International IVF treatment: How embryos are transported between countries

Patients are increasingly turning to IVF medical tourism to address fertility issues. The reasons include the high cost of treatment in their home country, strict legal restrictions, or the desire to undergo genetic testing of embryos. International IVF treatment allows patients to combine travel with access to high-quality reproductive care in countries offering advanced technologies and affordable prices.

Why Patients Transport Embryos to Another Country

The question of why patients transport embryos to another country is becoming increasingly common. There are several reasons:

Legal restrictions. In some countries, IVF is permitted only for married couples, while donation, surrogacy, or PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) may be prohibited.
Surrogacy. In a number of countries, carrying a child by a surrogate mother is allowed only on a non-commercial basis. Patients transport embryos to countries where commercial surrogacy is legal.
Oocyte donation. Access to donor material in a patient’s home country may be limited or involve long waiting periods.
Increasing the chances of success. Moving embryos to a clinic with higher success rates or access to additional diagnostics can have a critical impact on the outcome.

IVF Abroad: Pros and Cons

When assessing the pros and cons of IVF abroad, it is important to consider both the obvious advantages and potential risks.

Pros:

Advanced technologies. Market leaders implement innovations ranging from embryo vitrification to non-invasive PGT.
Affordable prices. The cost of a cycle in the Czech Republic ($2,500–5,000) is significantly lower than in the United States ($12,000+).
Legal access. Some countries allow procedures that are prohibited in the patient’s home country, such as surrogacy for single individuals.

Cons:

Complex logistics. Organizing cryogenic transportation of embryos between countries requires a professional approach.
Emotional stress. Travel, language barriers, and document processing add to the anxiety.
Additional expenses. In addition to the cost of treatment, patients need to consider flights, accommodation, interpreter services, and the cost of biomaterial transportation.

Best Countries for IVF Treatment

When choosing the best countries for IVF treatment, it is important to consider not only prices but also legal regulations. The most popular destinations include:

When choosing a country, both cost and legal regulations should be taken into account. The most popular destinations include:

United States — a high level of medical care and well-developed surrogacy programs, although laws vary by state. The cost of one cycle starts from $12,000+, while surrogacy costs range from $110,000 to $180,000.
Spain — one of the best countries for egg donation, with an age limit of up to 50 years. The cost of a cycle is €4,150–6,000, and IVF with donor eggs costs €5,900–9,500.
Greece — PGT and surrogacy for foreigners are allowed on an altruistic basis. The cost of a cycle is €5,000–8,000.
Cyprus and Northern Cyprus — liberal legislation and accessible surrogacy options, both altruistic and commercial. The cost of a cycle starts from €5,500.
Czech Republic — high quality at moderate prices, with an age limit of up to 49 years. The cost of a cycle is $4,200–6,800.
Ukraine and Georgia — legal commercial surrogacy for foreigners at affordable prices.
Albania — an emerging destination for surrogacy, where both commercial and altruistic surrogacy are allowed, with relatively low procedure costs.
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — altruistic surrogacy may be possible, with full support and legal assistance.
United Kingdom — altruistic surrogacy is also possible.

Comparison of Countries by Cost and Laws

Country	Is PGT Allowed?	Surrogacy	IVF Cycle Cost (Own Eggs)
United States	Yes	Yes, laws vary by state	$12,000+
Spain	Yes	Altruistic	€4,150–6,000
Greece	Yes	Altruistic, including for foreigners	€5,000–8,000
Czech Republic	Yes	Non-commercial only	$4,200–6,800
Ukraine	Yes	Yes, commercial	$3,900–5,500
Georgia	Yes	Yes, commercial	$4,000–8,000
Cyprus / Northern Cyprus	Yes	Yes, altruistic and commercial	from €5,500
Albania	Yes	Yes, altruistic and commercial	from €4,000
Kyrgyzstan / Kazakhstan (for the UK)	Yes	Altruistic	On request

Note: PGT stands for preimplantation genetic testing. Prices are approximate.

When Embryos Need to Be Transported Between Countries

The question of when embryos need to be transported between countries can arise in many different life situations.

Patient relocation. If you have moved to another country and want to continue treatment at a new IVF clinic.
Clinic closure. If a reproductive center ceases operations, embryos must be urgently transferred to another facility.
A surrogate mother in another country. When the surrogate mother lives in a country with more favorable legislation.
Use of donor embryos. When donor material needs to be obtained from abroad.

How Embryos Are Transported: Equipment and Rules

Transporting embryos between countries is a high-tech process that requires strict compliance with regulations.

The main piece of equipment is an embryo cryocontainer, also known as a dry shipper or cryo shipper. This is a vessel in which ultra-low temperatures of up to -196°C are maintained through the absorption of liquid nitrogen by a porous material. Dry storage of embryos in such a container is safe and allows biomaterial to be transported for 7–10 days.

Key rules for embryo cryotransportation:

The container must be transported strictly in an upright position, without shaking or impact.
Each cryo shipper must be marked with the UN 3373 “Biological Substance, Category B” label.
To cross a border, an accompanying letter from the clinic and a certificate confirming the need for transportation are required.

Transportation must be carried out by logistics companies licensed to handle biomaterials.

Mistakes When Organizing IVF Medical Tourism

IVF medical tourism involves risks that can be avoided by understanding the most common mistakes.

Failure to check the laws of the destination country. For example, commercial surrogacy is prohibited in Germany and France. Make sure that the planned procedures are legal.
Saving money on logistics. Embryo transportation is not a case where choosing the cheapest option is advisable. An unreliable carrier may damage the cryocontainer and cause the loss of biomaterial.
Lack of insurance. Insurance for surrogacy and biomaterial transportation covers risks related to sample damage, flight delays, or customs issues.
Failure to comply with labeling rules. The absence of the UN 3373 label on the container may be grounds for customs detention.

When planning reproductive tourism, entrust transportation arrangements to professionals. The right country, a legally sound agreement, and reliable logistics are key to the successful completion of treatment.