IVF treatment abroad – how to choose a country?
When choosing an egg donation clinic overseas you have to take a couple of things under consideration. The first and most important thing is the laws regarding infertility treatments in that specific country. So as soon as you know exactly what kind of procedures you need, check which countries allow these procedures to be carried out. Later you can look for clinics in attractive tourist destinations like Spain or Greece where you could combine your treatment with relaxing vacation time.
These are tips on looking for a destination. The thing that comes first to mind when looking for a clinic is, of course, their experience, egg donation success rate and the clinic’s staff. Another aspect is the donor’s ethnicity. If the prospective parents or parent want the donor to be of a specific race that could really complicate the whole decision process and also have a huge impact on the costs – raising them significantly. If a recipient wants a donor of Hispanic origins it should not be a problem but some donors are much less available and can be found only in specific countries. For example, if a patient wants a donor of Indian origins then she will be most probably limited only to Indian clinics.
IVF overseas – how to choose a clinic?
Choosing a great tourist destination with relevant legal regulations is just the tip of the iceberg. The most important choice is still ahead of you and that is choosing the right clinic. This choice will impact the most important aspects of the treatment but mainly the quality of services. Here are the most important aspects you have to take under consideration when choosing a clinic:
Experience – check how many years of experience the clinic has. Check not only general experience but also how long they are doing the specific treatments you want to undergo.
How many cycles? – check how many egg donation cycles they do a year, how many fresh or frozen cycles you get included in the total cost, and how many eggs the clinic guarantees.
Staff experience – it is a crucial factor. You simply want the best and most experienced doctors. Check how long their doctors have been treating infertility, which methods they use most often, etc.
Efficiency – find out the success rates of IVF and all other treatments you need to undergo. Read more about IVF egg donation success rates here.
Associations – check if the clinic is a member of some health or infertility treatment associations which could confirm their reliability and overall safety.
Certificates – check if the clinic has been awarded any certificates or other awards commending their contribution in treating infertility.
Emergency contact – ensure that the clinic has the option for emergency contact. Does the clinic provide support after the procedure and when the recipient is already home? Check whether the clinic offers emergency support in such cases.
IVF treatment abroad – comparing costs
In most cases, egg donation overseas is less expensive. You could save from 25% to 75% on your treatment. This also gives you an opportunity to have affordable IVF overseas and enjoy a holiday with your partner in some exotic place. Everything for the price of the treatment in your country alone. However, you need to be cautious because some clinics do not include all the procedures and medication costs in the quoted price. When comparing the prices pay attention to:
- The full cost including everything you need (tests, medication, etc.)
- The cost of travelling, transport, hotels and food
- The value of the service you are buying compared to other clinics
- Special offers the clinic can give you to save money in the long run
- Waiting time at the clinic
IVF at overseas clinics – the total cost
Be very careful when looking at the cost the clinic offers. The price advertised may slightly differ from the final cost you will pay. This is not because the clinics are being dishonest but because different patients may need slightly different procedures or medication. However, very often the price of a standard procedure does not include medication – this is reasonable if you think about it. There are situations where a patient already has their own drugs so then do not need to have them included in the treatment cost. Make sure you know the typical medication cost before choosing an overseas IVF clinic.
Don’t forget to sum up all the expenses you may think are insignificant like blood tests, initial consultations, ICSI, donor eggs or sperm cost, etc. In the end, these small expenses will rise to a high amount you wouldn’t even expect.
It is a good idea to make a polite request for a full price that would cover all the expenses you need to make. That could make the whole process a lot easier.
Find Top Fertility Clinics AbroadIVF abroad – what do you pay for?
Check the clinic’s standards, staff experience and the average success rate. The clinics offering lower cost may have lower success rates than other clinics. Evaluate how friendly the clinic is and if you can easily communicate with them. You may find a clinic that offers you all you need for a good price and a clinic that offers better success rates but for a slightly higher price. It is up to you to find your middle ground and right balance.
IVF abroad – are there any waiting lists?
If you want to save money in an easy way you may join the waiting list, pay less and wait for your turn. However, you can pay more and skip the line if time is a very important factor for you. Remember that in some clinics the waiting lists are long and you might be waiting quite a while!
IVF treatment at overseas clinics and travel expenses
Patients looking for egg donation overseas tend to forget to include in their planning travel and accommodation expenses. Those make the final price deviate from what we saw at the beginning. That is why people often use this time to combine the treatment with their annual holidays. Do your own calculations and check if having the treatment in your home country won’t eventually cost you the same or less than going abroad.
IVF at clinics abroad – additional advice
If you do not have time for price comparisons and research, you could consider using the services of a medical tourism agency or agencies. They are experienced in organizing the best possible options for the best price. Do not let the price tag be your only indicator when making the choice. Remember that you shouldn’t save money at a cost of risking your health. Remember to find your middle ground!
