Doctorsa, a global telehealth platform connecting travellers with local doctors within five minutes, has launched in the UK.
The platform provides a solution for tourists and UK residents seeking urgent care (medical treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that need immediate attention) – especially those facing long waits for GP appointments or needing support outside typical surgery hours.
Founded in Italy, Doctorsa began its international expansion in early 2024, into Spain, France, and Portugal, and later extending to countries across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
It is currently active in 33 countries with a network of 500 doctors, Doctorsa has served over 100,000 users to date.
The platform is now coming to the UK to meet the growing demand for accessible healthcare.
Its UK launch comes as global tourism nears full recovery. With 1.4 billion people travelling internationally each year, and an estimated 10% seeking healthcare while abroad, the demand for fast, reliable healthcare is high.
In 2023, the UK attracted over 37 million tourists, making it the seventh most visited destination worldwide. With 15% of Doctorsa’s users hailing from the UK – many discovering the service while on holiday in Italy, Spain or Portugal – the expansion caters to this growing UK user base, tourists visiting the UK, as well as local residents seeking greater control and flexibility over their healthcare choices.
Nadia Neytcheva, co-founder and CEO of Doctorsa, said: “The UK has always been a top tourist destination, and we’re excited to expand Doctorsa’s services here to support both visitors and locals with quick and affordable healthcare.
“Our expansion into the UK is a response to customer feedback and reinforces our commitment to making quality healthcare accessible for all – whether they’re visiting from abroad or seeking urgent care options at home.”
Doctorsa’s platform lets users choose doctors based on language, availability, qualifications, price, and patient reviews – a user-centric approach that has fuelled the company’s rapid global expansion and helped it achieve profitability.
At launch, Doctorsa’s UK network includes 10 licensed doctors registered with the General Medical Council, with plans to recruit an additional 10 by the end of the year.
Its service helps holidaymakers navigate unfamiliar healthcare systems and provides an effective alternative to crowded A&E departments and conventional healthcare channels. By ensuring timely care is accessible when it’s needed most, Doctorsa is also helping to relieve the strain on local healthcare systems.
Doctorsa’s network of over 500 licensed, English speaking doctors can earn between €1,000–€3,500 per month, while top earners make upwards of €20,000 per month through Doctorsa’s marketplace.
With an estimated €40 billion market for online urgent care for travellers, and as Europe’s only direct-to-consumer healthtech company focused on this segment, Doctorsa is well positioned to meet the growing demand for affordable, accessible healthcare abroad.
Travel insurance also often lacks coverage for common health issues like UTIs, strep throat, infections, and allergies, leaving travellers without adequate support.
By offering transparent pricing and quick access to licensed doctors, Doctorsa has said it is addressing a “critical need”, “helping to ease the strain” on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly within mass-tourism areas.
