- Why IVF with Donor Eggs in Denmark?
- Which Patients Choose Denmark for Egg Donation IVF?
- Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Basic Information
- Donor Egg IVF in Denmark – Reasons to Go
- IVF Clinics in Denmark
- Egg Donation IVF in Denmark
- Can I use a known egg donor in Denmark?
- Is ROPA available in Denmark?
- Is double donation allowed in Denmark?
- Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Age Limit
- IVF (Egg Donation) for Lesbian Couples in Denmark
- Egg Donor Information Available in Denmark
- Egg Donor Qualifications in Denmark
- Egg Donor Qualification in Denmark – Tests Required by Law
- Embryo Donation in Denmark
- Egg Donation and IVF Cost in Denmark
- Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Success Rates
- Best Egg Donation IVF Clinics in Denmark
- Legal aspects of IVF in Denmark
- Egg Donation and IVF in Denmark – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Article sources:
Why IVF with Donor Eggs in Denmark?
Over the last few years, Denmark has emerged as one of the leading European destinations for IVF treatment. With liberal fertility laws and world-class clinics utilising the most cutting-edge technology and fertility techniques available, it is little wonder why patients from across the continent look to the Scandinavian country to help them realise their dream of starting a family. Here we will look at why so many people opt for egg donation IVF in Denmark and everything you need to know about the rules and regulations before you go.
Which Patients Choose Denmark for Egg Donation IVF?
- Single women seeking IVF with their own eggs or donated eggs
- Patients seeking anonymous egg or sperm donors
- Lesbian couples – female same-sex couples are eligible for treatment, including a shared motherhood option called ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner)
- Patients seeking double donation (ie sperm and egg donation). However, embryo donation is not permitted in Denmark
- There is little or no wait for donor eggs and/or sperm, and often treatment can start immediately
Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Basic Information
| Egg Donation and IVF in Denmark – cost and availability | |
|---|---|
| IVF with own eggs in Denmark – average cost | €3,300-4,500 |
| Egg donation in Denmark – average costs | €7,000-8,300 |
| Average egg donation success rates in Denmark | 27.9-30% |
| Maximum patient – woman age | 46 |
| IVF treatments for single women | Allowed |
| IVF treatments for female same sex couples | Allowed ROPA method available (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) |
| Gender selection/sex selection | No |
| Maximum number of embryos to transfer IVF with donor eggs | 2 |
| Maximum number of embryos to transfer IVF with own eggs | 2 |
| Egg donation – anonymity | Very good |
| Egg donor availability in Denmark | Very good |
| Egg donor age | 18-35 |
| Maximum number of born children from the same egg donor | 12 |
| Sperm donor – maximum age | 45 |
| Maximum number of children born from the same sperm donor | 12 |
Donor Egg IVF in Denmark – Reasons to Go
- Denmark has liberal legislation allowing for fertility treatment, regardless of marital status and sexual orientation
- A wide selection of anonymous egg donors often means little to no waiting time
- Open donation available
- World-class IVF clinics operating within accessible cities, including Copenhagen and Aarhus
Of course Denmark has so much more to offer than first-rate fertility treatment at world-leading clinics. Small in size but big on culture, cooking and coastline, Denmark is home to popular tourist attractions such as Tivoli, the Little Mermaid, and Lego House, so there is plenty to enjoy during your visit, whatever your personal tastes.
IVF Clinics in Denmark
Whether you are choosing IVF with your own eggs, donor eggs, donor sperm or double donation, Denmark is the smart choice.
The country has earned its reputation as one of the go-to destinations for IVF treatment in Europe, alongside the likes of Spain and Greece. It is particularly popular for lesbian couples and single women seeking treatment due to the country’s healthy supply of donor sperm.
Denmark is part of the Schengen area which allows residents of 26 European countries to travel freely, without the need for internal border checks. English is widely spoken, along with other European languages.
The most popular cities for IVF patients from abroad in Denmark are Copenhagen and Aarhus. If you do an online search using phrases such as “IVF in Copenhagen”, “IVF in Aarhus”, “egg donation in Denmark” or “egg donation Copenhagen” you will find many IVF clinics treating patients in these areas.
Egg Donation IVF in Denmark
There are many excellent fertility clinics located throughout Denmark, although most can be found in the country’s capital Copenhagen. Single women, heterosexual and female same-sex couples all qualify for treatment here.
Egg donors can be anonymous or non-anonymous, and known-donor treatment is also possible under Danish rules. Partner egg donation, sometimes called ROPA or shared motherhood, is permitted for female couples.
Egg donation is unpaid, although donors can receive compensation of 7000 DKK (around €940). There are several different types of egg donation in Denmark. Closed donation is completely anonymous, and the patient and child born as a result of treatment will not be able to obtain any information about the donor. Open donation means that the patient still won’t be able to know the identity of the donor, but the child/children will have access to identifying information when they turn 18. It is legal to receive an oocyte donation from someone you know, for example, a friend or family member, as long as they are not the patient’s mother or daughter.
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Denmark does not permit embryo donation, although double donation with donor eggs and sperm, is allowed. Embryos and oocytes can be frozen for up to five years.
