There is a reason so many people searching for fertility treatment abroad end up looking at Spain.
The country has spent decades building one of Europe’s most trusted, inclusive, and well-regulated fertility sectors, and the patients who have been through it tend to say the same thing: they wish they had come sooner. Law 14/2006 governs assisted reproduction across the country, permitting treatment for single women, same-sex female couples, and patients of advanced maternal age, while requiring anonymous donation that keeps donor pools large, diverse, and available without long waits.
Alicante, Madrid, and Barcelona are the cities that welcome the most international patients, easy to reach, easy to navigate, and each with a quality of life that takes a little of the weight off an already demanding journey.
Spain accounts for 15% of all IVF treatments in Europe, performing more than 165,000 cycles per year, the highest volume on the continent.
High standards, human touch: the IVF patient experience in Spain
From first consultations to final outcomes, patients who have gone through IVF in Spain tend to tell a similar story. Two things come up again and again: clinical expertise that finally gave them the answers they had been searching for, and staff who made them feel like people rather than case numbers every step of the way.
How Spanish IVF clinics deliver the diagnosis others missed
One of the things fertility patients mention most often is the feeling of finally being heard. Many had spent years undergoing treatment elsewhere without ever receiving a clear explanation for why things kept going wrong. In Spain, they describe meeting specialists who looked deeper, asked harder questions, and came back with answers that no previous clinic had ever offered them.
Em and Julie’s story, UK, lesbian couple with repeated failed IVF and IUI treatments, at IVF Spain: “Dr. Álvarez is amazing and I was really impressed with her. She gave us information I had never heard of before. The way that she described things was in a very professional and friendly manner. She came across as very open, honest and really trustworthy which was really important for me.”
Dimi and Malcolm’s story, UK, low AMH and multiple failed IVF and ICSI cycles at previous clinics, at UR Vistahermosa: “We were not offered or received any after care or advice and even our request to see the doctor was refused. We felt like we were just a number to this particular clinic.”
Laura and Ian’s story, 41, UK, recurrent miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and failed IVF cycles, finally received specialist immunological diagnosis at IVF Spain: “We have undergone tests that we’ve never had before — ERA, NK biopsy and KIR. We have paid for lots of very expensive blood tests and drugs but never received this kind of analysis. So, we feel as though the treatment is now specifically for us.”
Stéphanie and Joël’s story, 38, Canada, poor egg quality and recurrent miscarriage, welcomed baby Celeste following egg donation IVF at UR Vistahermosa: “Our doctor, Dr Valeria Sotelo Kahane, was immensely knowledgeable and at the same time warm and approachable. She helped us feel confident and at ease when we were really nervous.”
Kathryn and Richard’s story, 39, UK, rare balanced translocation of chromosomes 4 and 12, at IVF Spain: “The news of discovering that I have a balanced translocation; the travelling back and forth to London from Wales for treatment; the lack of chromosomally normal blastocysts formed; the waiting between cycles and stages of the treatment; the miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat twice; the fact that two of the cycles had no suitable embryos. The list goes on and on and on.”
Cheryl’s story, UK/Spain, two failed IVF cycles with own eggs, welcomed baby Luca following egg donation at Clínica Tambre Madrid: “The medical team explained the options to us very clearly; resolved our doubts and answered our questions whilst giving us time to make our decision in a very measured way. We were extremely impressed with the way we were treated, respected and how we felt valued from day one.”
“We immediately felt at home. It wasn’t just professional — it was warm. Human. Like they actually saw us, not just another case file.”
Tania and Mariano’s story, Spain, lymphoma survivor with multiple failed IVF cycles at previous clinics, welcomed sons Leonardo and Oliver at Clínica Tambre Madrid: “Everyone at Tambre exuded warmth and professionalism; we knew immediately that this was something we had not experienced before. We had been to different clinics and this experience felt different from the first moment we walked through the door. Tambre was different, we knew Tambre would be the one.”
Multilingual staff and clear communication at every stage
Language is rarely a barrier at established Spanish fertility clinics. International departments communicate in English and often other languages depending on the clinic, and where a translator is needed during a consultation, one is provided. Patients consistently describe feeling fully informed and genuinely included in every conversation, from the very first enquiry through to the final stages of treatment, even when they were far from home.
Kirstie and Chris’ story, Northern Ireland, premature ovarian failure, welcomed baby Jack following egg donation IVF at UR Vistahermosa: “Our coordinator stayed with us the whole time we were there, it was very personal. She came and explained it all and sorted our medication so we just had to go to the chemist.”
Personalised IVF treatments in Spain from start to finish
For those who have felt lost or overlooked during previous fertility treatment, the experience of care in Spain can feel like a turning point. Independent reviews consistently highlight the same qualities: medication protocols tailored to the individual, attentive scan monitoring, and direct access to the medical team throughout the process.
