Last Updated: September 9, 2025
IVF abroad is a well-established option, with countries such as Spain, Greece, the Czech Republic, and others offering advanced fertility treatments at lower costs and with more flexible regulations compared to many patients’ home countries. Fertility tourism provides access to donor eggs, shorter waiting times, and legal options for patients who may face restrictions at home.
Fertility Tourism – Summary
- Spain, Greece, and Czech Republic lead in reputation and technology.
- Portugal and Latvia stand out for inclusivity and convenience.
- North Cyprus and Turkey attract patients with extended age limits and cost savings.
- Poland and Bulgaria offer affordable, regulated treatments.
- Legal frameworks, age limits, donor anonymity, and costs vary by country.
Key takeaway: Patients travel abroad for IVF to find affordability, wider donor access, flexible laws, and faster treatment timelines.
Why Fertility Tourism is Growing
Fertility tourism has surged across Europe in countries like Spain, Greece, and the Czech Republic. With demand for cost-effective IVF treatments rising, new destinations—including Latvia, Poland, and Bulgaria—are gaining popularity, offering unique advantages like looser regulations or streamlined travel.
For many patients, the decision is both financial and emotional: IVF abroad can provide affordability, higher success rates, and a stress-reducing environment.
Top IVF Destinations in Europe
1. Spain
Spain is regarded as the benchmark for international fertility treatment.
Key highlights:
- Short donor egg waiting times (2–4 weeks)
- Guaranteed anonymity in donation
- Advanced lab technologies (time-lapse, PGT-A, vitrification)
- Transparent success reporting by law
- English-speaking staff and strong travel connections
Beyond medical expertise, Spain also offers an uplifting environment with warm weather and cultural richness.
2. Greece
Greece blends fertility expertise with Mediterranean relaxation. Clinics are located in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete.
Why choose Greece?
- Legal treatment up to age 54
- Flexible donor options (egg + sperm in same cycle)
- English-speaking coordinators
- Holiday-like settings for stress reduction
3. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic combines affordability with strong medical standards.
Highlights:
- EU-accredited clinics in Prague and Brno
- Costs up to 50% lower than Western Europe
- Anonymity in egg and sperm donation
- Age limit up to 49
- Advanced options like PGT-A and time-lapse monitoring
4. Portugal
Portugal’s IVF framework emphasizes inclusivity and ethical transparency.
Advantages:
- Open to single women, same-sex couples, and families
- Donor identity can be revealed to children at 18
- Long-term embryo storage (up to 25 years)
- Widespread English use in clinics
Clinics often collaborate with hotels, making logistics seamless.
5. North Cyprus
North Cyprus is known for cost savings and relaxed legal frameworks.
Why consider North Cyprus?
- Age limits up to 55 in some clinics
- Attractive pricing, often including accommodation
- Internationally trained embryologists and English-speaking staff
6. Turkey
Turkey offers over 140 IVF clinics, but donation and surrogacy are prohibited.
Legal framework:
- Only ‘own egg’ IVF is permitted
- Patients must be married
- Single women and same-sex couples cannot access treatment
- No legal age limit, though most clinics set a practical cutoff at 46
- Restrictions on number of embryos transferred (based on age and cycle)
Other considerations:
- Costs up to 50% lower than the UK
- Clinics inspected every 6 months by the Ministry of Health
- Visa required for most UK patients (approx. £20)
7. Latvia
Latvia offers EU-standard IVF care with high convenience.
Unique benefits:
- Donor matching in under 2 weeks
- Short-stay IVF options (condensed schedules)
- Clinics, hotels, and airport all within 20 minutes in Riga
- Affordable pricing with strong regulation
8. Poland
Poland offers affordability and strong donor regulations.
Key facts:
- 39 IVF clinics across the country
- Lower living and treatment costs compared to UK/USA
- Anonymous donors, matched by ethnicity, blood type, and physical traits
- Donors must be ≤32 years old and registered nationally
- Clinics inspected yearly; Ministry of Health oversees regulations
9. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is less known but offers EU-standard fertility care at below-average costs.
Highlights:
- ~30 clinics, mostly private
- Egg donation allowed until menopause
- Donors must have at least one child and undergo full medical/psychological screening
- Embryo donation permitted under strict rules
- Donor and treatment data recorded in national registers
- Clinics inspected and licensed by Ministry of Health
Fertility Tourism – Country Comparison
| Country | Age Limit | Donor Anonymity | Cost Level | Notable Advantage |
| Spain | Varies | Yes | High | Advanced labs, short waits |
| Greece | 54 | Yes | Medium | Holiday setting, flexibility |
| Czech Rep. | 49 | Yes | Low | High standards at low cost |
| Portugal | Varies | ID release at 18 | Medium | Inclusive access |
| N. Cyprus | 55 | Yes | Low | Age flexibility, affordability |
| Turkey | Practical 46 | N/A (no donors) | Very Low | Cheap own-egg IVF |
| Latvia | Varies | Yes | Medium | Compact travel footprint |
| Poland | Varies | Yes | Low | Strong donor screening |
| Bulgaria | Menopause | Yes | Low | Strict medical exams |
Fertility Tourism: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is donor anonymity guaranteed?
Donation is fully anonymous in Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria. Portugal is identity-release, where a donor-conceived child can request the donor’s details at 18 — the same model as the UK.
Can single women or same-sex couples access IVF abroad?
Yes in Portugal and Spain, which treat single women and same-sex couples (Spain also offers ROPA). Turkey prohibits it entirely, and the Czech Republic restricts treatment to heterosexual couples. Greece treats single women but not same-sex couples jointly.
Are IVF success rates transparent?
Spain requires clinics to report success rates by law. In some countries such as Turkey, Poland and Bulgaria, data is submitted to health authorities but not always published, so ask the clinic directly for live-birth rates in your age group.
Which country is cheapest for fertility tourism?
The Czech Republic, North Cyprus, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey are among the most affordable, often up to 50% cheaper than Western Europe or the UK. Turkey is the cheapest for own-egg IVF, but it does not allow donor treatment.
Why do UK patients choose fertility tourism?
UK patients travel for lower costs than private UK IVF, shorter donor-egg waiting lists, higher age limits than the NHS will fund, anonymous donation where they prefer it, and access to treatments or add-ons that may be limited at home.