If you need help choosing an IVF Egg Donation Clinic,
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If you are looking for egg donation or affordable IVF overseas, use eggdonationfriends unique patient tool – Clinic Matching Test. Our consultants will analyse your needs and choose 3 clinics which match your expectations. Our database of IVF centres includes only trusted infertility clinics that have experience in providing high quality service to international patients.
Popular IVF destinations
You may be interested in reading our special report about the most popular IVF egg donation destinations. The article has been prepared by our team to help patients look for IVF abroad and select the right destination.
IVF abroad – countries
We live in a very open world right now with borders that can be crossed without significant problems. With this open world the medical world opened to us as well. It is a business worth 100 billion dollars. People are traveling from country to country to receive better and cheaper offers on medical treatments. But it’s not only the differences in prices and quality but also a matter of local legislation. A lot of countries offer treatments that might not be legal in the country you live in. Below you will find short descriptions of the most popular destinations for having IVF overseas.
BRAZIL
Brazil has one of the biggest Christian populations in the world – with approximately 73% of citizens identifying themselves as Christian. It’s famous for being the capital of football (or soccer as they call it in the USA) but also is a frequent destination for cosmetic surgeries as well as all kinds of infertility treatments. If you think IVF in Europe is not an option for you, consider Brazil. Why this country? Mainly because it is a lot cheaper than the USA but also because it is a great vacation destination and it has many professional clinics!
ARGENTINA
Argentina is a home for millions of European immigrants and the birthplace of Tango. The cultural diversity with European influences of Italians and Spaniards makes this place a truly unique destination. In 2013 Argentina joined the list of countries that subsidize IVF treatment for its citizens. IVF overseas, specifically, in Argentina is available for heterosexual couples, gay couples (which are legal unions here) and single women. Spanish is the official language but English, Italian, French and German are also widely spoken. All this and more makes Argentina a place with arms wide open for people seeking rescue from childlessness.
MEXICO
Mexico is the 5th biggest country in the Americas and is situated across the southern border of the USA. Incredible attractions like ancient Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, impressive mountains and deserts make you want to put it on your bucket list. Mexico is also famous for its thriving medical tourism. A huge number of accredited hospitals and clinics, doctors certified by professional boards and all kinds of specialists make Mexico a paradise to undergo egg donation overseas. The official language is Spanish but you will also be able to communicate in English in most of the places there.
SPAIN
Spain is the home of Flamenco, tapas, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, of course (and Atletico Madrid and many others – we don’t want to upset anyone). It is a country with a very rich history. Place made unique by the influence of so many different cultures with the 2nd place in immigration rates. A true gem of Western Europe not just as a tourist attraction but also a very frequent destination for infertility treatments. Spain has a vast selection of accredited hospitals and clinics with the highest quality of services and is listed in the 7th place of best health cares in the world, says who? WHO (the World Health Organization). Official language is of course Spanish but as in many places you shouldn’t have problems with communicating in English.
Find Top Fertility Clinics AbroadUSA
The United States are the land of the free and home to the famous “American dream”. The country is an economic and militaristic giant and one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. While the prices of treatments in the USA are indeed one of the highest, if not the highest on the planet, they surely have the newest ground-breaking technologies, medical schools and research centres best known in the whole world. Although the American clinics and hospitals have lowered their prices significantly to attract not only the local high class but some not so rich and foreign patients, the World Health Organisation still ranked the USA 1st on the list of the most expensive health care systems! English is of course the official language – you will not have major problems if you come from the UK or Ireland.
CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is a beautiful cosy country in the centre of Europe completely shut off from the sea by the surrounding countries of Poland, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Folk traditions, castles and palaces will make you feel like in a fairy tale. The Czech Republic is particularly attractive in the area of infertility treatments (but not only) because of the high quality and exquisite standards of treatment while having significantly lower costs than the rest of the European neighborhood. While staying for infertility treatments in Czechia you can visit Prague, a wonderful city with a historic old town and a plethora of restaurants and bars, or you can relax in between doctor’s appointment in Czech high quality spas. The official language is Czech, also you will be able to communicate in English, Polish, German or Slovak and from our own experience you should not have problems with communicating in English in the fertility centres.
POLAND
Poland is a very interesting and peaceful country with beautiful landscapes (the mountains, the seaside, rivers, etc.), many historical places and war monuments, great traditional cuisine, regional beers, etc. Internationally Poland’s reputation has been strengthened after holding the European Football Championships in 2012, people from all over Europe came and saw this country for what it really is: a safe place and extremely friendly to people from all corners of the globe. Polish fertility clinics are of the highest standards in Europe with all the latest technologies and best specialists in the medical field. There is no need to learn the Polish language before your visit – the Poles are one of the many nations who speak English quite well and have many English-speaking tourists every year so you won’t have problems in communicating in this language.
