What IVF with donor eggs abroad really costs

Headline clinic quotes and realistic final budgets are rarely the same number. This page compares base cost ranges across the 8 covered countries, explains what quotes usually include, and shows what tends to push the total upward.

8countries compared
€4,900where lower-cost ranges begin
€5,500–€9,000typical mid-range base quotes
Quoted pricefinal spend is often higher

Before you compare prices

A clinic quote is not your final cost. Medications, add-ons, and travel can push the total well above the base price.

Comparing clinic A at €6,500 with clinic B at €8,500 is meaningless unless you understand what each quote includes. Budget planning matters more than price shopping.

Budget for more than one attempt. Many patients need more than one transfer to achieve a pregnancy. That changes the real number to plan around.

Find the right page for your budget

Choose the page that matches your budget question.

Budget-constrained path

Under €10,000

Which countries and cycle types make a total under €10,000 realistic, and what trade-offs to expect.

Go to under €10,000 →

When budget stops being the filter

When budget stops being the main filter

What a higher budget actually changes, and why donor type, age limits, and regulation often matter more than price once basic affordability is no longer the constraint.

Go to when budget stops being the main filter →

What the quote misses

Hidden costs

The costs most commonly left out of clinic quotes, including medications, testing, and frozen embryo transfers.

Go to hidden costs →

Why quotes differ

What affects price

The factors that move a quote up or down, from donor type to cycle structure and add-ons.

Go to what affects price →

Cost ranges across the 8 covered countries

Ranges below are editorial estimates of the base clinic package as typically published.1 They do not include recipient medication, which is billed separately at most clinics. Recipient medication typically adds €150–€1,050 depending on the country and protocol.

CountryBandRealistic rangeTypical reason
Czech RepublicLower€4,900–€6,500Established clinics; couples only; closes at 49
North CyprusLower€5,000–€7,000Flexible eligibility rules; outside EU regulatory framework
SpainMid€5,500–€8,000Large donor pool; anonymous only
GreeceMid€5,500–€8,000Flexible age limits; extends to 54
South AfricaMid€5,500–€8,500Mid-range base cost; long-haul travel adds materially to the total
PortugalMid€6,000–€9,000Identifiable donors only; closes at 50
DenmarkMid€5,500–€9,000Donor type choice; closes at 46
United KingdomHigher€9,500–€13,500Identifiable only; HFEA regulated; costs clearly above the rest

A quoted price is a floor, not a ceiling. Once medication, testing, and travel are added, the real total often rises well above the base figure.

The gap between country bands is often smaller than it looks. PGT-A, cycle type, and the number of transfers can affect your final spend more than the country itself.

What a clinic quote usually includes

Most clinic quotes cover the core treatment package. What is included varies by clinic.

Clinic treatment fee
Donor costs (screening, medication, compensation, egg lot) at most clinics
Laboratory work and embryo culture
Embryo transfer
Basic recipient monitoring

Items such as recipient medication, genetic testing, embryo freezing, additional transfers, and legal documentation are often priced separately.

What usually gets added later

These costs are often absent from the headline quote but appear before or during treatment. See the hidden costs guide for a full itemized breakdown.

Medications
Recipient medications Estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes GnRH to suppress your cycle. Excluded from almost all published clinic prices. Typically €150–€1,050 depending on country and protocol. Confirm the exact cost with your clinic before committing.
Laboratory and testing
PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) Optional embryo testing before transfer. Priced in two parts: a biopsy fee (typically €370–€1,000 at most clinics, though combined packages can reach €2,000–€3,000) plus a per-embryo charge (typically €250–€465 each). Not included in most base quotes.
Lab add-ons Time-lapse incubation (€280–€900), assisted hatching (€230–€500), and embryo glue (€200–€500) are optional and clinic-dependent. Choosing several at once can add €700–€1,500 to the total.
Legal and administrative
Legal costs In some jurisdictions, a notarial deed may be required for single women and unmarried couples. Costs can also include certified translations and official translator fees.
Screening and consultation fees Some clinics charge separately for initial consultations (typically €110–€500 at most clinics). Infectious disease screening costs €80–€610 depending on what is required and where. North Cyprus clinics commonly add mandatory health screening of €300–€450 on top of the base package price.
Travel and accommodation
Flights and accommodation Usually one to two trips for most patients. Long-haul destinations such as South Africa add more. Costs vary widely by origin and trip length.
Future transfers
Embryo storage The first year of storage is sometimes included in the package price. Where it is not, first-year storage typically costs €150–€420. From year two, annual storage typically costs €120–€425 depending on the clinic and country.
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) If a second attempt is needed from stored embryos, a frozen embryo transfer costs much less than starting a new donor cycle. Typically €1,000–€2,100 across most European countries, rising to €2,275+ in the UK.

Typical patient budgets

These are illustrative examples, not guaranteed prices. They show how a starting quote can grow once common costs are added.

Lower-cost path
Countries likeN. Cyprus, Czech Rep.
Starting quote~€5,000–€7,000
Recipient medications€150–€600
Travel (one trip)€500–€1,500
Realistic total~€6,000–€9,500

A lower base does not always mean a much lower final spend. Medication and travel can narrow the gap with mid-range options.

Mid-range path
Countries likeSpain, Greece, Portugal
Starting quote~€6,000–€8,000
Medications€200–€600
PGT-A testing€1,000–€2,500
Travel (one to two trips)€1,000–€2,500
Realistic total~€8,500–€14,000

A common path once testing or a specific country benefit is added. Add-ons can widen the total fast.

Higher-cost path
Countries likeDenmark, UK
Starting quote~€9,000–€13,500
Medications€500–€1,500
Additional screening€500–€1,500
Legal and admin€500–€1,500
Realistic total~€11,000–€18,000+

Higher base costs often reflect regulation, donor system, and package structure. The UK remains the clear top-cost outlier.

Plan for more than one attempt

First-transfer success is not guaranteed. Many patients need more than one attempt, and the budget impact depends on what kind of second attempt is needed.

FET from surplus embryos

If extra embryos were frozen during the first cycle, a frozen embryo transfer costs substantially less than starting again. The main costs are medication, monitoring, and the transfer fee.

New donor cycle

If no frozen embryos remain, a second attempt means starting the full process again, at close to full cost. This usually has the biggest budget impact.

Guarantee programs

Some clinics offer multi-transfer packages with refund or inclusion terms. These cost more upfront but can lower the per-attempt cost. Terms vary and should be read carefully.

Paying per cycle means lower upfront cost but more uncertainty about the total. A guarantee program costs more upfront but can put a clearer ceiling on the downside.

Reading the cost landscape

Where to go next

Cost narrows the field, but it does not make the decision on its own. Use the pages below to compare cycle type, weigh success rates, apply eligibility filters, or narrow your shortlist.

Frozen vs fresh donor cycle · Success rates · Eligibility overview

Compare all 8 countries · Build a shortlist

  1. These are editorial estimates of the base clinic package as typically published. They do not include recipient medication, travel, accommodation, optional add-ons, or extra procedures.