure, no waiting lines, and availability of expert nephrologists and ultra-modern hospitals.
With kidney transplant costs soaring to over USD $400,000[1] in the West, many seek treatment elsewhere. This trend highlights the appeal of travelling for medical care abroad as patients can opt for affordable yet quality healthcare.
What Is the Cost of Getting a Kidney Transplant Abroad?
The cost of getting a kidney transplant abroad starts from around USD$13,000.
Below mentioned are the costs of kidney transplants in different countries.
| Country | Cost in USD |
| India | Starting at $13,000 |
| Turkey | Starting at $16,000 |
| Mexico | $38,000 |
| Korea | Between $40,000 - $70,000[2] |
| Jordan | Contact us to know |
*cost is subject to change as per case
As seen above, India is the most economical place for renal transplantation.
Read our complete guide to Kidney Transplant in India to learn more.
In most countries, the cost includes:
- 5-10 dialysis sessions
- Stay and meals for both patient and donor as treatment plan
- Procedure-related laboratory and radiology tests (Pre-op tests)
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Medication as per the treatment
- Consultation of the primary team
- Airport-Hotel-Hospital transfers
- Translating services
The costs above differ greatly from those in Western countries such as the US and Canada.
The difference also lies in the waiting period, which can get exhausting for patients looking for a donor.
Let us glance at the cost of kidney transplants in other countries and their waiting period.
| Country | Cost in USD | Waiting Period |
| United States | Over $400,000 | 3-5 years[3] |
| Canada | $145,000[4] | 2.5- 3 years[5] |
| United Kingdom | Almost $70,000[7] | 2-3 years[6] |
| Australia | Almost $100,000[8] | 2.2 years[9] |
*cost is subject to change as per case
How Can International Patients Get Kidney Transplant Abroad?
With the help of our medical advisors, international patients can access affordable renal transplantation abroad in countries with high success rates.
Once the patient connects with our team, they are asked to share all initial medical reports with our advisors, who can guide them on the way forward.
Many times, patients have other complications associated with kidney failure, such as heart disease, anaemia, etc. After assessing the reports, international patients are connected to the right transplant programs for kidney transplants abroad.
Treatment Timeline
Overseas patients visiting India for a kidney transplant would be required to stay in the country for approximately 6-8 weeks.
The table below gives a broad understanding of the timeline and process for kidney transplants in India.
| Phase | Treatment | Patient Duration | Donor Duration | Cost included or excluded |
| Total Stay | End-to-End | 8 Weeks | 6 Weeks | |
| Initial Part | Pre-op work | 3- 4 Weeks | 3-4 Weeks | Excluded |
| Main treatment | In-patient hospitalisation | 8 Days | 3 Days | Included |
| Last Part | Follow-up post-surgery | 4 Weeks | 2 Weeks | Excluded |
In Turkey, the timeline for the international patients slightly differs:
| Phase of Treatment | Duration | Details |
| Overall Patient visit | 3-4 weeks | This is the overall time overseas patients would spend in Turkey. From pre-op tests to follow-up post-surgery |
| Patient main treatment | 17 days (14 days in hospital room + 3 days in ICU) | Prep for surgery + surgery+ recovery |
| Donor main treatment | 10 days (7 days in hospital room + 3 days in ICU) | Prep for surgery + surgery+ recovery |
*Duration and timeline are subject to change as per case
Read our elaborate guide to Kidney Transplant in Turkey here.
What Is the Success Rate of Kidney Transplant Abroad?
The success rates for kidney transplants abroad range from 94% to 98.7%, making countries like India, Turkey, Jordan, Mexico and Korea among the best destinations for Kidney Transplant Programs.
