What factors affect surrogacycost? Due to technology advancements, infertility treatments have been easier and more available. Surrogacy is one of the best options for those couples who don’t have any hope left to have a child on their own because of their medical or physical conditions.
It happens when a woman carries the baby in her womb and, after spending the pregnancy period, delivers the baby to the intended parents. The intended parent(s) is the person or persons who become the legal parent(s) of a child born through surrogacy. In this article, we are going to talk about this procedure and how much it costs all around the world.
Surrogacy is a complicated procedure, and it is legally allowed only in a few countries. Among them, few can be considered as the best countries for surrogacy due to the affordability of international surrogacy costs, the legal support of the baby, and the quality of medical care.
In this article, we are going to look through surrogacy prices in some well-known countries. But first let us review two important types of surrogacy.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?
Depending on the region, legal system, and medical standards, the cost of an international surrogacy can range from $35,000 to $200,000; therefore, intended parents (IPs) must do extensive study before committing.
Prices in 2025 can range from $45,000 in low-cost locations to well over $150,000+ in nations with robust legal safeguards and cutting-edge medical treatment.
In addition to medical and surrogate compensation, IPs should consider travel, lodging, and legal costs. This guide provides comprehensive information on how much surrogacy costs, surrogacy costs by the help of agencies worldwide, important factors to take into account when selecting a location, and strategies for striking a balance between price and safety and legal security.
Surrogacy Cost Around the World
Prospective Parents should review all surrogacy options based not only on how much surrogacy costs but also on success and legal support, in addition to cost.
Commercial surrogacy is common in countries like some states of the United States, Eastern Europe, and some of the Middle Eastern countries.
Some others may offer “altruistic” surrogacy laws that limit financial motivations for surrogates. In some countries, you might find low-cost “high-risk” surrogacy; however, you should be careful about the legal issues that might occur while you get the help of an invalid and unprofessional agency.
In the following section, we gathered some information about the most common countries offering surrogacy services and their cost ranges. These average costs include medical costs, surrogate compensation, legal fees, and agency fees.
If a couple needs donor eggs, PGD, or other additional services, they must also consider a budget for them as well as travel expenses.
Surrogacy Cost in USA
There are various surrogacy destinations around the world, and before choosing one of them, you should consider your options by their pros and cons. The United States has one of the best fertility clinics and a strong supportive legal system, making it a desirable country for surrogacy.
Nevertheless, the cost of surrogacy in the United States is tremendously high for many people, which makes it impossible to start the procedure there. because the approximate cost of gestational surrogacy in the USA ranges from $150,000 to $220,000.
For how much it costs to do surrogacy in the USA, you must include medical, legal, agency, and travel expenses.
Surrogacy Cost in Canada
Canada’s range of expenses is between $100,000 and $120,000. This amount includes medical and legal fees, surrogate compensation, agency fees, and insurance.
Surrogacy Cost in UK
Surrogacy in the UK is considered a legal process. The procedure of matching the surrogate with the intended parents is done by nonprofit agencies, and a private fertility provider charges the final costs, which only include necessary expenses of the surrogate and medications.
Unlike the USA, you do not compensate the surrogate; you can offer to pay “reasonable” expenses, which are based on individual conditions from the perspective of British courts.
Surrogacy in the UK costs between $70,000 and $100,000, which includes all the medical, legal, and administrative expenses. For parents asking, “How much does it cost to do surrogacy in the UK?”, this estimate includes all legal and medical expenses.
Surrogacy Cost in Spain
Surrogacy in Spain is legally prohibited. So the couples should travel to another country for that. However, they can start fertility treatments in a private clinic in Spain and transfer their eggs and sperm to another country for fertilization. The ultimate cost of surrogacy will depend on the destination country.
Surrogacy Cost in Ukraine
The surrogacy price in Ukraine is approximately between $44,000 and $60,000. Surrogacy in Ukraine includes all the legal and medical expenses and the surrogate’s compensation.
Differences in expenses will be dependent on the surrogacy program you choose, like the number of IVF attempts or using donors.
Surrogacy Cost in Georgia
Georgia is one of the cheapest countries for surrogacy in the world. Of course different variables can have an influence on the ultimate cost, but a complete surrogacy in Georgia is nearly between $55,000 and $60,000, which can be named as one of the most affordable costs around the world. This price includes legal and medical expenses as well as the surrogate mother’s compensation.
Surrogacy Cost in India
In previous years, India was one of the most famous and common destinations in Asia for surrogacy between 2000 and 2018.
Since December 2018, surrogacy laws in India have banned this procedure for foreign parents, and now it is only available for local residents.
Surrogacy Cost in Iran
Surrogacy in Iran is legal according to the laws, and it is one of the most affordable and suitable countries in terms of prices and provided services.
Iran is the cheapest destination for surrogacy, offering the most affordable cost of service, as low as $21000.
With its specialized physicians, well-equipped fertility centers, best-quality services, and low medical costs, Iran is one of the best medical tourism destinations for international surrogacy.
In the following, there’s a table demonstrating a range of total surrogacy prices in different countries, along with legal status and key advantages of each country for surrogacy:
Factors Affecting the Price of Surrogacy
Medical standards, surrogate compensation, legal procedures, and living expenses related to the destination are some of the variables that affect the cost of international surrogacy. Intended parents (IPs) can select the best country for their financial and legal security by being aware of these distinctions.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
Since surrogacy is a real financial commitment, it’s a good idea to understand how each cost affects the procedure.
