10 Countries that Made Surrogacy Process Legal
Surrogacy is a way of having a baby in which a woman (surrogate mother) consents to carry a pregnancy for the intended parent(s) who are desiring to have the baby but cannot conceive and carry the pregnancy for medical reasons or those who are an LGBTQIA+ couple or single fathers by choice. The Surrogacy process can be emotionally challenging both for the intended parents and surrogate mother. But this journey is designed for making the dream of having a baby true, thus, being emotional, challenging, and complicated, it is an amazing experience because at the end of the journey intended mother/father or the couple, or LGBTQIA+ couple is having their Bundle of joy.
Unfortunately, in many European countries, and in many other countries in the world Surrogacy is banned. There are few countries in the world where Surrogacy is legal. And even fewer countries where Surrogacy is legal for singles, unmarried couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples. The surrogacy law varies from country to country including handling of Surrogacy Cases, and some countries are taking many positive steps toward making Surrogacy legal. Introducing 10 countries where Surrogacy is possible for singles, married and unmarried couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples.
Surrogacy in Albania
Remaining one of Europe’s best–kept secrets, Albania has no legal framework and no rules governing Surrogacy, thus, it is neither permitted nor banned. For this reason, the Albanian Fertility Clinics and Surrogacy Agencies can offer programs to married or not heterosexual couples, single men, single women, and LGBTQIA+ couples both married or not.
The genetic makeup of the embryo transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus always consists of the genetic material taken from the intended parents’ sperm and eggs, or, if the couple faces severe female factor infertility or it is an LGBTQIA+ couple, the donor’s eggs can be used. After the baby is born, the name of the surrogate mother and the baby’s genetic father will be on the Birth Certificate. And one more thing to consider before starting the Surrogacy process in Albania: the baby must be adopted by the intended parent or parents. Adoption involves both getting the consent of the Adoption Committee and having a court hearing before obtaining the baby’s legal paternity and travel documents.
Access to Surrogacy in Albania is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married and unmarried heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Albania:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Armenia
Amazing and culturally vibrant Armenia is one of the attractive and easily reached destinations chosen by couples for Surrogacy as Gestational Commercial Surrogacy, as well as anonymous Egg Donation, are legal in Armenia. Being the go–to medical hub both for Armenians and foreigners, this destination has limited eligibility criteria for intended parents allowing only married heterosexual couples to use the Surrogacy Services. Neither the surrogate mother nor the egg donor has parental rights over the newborn born through Surrogacy. And after the baby is born, the baby’s Certificate is issued with the intended parents’ names on it.
Access to Surrogacy in Armenia is allowed for:
- Married heterosexual couples
Access to Surrogacy in Armenia is prohibited for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Armenia:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Canada
Being the second largest country in the world, Canada is a cosmopolitan Surrogacy Hub both for Canadians and foreigners who need Surrogacy Services for making their family complete as some of its provinces have Surrogacy legislation that allows Altruistic Surrogacy. Although Canadian law prohibits paying a surrogate mother for her services including offering compensation to a surrogate mother, it is legal to reimburse a surrogate mother for her reasonable surrogacy–related expenses (IVF fees, fees covering pregnancy and delivery expenses, and lost wages fees).
Access to Surrogacy in Canada is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Canada:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Colombia
Being one of the hottest up–and–coming destinations in South America with clear waters and blond sands backed by palm trees, Colombia is one of the most loyal countries for many singles and couples looking for Surrogacy services. Although there are no specific laws for Surrogacy in Colombia, there are not any bans on Surrogacy either. The Colombian constitution does not allow discrimination, so all singles, heterosexual couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples are eligible as long as they have a genetic link to the baby. Surrogacy in Colombia is lawful only if it is altruistic (expenses only can be paid); the surrogate mother’s oocytes cannot be used for creating the embryos, and if there is a physiological problem conceiving stated in the Medical Certificate.
Access to Surrogacy in Colombia is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Colombia:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Cyprus
Cyprus is possibly one of the most beautiful destinations for having both holiday and Surrogacy. Easily accessible by international flights, with the sweeping curve of beaches with soft white to golden sand backed by a green lawn of palm trees and turquoise water, this country is a hub of medical tourism for many singles and couples who would like to do Surrogacy in a stress–free environment. In Cyprus there is no regulation on Surrogacy, that is why, Fertility Clinics and Surrogacy Agencies accept to transfer embryos from intended parents to a surrogate mother, without breaking any law. An extra bonus of this destination is that it is open to all who are seeking Surrogacy Services: single mothers by choice, single fathers by choice, heterosexual couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples.