Here is a country-wise breakdown of the success rate per research and studies conducted.
| Country | Success Rate |
| India | 98.7%[10] |
| Turkey | <94%[11] |
| Korea | Ranges from 95.8% to 98.4%[12] |
| Jordan | Ranges from 91% - 97%[13] |
| Mexico | 95.5% - 97.2%[14] |
Legalities for Kidney Transplant Abroad
INDIA:
In India, the Transplantation of Human Organs Act passed in 1994[15] has made the rules stringent for international patients to get a kidney from a living or deceased donor. International patients cannot get living or deceased donors from India.
They need to get their own donor when they travel to India for a kidney transplant.
The donor can be a 1st-degree relative only. They cannot get a 2nd degree relative.
Here is the relationship degree for the type of donors in relatives:
| Donor Type in Relation | Relatives |
| 1st Degree Relative |
|
| 2nd Degree Relative |
|
| 3rd Degree Relative |
|
| 4th Degree Relative |
|
KOREA:
In Korea, the law associated with foreign patients is sensitive due to the possibility of organ trafficking.
The law requires International patients travelling to Korea for kidney transplants to get their own donor.
The donor can be upto a 2nd or 3rd degree relative.[16]
TURKEY:
In Turkey, the donor has to come with an international patient, but it can be up to a 4th Degree Relative.
The Law in Turkey was established in 1979, and it shapes all dealings regarding organ procurement, preservation, and transplantation.
Overview of Kidney Transplant
Kidneys filter waste and maintain blood pressure in the human body. Diseases like diabetes, obesity, or heart conditions can lead to kidney failure. When kidneys fail, they cannot properly remove waste, leading to serious health issues or even death.
When kidney function declines to about 85-90%[17], symptoms like blood in urine, vomiting, and fatigue emerge, signalling the need for immediate treatment.
Need for Renal Transplantation
Dialysis, which mimics kidney function, is the initial treatment doctors recommend, which can sustain patients for a long time. If dialysis does not work and kidney function further deteriorates, a kidney transplant becomes an essential consideration.
A 2021 study by NCBI found that dialysis in the US costs over USD$98,000[18] per person. Considering the expense and discomfort, doctors often suggest a kidney transplant as the ideal treatment for kidney failure.
Types of Donors for Kidney Transplant
There are two types of kidney donors: living and non-living (or cadaver donors).
Living donors choose to donate one of their kidneys. Non-living donors are those who have allowed organs to be taken from their bodies when they die. Both types can be successful transplants.
For kidney transplantation, the donor and the recipient must have similar chemical characteristics called antigens. Else, the recipient’s immune system will reject the new kidney.
Procedure: Kidney Transplant Abroad
The Kidney Transplant procedure requires the new kidney to be placed on the lower right or left side of the abdomen, which is connected to adjacent blood vessels. This positioning helps to connect the new kidney easily to the blood vessels and the bladder. The new kidney’s ureter is attached to the bladder to allow urine to pass out of the body.
The diseased kidneys are not removed, except in these cases:
- Repeated infection that could affect the transplanted kidney
- Uncontrollable hypertension brought on by the original kidneys
- Backflow of urine into the kidneys
Ways To Perform a Kidney Transplant Procedure
The kidney transplant surgery can be done in different ways:
Open Surgery: The surgeon operates conventionally.
Laparoscopic Surgery: The surgeon operates using a laparoscope more effectively.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy: The surgeon operates on the patient remotely with the assistance of a robot.
90% of kidney transplant operations are done through laparoscopic surgery. If the patient is younger and more healthy, doctors recommend robotic-assisted laparoscopy.
Who Is a Candidate for Kidney Transplant
Anyone with end-stage renal disease is considered a candidate for a kidney transplant.
However, other criteria must also be met, such as no active infections, cancer, or severe circulatory problems involving the heart, brain, or major blood vessels.
You must also be willing to take medication for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney.
How To Prepare for Kidney Transplant Procedure
- Eat healthy, take the prescribed medications, and exercise daily. Your doctor will advise you on what kind of exercises you can do.
- You can continue your regular activities, like work, until your surgery, but do not exert yourself too much. You don’t have to put everything on hold.
