- You want to compare all 8 countries side by side before building a shortlist
- You have a clear constraint such as age, donor type, access, or budget, and want to rule out countries quickly
- You've already narrowed options and want to understand the key trade-offs before deciding
Country comparison at a glance
| Country | Age limit | Single women | Donor type | Est. base range2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Spain | ~50 | Yes | Anonymous | €5,500–€8,000 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 49 | Couples only | Anonymous | €4,900–€6,500 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | 54 | Yes | Mixed3 | €5,500–€8,000 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 50 | Yes | Identifiable | €6,000–€9,000 |
| 🇨🇾 North Cyprus | ~58 | Yes | Anonymous | €5,000–€7,000 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 46 | Yes | Choice | €5,500–€9,000 |
| 🇬🇧 UK | ~50 | Yes | Identifiable | €9,500–€13,500 |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | ~50 | Yes | Anonymous | €5,500–€8,500 |
What stands out immediately
Most patients have one or two clear constraints that rule out three or four countries. These are the patterns that separate options fastest.
Denmark closes earliest. It limits treatment to women under 46, which is stricter than every other covered destination. At 46 or above, Denmark is immediately out.
Czech Republic excludes single women by law. This is not a clinic policy. It is written into national law. Single women cannot access treatment there regardless of which clinic they approach.
Portugal and the UK are identifiable-only. If anonymous donation is required, both are ruled out immediately. If identifiable donation is required, they are the strongest options alongside Denmark.
Greece and North Cyprus remain the clearest options past 50, but with different trade-offs. Greece stays within a more established European framework. North Cyprus extends further on age, but outside the EU regulatory framework.
The UK stands apart on price. At €9,500–€13,500 base, it costs significantly more than any other covered destination. The premium reflects the regulatory environment, not outcome data.
If age is your first filter
Age limits apply at embryo transfer, not when you first contact a clinic. Factor in time for medical screening and donor matching before making assumptions about eligibility.
No countries are closed at this age. Your shortlist depends on other constraints: donor type, single-women access, cost, or travel.
Denmark limits treatment to women under 46. At 46 or above it is excluded. The remaining seven countries stay open at this age, subject to individual health assessment.
Czech Republic does not offer treatment above 49. From this age it is excluded. Most other countries remain nominally open around 50, but individual health assessment applies at every clinic.
Above 50, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and South Africa are no longer standard options. Greece (to 54) and North Cyprus (to around 58) are the most clearly open destinations, though both involve additional steps. Greece requires a national permit for patients aged 50 to 54.
Above 54, North Cyprus is the only covered destination that commonly accepts patients to around 58. Individual health assessment still applies, and treatment takes place outside the EU regulatory framework.
If single-women access matters
Seven of the eight covered countries allow single women to access treatment. The exception is Czech Republic, which restricts access to heterosexual couples by law.
Czech Republic excludes single women. This is written into national law (Act No. 373/2011), not set by individual clinics. Single women cannot access egg donation treatment in the Czech Republic regardless of which clinic they contact.
Individual clinics in any country may still assess medical eligibility before accepting a patient.
If donor type is non-negotiable
Donor anonymity rules are set by national law, not clinic policy. This filter eliminates countries quickly for users who have a firm preference.
Spain, Czech Republic, North Cyprus, South Africa
Anonymous donation is required by law. Children have no legal right to access the donor's identity as adults.
Portugal, UK
Identifiable donation is required by law. Children can request donor identity information when they reach adulthood.
Denmark
Danish law allows both anonymous and identifiable donation. Recipients can choose at the clinic.
Greece
Open-ID donation is possible in law, but most clinics still operate mainly with anonymous donor pools.
For a fuller comparison of how each system works, see anonymous vs identifiable donors.
If budget is a major constraint
Estimated base ranges below are the clinic package as typically published, excluding recipient medication.2 Recipient medication is billed separately at most clinics and typically adds €150–€1,050 depending on the country and protocol.
If donor diversity matters
Donor ethnicity availability is editorial guidance, not a verified fixed field. Availability varies by clinic, by active donor recruitment, and by the specific match required.
One of the stronger covered options for broader donor diversity, especially for users seeking Black donor availability. Access still varies by clinic.
May be stronger than several European alternatives for diverse donor profiles. Comes with significantly higher cost and, often, longer waiting times.
Spain, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, North Cyprus, and Denmark tend to have donor pools strongest for Caucasian profiles. For non-Caucasian matches, availability is often more limited and more clinic-dependent.
For more detail on donor diversity by country, see Black egg donors abroad.
The trade-offs that drive the decision
After applying the filters above, most patients are left with two or three realistic options. These are the country-level trade-offs that typically determine the final shortlist.
Unique in offering genuine donor-type choice, but closes earliest on age. Under 46, it is worth considering. Over 46, it is out.
The strongest lower-cost option for identifiable donation. Suitable for single women and couples within the age limit. Matching may take longer than in anonymous-only destinations.
Identifiable donation in a well-regulated environment. Materially more expensive than Portugal for the same donor type, and often slower. The cost difference reflects the regulatory structure, not outcome differences.
Strong for patients over 50, with a legal limit of 54 and relatively affordable treatment. Open-ID donation exists in law but is not reliably available at most clinics. Patients aged 50 to 54 need a national permit before treatment can begin.3
The highest age limit of all covered destinations and one of the lowest costs. The main trade-off: treatment takes place outside the EU regulatory framework. Strongest fit when age access and cost are the primary constraints.
Affordable anonymous donation for eligible heterosexual couples under 49. Single women are excluded by law. For couples within the age and eligibility criteria, it is one of the stronger lower-cost options in Europe.
A large established donor pool with efficient anonymous-only donation. Broad clinic choice and reliable access for most users within the age limit. Costs are higher than the lower-cost alternatives.
One of the stronger covered options for donor diversity, particularly for Black and mixed-race donor matching. The main trade-off is distance: travel adds logistics, time, and total cost.
Use the sections above to rule out countries that clearly do not fit. Most patients narrow to two or three realistic options at this stage. Next, compare those countries more closely through the individual country pages or the country shortlist.
- Age is measured at embryo transfer. Allow time for donor matching and cycle preparation.
- 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.
- Greek law allows anonymous and identity-release donors, but most clinics still primarily operate with anonymous donor pools.