Access to Surrogacy in Cyprus is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
- HIV–positive singles/couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Cyprus:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Georgia
Georgia is one of a few European countries that allow International Surrogacy. It has a unique IVF and Surrogacy legislation, which makes it an ideal destination for Georgian and international couples seeking IVF Treatment or considering Surrogacy. Georgian legislation prohibits the Gestational Surrogate mother to keep the baby after delivery, and only the names of the intended parents are written on the baby’s Birth Certificate which is issued just one day after the baby has been born.
Access to Surrogacy in Georgia is allowed for:
- Married heterosexual couples
Access to Surrogacy in Georgia is prohibited for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Georgia:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Greece
The European country with endless sea views, Mediterranean landscapes, and glittering crystal–clear waters that sparkle in the sunshine, stunning beaches, white and pink–sand shores, so much preferred by single women and heterosexual couples who are looking for Surrogacy services. Greece legalized altruistic Surrogacy and Egg Donation services in 2002, but the intended parent or the couple should pay for the IVF, pregnancy and delivery expenses of the surrogate mother in addition to the restitution of damages and lost wages for any unpaid leave of absence during the pregnancy.
Access to Surrogacy in Greece is allowed for:
- Singles (single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- Unmarried heterosexual couples
Access to Surrogacy in Greece is prohibited for:
- Singles (single men)
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Greece:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Mexico
With beautiful powder–soft golden–to–white–sand beaches backed by deep blue and turquoise waves and plenty of fun to be had like spending the holiday staring into the brilliant turquoise hues of the Caribbean Sea or having a surf–focused vacation, Mexico is an amazing destination for intended parents who are ready to start a Surrogacy journey. Unlike most countries in the world, Mexico is open to singles, couples, LGBTQIA+ couples, and HIV–positive singles/couples looking for Surrogacy Services. According to Mexican legislation, only certain states such as Tabasco have banned Surrogacy Services. In other states like Cancun, Mexico City, Quintana Roo Mexico–only and International Surrogacy Programs continue to be offered to everyone seeking Surrogacy.
Access to Surrogacy in Mexico is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
- HIV–positive singles/couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Mexico:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in Ukraine
As the largest country in Europe, Ukraine offers many Surrogacy Agencies for Ukrainian and international couples seeking Fertility Treatment. The only legal option is Commercial Gestation Surrogacy but only for married heterosexual couples, meaning that the surrogate mother cannot be genetically linked with the baby she carries, and the embryos must be created using the mother’s–to–be or the donor’s oocytes and the father’s–to–be sperm. Ukrainian law states that the baby belongs to the intended parents only and the surrogate mother has no parental rights. Both intended parents’ names will be on the Ukrainian birth certificate.
Access to Surrogacy in Ukraine is allowed for:
- Married heterosexual couples
Access to Surrogacy in Ukraine is prohibited for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- LGBTQIA+ couples
Surrogacy Programs available in Ukraine:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
Surrogacy in the United States
With so many opportunities to start a Surrogacy journey in this vast country, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to planning a trip and booking flights in the United States. Surrogacy Laws in the US vary from state to state making it possible for all types of Surrogacy Services to be offered for US and non–US citizens. Although the US is one of the most Surrogacy–friendly countries in the world open to singles, heterosexual couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples, there are some states that banned Surrogacy, and the other states can be more or less Surrogacy friendly.
Access to Surrogacy in the United States is allowed for:
- Singles (single men and single women)
- Married heterosexual couples
- LGBTQIA+ couples
- HIV–positive singles/couples
Surrogacy Programs available in the United States:
- Surrogacy using own gametes
- Surrogacy with Egg Donation
- Surrogacy with Sperm Donation
- Surrogacy with Frozen Embryo Transfer
The Surrogacy Process continues to be a leading topic. Welcoming a baby born via Surrogacy involves following a legal process as stated by the government where Surrogacy is done. Although in the most countries Surrogacy is banned, there are a few countries where it is legal, or where it is neither permitted nor prohibited. It is highly encouraging, that some countries shape the New Surrogacy Law and Executive Regulations to take many positive steps to make the Surrogacy process legal, which will ultimately lead to better outcomes and increased fertility rates. The developments in the Surrogacy Law showcase the desire of the countries to progress and innovate and their commitment to becoming leaders in global fertility care.