Going on holiday when you are on haemodialysis is absolutely possible, but it needs a little more planning than a normal trip. The good news: once you have done it once, the process becomes routine. Here is how holiday dialysis is booked, step by step.
1. Talk to your nephrologist first
Before you book flights or a hotel, ask your nephrologist or renal nurse whether you are fit to travel. Most stable patients are, but your team may want to adjust your prescription, check your access or run blood tests first. Ask them early: the medical file takes time to prepare.
2. Choose your destination and dates
Pick a country and a city, then the dates you want. Remember that dialysis slots abroad are limited, especially in high season (spring, autumn and school holidays). Six to eight weeks ahead is comfortable; four weeks is often possible; less than two weeks is difficult but not always impossible.
- Short flight and French-speaking staff: Tunisia
- The widest choice of cities: Turkey
- Winter sun: Morocco
3. Send a request to a coordinator or a centre
You can contact a dialysis centre directly, or ask a coordinator like Dialysis Worldwide to find a centre close to your hotel. Give your dates, the city, your type of treatment (HD or HDF), how many sessions per week and your preferred days.
4. Your home unit prepares the medical file
The centre abroad needs to know exactly how you are treated. Your home unit usually provides:
- A recent dialysis report (session duration, dialyser, blood flow, anticoagulation, dry weight)
- Your current prescription and medication list
- Recent blood tests
- Recent hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV serology (most centres want results from the last 1 to 3 months)
- Information about your vascular access (fistula, graft or catheter)
5. Confirmation and quote
The centre checks your file and confirms your session times. You then receive a full price per session and, if you want, a quote for the hotel and transfers. Read it carefully: what is included (medication, EPO, transport) varies from one centre to another.
6. Before you fly
Keep paper copies of your medical file in your hand luggage, write down the address and phone number of the centre, and plan your first session for the day after you land if possible. Then enjoy your holiday: your treatment continues, only the view changes.
Learn more
Next: 12 questions to ask a centre abroad, hepatitis tests before travelling and what research says about travelling on dialysis.
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This article is general information and does not replace the advice of your nephrologist or renal team.