Non-Anonymous Egg Donation in Portugal: How It Works and What You Need to Know

Egg donation is an assisted reproduction treatment that allows many women to fulfill their wish of becoming mothers when pregnancy with their own eggs is not possible. In Portugal, this treatment is carried out within a very specific legal framework: egg donation is not anonymous.

This concept often raises questions and concerns. What does non-anonymous donation actually mean? Who has access to the donor’s identity? Are there any legal rights or responsibilities?

In this article, we explain how non-anonymous egg donation works in Portugal, what the law says, and what the treatment involves in practice.

What Does Non-Anonymous Egg Donation Mean in Portugal?

In Portugal, since April 2018, all gamete donations have been carried out under a non-anonymous system, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.

It is important to understand what this means in practice. During fertility treatment:

• The donor remains anonymous to the recipient.
• The recipient remains anonymous to the donor.
• All information is handled with strict confidentiality and data protection.

The key difference lies in the rights of the person born through donation. Once they turn 18, they may request access to the donor’s identity through the National Council for Medically Assisted Procreation (CNPMA), if they wish.

Does the Donor Have Any Rights or Responsibilities Over the Child?

No. An egg donor does not acquire any legal rights or responsibilities over the child born through the treatment.

This legal framework ensures peace of mind for everyone involved, making it clear that parenthood belongs exclusively to the individual or couple undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.

How Is Confidentiality Maintained During Treatment?

Even though the law establishes a non-anonymous system, confidentiality is preserved throughout all stages of treatment.

During the process, the recipient only receives non-identifying information about the donor, such as:

• General physical characteristics
• Blood type
• Relevant medical information

The donor’s identity is not disclosed to the recipient, nor is the recipient’s identity revealed to the donor. All care is provided with full respect for privacy and data protection.

What Is Egg Donation and How Does the Treatment Work?

Egg donation is recommended for patients who cannot create an embryo using their own eggs. This may be due to advanced maternal age, low ovarian reserve, ovarian failure, or other medical reasons.

In this treatment, eggs from a donor are fertilised in the laboratory using in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The sperm used may come from the recipient’s partner or, in the case of women who wish to become single mothers, from a donor.

After fertilisation, the embryo is transferred into the patient’s uterus, where pregnancy can develop.

How Are Egg Donors Selected?

The selection of egg donors is a thorough and carefully controlled process carried out by multidisciplinary teams, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and laboratory professionals.

The process includes:

• An information session about donation
• Assessment of personal and family medical history
• Evaluation of lifestyle, motivation, and ability to commit
• Psychological assessment
• Gynaecological examinations
• Blood tests and genetic screening

This rigorous process ensures safe, responsible treatments that meet high quality standards.

Embryo Transfer in a Natural Cycle

One of the most important advances in egg donation treatments is embryo transfer in a natural cycle. This approach respects the patient’s natural menstrual cycle, reducing the need for hormonal medication and making the treatment more physiological.

IVI has been a pioneer in this method, as well as in promoting single embryo transfer per cycle, a practice that supports safer pregnancies.

Benefits of the Natural Cycle

Embryo transfer in a natural cycle may be associated with:

• A reduced risk of preeclampsia
• A lower likelihood of cesarean section
• A decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage

This protocol may be recommended for egg donation recipients, patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer, or those having Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). Each case is always assessed individually.

Success Rates of Egg Donation Treatment

Egg donation is one of the assisted reproduction treatments with the highest success rates.

At IVI, the cumulative success rate reaches 99% after three attempts, reflecting the quality of the egg bank, the rigorous selection of donors, and the use of advanced laboratory technology.

Final Thoughts

Non-anonymous egg donation in Portugal is a safe and carefully regulated treatment. The legal framework protects all parties involved, ensuring confidentiality during treatment and clarity regarding the future rights of the person born.

With medical and psychological support and personalised treatment protocols, egg donation is now an option with high success rates and peace of mind for patients.

Would you like to learn more about non-anonymous egg donation in Portugal? Book a consultation and speak to our specialised team.

Dr. Samuel Santos-Ribeiro M.D.

Clinician and researcher in reproductive medicine, focused on male infertility, sperm physiology, and translational andrology.

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