IVF in Spain

Considering IVF or egg donation in Spain?
The ultimate guide to your fertility treatment in Spain
IVF in Spain | Embryo and Egg donation in Spain | IVF costs in Spain

Spain is a popular destination for IVF treatment for several reasons. These include its liberal IVF laws, good success rates and the anonymity of egg donors. It’s also a popular holiday destination, so you can combine your IVF with a holiday at the same time.

There are lots of fertility clinics to choose from, most of which are private. These are located all over the country, but the most popular cities for IVF treatment include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante. Budget airlines fly to all these destinations, making travel very easy, and people tend to be very happy with the treatment that they receive in Spain. If you’re looking for IVF abroad options, Spain has a lot to offer.

Find Best IVF Clinic in Spain >

IUI Treatment in Spain: Legal Aspects

In Spain, reproductive laws are one of the most advanced in Europe so all possible scenarios are taken into account and legally regulated. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and AID (artificial insemination with a sperm donor) are regulated by law and accessible to heterosexual couples, single women and same-sex female couples. In Spain, the maximum age for women to undergo fertility treatment is 50, however, you should be aware that IUI over 35 offers much lower success rates than IVF. Also, usually a few rounds are needed to achieve success. Sperm donors for IUI treatment are strictly anonymous and you can read more about sperm donation below in this article.

IVF Treatment in Spain: Legal Aspects

As with any destination, it’s important to know about the legal aspects of receiving IVF treatment. In Spain, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

One of the most important is the maximum age for treatment. While there is no maximum age for men, for women the maximum age is 50. However, some clinics will accept patients up to 52 based on individual circumstances.

IVF is available for heterosexual couples, single women and female couples, but it is not available for male couples. There is also a limit of three on the maximum number of embryos that can be transferred when using either your own eggs or donor eggs.

There are around 250 IVF clinics in Spain. However, around 25 to 30 of these clinics are primarily focused on international patients supporting them with special care. Most of these clinics are located in Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga.

IVF in Spain | IVF Treatment in Spain
IVF in Spain – treatment availability

IVF in Spain – fertility treatments

  • Maximum woman age for IVF is 50, various clinics may accept patients up to 52 – ask clinics directly
  • There is no limit on male partner’s age
  • Heterosexual couples are welcome
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is available for heterosexual couples, single women and female couples
  • IVF is available for single women
  • IVF is available for female couples so called ROPA – Reception of Oocytes from Partner
  • IVF is not available for male couples
  • Sex selection is not allowed unless to prevent the transmission of serious genetic diseases
  • Many clinics support HIV-positive patients
  • Many clinics support HCV/HBV-positive patients
  • The maximum number of embryos to transfer is 3 (both for IVF own eggs and egg donation)

Find Top IVF Clinics in Spain >

Egg Donation in Spain

Many people travel to Spain from around the world for egg donation IVF treatment, and egg donation clinics accept international patients. Waiting lists are also very short.

Egg donation is strictly anonymous, and there are lots of egg donors in the country. All donors are screened, both physically and psychologically, to ensure standards are kept high. There are several donor qualification tests that are required by law in Spain:

  • HIV 1 and 2
  • Hepatitis
  • Syphilis
  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Mutation
  • Muscular Spinal Atrophy
  • Autosomal Recessive Disorders
  • Fragile X Syndrome

You will find there are many donors available from several races including Caucasian, Latino, African / Black, Arab and Indian depending on the region. Both fresh and frozen oocytes are available.

The age of egg donors ranges from 18 to 35, and there is strict anonymity. No information is shared about the donor apart from basic physical characteristics.

However, the recipient couple can find out more about the donor identity in certain conditions. For example, where a severe genetically transmissible illness is a concern and an analysis of the donor is advisable, the geneticist can ask for the identity of the donor.

Matching with a donor is based on characteristics like race, hair colour, eye colour and skin colour, so the donor is as similar as possible to the egg recipient. There is also a maximum of six infants from the same egg donor.

Find Egg donation Clinics in Spain >

Sperm Donation in Spain

You will find a range of options available if you are seeking sperm donation in Spain. There are many sperm donors available, and one of the many benefits is that there are no waiting lists. Most IVF clinics in Spain also have their own sperm banks.

