If you’re spending your evenings typing questions into Google, opening clinic websites in a dozen tabs, and still feeling like you don’t have real answers – you’re doing exactly what almost everyone else does. And the frustration you feel? That’s normal too.
We know because we asked. In the IVF Media patient survey of 1,189 patients seeking IVF abroad (fieldwork ran January to June 2024; the full report was published in October 2024), patients told us exactly how they research, what they trust, and what they can’t find. You can explore the full findings at our research hub.
Here’s what the data says – and how to use it to research smarter.
Everyone starts in the same place: Google
74% of patients research IVF clinics abroad on Google. That’s nearly three times more than any other channel. Clinic websites, forums, and Facebook groups all trail far behind.
There’s nothing wrong with starting there. But remember what Google actually shows you: the clinics that are best at marketing, not necessarily the clinics that are best for your case. High rankings reward good SEO. They don’t measure lab quality, doctor experience, or how a clinic treats a 42-year-old with three failed cycles.
So use Google to build a long list. Don’t use it to make the final call.
How long does the research phase take?
Shorter than you might think – and for some patients, probably too short.
| Time spent researching before choosing a clinic | Share of patients |
|---|---|
| About 1 month | 38% |
| 2-6 months | 44% |
| More than 6 months | 18% |
Over a third of patients pick a clinic within a month. That’s fast for a decision that involves your health, your savings, and travel to another country. If you can give yourself two to three months, do it. The patients who regret their choice rarely regret researching too much.
What patients can’t find – the three big gaps
Here’s the uncomfortable truth our survey exposed. When we asked patients what information they wanted but couldn’t find on clinic websites, three gaps dominated:
- 56% couldn’t find information specifically for international patients – how the treatment process works remotely, how cycles are managed across borders, where to stay.
- 55% couldn’t find a detailed breakdown of treatment costs.
- 50% couldn’t find a detailed breakdown of success rates.
Half of all patients, unable to find the two numbers that matter most: what it costs and how often it works. If a clinic’s website leaves you guessing on either, that’s not your failure as a researcher. It’s the clinic’s failure to be transparent – and it tells you something.
The trust gap: experience makes patients more sceptical
We also asked patients whether they believe what clinics publish. The results split sharply.
69% trust the costs clinics publish. But only 51% trust the published success rates – and among patients who have already been through IVF, that trust drops to 44%. In other words, the more IVF you’ve done, the less you believe the shiny percentages.
That scepticism is earned. Success rates can be sliced many ways – per cycle, per transfer, pregnancy versus live birth, all ages blended together. A single headline number tells you very little about your chances.
And who do patients trust instead? Google reviews came top (46%), followed by doctor recommendations (37%) and internet forums (33%). Real voices beat brochures.
You’re not starting from zero – and neither is anyone else
One more finding worth sitting with: 60% of patients looking abroad have already had at least one IVF cycle. And 25% – one in four – have had four or more.
If you’re researching treatment abroad after failed cycles at home, you are the typical patient, not the exception. That experience is an asset. You know what questions went unanswered last time. Ask them first this time.
How to research smarter: a practical checklist
Demand the breakdown. Ask every shortlisted clinic for a written, itemised cost quote – medication, monitoring, freezing, storage, extras. 55% of patients can’t find this on websites, so make clinics put it in an email.
Interrogate the success rates. Ask: is this per embryo transfer or per cycle started? Clinical pregnancy or live birth? What’s the rate for my age group and my diagnosis? A good clinic answers precisely. A vague answer is an answer too.
Ask the international-patient questions early. How many visits are needed? What’s done remotely? Who coordinates in your language? This is the single biggest information gap (56%), so don’t assume it’s covered.
Cross-check with real patients. Reviews and forums are the most trusted sources for a reason. Look for patterns across many reviews, not one glowing or one furious outlier.
Get a second opinion. 80% of patients say an independent expert second opinion – someone reviewing their history and previous cycles – would help them choose the right clinic. Among patients with three or more cycles behind them, that rises to 85%. A fresh set of expert eyes before you commit thousands of euros is one of the cheapest forms of insurance in this whole process.
The bottom line
Most patients research IVF abroad the same way: Google first, a month or three of reading, and a lot of unanswered questions about costs and success rates. You can do better than most simply by slowing down slightly, demanding written answers, trusting patient voices over marketing, and getting an independent expert to review your plan before you book.
The information gaps are real. But now you know exactly where they are.
FAQ
How do most patients research IVF clinics abroad?
Through Google – 74% of patients use it, far ahead of any other channel. Forums, Facebook groups, and clinic websites play a smaller supporting role.
How long should I spend researching before choosing a clinic abroad?
Most patients decide within one to six months: 38% take about a month and 44% take two to six months. Two to three months is a sensible target – long enough to compare clinics properly, short enough to keep moving.
Should I trust the success rates on clinic websites?
Be cautious. Only 51% of patients trust published success rates, falling to 44% among those with IVF experience. Always ask how the rate is calculated – per transfer or per cycle, pregnancy or live birth – and ask for figures for your age group.
Is it worth getting a second opinion before choosing a clinic?
Yes – 80% of patients say an independent expert second opinion would help them choose, rising to 85% among those with three or more previous cycles. It’s especially valuable after failed cycl
