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Hello, Beautiful Readers! As discussed in previous blog posts, there are several options for starting your IVF journey. Having IVF abroad is a decision many people decide to make for many reasons.
These can be age-related ( some IVF clinics have no upper age limit for treatment.) Or perhaps you have seen specific fertility treatments are unavailable in your home country.
It is also a well-known fact that it is cheaper to have IVF treatment abroad.
In this post, we will be discovering how it works having IVF abroad, the costs involved, and things to consider when travelling abroad. 🌍
Let’s dive in!
As we know, IVF treatments are expensive, and the costs of fertility treatments vary with private clinics, NHS self-funded hospitals and if you are incredibly fortunate, it can be free if you meet the NICE and ICB criteria of your local area.
Even then, there is no guarantee you will be able to access free NHS fertility treatment.
Unfortunately, with private clinics, the clinics can choose their own prices, charge higher prices for additional services (or ‘add ons’) and may not include everything you need in their IVF package.
Understandably, more and more of us are going abroad for our IVF treatments. The question of – Is it cheaper to have IVF abroad? The simple answer is often Yes ❗
The most popular countries people are going for fertility treatments are: Spain, Greece, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine.
Let’s look at each country and get the low down!
Spain
Spain is one of the most popular countries chosen for IVF treatment and there are many reasons for this. Spain is a beautiful holiday destination, easy to travel to from the UK and has liberal fertility laws.
The key points for choosing Spain are:
- IVF is available for single women, same-sex female partners but unavailable for same-sex male partners.
- IVF is only available for women aged 50 and under. Some clinics will allow over 50, but you need to contact the clinic directly.
- Up to 3 embryos can be transferred during one IVF cycle.
- Hundreds of egg donors are available from different races with short waiting times. Egg and sperm donors are anonymous and regulated with rigorous testing.
- Plenty of sperm donors are available from different races with little/no waiting times.
- Many Spanish clinics have had international patients using their fertility services around the world- staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic if the doctors speak English so that you can understand your treatment plan clearly.
- Embryo donation is available and may be a good option for those with fertility or health issues.
- There is a national authority in place, which means clinics are licensed and well-regulated. This is very important for safety and reliability.
- Costs are up to £4000 for an IVF cycle with own eggs, £6000 for a frozen egg donation, and £9000 for a fresh egg donation IVF cycle. This will include medications, tests, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. It is always important to check the total cost of your treatment including additional scans, tests etc, that are required
- Spain is a beautiful and popular holiday destination! A little rest in a stunning country can be a welcome break after IVF treatment.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic offers high-quality and cheaper fertility treatments than other countries. The most popular cities are Prague and Brno. As there are a number of budget airlines flying to Czech Republic, it is easy and convenient to travel too from the UK.
They key points for choosing Czech Republic are:
- Over 40 fertility clinics to choose from.
- IVF is available for women under 49 years of age.
- There is a national authority in place which means clinics are licensed, well-regulated and monitored. This is very important for safety and delivering of quality care.
- IVF treatment is not available for single women or same-sex partners. Please note- if a woman wishes for artificial insemination, written consent is required and this needs to be signed by a male partner.
- Czech Republic has many international patients meaning English and other languages are often spoken in clinics here. I would also check with the clinic if the doctors speak English, so you to understand your treatment plan clearly.
- The number of embryos transferred during one cycle is up to two.
- Mainly Caucasian and Scandinavian egg donors are available. Both egg and sperm donors are anonymous, with little to no waiting times.
- Egg and sperm donors are anonymous and regulated with rigorous testing.
- Cost of IVF treatment using donor eggs is up to £7000 and the cost of IVF treatment using own eggs is up too £5000. This will include medications, tests, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. It is always important to check the total cost of your treatment, including additional scans, tests etc as required.
Cyprus
Cyprus is another popular holiday destination which is easily accessible from the UK with lots of budget flights available. North and South Cyprus have a number of fertility clinics to choose from, however, each region has its own regulations and laws in place. When travelling to Cyprus, it is cheaper to travel to North Cyprus, with accommodation and fertility treatments being better value than South Cyprus.
