IVF in South Africa

When it comes to IVF abroad, South Africa has a lot to offer. The country attracts fertility patients from across the globe seeking first-class treatment for an affordable price. South Africa is particularly popular with those wanting mixed-race egg donors as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community looking to expand their family. If you’re looking for IVF abroad options, South Africa has a lot to offer.

IVF Treatment in South Africa: Legal Aspects

IVF in South Africa is open to single women, and heterosexual and lesbian couples but the age limit on treatment varies. Women can have IVF with donor eggs up to the age of 50, but If the patient uses her own eggs, South African law states that she must be under 45. The ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) is available to female same-sex couples. This type of IVF sees the eggs taken from one partner and the embryo is transferred into the other to carry the pregnancy. Not-for-profit surrogacy is legal in South Africa, including for same-sex male couples.

Egg, sperm and embryo donation is anonymous but donors can choose to register as an Identity Release donor, which allows the donor-conceived child to request identifying information about their donor once they turn 18. Egg and sperm donation is unpaid, although donors are entitled to reasonable expenses.

Frozen embryos may only be stored for up to ten years.

Gender selection is illegal in South Africa, except in the case of serious sex-linked conditions.

IVF in South Africa – Fertility Treatments

• IVF is available to single women, heterosexual and same-sex couples
• Women can be treated up to the age of 45 if using their own eggs or up to 50 if using donor eggs
• South Africa welcomes patients seeking surrogacy as well as egg donation
• Female same-sex couples can opt for shared motherhood option ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner)
• There is a good supply of donor eggs and sperm, particularly from Black and mixed-race donors
• PGS/PGT-A embryo genetic diagnosis is widely used
• Sex selection is not allowed unless used to prevent the transmission of serious genetic conditions

Egg Donation in South Africa

Egg donors in South Africa must be aged between 18 and 35 (although some clinics only take donors aged over 21 and/or under 30). Each donor is screened for genetic abnormalities and infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The mental health of potential donors is also subject to screening.

South Africa is a popular destination for singles and couples seeking egg donation IVF in part due to the wide range of donor backgrounds, particularly from donors who are Black, Caucasian, mixed race or Indian. Due to the good availability of donor eggs, treatment can often begin immediately.

Egg donation is unpaid, but the donor can expect to receive R8,000 and R10,000 (approximately €409 to €511) to compensate her for her time and to pay any travel expenses. An egg donation agency may charge an administrative fee for matching a patient with an egg donor.

Sperm Donation in South Africa

Sperm donation in South Africa is altruistic and anonymous, although there is the option to register as an Identity Release donor, meaning that identifying information about the donor can be released to the donor-conceived child when they turn 18 if they request it. As with egg donation, there are a wide variety of sperm donors from a range of backgrounds to choose from.

Donor sperm costs around R4,320 – R7,850 (£185 – £333 or €220– €400), not including IVF or IUI.

IVF Costs in South Africa

Wherever you choose to go for your IVF treatment, the cost will undoubtedly play a part in your decision. IVF costs can vary from clinic to clinic and are largely dependent on the patient’s own unique set of circumstances.
Here is what you can expect from IVF costs in South Africa:

• IUI costs between R6,500 and R10,000 (€333 – €513). This may not include the cost of medication, blood tests and any necessary additional treatments.
• IVF using the patient’s own eggs costs between R85,000 – 100,000 (€4,354 – €5,122)
• Egg donation IVF in South Africa costs between R75,000 – R120,000 (€3,838 – €6,142).

Egg Donation Costs in South Africa

Having egg donation IVF in South Africa costs between R75,000 and R120,000 (€3,838 €6,142). The final price may vary depending on what is included in the treatment package. Often medication is not included in the price and sometimes extra tests and additional treatments may be required at an additional cost.

Before embarking on any fertility treatment, check with the clinic exactly what is included in the price. This will help avoid any surprise charges further down the line. A good IVF clinic should always be transparent about its pricing.

Embryo Donation Cost in South Africa

The price of embryo donation in South Africa varies from clinic to clinic, but you can expect to pay €3,800 – €6,250. Check with the clinic what is included in the price, including medical procedures. In addition, patients from overseas may be charged a bank fee for international money transfers.

The ROPA Method in South Africa

As well as regular IVF with donor sperm, female same-sex couples are offered a type of IVF called ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner). ROPA allows female same-sex couples to share the motherhood experience with one partner donating her eggs and the other partner having the embryo transferred into her uterus and carrying the baby. ROPA is often referred to as reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood.

Prices vary from clinic to clinic, but generally ROPA IVF costs slightly more than traditional IVF using the patients’ own eggs. Check what is included in the treatment package as some costs, such as medication, add-on treatments and freezing the resulting embryos, may push the final price up further.

Other IVF Costs in South Africa

Wherever you decide to go for your IVF, there is a high chance that there will be extra costs incurred, so it is important to factor these in before you start your treatment.

A medical consultation with a doctor can cost in the region of €100 – €140, although some clinics may offer an initial virtual appointment for free.

The cost of freezing and storing embryos is not normally included in the price of IVF. Prices for cryopreservation vary and many South African clinics do not publish the price on their websites, so we advise checking what the additional cost will be before embarking on treatment. Frozen embryos can only be stored for a maximum of ten years under South African law.

