Question 1

Can lesbians do IVF in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Currently, lesbian couples in Croatia face legal restrictions that limit their access to IVF treatment.

Croatian law, specifically the Medically Supported Fertilization Law, restricts IVF access to married heterosexual couples and single women experiencing infertility, effectively excluding same-sex couples. While Croatia recognizes same-sex unions through the Life Partnership Act, granting many rights similar to those of married couples, this does not extend to IVF access within the national healthcare system. Donor sperm is also unavailable through the national system, and surrogacy is prohibited.

Despite these limitations, lesbian couples can pursue parenthood through adoption, as joint adoption has been legally permitted since a 2022 court ruling. However, parental recognition for children born through donor sperm can be complex, typically involving a “partner-guardian” status for the non-biological mother.

Question 2

Is IVF legal in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

IVF is legal in Croatia, governed by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Act of 2012 and provisions within the Family Act of 2015.

The Ministry of Health regulates assisted reproduction, allowing licensed state and private institutions to perform IVF procedures while upholding established rights and obligations. Treatment is available to married and unmarried heterosexual couples, and single women with a medical infertility diagnosis, particularly when donor sperm is used. Generally, women must be under 43 years of age to qualify, though exceptions can be made for health reasons, and written consent from both partners is required throughout the treatment process.

Croatian law permits gamete and embryo donation, with donors undergoing thorough screening, and allows for embryo cryopreservation, initially state-funded for five years. However, surrogacy is illegal, and there are restrictions on practices like simultaneous egg and sperm donation, embryo development outside the womb exceeding six days, experimentation on embryos, and post-mortem conception.

Question 3

Is egg donation legal in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation is legal in Croatia, regulated by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Act passed in 2012, and is considered relatively liberal compared to other European countries.

The legislation permits egg donation to assist women unable to use their own eggs or to avoid passing on serious hereditary conditions. Donations must be entirely altruistic and voluntary, and while anonymity is not permitted – the child has the right to know the donor’s identity at age 18 – donors have no legal rights or responsibilities towards any child conceived using their eggs. Eligible patients include heterosexual couples and single women, but single men, same-sex male couples, and female-only couples are not currently eligible for these treatments.

Croatian law also stipulates that a single donor cannot have more than three children born from their donated gametes, and any remaining gametes or embryos must be destroyed once this limit is reached. Donors are required to undergo thorough medical and psychological screening, and while specific age limits aren’t detailed in the legislation, the typical age range for donors is between 21 and 34 years old. Compensation for donation is prohibited, but reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during the process is allowed.

Question 4

What is the IVF success rate in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

The overall IVF success rate in Croatia is approximately 30% in recent years, a significant increase from an initial 5% over the past 40 years of assisted reproductive technology treatment.

Success rates are notably affected by age when using a woman's own eggs, ranging from 40-50% for those under 35, decreasing to 30-35% for ages 35-37, and further to 20-25% for those aged 38-40. For women over 40, success rates with their own eggs can fall into the single digits, with those aged 43-44 experiencing a success rate below 5%. However, using donor eggs significantly increases the chances of success, potentially reaching rates above 75% in a single cycle, and for women aged 43-44, success rates with donor eggs can be as high as 35% per cycle.

Croatia is considered to have a “very good” rating in the European Atlas of Infertility Treatment Policy, ranking fifth among similarly rated countries, and its 30% overall success rate falls within the typical 30-55% range observed across Europe, with countries like Spain and the Czech Republic often reporting higher rates.

Question 5

Is embryo donation legal in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Embryo donation is legal in Croatia and is regulated by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Act of 2012.

This option is available to heterosexual couples who are unable to use their own reproductive cells; however, simultaneous donation of both eggs and sperm is prohibited. Donors are limited to contributing to the birth of a maximum of three children, and all donors undergo medical and psychological screening. While donation is generally anonymous, children conceived through donation have the right to access information about their genetic origins, including the donor’s identity, when they reach the age of 18.

