IVF in Latvia

Latvia is a popular European destination for IVF treatment, despite being slightly more expensive than nearby countries like Russia and Ukraine. People travel from all over the world for treatment here, but especially from Scandinavia and Germany.

The most popular place to receive treatment in Latvia is Riga, and there are several excellent clinics in the city as well as experienced doctors. It is also popular because egg donation for IVF is fully anonymous and there are no waiting lists. Latvia is also very tolerant when it comes to embryo donation. If you consider fertility treatment abroad – it is worth checking what IVF clinics in Latvia have to offer.

There are six IVF clinics in Latvia, and three of these clinics support international patients. They are all located in Riga, which has good flight connections with many countries, making it easy to access.

The National Health Service in Latvia provides a Cross–Border Healthcare Contact Point. This is an information centre that provides information about the healthcare system in the country as well as how to access healthcare services. More information can be found at this link.

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IUI treatment in Latvia: legal aspects

Latvian law on assisted reproductive methods grants access to IUI (intrauterine insemination) and AID (artificial insemination with donor) to married and unmarried heterosexual couples, single women, and female couples. There is no legally set maximum age for female patients though certain limitations apply. However, there is no maximum age for male partners. If you choose to undergo IUI to become a solo mother, the sperm used in your treatment will come from an anonymous donor through a licenced sperm bank in Latvia.

IVF treatment in Latvia: legal aspects

Always consider the legal aspects when you are choosing a country to receive IVF treatment. There are several important issues to consider in Latvia. Interestingly, there is no legal limit on the age of female patients, and instead this is decided by the clinic where you receive treatment. There is also no age limit for male partners.

Heterosexual couples, single women and female couples can all receive IVF treatment. However, male couples cannot receive treatment.

Gender selection is only available in order to prevent serious genetic diseases, and it cannot be used for family balancing. You should also be aware that in genetic embryo test results, some clinics may reveal the sex of the embryo.

There is no law preventing HIV-positive patients from receiving treatment. Many clinics allow this, but you have to check with your chosen clinic. The situation is the same for HCV-positive and HBV-positive patients.

There is also no legal limit on the number of embryos that can be transferred using your own eggs or donor eggs, but the approved guidelines do not recommend more than three.

IVF in Latvia – fertility treatments

• There is no IVF limit for woman’s age in Latvia- it’s not specified by legislation, decided by each clinic individually
• There is no limit on a male partner’s age 
• Heterosexual couples can receive an IVF treatment
• IVF is available for single women
• IVF is available for female couples
• IVF is not available for male couples
• Sex selection is not allowed unless to prevent the transmission of serious genetic diseases, however, some clinics may reveal the sex of an embryo in genetic embryo tests results
• Many clinics support HIV-positive patients
• Many clinics support HCV/HBV-positive patients
• The maximum number of embryos to transfer is not set by law however there are guidelines by national bodies which do not recommend transferring 3 or more embryos, SET (single embryo transfer) is recommended.

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Egg donation in Latvia

Latvia is a good destination for IVF treatment because there are many donors available in the country. These are mostly Caucasian, but some clinics also provide eggs from other donors, including Scandinavian donors. Latvia is a small country, and the population is about two million. This can sometimes mean there are limitations in terms of donor availability.

Egg donation (IVF with donor eggs) is strictly anonymous in Latvia. Neither the couple receiving IVF treatment nor the child can find out the identity of the donor, and there is no mixed system with anonymous and non-anonymous donors.

However, clinics can reveal specific information about the donors, including their hobbies and education level. There are also no waiting lists, and both fresh and frozen oocytes are available.

The legal age limit for egg donors is between 18 and 35. There are no set maximum number of donations by a single donor, but the maximum number of children that can be born from the same donor is three.

Donors are matched to the recipients using basic visual characteristics including race, skin colour, eye colour and hair colour. This way, the donor is as similar to the recipient as possible.

There are also certain donor qualification tests that are required by law:

• Anti–HIV–1 and HIV–2
• Anti–HBc
• Anti–HCV–AB
• HTLV–1
• Chlamydia

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Sperm donation in Latvia

There are many sperm donors available in Latvia. There are no waiting lists, and donors are available from various races, but they are primarily Caucasian. Donation is strictly anonymous, and the recipient couple cannot find out the identity of the donor.

Most of the IVF clinics in Latvia run their own sperm banks. If you are unable to find a suitable donor race in the clinic’s sperm bank, you may want to use an external sperm bank.

Sperm donors must be aged between 18 and 45. There is no maximum number of donations that can be made by a donor, but the maximum number of children that can be born from a single donor is three.

IVF costs in Latvia

Latvia is not one of the affordable destinations for IVF treatment. The IVF with donor eggs costs in Latvia are above the European average comparing to eastern European countries – Russia and Ukraine where egg donation costs are below the average.

• The cost of IUI in Latvia is around €400 and the cost of AID is approx. €900-€1,100.
• The cost of a basic IVF package in Latvia is between €2,200 and €3,600 using your own eggs
• The cost of egg donation IVF range from €6,000 and €7,200
• Embryo donation cost in Latvia varies between €4,000 and €4,500
• The cost of egg freezing (oocytes cryopreservation) is between €2,000 and €2,600.