Danish law does not permit sex selection, PGS/PGD screening or surrogacy.
By law, IVF clinics in Denmark must use phenotype matching to ensure the best possible match between the donor and the patient.
Featured Clinics in Denmark
Can I use a known egg donor in Denmark?
Yes. Known egg donation is permitted in Denmark.
A known egg donor is treated as a non-anonymous donor and must meet the applicable Danish requirements for consent, screening, testing and donor suitability. The clinic must also ensure that the donation is voluntary and complies with the legal rules governing assisted reproduction.
If you already have someone who is willing to donate eggs specifically for your treatment, contact the fertility clinic before making arrangements. The clinic will need to assess the donor and confirm what screening, testing and documentation are required.
Is ROPA available in Denmark?
Yes. Partner egg donation, often called ROPA, reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood internationally, allows one female partner to provide the eggs while the other partner carries the pregnancy and gives birth.
Since 1 January 2025, Danish law no longer requires a separate medical justification for partner egg donation. This means female couples can choose partner egg donation even when there is no medical reason why the partner who will carry the pregnancy cannot use her own eggs.
Where there is no medical justification, partner egg donation is available through private fertility clinics on a self-payment basis. The egg provider is treated as a known egg donor and must still meet the applicable requirements for screening, consent and treatment.
Is double donation allowed in Denmark?
Yes, but specific legal conditions apply. Treatment using both donor eggs and donor sperm is permitted in Denmark when the use of both donated eggs and donated sperm is medically justified. Danish law also requires at least one of the two donors to be non-anonymous.
Partner egg donation is subject to a special rule. Since 1 January 2025, a separate medical justification is not required when the eggs are donated by the female partner of the woman who will carry and give birth to the child.
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Patients considering double donation should still confirm their eligibility and the required donor, screening and consent arrangements with their fertility clinic before starting treatment.
Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Age Limit
Denmark has strict rules about the age of women who can have IVF in the country. The maximum age clinics will treat a female patient is 46, with no exceptions. In contrast, other European countries will treat women aged 50 and beyond, including Portugal (50 years), Greece (54), Spain (50 but some clinics go up to 54) and North Cyprus (58).
In contrast, there is no limit on the age of the male partner.
IVF (Egg Donation) for Lesbian Couples in Denmark
Denmark is a popular destination for lesbian couples seeking IVF treatment. As well as regular IVF with donor sperm, Danish IVF clinics offer a shared motherhood option called ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner). This treatment allows both women to participate in the experience by using the eggs from one and transferring the embryo into the uterus of the other to carry the pregnancy.
Egg Donor Information Available in Denmark
Egg donation in Denmark is completely anonymous, meaning patients are never given any identifying information about the donor. If the patient opts for ‘open donation’ this means that the child or children can apply for information about the donor when they turn 18. It is worth noting that the donor is under no obligation to meet or make contact with the child.
Closed donation means the child can’t request information about the donor.
Egg Donor Qualifications in Denmark
Egg donors in Denmark must be aged between 18 and 35. Each donor goes through a rigorous screening process during which they are examined for infectious diseases and genetic abnormalities. By law, donors must undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure they are both mentally and physically healthy and understand the implications of their decision to donate.
Egg Donor Qualification in Denmark – Tests Required by Law
Fertility clinics in Denmark must test for a number of infectious diseases before treatment, including:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
The clinics must also test the donor’s blood type. Under Danish law, donors may only donate six times in total.
Embryo Donation in Denmark
Embryo donation is not permitted in Denmark at this time. However double donation, using donor eggs and donor sperm, is allowed.
Egg Donation and IVF Cost in Denmark
The cost of a single own-egg IVF cycle in Denmark ranges from €3,300 – €4,500, while egg donation IVF in Denmark costs around €7,000 – €8,300. These figures may be higher if you factor in the cost of medication and IVF add-on treatments, which are not always included in the price of the treatment package.
It is important to note that not all IVF clinics are completely transparent about their pricing, which means you may end up incurring additional costs during your treatment. When obtaining a quote from a clinic, always check what is covered in the price, including:
- The donor’s expenses, medication and screening
- Egg retrieval
- Sperm collection and preparation
- ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
- IVF add-on treatments
- Transfer of blastocysts
- Vitrification (freezing) of embryos/blastocysts
- Storage of frozen embryos/blastocysts
- Frozen embryo transfer
Egg Donation IVF in Denmark – Success Rates
According to the ESHRE report published in 2020, pregnancy rates for IVF in Denmark using the patient’s own eggs were 21.9% and 24% where ICSI was used. The pregnancy success rates for egg donation cycles were 27.9% or 30% for thawed oocytes. It is important to note here that Denmark only allows up to two embryos to be implanted per transfer. Countries that allow more than two embryos to be implanted may enjoy higher success rates, but run the risk of multiple births.
When it comes to choosing a fertility clinic, it’s important to remember that each patient is different and IVF outcomes will depend on the patient’s own personal medical history and infertility diagnosis. The clinic should ask about your medical history in detail, including your age, weight, height, infertility diagnosis, the number of failed cycles, performed tests and procedures, before giving you a personalised prognosis for your IVF treatment.
