Teleconsultations, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to account for a significant share of doctor visits across Europe, though uptake varies sharply between countries. Experts say the differences reflect technological capacity, regulatory frameworks, and patient and professional acceptance.
During the pandemic, remote consultations became essential as in-person visits posed health risks. In 2019, before the pandemic, patients in OECD countries averaged 0.5 teleconsultations per year. By 2021, this figure had more than doubled to 1.3 per patient, before stabilizing at around one teleconsultation per person in 2023, according to the OECD’s Health at a Glance 2025 report.
“The overall trend is still rising, but with clear differences between countries. In some places, teleconsultations have become a regular part of healthcare,” said Dr David Novillo Ortiz, head of data, AI, and digital health at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Spain and Lithuania recorded some of the largest increases in teleconsultations per person, rising from 0.3 to 1.7 in Spain and 0.1 to 1.2 in Lithuania. Croatia, Portugal, Slovenia, and Norway also reported significant growth. By contrast, Germany remained at 0.1 consultations per person, while France increased slightly from 0 to 0.2. In Denmark and Finland, teleconsultations declined slightly, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic patterns, but Denmark still reported that remote visits accounted for 26 percent of all consultations.
Several countries now conduct at least one in five doctor visits remotely. Estonia leads with 36 percent, followed by Portugal (26 percent), Sweden (25 percent), Denmark (25 percent), Spain (22 percent), and Croatia (20 percent). Novillo Ortiz said these figures reflect “more digitally mature health systems, supported by solid infrastructure and reimbursement policies that make remote care sustainable.”
Teleconsultation shares remain low in Germany and France, at 1 percent and 4 percent respectively. “The very low rate in Germany likely reflects long-standing attachment to in-person visits, a more cautious regulatory stance, and lower trust in digital solutions within parts of the population,” said Dr Wojciech Malchrzak from Wroclaw Medical University.
Experts attribute the rise of teleconsultations to a combination of factors. COVID-19 acted as a catalyst, forcing rapid adoption, while continued growth depends on national policies, technology, and professional acceptance. Countries with clear digital health strategies, strong primary care systems, interoperable electronic health records, and populations comfortable with digital tools have seen the most sustained adoption, according to WHO experts Francesc Saigi and Dr Stefan Buttigieg.
“Access to broadband, availability of devices and digital skills all determine patients’ real ability to use teleconsultations,” Novillo Ortiz said. He added that in countries with strong regulatory and financial frameworks, teleconsultations remain high, while in places without these incentives, usage drops sharply.
The OECD report highlights that while telemedicine has become an established part of healthcare in Europe, its adoption depends on both infrastructure and cultural readiness, illustrating how digital health transformations vary across the continent.