The age of sperm donors ranges from 18 to 50, and you can choose from a wide range of races so you can find a good match. Anonymity is strict so you will not be given any information beyond basic physical characteristics. The maximum number of infants that can come from the same sperm donor is six.

Featured clinics in Spain

IVF Costs in Spain

One of the most important factors to consider when looking into IVF in Spain is the cost. It’s important to remember that the cost can vary depending on where you go, and different IVF clinics have different costs.

But in general, here is some information on basic fertility treatments:

  • For IUI using your partner’s sperm, the cost is around €900 and for AID which uses donor sperm, the cost can be €1,400.
  • For IVF using your own eggs, the costs range from €3,600 to €6,700.
  • For IVF using an egg donation, the costs range from €5,900 to €8,500.
  • For IVF using an embryo donation, the costs range from €3,000 to €5,000.
  • For IVF using egg freezing (oocytes cryopreservation), the costs range from €3,500 to €4,700.
IVF costs in Spain – basic packages
IVF with own eggs in Spain€3,600 – €6,700
IVF with donor eggs in Spain€5,900 – €8,500
Embryo donation in Spain€3,000 – €5,000
Egg freezing (oocytes cryopreservation) in Spain€3,500 – €4,700
Source: Average IVF costs in Spain – Basic Packages – IVF Abroad Patient’s Guide 2022

Find Top IVF Clinics in Spain >

Egg Donation Costs in Spain

If you are using an egg donation for your IVF in Spain, the costs range from €5,900 to €14,000. However, the cost you pay will depend on a range of factors, including the clinic that you use as well as the location. Clinics in some locations may be more expensive. Frozen egg donation may also be available in some Spanish clinics, which is usually a bit cheaper.

There are other factors to consider as well, including the number of oocytes from a donor used for fertilisation and whether other add-on techniques are included in the treatment. Cost can also be affected by whether the IVF treatment is guaranteed, meaning you can expect a certain number of embryos on, for example, day three or day five.

Embryo Donation Cost in Spain

If you are choosing the embryo donation IVF route, the typical cost you can expect to pay is between €3,000 and €5,000. Embryo donation, sometimes called embryo adoption, is provided as an IVF treatment in most clinics, but not all. Clinics throughout the country offer embryos in lots of different ethnicities, so there is a lot of choice when it comes to embryo IVF treatment in Spain.

Double Donation in Spain

If you are considering double donation, this is also possible in Spain. This is where you use both oocytes from a donor and sperm from a donor. In general, the cost is similar to the cost of egg donation programmes, with the additional cost of the sperm donor on top, which is about €400 to €500.

The ROPA Method in Spain

The ROPA method stands for Reception of Oocytes from the Partner, and it is used by female couples. With the ROPA method, one partner is the oocyte donor. Donor sperm is then used, and the embryos are transferred to the uterus of the other partner, who will give birth. The cost of ROPA typically ranges between €5,000 and €7,000.

Other IVF Costs in Spain

There are some additional IVF costs involved when you get treatment in Spain, and it’s important to consider these when you are working out your budget. They consist of IVF add-ons and other services.

One of these additional costs is the medical consultation with the doctor, which costs between €150 and €250. Sperm freezing costs between €150 and €350, and donor sperm costs between €300 and €750.

Embryo Monitoring will usually cost between €300 and €600, and the blastocyst culture costs anywhere from €400 to €600.

PGT-A / PGS genetic embryo testing is one of the most expensive additional costs, and you can expect to pay anywhere between €1,800 and €3,200.

Vitrification of (remaining) embryos and storage for up to one year will usually cost between €400 and €900. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) also has a cost of between €1,400 and €2,500 on average.

