Bunion Surgery Cost in Poland: A 2026 Guide for UK Patients

Executive Summary

Bunion surgery in Poland costs around £1,800 to £2,800 per foot in a fixed-price package, compared to £4,500 to £6,500 per foot at a UK private hospital. The NHS rarely funds bunion surgery in adults unless it's causing significant disability, which means most UK patients self-fund either way. This page covers the cost difference, the surgical options (scarf, chevron, lapidus, minimally invasive), and what to think about before booking.

For a full overview of bunion surgery abroad — clinics, what's included, recovery timelines and how to book — see our Bunion Surgery Abroad guide.

Bunion surgery is the orthopaedic procedure where the NHS-versus-private divide is most stark. Unless your bunion is causing serious functional problems (recurrent ulceration, severe deformity, intractable pain affecting work), most ICBs will simply not fund the surgery. You're told to wear wider shoes, take ibuprofen, and accept it.

For a lot of patients, that isn't a tolerable answer. The bunion is painful, it's getting worse, and it's making it impossible to wear normal shoes. The only options are paying privately or finding a more affordable route abroad.

This page is the honest cost picture for both.

How much bunion surgery costs in the UK and Poland

A flight to Kraków or Warsaw is £80 to £150 return. Three to four nights in a serviced apartment runs around £150 to £250. Total all-in spend for a UK patient flying out for single-foot bunion correction is generally £2,500 to £3,500 — well under what most UK private quotes come to.

If you need both feet done, it's standard to do one foot at a time so you can still walk. Some patients do both feet on the same trip with a six-week gap; others come back for the second foot a few months later.

Which surgical technique you'll be offered

Bunion surgery isn't one operation, it's a family of operations. The right choice depends on the angle of the deformity, the size of the bunion, your age, and how active you are.

Scarf osteotomy. The most common procedure for moderate bunions. The first metatarsal is cut in a Z-shape, the head shifted back into alignment, and fixed with two small screws. Reliable, well-evidenced, and the procedure most patients have.

Chevron osteotomy. Smaller cut at the head of the metatarsal, fixed with one or two screws. Best for milder bunions in younger patients.

Lapidus procedure. Fusion of the joint at the base of the first metatarsal. Used for severe deformity, recurrent bunions, or hypermobility. Longer recovery than scarf or chevron but more reliable for severe cases.

Minimally invasive bunion surgery. A newer technique using small percutaneous incisions and fluoroscopy. Less scarring, sometimes faster early recovery, but the long-term evidence is still building. Polish clinics offer this and the surgeon will tell you whether you're a candidate.

Polish foot and ankle surgeons perform all four routinely. The pre-op consultation will tell you which they recommend and why. If you want a specific technique, ask before booking.

What's in the Polish package

Bunion surgery at Thera Travel's partner clinics typically includes:

• Pre-op video consultation with the operating surgeon
• Pre-op blood tests and weight-bearing X-rays on arrival
• The procedure itself, including any internal fixation hardware (titanium screws, usually permanent)
• Anaesthetist (regional block plus light sedation, sometimes general)
• Same-day discharge or one overnight stay
• Post-op surgical shoe or boot
• Crutches if appropriate
• Initial physiotherapy
• Airport transfers
• English-speaking patient coordinator
• Translated operative notes

Plan separately for: flights, accommodation (you'll want a companion to help in the first few days), UK physiotherapy, and any custom orthotics or shoes after recovery.

Recovery: realistic timeline

Bunion surgery recovery is more demanding than people expect. The procedure itself is straightforward; the bone has to heal in a new position, which takes time, and you need to be careful about loading during that window.

• Day of surgery: Procedure usually 45 to 90 minutes per foot. Foot wrapped, surgical shoe on, partial weight-bearing.
• Days 1 to 3: Rest, elevate, ice. Most patients walk short distances in the surgical shoe with crutches if needed.
• Days 3 to 4: Cleared to fly home, in surgical shoe.
• Weeks 1 to 6: Surgical shoe on at all times when walking. Foot elevated for the majority of the day. Wound care via your GP.
• Weeks 6 to 12: Transition out of the surgical shoe, into wide trainers. Gentle physio, return to most desk work.
• Months 3 to 6: Return to normal shoes (gradually), light exercise, longer walks.
• Months 6 to 12: Final swelling resolves, return to most activities including running and dancing for those who want to.

You can't drive for around six weeks after surgery on the right foot. Plan that into the decision.

When bunion surgery is the wrong call

This is the section most clinics don't write. Bunion surgery is generally elective and isn't always the right answer.

If your bunion isn't painful and isn't getting in the way of life, the evidence for surgery purely on cosmetic grounds is weak. Recurrence rates are real (around 5-15% over a decade depending on the procedure), and surgery on a foot that doesn't currently hurt can make the foot hurt later if it doesn't heal cleanly.

If you have one or more of:

• Recurrent ulceration over the bunion
• Pain that prevents normal walking or work
• Inability to wear ordinary shoes
• Progressive deformity affecting the second toe or hammer toes
• Severe functional limitation

…then surgery is appropriate, and the price difference between UK private and Poland is large enough to be worth understanding.

If you're considering it because you don't like how it looks but it doesn't hurt, talk to your GP before you book anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bunion surgery in Poland safe?

Bunion surgery is a routine procedure performed thousands of times a year at the Polish clinics Thera Travel works with. The clinics are EU-accredited and ISO-certified, and the foot and ankle surgeons are typically high-volume specialists. The risks of bunion surgery (delayed healing, recurrence, nerve irritation) are the same risks you'd take in the UK; what changes between countries is the price, not the surgery.

How much will I save versus going private in the UK?

For single-foot bunion surgery, most UK patients save between £2,500 and £4,000 after factoring in flights and accommodation. For both feet, the saving is larger.

Can I have both feet done on the same trip?

You can, but most surgeons recommend doing one foot at a time so you can still walk during recovery. Doing both feet at once means six weeks of being effectively wheelchair-dependent. Most patients do one foot, recover, then come back for the second six to twelve months later.

Will I be able to fly home after bunion surgery?

Yes. Most patients are cleared to fly three to four days after surgery, in a surgical shoe, with the foot elevated where possible. An aisle seat is recommended. Crutches are common but not always needed; the clinic helps with airport assistance.

Will the NHS not just do this for me?

In most ICBs, the NHS will only fund bunion surgery if it's causing significant disability, recurrent ulceration, or major functional problems. Cosmetic or moderate-pain bunions are usually declined. Talk to your GP — they'll tell you whether your case meets your local funding criteria.

Will my UK GP do the post-op care?

Yes. You'll come home with operative notes in English, suture removal instructions (usually at the GP at two weeks), and a follow-up plan. NHS physiotherapy referrals can be made by your GP, or you can pay privately for a session or two if you want faster access.

What if the bunion comes back?

Bunion recurrence is real. Rates depend on the technique, the severity of the original deformity, and how well you stick to the post-op shoe-wearing protocol. Across all techniques, recurrence is around 5-15% over a decade. If revision is needed, it can be done either in the UK or back at the Polish clinic; the latter is usually substantially cheaper.

Can I get this fixed without screws?

There are very limited bunion procedures that don't use any internal fixation. Modern surgery typically uses one or two small titanium screws, which stay in permanently and don't usually need to be removed. They don't set off airport metal detectors and aren't visible day to day.

Get a written quote for bunion surgery in Poland

If your bunion is painful, getting worse, and you've been told the NHS won't fix it, the next sensible question is what it actually costs to get it done.

Thera Travel will send you a written quote within 48 hours. We name the surgeon, the technique, and the all-in price. No deposit until you confirm.

Get Your Free Quote →