- If you smoke or have problems with substance abuse, you will have to go through a treatment program before the kidney transplantation.
Precautions To Take After Kidney Transplant Procedure?
After you get your new kidney, you should be extra careful to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that the new kidney can function properly and give you many years of use. A healthy transplanted kidney can last from 15 to 25 years.[19]
- You and your family must keep in touch with your nephrologist.
- Before you leave the hospital, you will be instructed on proper doses of and schedule for anti-rejection medications. These instructions must be strictly followed. Otherwise, the medication can actually harm your transplanted kidney.
- You will be shown how to check your blood pressure, temperature, and urine at home. After each reading, you must jot them down. If you see any abnormalities, report them to your doctor immediately. The earlier you detect rejection, the better your chances of reversing it.
- Immunosuppressants, prescribed by your doctor, need to be taken as long as you have your new kidney.
- Any pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure, must be kept in control.
- Do not miss the follow-up appointments with your doctor to evaluate any signs of rejection.
- You will have regular blood and urine tests to check for any signs of kidney failure. An ultrasound of the graft kidney is done to see if structural abnormalities suggest rejection.
- Women who wish to conceive have to wait for about 2 years after the operation.
How long does recovery take after Kidney Transplant?
After a kidney transplant, people recover at different speeds. People can return to day-to-day lives in about 2-3 months. As time passes, you will need fewer clinic visits. After 3-6 months[20], rejection risk drops and medication decreases.
To recover faster, follow doctors’ instructions and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Risks associated with Kidney Transplant
- Infections: The body is weakened due to immunosuppressants.
- Rejection: Possible due to blood clots or early kidney disease recurrence.
- Cardiac issues: Risk of heart attack due to blood supply blockage
- Delayed graft function: A new kidney may take time to function properly, especially from deceased donors.
- High Blood Cholesterol
- Liver Damage
Alternatives to Kidney Transplantation
For patients with end-stage renal disease, there are really no other alternatives to kidney transplantation apart from dialysis, which restricts the patient’s life to a huge degree.
Best Hospitals for Kidney Transplant Abroad
Founded in 1995, Medical Park is Turkey's largest JCI-accredited hospital group with 25 hospitals in 17 cities.
Surgeons here specialize in oncology, cardiology, and organ transplantation. They have performed over 3,683 organ transplants, including 3,447 kidney and 202 liver transplants.
- 31+ Years of Excellence
- 57+ Departments
- JCI Accredited
- Over 4000 kidney transplants performed
- Internationally acclaimed centre of excellence for organ transplant
- JCI-certified hospitals and best-in-class specialists
- Boasts the first triple and quadruple cross-donor kidney transplant in the history of medicine in Turkey
JCI-accredited, it is one of the largest private clinics in Delhi and ranks among the top 10 multi-specialty hospitals.
It serves local and international patients, specializing in cancer, bariatric surgery, and cardiology with advanced, European-standard equipment.
- 60+ Years of Experience
- JCI Accredited
- NABH Accredited
- Best transplant surgeon with over 18 years of experience in neurology, transplant, and robotic surgery.
- One of the best success rates in kidney transplants in the world.
- Highly equipped with Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery for transplant.
- Advanced technology, such as Lamellar Airflow in the ICU, helps to minimize post-operative infections.
- Performed successful kidney transplants in HIV Positive patients
- Performed successful ABO incompatibility kidney transplant
Best Doctors for Kidney Transplant Abroad
Dr. Shafiq Ahmed( BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital )
US-trained robotic uro-oncologist Dr. Ahmed is among the few performing robotic kidney transplants globally.
He leads Urology, Andrology, & Renal Transplants at BLK-Max Hospital. He has also established renal transplant programs across Delhi-NCR.
Education
- CMC Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, India.
Memberships
- Urological Society of India
- Uro-oncology Society of India
- Kidney Transplant Society of India
Prof. Bülent ÜNAL( Medical Park Bahçelievler )
Dr. Bulent Unal is an oncologist and transplant specialist. He completed a fellowship in the same field from Germany.
