{"id":107378,"date":"2022-01-07T17:46:28","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:46:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=107378"},"modified":"2022-04-12T17:35:10","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:35:10","slug":"regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Regulations and Legislation in Assisted Reproduction in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Back in 2015, over 157,000 children in Europe were born because of assisted reproduction technology techniques. Now in the early 2020s, we can be confident that the figure is even higher. Nevertheless, the lack of a Europe-wide monitoring agency means that we cannot quantify the figure exactly. The fact is that there is no Europe-wide regulatory agency for fertility treatment. <strong>Legislation in Assisted Reproduction<\/strong> may change in every country.\u00a0However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eshre.eu\/\">European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)<\/a> is making significant strides to collate information through an interactive map covering 47 countries. Currently, each country has its own legislative framework relating to who can access fertility treatment, which treatments are available, whether sperm and egg donation are permitted, and if so, whether anonymity is guaranteed or outlawed.<\/p>\n<p>In this IVI blog article, we are looking at some of some of the disparities between European countries, which reproductive technology techniques are allowed or forbidden, and where in Europe you might consider for the treatment of your choice and needs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Some_disparities_between_legislation_in_Assisted_Reproduction\" title=\"Some disparities between legislation in Assisted Reproduction\">Some disparities between legislation in Assisted Reproduction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Egg_and_sperm_donation_and_anonymity\" title=\"Egg and sperm donation and anonymity\">Egg and sperm donation and anonymity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Donor_age_rules\" title=\"Donor age rules\">Donor age rules<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Access_to_assisted_reproductive_technology_in_Europe\" title=\"Access to assisted reproductive technology in Europe\">Access to assisted reproductive technology in Europe<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Preservation_of_fertility\" title=\"Preservation of fertility\">Preservation of fertility<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Which_reproductive_technology_techniques_are_allowed_in_which_countries\" title=\"Which reproductive technology techniques are allowed in which countries?\">Which reproductive technology techniques are allowed in which countries?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Where_in_Europe_is_best_for_different_reproduction_technology_techniques\" title=\"Where in Europe is best for different reproduction technology techniques?\">Where in Europe is best for different reproduction technology techniques?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/#Finding_out_more_about_IVI\" title=\"Finding out more about IVI\">Finding out more about IVI<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_disparities_between_legislation_in_Assisted_Reproduction\"><\/span><strong>Some disparities between legislation in Assisted Reproduction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The area of assisted reproduction is regulated by law in most European countries.\u00a0However , although there has been some shift towards uniformity, there is still wide variation in what that legislation specifies. For example, there are wide disparities in rules around the anonymity of donor gametes. This concerns also the access to treatment by age and relationship status, and techniques for the preservation of fertility.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Egg_and_sperm_donation_and_anonymity\"><\/span><strong>Egg and sperm donation and anonymity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most European countries do allow the donation of gametes but there are inconsistencies between egg and sperm. Sperm donation (and therefore the use of donor sperm in fertility treatments) is allowed in 20 of the 27 European Union states. Egg donation is only allowed in 17 member states. Of those that do allow the donation of gametes, there is yet more variety between states on whether anonymity is allowed. Guaranteed anonymity is the law in 18 countries including France and Spain but in other countries, although the recipient can remain anonymous, resulting children can gain access to full information about the donor when they reach a certain age. This applies in Switzerland, Germany, Malta and Finland as well as the (non-EU) UK.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Donor_age_rules\"><\/span><strong>Donor age rules<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most countries set limits for the age of donors. It is fixed most typically in a minimum of 18 and an upper limit of 40. The maximum ranges from 34 in Serbia, 38 in France, but the majority set the upper limit at 35.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access_to_assisted_reproductive_technology_in_Europe\"><\/span><strong>Access to assisted reproductive technology in Europe<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The issue of access is one in which we see a wide variety of regulations. In some countries, including France and Italy, assisted reproduction can only be offered to heterosexual couples. In the case of France, this is limited to couples who can demonstrate either serious illness or medical infertility. All women can access treatment in 10 European countries. In 10 other countries only heterosexual couples are eligible. Of women not in a heterosexual relationship, in Austria, only lesbian couples can benefit, and in 7 other countries, only single women.<\/p>\n<p>Spain was the first European country to open infertility treatment to all women, as well as its first sperm bank. More recently there has been further progress in access. Portugal amended its legislation in 2016 to allow all women, including single women and lesbian couples, to access fertility treatment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preservation_of_fertility\"><\/span><strong>Preservation of fertility<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The comparative slowness of some European countries to recognize the rights of single women and lesbian couples to access fertility treatment may explain why the development of the <a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/preservation-fertility\/\">preservation of fertility<\/a> techniques such as egg freezing have not been as widespread as, for example, <a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/in-vitro-fertilisation\/\">in vitro fertilisation (IVF)<\/a>. The freezing of eggs and sperm for medical reasons such as impending cancer treatment which could damage the patient\u2019s fertility is allowed in all countries. However, fertility preservation for social rather than medical reasons is allowed in Germany, Switzerland, Spain (and the UK). It remains banned in several member states including Austria, France, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Serbia and Slovenia.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_reproductive_technology_techniques_are_allowed_in_which_countries\"><\/span><strong>Which reproductive technology techniques are allowed in which countries?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Again, we see a wide range of rules that apply in different countries. In terms of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF for example, although donor sperm is allowed in most countries, egg donation is not allowed in some including Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey. Genetic testing of embryos, known as PGT-A, are available in Spain and the UK. They are not allowed in Denmark, France, Germany, and other countries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_in_Europe_is_best_for_different_reproduction_technology_techniques\"><\/span><strong>Where in Europe is best for different reproduction technology techniques?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At IVI, we have clinics in Spain, the UK, Portugal, and Italy. The <strong>assisted reproduction legislation<\/strong> governing treatments are all different, but all allow different types of services depending on the patient\u2019s needs. For example, if you need fertility treatment with donated eggs or sperm and you would feel more comfortable with an anonymous service, Spain\u2019s regulatory framework allows for this whereas it is not allowed in the UK or Portugal. However not all fertility treatment necessitates the use of donor eggs and standard IVF or IUI treatment can be accessed in any of these countries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_out_more_about_IVI\"><\/span><strong>Finding out more about IVI<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Clearly, a potential patient won\u2019t know which country in Europe they should choose for their fertility treatment until they have had a diagnosis and expert advice. We have more than 35 IVI clinics throughout Europe. Of these, 11 IVI clinics in Spain offer a specialist English-language service, together with an English-speaking mentor to accompany you through every step of your treatment journey. You can find out more by contacting us using our <a href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/ask-for-an-appointment\/\">online contact form<\/a>. You\u2019ll find a warm welcome and easy access to all the information you need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Back in 2015, over 157,000 children in Europe were born because of assisted reproduction technology techniques. Now in the early 2020s, we can be confident that the figure is even higher. Nevertheless, the lack of a Europe-wide monitoring agency means that we cannot quantify the figure exactly. The fact is that there is no Europe-wide&#8230; <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/regulations-legislation-assisted-reproduction-europe\/\">View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":107379,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[218,64],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Regulations and Legislation in Assisted Reproduction in Europe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The area of assisted reproduction is regulated by law in most European countries. 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