Assisted reproductive technologies are primarily available to heterosexual couples, with single women able to access treatment with donor sperm if they have a medical diagnosis of infertility. Treatment is available at the expense of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund for couples where the woman is under 43 years of age.

Question 6

Can gay couples do IVF in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Currently, IVF treatment in Croatia is legally restricted to heterosexual couples and single women; male same-sex couples are not permitted to undergo IVF procedures within the country according to the Medically Assisted Reproduction Act.

While IVF itself is not an option for gay couples, Croatia does permit egg and sperm donation, though all gametes must be sourced internationally as local donations are not performed. The use of donated sperm is common, typically utilizing cryopreserved sperm from anonymous foreign donors, and donors can father a maximum of three children. Same-sex couples can also pursue adoption, as a 2022 ruling affirmed their right to joint adoption, and can be foster parents.

For male same-sex couples who pursue assisted reproduction abroad, the partner not biologically related to the child may be able to establish parental responsibilities through legal means, potentially requiring solicitor certification for delegations of parental rights exceeding 30 days, with both parents jointly making decisions regarding the child’s welfare.

Question 7

When was the first IVF baby born in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

The first IVF baby in Croatia was born in 1983, establishing the country as the seventh globally to successfully achieve a birth through in vitro fertilization.

This pioneering achievement is largely attributed to Professor Velimir Šimunić. The year 2001 saw another milestone with the birth of the first IVF child in Split, overseen by prim. Boris Poljak and B.Sc. Anamarija Baranovic.

In 2023, Croatia commemorated 40 years of IVF, highlighting the significant advancements in reproductive medicine over the past four decades, with over 40,000 children now born through medically assisted fertilization in the country.

Question 8

Are egg donors anonymous in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

In Croatia, egg donors are not anonymous, as donor-conceived children are entitled to access identifying information about their donor when they turn 18 years old.

Croatian law dictates that donors do not have the right to receive any identifying details about the recipient couple or any child born from their donation. This non-anonymous system, combined with the prohibition of payment for donations, is thought to contribute to a significant shortage of local egg donors in Croatia.

To mitigate the donor shortage, Croatia is exploring importing gametes from licensed banks within the European Union, ensuring these banks adhere to Croatian regulations concerning identity release and the limit of three children per donor.

Question 9

How much does IVF cost in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

In Croatia, the cost of an IVF cycle can vary, starting from approximately €2,000 to €2,500 for a basic stimulated cycle, excluding the costs of screenings and necessary medications.

The overall expense can increase depending on the chosen method, with natural IVF cycles costing around €3,000, mild-stimulation cycles around €4,000, and Single Stim IVF with comprehensive testing reaching approximately €5,779, while DuoStim IVF cycles may cost at least €6,779. Additional costs can arise from procedures like ICSI, which ranges from €170 to €470, and preimplantation genetic testing, costing around €400 per embryo for PGT-A and approximately €1,600 plus €400 per embryo for PGT-M. Costs for embryo vitrification and storage range from €200 to €500, with annual storage fees between €150 and €200, and a frozen embryo transfer typically costs around €550, excluding preparation and medication.

For those considering IVF with egg donation, the costs are significantly higher, ranging from €7,000 to €25,000 per cycle, with premium traveling egg donor services available.

Question 10

Is sperm donation legal in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Sperm donation is legal in Croatia and is regulated by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Act of 2012.

Despite being permitted, Croatia has experienced a significant shortage of local sperm donors since the law came into effect, leading to plans to import sperm from licensed banks in other EU countries. The law allows for medically assisted reproduction for heterosexual couples with proven infertility and for single women, as well as to prevent the transmission of hereditary diseases, but it is not available for same-sex male couples or women-only couples.