The key points when choosing North Cyprus are:
North Cyprus
North Cyprus is not part of the European Union and is also known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- IVF is available for women under 55 years of age.
- Embryo adoption is available.
- IVF treatment is available for single women and same-sex partners.
- Up to three embryos can be transferred during one IVF cycle.
- Plenty of egg donors available from different races.
- Egg and sperm donors are anonymous and regulated with rigorous testing.
- A higher selection of treatments available with liberal IVF regulations.
- Embryo donation is also available, which is an excellent option for those with fertility or health issues.
- Check IVF clinics are under regulation by the Ministry of Health, which is a local governing body. Unlike EU laws which are strict, laws in North Cyprus are more liberal and some clinics have not been accredited by the Ministry of Health.
- Although Turkish is the primary language spoken here, many clinics have had international patients use their fertility services worldwide. Staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic that the doctors speak English for you to understand your treatment plan.
- The cost of IVF using own eggs is around £3000 and when using donor eggs the cost is around £5000. This will include medications, tests, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. It is always important to check the total cost of your treatment including: additional scans, tests etc, as required.
South Cyprus
South Cyprus is part of the European Union and is an independent Greek island of Cyprus with Greek Cypriots.
The key points about choosing South Cyprus:
- Embryo adoption is available.
- IVF treatment is available for single women but not for same-sex partners.
- Up to two embryos can be transferred during one IVF cycle.
- IVF is available for women under 50 years.
- Plenty of egg donors are available from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Egg and sperm donors are anonymous and regulated with rigorous testing.
- IVF clinics are licensed and regulated by the EU’s European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
- Many clinics have had international patients using their fertility services around the world- staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic if the doctors speak English for you to understand your treatment plan.
- The cost for one IVF cycle is from £2000 when using your own eggs, including medications, tests, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. It is always important to check the total cost of your treatment including: additional scans, tests etc as required.
Turkey
As well as being another popular holiday destination for IVF abroad, Turkey also has a very high number of clinics to choose from. There are over 140 clinics available and the most popular destinations for fertility treatments are Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara and Bursa.
The key points when choosing Turkey:
- There is no age limit; however, many clinics will treat women under 45 years. Remember- women are required to use their own eggs.
- Embryo adoption, egg and sperm donors are unavailable due to strict Turkish laws.
- Low-cost fertility treatments including IVF treatments- own eggs and sperm must be used.
- Turkish visas are required if you travel from the UK, USA or other countries.
- Fertility treatments is not permitted for single women and same-sex partners.
- Fertility treatments are permitted for married couples only.
- Up to one embryo can be transferred to women under 35 years. Women under 35 years are allowed two embryos transferred; however, this is only after their third IVF cycle.
- Two embryos can be transferred for women over 35 years during their IVF cycles.
- Fertility clinics are regulated and licensed by the Ministry of Health. Clinics here are regularly monitored and must adhere to a strict set of guidelines.
- Many Turkish clinics have had international patients using their fertility services around the world- staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic if the doctors speak English for you to understand your treatment plan.
- The cost of IVF treatments is from £2000 using your own eggs for one IVF cycle. This includes medications, tests, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. It is always important to check the total cost of your treatment including: additional scans, tests etc, as required.
Georgia
The most popular destination in Georgia for fertility treatments is Tbilisi which has over ten clinics available.
The key points when choosing Georgia:
- Fertility treatments are unavailable for single women and same-sex partners.
- There is no age limit on fertility treatment, you would need to check this with the Georgian clinics.
- Embryo adoption is available.
- Plenty of egg and sperm donors available from a number of different ethnic backgrounds with little to no waiting time.
- Georgia is one of the only countries to allow non-anonymous egg donors which means you can meet with the donor if you wish to.
- Many Georgian clinics have had international patients using their fertility services around the world- staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic the doctors speak English for you to understand your treatment plan.
- Fertility treatments are permitted for married couples only.
- There are no restrictions on the number of embryos transferred during one IVF cycle- most clinics will transfer up to two.
