Rising Costs Driving Fertility Tourism
In the world of assisted fertility, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is nothing new, according to a recent story on voxxi.com
And for women 40 and over, donor egg IVF – where eggs from a younger, more fertile donor are fertilised with the partner’s sperm, cultivated, and then transferred to the prospective mom’s uterus – is often the only hope for achieving pregnancy.
But for US couples whose health insurance doesn’t cover infertility, the costs of these treatments can be prohibitively expensive; IVF with an egg donor costs an average of $30,000. That’s per try, pregnant or not pregnant, at the outcome.
So increasingly, in a trend labelled fertility tourism, more and more couples are looking outside the US in their quest for a baby, to countries where the medical technology is on par with the States and the costs are significantly less.
Fertility Travel Destinations and Cost Savings
Take a vacation, come home pregnant
In Europe, clinics in the Czech Republic and clinics in Spain currently vie for English-speaking patients; those seeking blond-haired, blue-eyed donors head east, while those seeking dark-haired donors with brown or green eyes head for the Mediterranean.
Donors are mostly young college students looking for extra money to pay tuition. Clinics have English-speaking staff and are located, not by accident, in desirable tourist locales – in major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, and in coastal resorts such as Valencia, Alicante, and even the Canary Islands.
So, foreign couples can mix purpose with pleasure by making the required clinic visits, taking time for some sightseeing and relaxation, and hopefully, flying home with a proverbial bun in the oven. And even with a week to 10 days’ travel costs and the US$ to euro conversion factored in, a fertility vacation can still come out a lot cheaper than treatment in the US.
In Spain, IVF with donor eggs costs between €7,000 and €10,000 per cycle. Even at the worst currency exchange rate and peak season travel, a couple can save at least $10,000 by travelling to Spain for treatment.
Some clinics, like URVistaHermosa in Alicante, offer a refund program in which clients pay for three donor egg cycles up front (at a discounted rate). If no pregnancy is achieved after the third cycle, 30% of that money is refunded.
And the clinic claims it has never had to give a refund.
IVF Practices and Success Rates Abroad
No Octomoms allowed!
In Spain, as in the US and other countries, current practice at most clinics is to transfer blastocysts, embryos that have been grown outside the uterus for 5 days. Though fewer fertilised eggs arrive at the blastocyst stage, those that survive the 5-day growth period have a very good chance of implanting in the uterus and turning into viable pregnancies.
To reduce the incidence of multiple births (twins, triplets, or more), Spanish law prohibits the transfer of more than three embryos, and most clinics strongly urge patients to transfer just two.
Virtually every Spanish clinic boasts a first-time success rate of 60-70% with donor egg IVF, so if those numbers are to be believed, couples opting for fertility tourism have a very good chance of bringing back an extra special souvenir.
Why Do People Travel for IVF?
Many couples travel for IVF because fertility treatment abroad can offer lower costs, shorter waiting times, and better access to donor programmes. For many patients, this is the main reason behind the rise in fertility tourism. In some countries, IVF is expensive or not covered by insurance, which limits access. Travelling abroad allows patients to receive treatment at a lower cost while still accessing experienced clinics and modern medical care.
Another factor is availability. Patients considering egg donation abroad often find a wider selection of donors and faster matching times, which helps move treatment forward without long delays. Legal restrictions also influence decisions. Some procedures or donor options are not available in a patient’s home country, which leads them to seek treatment internationally.
How Long Does IVF Abroad Take?
The timeline for IVF abroad depends on the treatment plan, but most cycles take between one and three weeks in the destination country. This timeframe is one of the key factors influencing fertility tourism decisions. The process usually starts with an initial consultation and medical review, which can often be done remotely before travel. Once in the country, patients begin the treatment cycle, which includes monitoring, egg fertilisation, and embryo transfer.
After the procedure, patients may stay a few days for observation before returning home. In some cases, especially those involving egg donation abroad, the process may require less time in-country because parts of the process are completed in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fertility Tourism Legal?
Yes, fertility tourism is legal in many countries, but regulations differ based on location and treatment type. Some countries have strict rules around donor anonymity, embryo transfer limits, and eligibility.
Which Country Is Best For IVF Treatment?
The best country for IVF depends on your priorities. Factors include treatment cost, clinic experience, success rates, legal requirements, and donor availability. Patients often compare destinations based on affordability and access to specific procedures.
Are IVF Success Rates The Same Worldwide?
IVF success rates vary between clinics and countries. They depend on factors such as patient age, medical history, and the type of treatment used. While some clinics report high success rates, it is important to review verified data and understand what those figures include.
Do You Need To Travel Multiple Times for IVF Abroad?
Some IVF treatments can be completed in a single trip, while others may require more than one visit. The number of trips depends on the treatment plan, medical preparation, and whether donor eggs or frozen embryos are used.
