In 1991, the Embryo Protection Act came into force in Germany, placing German reproductive medicine under strict control. It prohibits surrogacy per se and other medical practices that may lead to «improper» treatment of the incipient human life. Egg donation—the procedure in which a woman donates eggs to another person or persons who intend to become pregnant with them — is also prohibited, as is three-at-once fertilization. Because Germany prohibits surrogacy, many German couples try to have children in countries where this type of reproduction is legal.
The following statistics show the demand for surrogacy services and prospective parents’ actual possibilities in Germany:
- 1% (7,000 per year) — of births after artificial insemination
- 120 infertility treatment clinics
- 52% of families who want a child address a fertility doctor
- 33% of chances of becoming pregnant through embryo transfer
- 10000€ — an average cost of successful medically assisted conception in Germany
In Germany, not everything that is technically possible is actually available. For example, aspiring parents often travel abroad to find an affordable solution.
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Surrogacy Agency In Germany: What are the opportunities?
What about surrogacy agencies in Germany? Surrogacy is more affordable in Eastern European countries, including Georgia and Ukraine. When looking for a surrogate mother, it is best to use an international adoption agency that takes care of all the fees involved in the process.
In Germany, all women are forbidden from using their wombs to carry another couple’s baby to term. If a couple dreams of having a child, they may consider going abroad—but it is unlikely that the three will be able to return together. Under German law, a child’s mother is the woman who gave birth to her—not necessarily the one whose cells formed the basis for that life.
Surrogacy Cost In Germany: Why do couples usually look for solutions abroad?
In Germany, the legal connections to a child are considered stronger if they are based on blood or genetic ties. Additionally, German law does not consider children born through surrogacy Germany arrangements as citizens of their parent’s home nation.
In Germany, the LGBT community faces significant challenges in building a family by non-traditional means. Under local jurisdictional rules, they are generally not allowed to adopt children—with one exception: gay men may seek permission to adopt their partner’s child from an earlier relationship.
There was only one glimmer of hope for same-sex couples in Germany, and it came from a male couple that appealed to the German supreme court to recognize their child as theirs (born via surrogate in California). Therefore, it was agreed that individuals seeking to have a child through surrogacy should be able to rely on their home country’s authorities for protection.
What about surrogacy costs in Germany? Surrogacy in Germany remains strictly prohibited. However, we have noticed a shift in the way that this country views surrogacy. So we hope that, within the next few years, Germans will be able to fulfill their dreams of parenthood without worrying about legal issues or other obstacles.
For intended parents from other countries, surrogacy abroad offers one option for building a family. For German childless singles and couples, however—it is not so much about money as it is about standing up for the right to experience parenthood.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.