Abstract Introduction Multimodal rehabilitation (MMRH) programmes in surgery have proven to be beneficial in functional recovery of patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a MMRH programme on hospital costs. Method A comparative study of 2 consecutive cohorts of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery has been designed. In the first cohort, we analysed 134 patients who received conventional perioperative care (control group). The second cohort included 231 patients treated with a multimodal rehabilitation protocol (fast-track group). Compliance with the protocol and functional recovery after fast-track surgery were analysed. We compared postoperative complications, length of stay and readmission rates in both groups. The cost analysis was performed according to the system “full-costing”. Results There were no differences in clinical features, type of surgical excision and surgical approach. No differences in overall morbidity and mortality rates were found. The mean length of hospital stay was 3 days shorter in the fast-track group. There were no differences in the 30-day readmission rates. The total cost per patient was significantly lower in the fast-track group (fast-track: 8107 ± 4117 euros vs control: 9019 ± 4667 euros; P =.02). The main factor contributing to the cost reduction was a decrease in hospitalisation unit costs. Conclusion The application of a multimodal rehabilitation protocol after elective colorectal surgery decreases not only the length of hospital stay but also the hospitalisation costs without increasing postoperative morbidity or the percentage of readmissions.