EUROPE’S FLAGSHIP EVENT FOR HEALTH, SPA & LONGEVITY TOURISM From 11 to 13 May 2026, Varna, Bulgaria, will host a landmark European gathering dedicated to the future of sustainable health tourism. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Municipality of Varna, and organised by HTI and ESPA in cooperation with BUBSPA, the event will bring together leading voices from...

The European Spa Association plays a key role in unifying standards and sharing experience across countries The importance of medical spas and health resorts within European healthcare is growing, especially as chronic diseases affect up to a quarter of the population. Traditional medicine alone cannot meet the long-term needs of these patients, while health resorts offer a unique combination of physical therapy, rehabilitation, well-being, and...

The 5th edition of the Medi-Wellness Congress will be held on 27th and 28th of April 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland Organisers have revealed the main theme of this year's congress: Reset, Recharge, Regrow: The Science of Modern Wellness In a world where chronic stress, accelerated ageing, and cellular exhaustion are part of everyday life, the medi-spa is evolving into a true human regeneration lab. Blending natural...

48th ISMH World Congress will be held from 13 to 16 May in Banja Koviljača, Serbia. The ISMH World Congress is one of the most important international scientific meetings in the field of balneology, medical hydrology and climatology. The 48th Congress will bring together clinicians, researchers, academics, and health professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge, present current research, and discuss future directions in...

On 15 January 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted an Expert Hearing on Life Sciences and Rare Diseases The Expert Hearing brought together policymakers, scientists, and health stakeholders to discuss priorities for Europe’s evolving health strategies. The European Spas Association was honoured to contribute to this important exchange, represented by Dr. Siyka Katsarova and Csilla Mezoesi. The discussion focused on the role of...

Medical Spas and Climate Health Resorts Offer Powerful Solutions to Europe’s Growing Health Challenges The Synthesis Report, published in December 2025, has revealed that Europe faces an urgent need to modernise its health systems to cope with rising chronic diseases, ageing populations and workforce shortages. The report highlights four critical priorities for action: prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), digital health transformation, strengthening primary care and...

We are proud to present the inaugural issue of the European Spas Association Magazine, published to celebrate 30 years of European Spas. This special edition embodies our core values: Health, Quality and Innovation. Download the digital version >> From thermal water, climate therapy, and thalassotherapy to mineral waters and modern medical spa trends, the magazine highlights how Europe’s medical spas play a vital role in prevention, resilience, and sustainable wellbeing. In the...

Interview with Karina Kyppas, CEO in Medical Spa Narva-Joesuu, Estonia Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award 2025 in catergory Innovative Medical Spa Q: "What's the single most important practice or insight from your Anitsress Centre that could help anyone dealing with chronic stress?" If I had to choose just one thing, it would be sleep. Because everything in our wellbeing begins there. When your sleep is...

An interview with Dr. Martin Gehlen, Rheumatologist and Chief Physician of the Fürstenhof Klinik, Staatsbad Pyrmont, Germany - Special Jury Winner of the ESPA Innovation Awards in the category Innovative Spa Research 1. “Fibromyalgia patients with severe symptoms are often told nothing works for them. Your three-week programme proves otherwise. What's the key to reaching this particularly difficult-to-treat group?” One very important task of rehabilitation is to...

Karel Kalivoda, Cluster General Manager at the Marianske Lazne on how ONKOFIT-SPA empowers women through gentle guidance, community, and sustainable lifestyle change. ONKOFIT-SPA programme is the winner of the ESPA Special Jury Innovation Award 2025 in category Innovative Health Spa Programme. “Excess body fat increases recurrence risk for breast cancer survivors. How do you talk about weight and nutrition with women who've just been through cancer...

Strengthening business connections and showcasing Europe’s leading medical spas The SPA-CE B2B Workshop, held as part of the European Spas Association Annual Congress, once again proved to be a highly effective platform for fostering business connections in the spa and health-tourism sector. The event brought together travel agencies, tour operators, and patient organisations on one side, and leading European medical spas and health resorts on...

The European Spas & Balneology Congress, held in Haapsalu, Estonia from 8 – 10 October 2025 brought together health experts, policymakers, innovators, and spa professionals to explore how Europe’s spa destinations can shape the future of preventive health and wellbeing. The event opened with a strong message: spas are no longer just leisure spaces — they are emerging as important partners in public health...