PGT-A/PGS genetic embryo testing can add upwards of €800 to your IVF bill, depending on the number of embryos biopsied.

IVF in South Africa – Overview

Low prices, a favourable legal framework and a welcoming attitude to the LGBTQ+ community have made South Africa a popular destination for patients seeking fertility treatment. People from Australia, the US and neighbouring African nations commonly travel to South Africa for treatment, but an increasing number of patients from mainland Europe and the UK are making the journey each year in a bid to grow their families.

South Africa welcomes single women and both straight and same-sex couples for treatment. Many clinics offer ROPA for lesbian couples, which allows both partners to be involved in the process, while not-for-profit surrogacy is legal and available to gay and straight couples.

South Africa has many gamete banks with donor eggs and sperm available from donors of various races and ethnicities. Due to the availability of donor eggs and sperm, treatment is often able to start immediately. South Africa has a large number of mixed-race donor gametes available, which are not always easy to come by in other countries.

The South African Department of Health has overall responsibility for IVF clinics in South Africa, while the Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) produces best practice guidelines for clinicians and publishes its own list of ART Centres of Excellence.

IVF Success Rates in South Africa with Own Eggs

Unlike European countries such as Spain, Denmark and Greece, it is not easy to find a comprehensive breakdown of success rates for IVF using the patient’s own eggs in South Africa.

Following our extensive research, we have discovered that IVF  in South Africa using the patient’s own eggs has a success rate of between 45% and 62% for women under the age of 35.

It is important to remember that success rates vary from clinic to clinic and are dependent on each patient’s diagnosis and unique set of personal circumstances.

IVF Success Rates in South Africa with Donor Eggs

Egg donation IVF in South Africa has a success rate of 50-65%. Once again, it is not easy to find a comprehensive breakdown of success rates for donor egg IVF in South Africa, so this figure is based on our own research.

Travelling to South Africa for IVF Treatment

South Africa is rapidly becoming a ‘go to’ destination for people seeking IVF treatment abroad. Here is everything you need to know about making the most of your life-changing trip.

How Safe is South Africa?

Unfortunately, there is a high rate of violent crime in South Africa. Although many, many tourists visit this beautiful country without incident, you should stay alert and take appropriate steps to keep yourself safe. This includes avoiding walking in remote areas, isolated beaches and picnic spots, especially when it is dark.

There have been recent attacks and muggings against hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park. Some Cape Town residents coordinate group hikes on social media, for example The Hikers Network. The Hikers Network also offers a free safety tracking service.

If you are planning on travelling further afield during your visit to South Africa, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is currently advising against all but essential travel to Mozambique, which shares a border with South Africa. Ongoing protests and unrest may result in delays or closures at the border at short notice. There has also been violence in the area around the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia land border with South Africa/Mozambique.

Travel to South Africa

A direct flight from London to Johannesburg takes 11 hours, or 12 hours direct from London to Cape Town. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer direct flights, while a number of other airlines offer indirect flights from the UK and other European countries, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France and Swiss International.

South Africa has 11 languages and English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Entry Requirements

British and Irish citizens visiting South Africa don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Anyone with an American or Canadian passport will not require a visa to travel to South Africa.

Travelling Around South Africa

Just like in the UK, South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Vehicle hire is affordable and a hire car is a great way to take in some of the natural beauty that South Africa has to offer. The tourist board advises not to drive at night, due to the lack of adequate lighting, and not to rely on Google Maps, as this can prove patchy in some areas of the country.

Metered taxis are widely available throughout South Africa, especially in urban areas, and many tourist destinations offer shuttle services to and from airports and key attractions for your convenience.

If you plan to hop between cities, South Africa has a good network of domestic airports, with carriers including Airlink, South African Airways, CEMAir, FlySafair and Lift.

Places to Visit in South Africa

Whatever you are into, you will find something to pique your interest in South Africa. Try and catch the Big Five on safari, tempt your tastebuds at South Africa’s food and drink capital Franschhoek valley, or enjoy a guided hike, bike or tuk tuk tour to get up close and personal with nature.

Why South Africa is a top choice for international patients seeking affordable IVF

IVF in South Africa is open to single women, heterosexual and same-sex couples, including gay men. Shared motherhood IVF ROPA is offered to lesbian couples and not-for-profit surrogacy is legal and is open to all. This makes South Africa top of the list for LGBTQ+ couples seeking to start a family.

South Africa has many gamete banks, so waiting times for donor sperm or eggs are often short or non-existent, with treatment able to commence immediately. Known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa has sperm and egg donors from many different races and ethnic backgrounds, particularly Black, mixed-race, Caucasian and Indian donors.

Treatment is affordable and compares favourably to top European destinations.

Patient Preferences by Country for IVF in South Africa

South Africa’s liberal fertility laws, coupled with affordable and accessible treatment at world-class clinics, means the country attracts many international patients, particularly people from Australia, the US and Europe. Patients from neighbouring African nations also make the journey to South Africa for IVF treatment.

US Patient Preferences

South African Airways and Delta Airlines offer direct flights from the US to South Africa from New York, Washington and Atlanta to Johannesburg. Flights can take between 15 and 17 hours, depending on where the aircraft is flying from.

UK Patient Preferences

A non-stop flight from London to Johannesburg takes 11 hours, or 12 hours from London to Cape Town. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer direct flights to South Africa.