If you're struggling to conceive and on the path to parenthood, looking to have a baby and are considering, planning or about to have fertility treatment like IVF, ICSI, Egg Donation, Sperm donation, Embryo donation treatment in Europe and in places like Spain, Greece and Czech Republic then you're in the right place.
I'm Emma Haslam and since the birth of our son in 2018, I have made it my mission to make fertility treatment more transparent, accessible, supported and affordable. I now help people around the world just like you to find a safe, best fit clinic and navigate fertility treatment in Europe. And since 2019 I have helped 100s of people around the world to make informed decisions that are right for them and to have fertility treatment in Europe and achieve their dreams of starting, or expanding their families.
"Is it really cheaper to go abroad for IVF when you include everything?" This is a popular question I get asked a lot. It's a critical question, and understanding the cost implications is essential for most people if you're considering fertility treatment abroad.
Comparing IVF & Fertility Costs: Home vs. Abroad
First, let's consider where you live. Many of my clients are from the UK, Ireland, and the United States. It's important to understand the cost of treatment in your home country before comparing it to options abroad. During our IVF journey, we saved thousands of pounds by opting to have treatment abroad. Our total budget was utilized effectively, giving us more rounds of treatment for our money and we were able to have multiple attempts, leading to the birth of our son. If we had chosen local treatment, our funds would have depleted quickly, leaving us without the money needed to cover the treatment we needed to have our son. Quite simply put, if we had stayed in the UK for our fertility treatment we would not have our son today as our money would have run out.
In countries like the UK, Ireland, or United States, treatment can be significantly more expensive compared to Europe. Even when you include flights and accommodation, the cost savings can be substantial. For instance, a full own egg/sperm IVF cycle in the UK, Europe or the US can range from;
UK IVF Average Cost: £10,000 to £20,000 per cycle.
US IVF Average Cost: $20,000 to $30,000 per cycle.
In contrast, many European clinics in countries like Spain, Greece, Czech Republic, or Poland offer competitive packages that can cut costs by up to 50%, even when including flights and accommodation.
When considering having fertility treatment abroad, costs vary by country. Central and European countries tend to be cheaper than Western European countries like Spain. However, even in more expensive European countries, the total cost, including flights and accommodation, often remains considerably lower than in the UK or the US. Some of my clients have reported savings of up to 70%.
However, beyond the numbers, these are some other benefits to consider:
Advanced Treatments: Access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative treatments
No Waiting Lists: Faster access to treatment at most clinics
Good Success Rates: Many European clinics boast good success rates
Transparent pricing: More transparent pricing and with more included in the baseline costs.
Time away: Time away from the stresses and strains of home life
More options: More options for testing and treatment and for donor conception
Other Treatment Costs To Be Aware Of
When comparing costs, ensure you account for everything. Clinics often advertise attractive packages but omit essential services. Here are some hidden costs to watch out for:
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Often not included and can cost between £1,000 to £1,500 in the UK.
Freezing and Storage: For sperm and embryos.
Consultations and Ultrasounds: Sometimes extra.
Medication: Can vary widely, costing from £500 to £2,500 per cycle and much more if you are in the USA.
Blood Work: Ensure these are included in your budget
Additional Tips
Savings on Medication - medication can be a significant expense, but you can save money by shopping around. If you need an introduction to a specialist online fertility pharmacist that provides no-obligation quotes for medication and global delivery, even if you decide to have treatment locally, you can request a private prescription from your clinic and compare prices. For more information click here.
Travel Off-Peak: Avoid school holidays, peak summer, and major events to reduce travel costs
Accommodation: Choose mid-range options to balance comfort and cost.
Return Trips: Subsequent visits, if needed for something like a frozen embryo transfer, require shorter stays and reduce costs further and also the cost for this from the clinic will be substantially cheaper than a fresh cycle of IVF.
Going abroad for IVF can indeed be cheaper when all factors are considered. While no one can guarantee success, extending your budget and choosing a cost-effective, high-quality clinic that best meets your needs can increase your chances of success and you will have no regrets about the things you didn’t do. If you need help with your next steps, wherever you are in the process of considering, researching, planning of having fertility treatment abroad in Europe then please drop me an email on hello@yourivfabroad.co.uk to explore your options.
I truly hope this helps to answer the question about if it is really cheaper to go abroad for IVF when you consider everything you need to include. I also have some free resources below that you might find helpful.
FREE RESOURCES
PODCAST
Just search Your IVF abroad on all your usual platforms like Apple and Spotify, or you can listen here
Not sure if going abroad is right for you and you have questions? Or started the process and feeling stuck? Consider some personalized support and book a PICK MY BRAIN call.
Emma Haslam
Your IVF abroad