He specializes in breast tumor removal and complex organ transplant surgeries. He also serves as an Organ Transplantation Professor at İstanbul Aydın University.
He underwent training at the National Cancer Institute and Magee-Women's Hospital.
Education
Ankara Numune Training And Research Hospital, Turkey
Memberships
- Turkish Surgery Association
- Ankara Surgery Association
- Ankara Breast Diseases Association
Dr. Chandra Shekar A( Altius Multi-Speciality Hospital )
Dr. Chandra trained in endovascular surgery and transplants in Dublin, Germany, and the UK.
He’s successfully performed 50+ renal (kidney) transplants and performed thousands of biopsies and dialysis sessions.
Education
- M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore
- Postgraduate School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
Memberships
- International Society of Nephrology
- Indian Society of Organ Transplantation
Prof. Abuzer Dirican( Medical Park Bahçelievler )
Prof. Dr. Abuzer Dirican is a leading transplant surgeon in Istanbul.
He trained at the United States Surgical Oncology Clinic during his career.
He also worked at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
His area of expertise also includes minimally invasive surgeries. Dr. Abuzer got the 1000th Liver Transplant Excellence Certificate for completing 1000 liver transplants.
Education
SSK Ankara Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Turkey
Memberships
- Turkish Surgery Association
- Liver Transplantation Association
- National Trauma and Emergency Surgery Association
Conclusion
Get a cost-friendly kidney (renal) transplant abroad today.
Say goodbye to kidney problems and discover the best countries, treatment timelines, and success rates.
We connect you to the best hospitals and certified doctors.
Act now for a healthier tomorrow!
Is Kidney Transplant Safe Abroad?
Getting a Kidney Transplant abroad is safe. With a 94% to 98.7% success rate in countries like India, Turkey, Korea, and Jordan, many people are going abroad for a safe and quality kidney transplant program.
FAQ
Countries like India, Turkey, Jordan, Korea, and Mexico have short or no waiting periods to get a kidney transplant, compared to countries like the US, where the waiting period could be upto 5 years.
Life expectancy after a kidney transplant can range from 15 to 25 years. The healthier the lifestyle of the person post-surgery, the better the life expectancy.
References
- National Library of Medicine: Global Perspective on Kidney Transplantation: United States
- National Library of Medicine: Economic burden of chronic kidney disease in Korea using national sample cohort
- American Kidney Fund: Transplant waiting list
- National Library of Medicine: The cost of kidney transplant over time
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program of Atlantic Canada (MOTP): Frequently Asked Questions
- NHS Blood and Transplant: How long is the wait for a kidney?
- National Library of Medicine: A fair exchange: why living kidney donors in England should be financially compensated
- BMC Health Services Research: Deceased donor kidney allocation: an economic evaluation of contemporary longevity matching practices
- Kidney Health Australia: Kidney transplants
- Research Gate: Demographic Characteristics, Outcome and Complications of Renal Transplantations at a Tertiary Care Center in South India
- National Library of Medicine: Global Perspective on Kidney Transplantation: Turkey
- Kidney Research and Clinical Practice: The Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY): an overview and summary of the kidney-transplant cohort
- National Library of Medicine: Pediatric renal transplantation in the jordanian population: the clinical outcome measures during long-term follow-up period
- Renal Fellow Network: Mexican transplant program: All that glitters is not gold
- Indian Journal of Transplantation: Legal Aspects of Transplantation in India
- National Library of Medicine: Use of minor donors for living donor liver transplantation and associated ethical issues
- National Kidney Foundation: Choosing A Treatment For Kidney Failure
- National Library of Medicine: Dialysis and Total Health Care Costs in the United States and Worldwide: The Financial Impact of a Single-Payer Dominant System in the US
- NHS Blood and Transplant: Kidney transplant FAQs
- NHS Blood and Transplant: Kidney transplant FAQs