IVF costs in Spain – other costs and add-ons
Medical consultation (doctor)€150 – €250
Sperm freezing€150 – €350
Donor sperm€300 – €750
Embryo Monitoring (Embryoscope, Time Lapse, Geri etc.)€300 – €600
Blastocyst culture€400 – €600
included in basic packages in most of the clinics
PGT-A / PGS genetic embryo testing*€1,800 – €3,200
Vitrification of (remaining) embryos and storage for 1 year€400 – €900
FET – Frozen Embryo Transfer€1,400 – €2,500
Source: Average IVF costs in Spain – IVF Abroad Patient’s Guide 2022
*PGT-A / PGS genetic embryo testing: include embryo biopsy and embryo diagnosis – up to 4 embryos using NGS technique

Find Top IVF Clinics in Spain >

IVF in Spain – expert review

Spain is very often a country of choice for IVF treatment by patients not only from Europe but also from other countries – including Australia, the USA and Canada.

Liberal law regulating ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques), many IVF clinics specializing in supporting international patients, wide access to the latest IVF techniques, many well-known – experienced fertility / IVF doctors and the availability of egg donors and sperm donors – these are just some of the advantages of IVF in Spain. If we add to this the full anonymity of egg donors and sperm donors, it seems that Spain is an ideal country for IVF treatment.

However, many patients choose other countries instead of Spain, including the Czech Republic or Greece, due to the costs of IVF treatment. Spain is one of the more expensive countries in Europe not only when it comes to the cost of IVF treatment and other related IVF procedures – but also when it comes to the cost of living.
However, also in Spain, as in other popular countries, we can find clinics that are very cheap and those that offer very expensive IVF treatment.

Our advice to patients, when selecting an IVF clinic in Spain, reject the most expensive and the cheapest and focus on those that offer costs somewhere in between.

Clinics in Spain are closely monitored by national organizations and the submission of a new clinic requires a special license for the clinic itself, as well as for the embryology laboratory and gamete bank.
Aleksander Wiecki, CMO, IVF Media Ltd.

IVF Success Rates in Spain with Own Eggs

One of the most important considerations when determining which country to choose for IVF treatment is the success rates. Spain has relatively good success rates when compared with other major European destinations, according to the ESHRE EIM report for 2017.

  • For women aged under 34, the IVF success rate using own eggs is 25.8%
  • For women aged between 35 and 39, the success rate in Spain is 23.2%
  • For women aged 40 and over, the success rate in Spain is 11.7%

IVF with own eggs in popular countries in Europe*<3435-39≥40
Spain25.823.211.7
Portugal26.621.214.3
Czech Republic29.721.68.9
North Cyprus**no datano datano data
Greece30.422.89.7
Ukraine25.422.714.1
Poland30.525.912.9
Russia30.324.112
Latvia29.433.620.7
Denmark

30.420.212.3
Source: ART in Europe, 2017: results generated from European registries by ESHRE*
Supplementary Table SX Aspirations, pregnancy and delivery rates by age distribution (years) of women treated with ICSI in 2017.
Pregnancies per embryo transfer.
**North Cyprus is the self–proclaimed state recognised only by Turkey and is not providing and data to ESHRE EIM Consortium.
However, it can sometimes be confusing when you compare results across different countries. The fact is success rates are affected by the characteristics of the patients and the types of treatment. In general, most clinics have similar results statistically.

IVF Success Rates in Spain with Donor Eggs

If you are using donor eggs, the success rates in Spain are different compared to using your own eggs. When compared to other European countries, Spain has a good success rate for donor eggs. Using information again taken from the ESHRE EIM report from 2017:

  • The success rate of pregnancies using fresh embryo transfer in Spain is 54.7%.
  • The success rate of pregnancies using thawed embryo transfer in Spain is 51.1%.
Egg donation success rates in popular countries in Europe*Pregnancies per fresh ET (%)Pregnancies per thawed ET (%)

Spain54.751.1
Portugal52.640.6
Czech Republic42.223.1
North Cyprus**no datano data
Greece54.750.1
Ukraine61.662.2
Poland34.444.7
Russia48.045.0
Latvia39.542.3
Denmark

38.633.7
Source: ART in Europe, 2017: results generated from European registries by ESHRE*
Supplementary Table SVIII Pregnancies and deliveries after ED (fresh and frozen cycles) in 2017. In Egg Donation cycles, the age of the recipient women had no influence on outcomes. Pregnancies per embryo transfer (fresh and frozen)
**North Cyprus is the self–proclaimed state recognised only by Turkey and is not providing and data to ESHRE EIM Consortium.

