Choosing surrogacy is a decision fraught with challenges for couples in Cyprus. It’s widely acknowledged that embarking on this life-changing journey can be a strenuous and demanding process, one that rigorously tests the resilience and determination of aspiring parents.
Therefore, in addition to cultivating inner strength, love, and patience to navigate the potential challenges that may arise, it is essential to have adequate financial readiness for the entire surrogacy journey.
Although it is understandable why surrogacy is an expensive process, no matter which destination you choose to carry it out, many intended parents wonder where it’s possible to save money.
This article showcases a compilation of the top destinations that offer more economical options for surrogacy, carefully evaluating the pros and cons of each country.
1. Colombia
Colombia has gained recognition as a top choice for surrogacy, known for its welcoming environment, easy accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Family Aims, a prominent international surrogacy agency, provides comprehensive assistance to prospective parents from Cyprus, overseeing all legal and medical processes within Colombia. Their commitment to maintaining costs within the agreed-upon budget underscores their dedication to facilitating a smooth surrogacy journey.
The exceptional reputation of Babynova Clinic by Novafem, an affiliated clinic with vast expertise in assisted gestation, adds further credibility to the remarkable experience provided.
Surrogacy waiting periods in Colombia are relatively brief, with an additional duration of 2 to 3 months compared to clinics in other parts of the world. This presents a favorable opportunity for parents who are eager to commence the process as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the shorter waiting period in Colombia not only aids in minimizing the overall cost of surrogacy but also makes it an appealing option for individuals seeking greater accessibility and affordability. The cost of surrogacy in Colombia starts at $65,000 USD.
2. United States
Despite being one of the countries with a thriving surrogacy industry and housing expert agencies and specialized clinics, surrogacy treatments in the United States can be financially burdensome for foreigners. Additionally, foreign intended parents often face the challenge of obtaining a specific visa, which can be expensive or, in certain cases, completely unattainable depending on their nationality.
Even for residents, surrogacy in the United States can be a costly endeavor due to the need to relocate between states. The lack of consistent regulations for surrogacy across the country results in additional expenses related to these interstate moves, ultimately inflating the overall surrogacy budget.
It is also important to keep in mind that, in addition to the costs related to the visa and requirements of each state legislation, the number of attempts included in each plan and the additional tests, can be factors of a high increase in expenses.
Therefore, it is to be taken into account that the costs may even exceed 200,000 USD, a figure that may increase depending on the surrogacy method chosen, as well as on the number of attempts included.
3. Georgia
Surrogacy in Georgia offers affordability, yet it’s important to note that this option is exclusively available to heterosexual couples with a relationship of at least one year.
Surrogacy in Georgia is known for its affordability, but it’s crucial to understand that this option is restricted to heterosexual couples who have a minimum of one year of relationship. The base cost for surrogacy in Georgia is 55,000 USD. However, the introduction of new legislation in 2024 has prohibited foreigners from pursuing surrogacy in the country. As a result, access to this treatment is now limited to same-sex couples and foreigners who have decided to pursue surrogacy specifically within Georgia.
Given the prohibitive legislation in force that involves numerous complications even for natural residents of Georgia, this destination is a possible one for its legality, but a difficult one to access for those interested.
4. Cyprus
Some European countries offer very affordable options for their residents. Cyprus, for example, has clinics specialized in surrogacy procedures with prices around 65,000 USD.
However, due to the high demand for surrogacy procedures and its scarce local population, candidates are limited, often forcing a bigger search outside the country for surrogates to carry out the procedure.
This limitation results in foreigners who apply for being gestational carriers, but they must travel to another country to give birth to the newborn, which increases the costs and the risks of surrogacy, as well as the legal fees.
Moreover, the paperwork required for intended parents without European nationality is extensive, leading to additional expenses to access specific services and facilitate unrestricted movement during the surrogacy procedures.
Hence, opting for surrogacy in this country demands thorough financial planning to be undertaken.
5. Mexico
In Latin America, Mexico stands out as one of the limited number of countries where surrogacy is permitted; however, clear regulations are only established in a few states.
This indicates that individuals interested in surrogacy must travel to these specific regions to undergo the procedure, or take the risk of attempting it in another state with uncertain legal processes.
Furthermore, the rising demand for surrogacy services, coupled with legal restrictions in other parts of the country, drives up the cost of the process to approximately 55,000 USD. Additionally, unlike other surrogacy destinations, the staff may not always possess specialized expertise.
Additionally, accessing the baby’s documentation may pose legal challenges as the surrogacy procedure is not legalized in all states, thereby resulting in increased expenses due to additional documentation requirements and transportation issues.
While residents residing near states where surrogacy is allowed may have easier access, the absence of adequate training in some healthcare facilities can complicate matters for foreign parents traveling to these states for the first time. These concerns arise due to the lack of assurance regarding social security benefits, which may not be on par with those provided in other countries.
Despite surrogacy being allowed in the indicated states, the demand for this procedure there is usually quite low as they are not tourist destinations, and don’t have great economic investment, which may dissuade foreigners from choosing this destination as the ideal one for surrogacy.
Competitive pricing for residents of Cyprus
Many couples do not dare to skimp on expenses when they wish to have a family, because it’s the most beautiful project they can make together.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to develop a well-thought-out plan and be prepared for any obstacles that may arise, potentially causing complications for individuals involved and impacting their emotional and financial well-being.
Therefore, although there are many options for surrogacy, it is important to choose wisely and look at the bigger picture beyond choosing the destination that offers the best prices. You should think about which offers the best opportunities to achieve the dream of having a child if you live in Cyprus.