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Egg donation costs in Latvia

The average cost of an egg donation cycle in Latvia is between €6,000 and €7,200. This makes it quite an expensive destination with prices similar to Spain. However, keep in mind that the cost depends on several factors, including the number of oocytes from a donor that are used for fertilisation, as well as add-on techniques that are included and whether the treatment is guaranteed.

Embryo donation costs in Latvia

The cost of embryo donation in Latvia ranges from €4,000 to €4,500. This makes Latvia quite an expensive destination for embryo donation compared to countries like Russia and Ukraine, but the availability is very good.

Embryos offered by clinics are mainly Caucasian. Embryo donation is also strictly anonymous, and the recipient couple and the child cannot find out the identity in any conditions.

Double donation in Latvia

Double donation is possible in Latvia. This is where both the oocytes and sperm are donated. The cost is similar to egg donation programmes, but with the addition of the cost of the sperm donor, which is between €190 and €350.

Other IVF costs in Latvia

Keep in mind that the overall cost of treatment can vary, and there are several IVF add-ons and other services that you may require.

Medical consultations with the doctor cost between €100 and €180. This is lower than the average of many other countries, and the doctors are very experienced.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) costs are between €1,000 and €1,500, and this is also below the European average.

Other costs include:

• Sperm freezing: €300 – €450
• Donor sperm: €400 – €600
• Embryo Monitoring (Embryoscope, Time Lapse, Geri etc.): €350 – €450
• Blastocyst culture: €300 – €450 (included in basic packages in most of the clinics)
• PGT-A / PGS genetic embryo testing: €2,000 – €2,400
• Vitrification of (remaining) embryos and storage for 1 year: €450 – €550

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IVF success rates in Latvia with own eggs

The success rates for IVF treatment in Latvia are generally high compared to other countries. According to data from the ESHRE EIM report for 2017:

• The success rate for women under 34 is 29.4%
• The success rate for women between 35 and 39 is 33.6%
• The success rate for women aged 40 and over is 20.7%

However, bear in mind that only 3 clinics from Latvia report to ESHRE, so this may impact the success rates.

It can also be difficult to compare results across countries and clinics because the treatments and the patient characteristics can vary considerably. In general, most clinics achieve similar results statistically.

IVF success rates in Latvia with donor eggs

Using data from the ESHRE EIM report for 2017, the success rate for IVF treatment with donor eggs in Latvia is:

• 39.5% for fresh embryo transfer
• 42.3% for thawed embryo transfer

You can see how this compares to other popular destinations in the table below.

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If you would like further information, you can visit the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This is the national body that is responsible for regulations and data collection in the country, and you can find its website here.

Explore IVF in Latvia

Latvia is a beautiful country that is easy to reach from anywhere in Europe. It may not be as well known or as popular as some holiday destinations, but it offers the visitor plenty to see and do. It’s small, but that makes it easy to travel around and see lots during your stay. It also boasts excellent IVF treatments, and you may want to combine your treatment with a relaxing holiday. Here’s what you need to know about travelling to and around Latvia.

Traveling to Latvia

The most important hub in Latvia is Riga International Airport, and this is where most international travellers will arrive in the country. The airport has many connections with major international airlines, which fly to and from cities around Europe and the world.

There are lots of budget airlines operating here, including EasyJet and Ryanair, so you may be able to pick up a cheaper flight if you are flying from another European country.

Flights are affordable, and an average return flight from London costs in the region of $100. Flights from New York cost about $600, and flights from Sydney cost about $2,000. Try to look around to find the best deal you can as soon as you know you are travelling.

Entry requirements

Nationals of Schengen countries can enter Latvia without the need for a visa. However, there are other requirements for nationals of other countries. The good news is that nationals of the UK, USA, Canada and Australia do not require a visa for stays in the country of up to 90 days.

However, travellers should have a valid passport, proof of funds for the duration of their stay, proof of return or onward travel, and travel insurance. You may be asked to show these upon arrival.

Keep in mind that ETIAS comes into force in 2023, which means you may need to get permission to travel to Latvia and pay a small fee in advance.

Traveling around Latvia

Half the population of Latvia lives in Riga, and the capital city is very much the centre of the country. This is also where you will probably be receiving IVF treatment.

Transport outside Riga is not great, but there is a train network that is quite affordable. There are lots of trains near Riga, but frequency reduces further away from the city.

It’s probably best to hire a car if you want to travel around Latvia. While the road network is not great, you can easily travel to most parts of the country.

Latvia is a relatively affordable country to visit, and you should budget for about €50 a day to be comfortable during your time here.

Places to visit in Latvia

There are lots of things to see in Latvia. Many of the main attractions are in Riga, including the stunning Old City (Vecriga), where you can easily spend a long time wandering around.

Other attractions you may be interested in seeing include Dzintari Forest Park, Jurmala Beach, Turaida Castle and Kemeri National Park.

Final thoughts

Latvia is a prime destination for IVF treatment, attracting patients from around the world, especially from Scandinavia and Germany. Riga, the capital, hosts several top-notch clinics with experienced doctors and no waiting lists for egg donation, which is fully anonymous. The country’s tolerant approach to embryo donation and broad eligibility criteria make it a compelling choice for many.

With its combination of high success rates, comprehensive support for international patients, and the opportunity to explore a beautiful country, Latvia stands out as an excellent option for those considering fertility treatment abroad.