Waiting times for healthcare in Europe: The worst countries ranked

June 3, 2026 - 11:23

Long waits for healthcare are a growing crisis across parts of Europe, with patients in some nations facing delays of several years for routine surgeries and specialist appointments. Experts warn that these extended waiting periods are not just an inconvenience but a serious threat to public health, leading to worsened conditions and, in some cases, preventable deaths.

A recent analysis of data from multiple European health systems reveals stark disparities. In countries like Poland and Romania, patients often wait over 12 months for hip or knee replacements. The situation is similarly grim in parts of the United Kingdom, where the National Health Service has reported over 7 million people on waiting lists, with many waiting more than 18 weeks for a first outpatient appointment. For cataract surgery, a common procedure that restores vision, waits in Estonia and Hungary can stretch beyond six months, while in the Netherlands, the average is closer to six weeks.

Mental health services are also under severe strain. In Norway and Sweden, young people seeking help for anxiety or depression can face waits of up to two years for cognitive behavioral therapy. This has led to a rise in private healthcare spending, which critics say creates a two-tier system where the wealthy can jump the queue while the poor suffer.

The root causes vary. Some countries face a shortage of doctors and nurses, while others struggle with outdated hospital infrastructure or inefficient referral systems. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the backlog by canceling millions of non-urgent procedures. Health officials across the continent are now scrambling to invest in digital triage tools and expand surgical capacity, but experts say it will take years to clear the backlog. For now, millions of Europeans remain stuck in a painful and uncertain wait.