Your individual chances for a successful IVF treatment in Denmark
Remember that average success rates shouldn’t be the primary deciding factor for your choice of clinic. Each patient is different – they have place different emphasis and importance on infertility diagnoses and medical histories. As such, the prognoses for each patient can vary greatly and usually are different from the presented average success rates of each clinic. If you want clarification about a clinic’s success rates, call the clinic before scheduling an appointment – describe your medical history in detail, including your age, weight, height, the infertility diagnosis, the number of failed cycles, performed tests and procedures etc. and ask for your individual success prognosis.
Best Egg Donation IVF Clinics in Denmark
Many of the best IVF clinics in Denmark can be found in the capital city of Copenhagen. However there are also centres of excellence further afield in smaller cities like Aarhus.
There is no hard and fast answer to this question, but just like in any country, the answer to ‘what is the best IVF clinic’ is often the most popular ones.
Legal aspects of IVF in Denmark
IVF treatments in Denmark are regulated by the Danish Health Authority and clinics must abide by the country’s law of assisted reproduction.
| Question | Key Points | What this means for patients |
|---|---|---|
| Who can have fertility treatment? | Single women and couples can receive assisted reproduction | Treatment is available to single women, heterosexual couples and female couples, subject to individual clinical eligibility. |
| What is the age limit? | Treatment is allowed while the woman carrying the pregnancy is 45 or younger | Treatment cannot take place once she is older than 45, so in practice treatment must stop from age 46. |
| Can I use donor eggs? | Yes | Egg donation is permitted in Denmark. |
| Can I choose an anonymous egg donor? | Yes | With an anonymous donor, only the legally defined basic donor information may be provided, including skin, hair and eye colour, age, blood type, height and weight. |
| Can I choose a non-anonymous donor? | Yes | More donor information may be available than with an anonymous donor. Exactly what is available depends on the individual donor arrangement. |
| Can the child learn the donor's identity at 18? | Sometimes | This can be part of a non-anonymous/open arrangement, but it is not automatic for every Danish donor. Patients should check the specific donor arrangement before treatment. |
| Can I bring my own known egg donor? | Yes | Known egg donation is permitted. The donor must meet the applicable consent, assessment, screening and testing requirements, and the clinic must confirm that the arrangement complies with Danish rules. |
| Is ROPA / partner egg donation allowed? | Yes | One female partner can provide the eggs while the other carries the pregnancy and gives birth. |
| Does ROPA require a medical reason? | No, since 1 January 2025 | Danish law no longer requires a separate medical justification when the eggs are donated by the partner of the woman who will give birth. |
| Where is ROPA without a medical indication available? | Private clinics, self-pay | When there is no medical indication, partner egg donation can be provided through private fertility treatment on a self-payment basis. |
| Is double donation allowed? | Yes, with conditions | When both donor eggs and donor sperm are used, ordinary double donation must be medically justified and at least one donor must be non-anonymous. |
| What if my female partner provides the eggs and donor sperm is used? | Special partner-donation rule applies | A separate medical justification is not required for the partner egg donation. The partner is also a known/non-anonymous egg donor. |
| Is embryo donation allowed? | No for fertility treatment | Already-fertilised embryos cannot be donated to another patient for reproductive treatment. This is different from double donation, where donor eggs and donor sperm are used to create embryos for the recipient. |
| How long can eggs or embryos be stored? | Generally until the woman who would carry the pregnancy turns 46 | The former general five-year storage limit has been removed. Other circumstances may affect how long particular stored embryos can remain in storage. |
| Is sex selection allowed? | Not for family balancing | Sex selection is permitted only in defined medical circumstances, such as preventing a serious sex-linked hereditary disease. |
| Is PGT allowed? | Yes, for defined medical indications | Embryo genetic testing can be used for certain serious hereditary diseases and significant chromosomal abnormalities when the legal and medical requirements are met. |
| Are egg donors screened? | Yes | Donors undergo health assessment and testing. Official guidance says egg donors should generally not be older than 35. |
| How many times can an egg donor donate? | Maximum 6 donations | A Danish tissue centre must ensure that an egg donor does not donate eggs more than six times in total. |
| Is there a limit on pregnancies from one donor? | Yes, within Denmark | Normally, no more than 12 viable pregnancies among women resident in Denmark may result from eggs from one donor. Specific exceptions apply, including sibling treatment. |
Egg Donation and IVF in Denmark – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Article sources:
- https://fertilitetsselskab.dk/
- https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2015/672
- https://en.stps.dk/health-professionals-and-authorities/blood-tissuescells-and-organs
- https://www.eshre.eu/Data-collection-and-research/Consortia/EIM/Legislation-for-ART-and-IUI-treatments
- https://academic.oup.com/hropen/article/2020/3/hoaa032/5879305
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4134786/
- https://www.fertilityclinicsabroad.com/ivf-abroad/ivf-denmark/
- https://www.fertilityclinicsabroad.com/ivf-abroad-guide/
- https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2019/902