Egg Donation in Greece: Costs, Donors, Age Limits & IVF Rules

Greece is unusual among European IVF destinations for two reasons: women can receive medically assisted reproduction up to 54 years of age, and Greek law now allows more than one donor-identity model.

Women over 50 require authorization from the Greek National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction (EAIYA), while donor treatment may involve an anonymous donor, an identifiable donor, or a donor whose identity can become available to the child after adulthood.

This FAQ focuses on those questions. For full clinic listings, cost comparisons and a general treatment overview, see the main egg donation in Greece guide.

Egg donation in Greece: quick answers

Egg donation and IVF treatment options in Greece – FAQ

IVF and egg donation after 50

Greece has a specific statutory framework for women aged 50 to 54. The legal age threshold applies precisely, so the patient’s age on the date of embryo transfer matters.

Can I have IVF at 50 in Greece?

Yes. Up to 50 years and 0 days, the special EAIYA authorization required for older patients does not apply under the age-limit provision.

From 50 years and 1 day, authorization is required.

Can I have IVF at 54?

The statutory maximum age is 54 years and 0 days. The relevant age is assessed on the date of embryo transfer.

What approval is required after 50?

Women from 50 years and 1 day to 54 require authorization from EAIYA. The application includes identification and specified medical documentation assessing whether pregnancy and treatment are medically appropriate.

Does approval guarantee treatment?

No. EAIYA authorization addresses the regulatory age requirement. The treating fertility centre must still assess whether treatment and pregnancy are medically suitable.

Can donor eggs be used after 50?

Potentially, yes. Donor-egg IVF can be considered within the same age framework, provided the patient obtains the required authorization and meets medical eligibility requirements.

Donor identity in Greece

Are egg donors anonymous in Greece?

They can be, but donation is not necessarily anonymous. Greek law allows different donor-identity arrangements.

What donor-identity options are available?

A donor can choose:

• to remain anonymous
• to be identifiable
• to allow their identity to become available to the donor-conceived person after adulthood

The donor’s chosen category affects what identifying information can later become available.

What happens with an anonymous donor?

The donor’s identity remains protected. Relevant medical information can be retained and accessed when necessary for health reasons without automatically revealing the donor’s identity.

Can an identifiable donor be used?

Yes. Identifiable donation is permitted within the current Greek framework.

The clinic should confirm which donor arrangements are available within its programme.

Can someone I already know donate eggs?

A 2026 EAIYA clarification allows an identifiable donor to provide reproductive material to specific recipients whom the donor knows, provided the applicable legal requirements are met.

Known-donor treatment therefore differs from ordinary anonymous donor matching.

Can a child learn the donor’s identity?

It depends on the donor category. If the donor selected identity disclosure to the donor-conceived person after adulthood, identifying information can become available according to the applicable rules.

An anonymous donor does not automatically become identifiable when the child reaches adulthood.

Does an identifiable donor become a legal parent?

No. Donor identity does not by itself establish legal parenthood.

Egg donor age and screening

How does Greece’s screening process compare to other countries?

Greece has a thorough IVF screening process that follows international best practices. Clinics conduct medical evaluations, including blood tests, ultrasounds, and STI screenings, to ensure both partners are in good health. Genetic screening may also be offered to detect inherited conditions that could affect pregnancy or the baby’s health.

Greece’s screening standards are comparable to top fertility destinations like Spain and the UK but are often more affordable and accessible. The country also has a patient-friendly legal framework, ensuring donor anonymity, patient privacy, and ethical fertility practices.

What psychological evaluations are performed for egg donors in Greece?

Egg donors must pass psychological screenings to ensure they are mentally and emotionally prepared for the donation process. A licensed psychologist assesses their well-being, emotional stability, and understanding of the commitment involved. This includes interviews to explore their motivations, awareness of the implications, and ability to handle potential emotional challenges.

Can I choose donor characteristics such as physical traits or education?

Yes, future parents can select egg donors based on physical characteristics such as height, eye color, hair color, and blood type. Many clinics offer detailed profiles that include these characteristics, and some may also include information about the donor’s education, profession, and personality. However, medical history and genetic screening results are typically the most important factors in the selection process, as they are crucial for ensuring the health and success of the IVF treatment.

What is the typical waiting time to find a matching donor in Greece?

The average waiting time to match with an egg donor is very short or non-existent for international patients deciding on Caucasian donors. This few-week waiting period is due to efficient egg donation programs at many clinics, which maintain a large pool of pre-screened donors. The exact waiting time depends on factors like the recipient’s preferences for donor traits and the availability of compatible donors. 

If a recipient has very specific requirements, the wait may be slightly longer. However, many clinics offer flexible matching systems, helping patients find a donor within a reasonable time frame.

Are there shared or exclusive donor cycles available in Greece?

In Greece, recipients can choose between shared and exclusive donor cycles, offering flexibility based on preferences and budget.

In a shared donor cycle, one donor’s eggs are used by multiple recipients, making the treatment more affordable. The donor undergoes ovarian stimulation, and her eggs are divided among several patients. Exclusive donor cycles involve one recipient using all the eggs from a single donor. While more expensive, this option maximizes the chances of success by providing access to all of the donor’s eggs.

Can unused donor eggs be frozen for future cycles?

Yes, unused donor eggs can usually be frozen for future cycles. If a donor cycle produces more eggs than needed, the extra eggs can be cryopreserved for later use. This allows to preserve embryos or eggs for future IVF cycles without needing another egg retrieval, saving time and money.

However, there may be storage fees for freezing and storing the eggs or embryos, and these fees vary depending on the clinic and storage duration. Check the clinic’s policies and costs before proceeding to ensure they are comfortable with the arrangements.

How does Greece ensure compatibility between donor and recipient?

Fertility clinics match egg donors with recipients by performing extensive medical evaluations, genetic screenings, and offering detailed profiles of the donors. The process starts with a thorough evaluation of the recipient’s needs, considering factors like physical traits (e.g., hair color, eye color, height, and blood type) and medical history. Clinics aim to match donors with recipients based on these factors to guarantee the best possible compatibility and meet the recipient’s preferences.

Single women and female couples

Greece allows fertility treatment for single women and has expanded access for female couples, although the legal framework differs from countries where reciprocal IVF is available.

Can single women have IVF with donor eggs?

Yes. Single women can receive medically assisted reproduction in Greece, subject to the applicable consent and documentation requirements.

A notarial document may be required in certain circumstances.

Can female couples receive fertility treatment?

Yes. Women who are married or in a civil partnership can access medically assisted reproduction under the current framework.

Is ROPA available in Greece?

No. An embryo created using one female partner’s egg cannot be transferred to the other female partner under the current assisted-reproduction rules. This differs from Spain and Portugal, where ROPA is available.

Who is considered the mother after treatment?

Under the assisted-reproduction framework, maternity is established with the woman who carries and gives birth to the child.

Treatment itself does not automatically establish maternity for both female partners.

What should female couples check before treatment?

Important questions include:

• which partner will undergo treatment
• which consent documents are required
• donor sperm requirements
• legal parenthood
• recognition of parentage in the couple’s home country

Sources:

• Greek National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction (EAIYA): Law 4958/2022 and age-limit guidance — maximum age of 54 and authorization after age 50.
• EAIYA: September 2022 donor-identity guidance — anonymous, identifiable and adulthood identity-release donor options.
• EAIYA: Clarification on Known Identifiable Donors, 28 May 2026 — known-donor arrangements.
• EAIYA: Frequently Asked Questions — donor age, eligibility and donor screening.
• EAIYA: Guidance for Female Couples, April 2024 — access to ART, maternity and ROPA.