Donation in Croatia is not anonymous, and donor-conceived children have the right to access identifying information about their sperm donor at the age of 18, with this information held in a State Register managed by the Ministry of Health. Potential donors must pass medical and psychological screening, and a donor cannot be the biological father of more than three children. Monetary compensation is prohibited, with donors only receiving reimbursement for expenses.

Question 11

Is reciprocal IVF (ROPA) allowed in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal IVF (ROPA) is not permitted in Croatia due to current legislation on Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR).

The Law 86/12 restricts access to fertility services to heterosexual couples and single women, meaning same-sex couples, including women-only couples, cannot access ROPA or other fertility treatments, and clinics do not offer the procedure.

Although Croatia has made progress in LGBTQ+ rights with acts like the Life Partnership Act of 2014 and recent court rulings on adoption, these advancements do not currently extend to assisted reproductive technologies such as ROPA, as the law explicitly excludes same-sex couples from accessing IVF services.

Question 12

Can single women do IVF in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, single women can undergo IVF in Croatia, provided they meet specific legal and medical criteria.

The legal framework in Croatia allows single women to access IVF treatment, but if donor sperm is required, they must have a diagnosed infertility issue; those seeking treatment solely due to the absence of a partner may not be eligible and might consider options elsewhere. While donor sperm is available, there can be scarcity, leading to imports from other EU countries, and donation is anonymous, though children have the right to know their biological parents.

Most Croatian fertility clinics accept women under 50 years of age for IVF, though public funding through the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) is limited to women under 42. Partial public funding is available for eligible Croatian citizens, while foreigners typically access self-funded IVF treatment.

Question 13

Is surrogacy legal in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Surrogacy is not legal in Croatia, and all forms of the practice are prohibited by law.

The Act on Reproductive and Genetic Technologies, adopted in 2009, explicitly bans both offering and seeking surrogacy services within the country, meaning no licensed agencies or clinics operate there. Contracts related to surrogacy are considered null and void, and all parties involved, including donors, may face criminal penalties.

This prohibition extends to all types of surrogacy – traditional, gestational, commercial, non-commercial, domestic, and international – and individuals seeking surrogacy arrangements often need to explore options in other countries, which can present complex legal challenges.

Question 14

How does IVF work in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

IVF treatment in Croatia involves a series of stages, beginning with an initial consultation and preparation and concluding with embryo transfer and pregnancy testing, all while following national regulations.

A typical IVF cycle starts with a consultation and comprehensive fertility testing for both partners. Following this, hormonal medications are used to stimulate egg production in the ovaries, a phase lasting 10-14 days and monitored with ultrasounds and blood tests. Mature eggs are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure, and sperm is collected from the partner or a donor. Fertilization occurs in a laboratory, with embryos cultured for 2 to 5 days, but not exceeding six days. Finally, selected embryos are transferred to the uterus, and a pregnancy test is performed approximately 14 days later, followed by ultrasound monitoring if the result is positive.

Question 15

Can you choose gender with IVF in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

Gender selection through IVF in Croatia is generally not permitted unless it is medically necessary to prevent the transmission of serious hereditary diseases linked to gender.

The use of PGD/PGT for elective gender selection is prohibited; however, PGT-M can be used to screen embryos for sex-linked genetic disorders, allowing couples at risk to select unaffected embryos for transfer.

This exception ensures that couples with a high risk of passing on a sex-linked genetic condition can have a healthy child, but gender selection for non-medical reasons remains unlawful.

Question 16

What is the age limit for IVF in Croatia?

Accepted Answer

In Croatia, there is no legal maximum age for women to undergo IVF treatment, though most clinics accept women up to the age of 50 for embryo transfer, specifically before they turn 49 years and 364 days old, while there is no age limit for men.

For couples seeking publicly funded IVF through the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF), the woman must be under 42 years old and both partners must be Croatian citizens with valid health insurance. Clinic policies and a woman’s overall health also influence individual eligibility, regardless of whether own eggs or donor eggs are used.

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