Laura and Ian’s story, 41, UK, recurrent miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and five losses, finally received specialist immunological diagnosis at IVF Spain: “We’ve paid thousands and thousands of pounds in the UK and never had this level of information or a biopsy — tests were restricted to a blood test.”
“Every piece of communication we were given was reassuring and, unlike our treatments before, this consistent flow of communication took the pressure off us having to find out things for ourselves.”
Stéphanie and Joël’s story, 38, Canada, poor egg quality and recurrent miscarriage, welcomed baby Celeste following egg donation IVF at UR Vistahermosa: “I feel confident, and UR Vistahermosa was very well organised. We went to a ‘top’ fertility clinic in Canada and it was not nearly as organised.”
Claire and David’s story, UK, seven years of failed ICSI cycles and undetected post-receptive endometrium, received personalised diagnosis and treatment at IVF Spain: “Before coming to IVF Spain, we had never heard of an endometrial study or ER Map. The fact that the endometrial study analyses the best time to transfer the embryo could make a big difference to our treatment. We were really impressed with the accuracy of the test.”
Cheryl’s story, UK/Spain, two failed IVF cycles with own eggs, welcomed baby Luca following egg donation at Clínica Tambre Madrid: “It sounds simple, but being treated like a person rather than just a patient made all the difference. I wasn’t a case number or a file. I was Cheryl — someone going through something incredibly difficult, someone who needed compassion as much as medical expertise.”
“When things got hard — and they did get hard — these doctors didn’t just adjust protocols. They checked in. They reassured us. They reminded us why we were doing this when we couldn’t remember ourselves.”
Tania and Mariano’s story, Spain, lymphoma survivor with multiple failed IVF cycles at previous clinics, welcomed sons Leonardo and Oliver at Clínica Tambre Madrid: “The psychological factor is a factor that must be taken into account. For me it counts a lot, just as much or even more than the medical matter.”
Egg donor availability
Spain’s anonymous donation framework supports large, diverse donor pools, and the majority of established clinics are able to match patients and begin treatment without significant delay. For couples and individuals who have already given so much time to this journey, that matters more than almost anything else.
Em and Julie’s story, UK, lesbian couple with repeated failed IVF and IUI treatments, at IVF Spain: “We both had treatments using our own eggs in the UK, but if you want to use donor eggs don’t do it in the UK. For a lot of reasons, the UK is the worst place to undergo treatment with donor eggs mainly because of the high cost of treatment, typically 20 times more expensive than in other countries.”
Laura and Ian’s story, 41, UK, recurrent miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, received KIR-HLA-C matched egg donation at IVF Spain: “Anonymity means we have a chance to become parents. Without it there’d be a shortage of donors like there is in the UK.”
World-class laboratory technology
Spain’s fertility clinics invest heavily in laboratory technology. Time-lapse embryo monitoring, genetic testing before transfer, and advanced vitrification protocols are widely available, and patients regularly comment on the quality and modernity of clinic facilities compared to what they had experienced at home.
Stéphanie and Joël’s story, 38, Canada, poor egg quality and recurrent miscarriage, welcomed baby Celeste following egg donation IVF at UR Vistahermosa: “Even the medication they gave us, since it’s a hospital, we could get the medication from their own pharmacy. So that’s very convenient.”
Who IVF in Spain is best for Who Is IVF in Spain Best Suited For?
Spain’s combination of legal inclusivity, clinical depth, and donor availability makes it a particularly strong fit for certain patient groups. IVF in Spain is a strong match if:
- You are an international patient seeking top-rated fertility treatment at affordable cost
- You need IVF with egg donation, embryo donation, or other complex treatment pathways
- Previous cycles have not worked and you are still searching for answers: leading Spanish clinics treat patients with multiple failed cycles elsewhere
- You are of advanced maternal age, a single mother, part of a same-sex female couple, or an LGBTQ+ patient
- You want access to PGT-A genetic testing, advanced immunological workup, or other specialist diagnostics not routinely available in your home country
Who may want to consider alternatives:
- Patients who want known or open egg donation
- Patients for whom the cost of travel and accommodation adds up compared to local alternatives
Final verdict
Spain has a lot to offer couples who are considering fertility treatment abroad. The medical standards are high, the care feels personal, and the clinics are experienced in looking after patients from all over the world.
FAQ
These are the questions patients ask most often when considering IVF in Spain.
What are IVF Spain’s success rates?
For IVF with egg donation, established Spanish clinics report clinical pregnancy rates of around 70% per transfer on average. For a closer look at success rates by age group and treatment type, find out more about IVF in Spain.
How much does IVF cost in Spain?
IVF with egg donation in Spain typically starts from around €6,000 per cycle. Take a closer look at what that figure usually covers.