Find Top IVF Clinics in Spain >

The Spanish Association of Reproductive Medicine – SEF (La Sociedad Española de Fertilidad) also publishes national IVF statistics, and you can access recent documents at this link. SEF also provides patients with access to data sent in by individual IVF clinics on its website. Just select the year to check the results reported by each clinic.

Travelling to Spain for IVF Treatment

Spain is one of the most popular countries for people seeking IVF treatment overseas. But how easy is it to travel to and around Spain? What is there to see during your stay, and is it a good place to enjoy a holiday while you are in the country?

Here, we take a look at getting to and around Spain, so you can plan your trip properly, get the most out of your time in the country and be more relaxed while you are there, all of which is beneficial for your IVF treatment.

How Safe Is Spain?

Spain is a popular destination for tourists, and there are no specific safety concerns to be aware of. Crime is relatively low, but just be careful when you are walking around the larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Take extra care in crowded places. While most crime is petty, your spending money can be tempting to pickpockets. Be aware of your surroundings and, in short, take the normal precautions you would anywhere else.

Travel to Spain

Travelling to Spain is very easy from almost anywhere. If you are travelling from another European destination like the UK or Germany, you will find that there are several daily flights from major airports.

You may be able to pick up a cheaper fare by booking ahead on an airline like EasyJet or Ryanair. Travel to Spain is also simple to arrange from further away, especially if you fly into Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is a major global hub.

A return flight from New York to Madrid can cost as little as $600, while a flight from Sydney to Madrid costs about $2,500. However, this depends on the time of year you travel, and you may be able to find better prices depending on when you travel.

Entry Requirements

If you are travelling from another country in the EU, you can travel to Spain without any issues because there is free movement in the Schengen area.

For non-EU nationals, on the other hand, there are more requirements. You will need an onward or return ticket as well as sufficient funds. This is currently €100 per day for UK visitors, but always check requirements before you travel. You may also need an invitation letter or proof that you have booked accommodation.

Your passport should have six months or more validity remaining after your departure dates to avoid any problems with immigration officials, who often can apply stricter rules.

British citizens can currently stay for up to 90 days without a visa, and their passports must be valid for three months or more after the period of their stay. The same is true for citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Travelling Around Spain

Travelling around Spain is very easy. Travelling by road is easy thanks to the large network of motorways (Autopistas). Some of these charge a toll, and those that don’t are called Autovias. Car rental is easy to arrange in the country.

Spain also has a large rail network, and it is easy to travel between large towns and cities, including on AVE (high-speed) trains. It is a good idea to reserve trips in advance to get better prices.

Places to Visit in Spain

If you want to combine your IVF treatment with a holiday, Spain is a great choice. There are so many places to visit, including the capital, Madrid, which is packed with tourist attractions like the Prado National Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Barcelona is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and it is full of mediaeval buildings and Gaudi architecture like La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

You also have the whole of the Costa del Sol with its spectacular beaches, which are popular with tourists in the summer months, and cities like Alicante on the east coast with its beautiful Baroque architecture.

Conclusion

If you are planning to receive IVF treatment in Spain, you will find it a welcoming country that is easy to reach and easy to travel around. Spain is packed with great sights and stunning beaches, and it enjoys hot and sunny weather in the summer. It has everything you need to have a great time during your visit.

IVF abroad - other popular destinations
Reviewed by:
Aleksander Wiecki
Aleksander Wiecki
Aleksander is an advocate of transparency and truth about IVF treatment and patients’ experience manager. With strong expertise and background in the IVF and infertility industry including IVF clinics and genetic laboratories Aleksander strongly believes that there is a gap between IVF patients and clinics. This is a gap where patients may fall for the most common IVF treatment traps during their infertility journey. That’s why patients need help and support which they don’t necessarily get from IVF clinics. The support which comes from an objective, trustworthy and reliable source. Aleksander is a regular guest at ESHRE annual meetings, the Fertility Show in London, the Fertility Forum, the IMTJ - Medical Travel Summit, Fertility Exhibitions and conferences around the world.
Looking for an IVF Clinic
Abroad?
Check Treatments, Costs and Success Rates
NEW: Get your chances of IVF success reviewed
by experts from selected clinic.