Key Factors that Influence ُSurrogacy Cost:
- IVF and medical costs: More successful advanced clinics may require fewer IVF cycles, but they also cost more.
- Surrogate compensation: While altruistic-only nations like Canada restrict remuneration, commercial surrogacy nations like the USA, Colombia, and Mexico permit payment.
- Legal Fees & Contracts: In countries with complicated legal systems, more attorney involvement is necessary, which raises expenses.
- Travel & Accommodation: Multiple journeys, lengthy stays, and local living costs can add thousands to the budget.
- Insurance and Newborn Care: Both the surrogate and the infant may require substantial postpartum medical coverage.
- Insurance and Newborn Care: Both the surrogate and the infant may require substantial postpartum medical coverage.
Does Insurance Cover Surrogacy?
Although insurance may cover some surrogacy costs, the coverage depends on the specific policies. In general, insurance can pay for expenses associated with surrogacy, particularly the surrogate’s medical care; however, couples shouldn’t expect full coverage and may need to combine policies or cover some expenses out of pocket.
What Factors Increase the Cost of Surrogacy?
The countries in which the surrogacy is performed, the particular program, and the services offered are some of the variables that can affect the price of international surrogacy.
The following are some important variables that may impact the price of international surrogacy:
What Other Factors Influence Surrogacy Costs?
There are some factors, apart from the primary medical or IVF expenses, that can influence the total cost of surrogacy. These factors are as follows:
- Agency Fees
- Medical Expenses
- Surrogate Compensation
- Legal Fees and Contracts
- Travel and Accommodation
- Insurance and Newborn Care
- Additional Services
- Independent vs. Agency-Supported Surrogacy
Why does surrogacy cost so much?
In the surrogacy method, there are numerous financial considerations that need to be considered in advance before you start the process. You have to know that this medical journey is costly because of the influence of several variables.
If you are going through surrogacy with the help of an agency, they will charge you for advertising, matching, screening, and recruiting donors or surrogate mothers. Of course these services need money, but for those couples who do not use the services provided by an experienced agency, the surrogacy process can be too frustrating and unpleasant or even much more expensive.
Agency fees cover various elements. One of them is advertising for a surrogate. They establish connections with potential donors and surrogates and match them with intended parents.
These services include checking up on both parties for compatibility and evaluating them medically and psychologically. They have to give practical consultation about insurance policy and legal works to both parties and undertake all the matters properly.
For this aim, they need lawyers to negotiate about contracts and ensure that all parties know their rights and responsibilities.
One of the most noticeable elements of surrogacy prices is related to medical expenses. Intended parents need to pay for treatments and IVF or ICSI cycles multiple times before they come to a result, and pregnancy happens . Besides, if donors are needed to make embryos, the final cost would be higher.
Intended parents also need to pay compensation to the surrogate as well as a monthly allowance to cover some of the elements, such as the surrogate’s inability to work. They need to pay even more if the surrogate is pregnant with multiple babies.
These expenses can be dependent on many factors, like the country where the treatment happens, the policy of the surrogacy agency, and the personal condition of the surrogate.
Therefore, calculating the exact cost for surrogacy is not simple, and it depends on many factors. For this purpose, you can talk to some of the experienced surrogacy agencies and understand the approximate costs and the elements that could cause additional costs.
How much does surrogacy cost without an agency?
The surrogacy process can be done independently or through an agency. Depending on the services provided by different agencies, the cost of surrogacy with the help of agencies can vary. But some couples think about doing surrogacy without the help of agencies. Help from agencies can have multiple pros and cons.
In some cases, by doing independent surrogacy, cost can be reduced in return for not having their valuable services such as counseling services, emotional 24-hour support, insurance, available medical and legal experts, etc.
To sum up, we can say that the cost of surrogacy in some countries like the USA and Canada is higher than in Asian and Eastern European countries.
But if you want to get it done, you had better consider not just money but also the quality of services and the legal support provided by the destination country.
Conclusion
The cost of an international surrogacy might vary significantly depending on several factors. Agency fees, legal fees, surrogate compensation, and clinical fees are examples of typical expenses.
In South America or Eastern Europe, surrogacy can cost as little as $50,000, while in the US, it usually costs between $130,000 and $160,000. Cost and legal security are two important factors to take into account for a smooth international surrogacy arrangement process.
Some countries, including Ukraine, Iran, Mexico, Colombia, Georgia, and Canada, charge surrogacy costs ranging from $35,000 to $100,000. A few factors that affect the cost of international surrogacy are the destination nation, agency, legal and medical expenses, surrogate compensation, screening and support services, and insurance coverage.
How much does surrogacy cost?
Surrogacy costs can range from over $150,000 in the United States to roughly $35,000 in less expensive countries like Iran or Ukraine.
What factors affect the cost of surrogacy?
Some of the main factors that influence surrogacy costs include medical and IVF costs, surrogate compensation, legal fees, agency services, travel, housing, and insurance.
Does insurance cover surrogacy costs?
Even though complete coverage is uncommon, insurance may pay for some expenses, such as the surrogate’s medical bills or the labor and delivery expenses. Parents frequently have to combine coverage or pay out of cash.
What do legal costs for surrogacy include?
Legal costs cover drafting and reviewing contracts, ensuring parental rights, court approvals, and ongoing legal support. More complex systems usually mean higher fees.
Is it possible to reduce surrogacy costs?
Yes. Choosing lower-cost countries, minimizing agency involvement, or pursuing independent surrogacy can lower expenses—but this may reduce support, increase risks, and complicate the process.