- A more popular destination for surrogacy with a number of surrogacy programs to choose from (starting from £30,000 with unlimited rounds of IVF treatments to guarantee a baby).
- Surrogacy may be a better option for same-sex partners or single intended parents- important to check with the clinic and seek independent legal advice.
- Fertility clinics are monitored and regulated by a local governing body with strict surrogacy/fertility laws in place.
- Cost for one IVF cycle is from £3000, including egg collection, embryo transfer, scans and tests. It always important to check the total cost of your treatment including: additional scans, tests etc as required.
Ukraine
Ukraine is another popular destination for fertility treatments; however, the Russian invasion of Ukraine means political issues may impact your travel and treatment in this destination. There are over 40 clinics available in Ukraine, with the most popular cities for fertility treatments being Kyiv and Lviv.
The key points for choosing Ukraine:
- IVF is available for single whereas not for same-sex partners.
- There are no current age limits for women accessing fertility treatments.
- Egg and sperm donation is anonymous.
- Embryo donation is available.
- Plenty of sperm and egg donors available from different ethnic backgrounds with little to no waiting times.
- IVF treatments are regulated by government agencies, however, due to the current war, it is advisable to check with the Foreign Office before travelling to Ukraine.
- Many Ukrainian clinics have had international patients using their fertility services around the world- staff working at the clinics often speak many languages (including English). I would also check with the clinic if the doctors speak English for you to understand your treatment plan.
- Most egg and sperm donors are Caucasian.
- Cost of IVF treatments are from £4000 when using own eggs including egg collection, embryo transfer, scans and tests. It always important to check the total cost of your treatment including: medication, additional scans, tests etc as required.
Dainty Gloves Top Tips When Considering IVF abroad 💡
- What are the costs for travel and accommodation? What airport is near the hotel and clinic? How can I get there – by taxi/bus/ train and what are the costs?
- How much will the fertility treatment cost?
- Does the clinic have your donor eggs or sperm or donor embryo? Is fresh or frozen available? Has the donor eggs, sperm or embryo had confirmed pregnancies?
- What are the fertility laws in that country and will these impact on the treatment plan?
- Is the clinic good at communicating with you- are they keeping you up to date with your treatment plan?
- Is your fertility coordinator good at responding to you and answering your queries efficiently?
- Are you able to speak to the fertility specialist and do they speak English?
- Are you able to communicate with staff in English? These are important to ensure there are no barriers to communication.
- Additionally, other treatments, such as: Acupuncture, Reflexology, and Intralipid injections, are these organised by you or the fertility clinic? What are the costs of this?
- Does your clinic require you to have blood tests? Are you clear on how the results will impact your treatment plan? Check with your clinic that they are happy for you to have them completed in your home country.
- Ensure your clinic advises where and when to get ultrasound scans performed. How to send the results to them. The ultrasound scan will be done privately in your home country.
- Ensure your clinic provides you with your private prescription to make sure you can shop around for your medications.
- Certainly, ALWAYS take out travel insurance just in case you require medical care whilst abroad! There are specific insurers that cover travel for fertility treatment.
- Don’t forget – you will need to pay extra for specific add-ons and check the price for extra services, tests and scans.
I hope this post on IVF abroad helps you to see what else is available outside of the UK.
There are so many positives to going abroad for your fertility treatment. There are lots of low-cost flights available, most of the destinations are close to the UK, and many fertility treatments are cheaper than in the UK.
However, it is important to check the fertility laws for your chosen country. It is also important to ensure you understand the total cost of your fertility treatment so that you are not surprised by any hidden costs.
This is not an exhaustive list and there are so many more countries which are popular for fertility treatments.
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences,. You can contact me here, on Instagram, or on Facebook.
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This blog is written based on my own personal experience. The views shared are my own and do not represent the views of any third parties. I have no medical training and I am not trained in fertility or IVF. I simply share my journey with IVF to support others with the aim to create a supportive community so that experiences and information can be shared. From time to time, I may refer to scientific research or academic papers, these should be used as information only. At no time should you rely on any of the information across this blog as medical advice. You should not delay in seeking medical advice as a result of something you read on this site. You should always seek medical advice from a medical professional to support you.