VAT Changes Could Drive Travel Abroad For Plastic Surgery & Gastric Band Surgery.
The UK government recently revealed plans to impose 20% VAT on cosmetic surgery such as breast enlargement, liposuction and tummy tuck. Some within the UK cosmetic surgery industry are concerned that this could lead to an increase in people travelling abroad for plastic surgery.
Many people from the UK already travel to mainland Europe in search of lower tummy tuck, liposuction and other plastic surgery and gastric band prices, which have been reported as being as much as 80% cheaper in some cases, although the average saving is around 20%. Due to the medical nature of gastric band surgery, this will remain unaffected by the change in tax law.
As well as offering lower prices, medical regulations in many European countries are actually tighter than here in the UK and Europe offers some world class facilities. The lower cost of living means that high quality services can be found at a fraction of the cost of those on offer closer to home.
The UK government claims that it is simply clarifying the fact that VAT should be paid on non-essential medical plastic surgery.