GREECE
Greece – once an amazing ancient civilization now one of the most popular holiday destinations. Greece is an affordable tourist destination, with cheap flights and comfortable pocket-friendly accommodation. The country has a very rich history, delicious and healthy cuisine, numerous incredibly beautiful islands, ancient ruins and … and olive oil! Those ancient ruins and history is contrasted with very modern health care with fertility clinics using high technology in assisted reproduction treatments. Although Greece is relatively new to medical tourism, their medical specialists do not differ in professionalism from the specialists from the rest of the world. The official language is Greek but in most big cities you should not have problems in communicating in English.
UNITED KINGDOM
The United Kingdom is a monarchy gathering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Each of these countries having its own unique identity and culture. Due to its colonial past, the United Kingdom has a very vast ethnical diversity: the nation is a vibrant mix of Indian, Jamaican and Irish communities. The UK is seeded with hospitals and clinics known in the whole world with best physicians and specialist you can ever dream of. Although being a bit more expensive than the rest of Europe the medical standards are of the highest quality and the UK is one of the most popular medical destinations. London is particularly attracting being the city that has everything in place: entertainment, leisure, best sightseeing spots, international cuisine or sports. Specialized clinics and private hospitals with latest ground breaking technologies make the United Kingdom a world class medical destination. The official language is English.
INDIA
India is a former British colony situated in southern Asia with China in the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. India is the 7th biggest and the 2nd most populated country in the world with over a billion inhabitants from which 85% are practicing Hinduism. For the last few years, India has been experiencing a medical and technological boom which brought it out of the underdeveloped countries list into the developing countries list. With great specialists and clinics with high technology standards similar to those in the United States but much less expensive makes this country a very popular destination for medical tourism. The official languages are Hindu and English.
LATVIA
Latvia is one of the three Baltic States with the capital city of Riga. It has a very diverse culture and historical heritage which make this place attractive for tourists from Europe. Thousands of people from Scandinavian countries, Western Europe and Russia come to Latvia every year for leisure and health treatments like IVF. Europe is a relatively cheap touristic destination for foreigners and Latvia is a very attractive destination for infertility treatments, especially Riga is popular with medical tourists. Modern clinics are of high standards and the treatments are less expensive than in the rest of the European countries.
UKRAINE
Ukraine once was a part of the Soviet Union but regained its independence in 1991. Now Ukraine is a democratic market economy. The heritage of this old country goes back thousands of years what is reflected in most towns with beautiful baroque and renaissance buildings. In the past, it was visited by many tourists and medical tourists but that number decreased due to some unpleasant events in Crimea in the past. Still, Ukrainian health care is recommended offering high standards of treatments for significantly less than in other European countries. Especially when it comes to egg donation which is much less expensive in Ukraine and there are practically no waiting lists for IVF. Europe, and specifically Ukraine, is definitely worth recommending as a medical tourism destination.
AUSTRALIA
Australia is not really hard to advertise as a tourist attraction. Most people dream to go there at least once in their lifetime. Australia is surrounded by the ocean, so it is perfect for all types of water sports (surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving) and gathers a vast amount of exotic animals that cannot be seen anywhere else on the planet. But koalas and platypuses won’t help when you need infertility treatment, right? (well, relaxing and spending time outside can ease the stress and all medical specialists would advise that). Australia has one of the finest specialists on infertility treatments on the planet and modern clinics with cutting-edge technologies and highest quality of treatments. The only downside is the price. The costs of treatments are considerably higher than in Europe or Asia and taking a flight to Australia is also a significant expense. If price is not an issue for you and you wish to have your treatment in unique and heavenly surroundings why not give Australia a try.
RUSSIA
Russia, the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1922–1991), is the largest country in the world. There are more clinics and hospitals per citizen in Russia than in any other country in the world. However, the state clinics and hospitals are not too popular because of their quality but, on the other hand, the private clinics are top notch. Also, the costs of treatments are cheaper than in the USA and sometimes even cheaper than in Europe. Although Russia has a reputation as a not too friendly country that should not stop you from using their modern infertility treatments to your advantage.
CYPRUS
Cyprus is a lovely island that is easily accessible not only for Europeans but the whole world. It has a rich medical history with visitors coming for treatments by the Cypriot doctors for years. Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and offers a variety of infertility treatment options in gorgeous surroundings. Wonderful beaches, impressive vineyards and antique historical views make the island and its modern infertility clinics even more alluring. Prices of treatments on this island are very attractive and living costs make it accessible for most people on their way to parenthood. The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish.
EAST ASIA
East Asian countries include the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea (and North Korea which is rather not a place recommended for medical vacations or vacations in general). It would be very hard to summarize all these countries in a few sentences. In summary, Asia is a top destination in medical tourism with 212 Joint Commission International accredited hospitals. According to MTQA (Medical Travel Quality Alliance) there are six out of ten best hospitals in the world in this region. Medically there is nothing that cannot be done there and the prices are low if not the lowest in the world. You should really consider this region if you want to use the latest technologies, best specialists and see a whole lot of a different corner of the world.