Question 1

Is embryo donation legal in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Embryo donation is not legally permitted in Denmark, although the practice of using both donor eggs and donor sperm, known as “double donation,” is allowed.

The legal status in Denmark explicitly prohibits embryo donation, and as a result, specific consent requirements and anonymity rules related to embryo donation are not applicable. However, Denmark does allow for both anonymous and open donations of eggs and sperm, with thorough screening processes for donors including psychological evaluations and tests for infectious diseases and genetic disorders.

When double donation is performed in Denmark, at least one of the donors – either the egg or sperm donor – must be a non-anonymous donor, meaning the resulting child will have the right to access identifying information about that donor upon reaching the age of 18. Treatment using donated eggs or sperm is available to single women, heterosexual couples, and female same-sex couples, though clinics generally do not treat female patients over the age of 46.

Question 2

How does IVF work in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

IVF treatment in Denmark involves several phases, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer, and is accessible to single women, heterosexual couples, and same-sex couples.

The process begins with ovarian stimulation using hormonal medications like FSH for approximately 15 days, monitored by ultrascans, to encourage the development of multiple eggs. Eggs are then retrieved through a transvaginal ultrasound-guided procedure and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. These fertilized eggs, or embryos, are cultured for 2-6 days, often until the blastocyst stage, before one or more are transferred to the uterus. Following the transfer, hormone support is typically provided for about 14 days, and a pregnancy test is conducted around 16 days later.

Treatment protocols can vary, utilizing short, long, or “crash” stimulation methods, and the number of required visits depends on the individual’s specific treatment plan and how they respond to medication.

Question 3

Can you choose gender with IVF in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Gender selection for non-medical reasons is not permitted with IVF treatment in Denmark.

The Danish legal framework for assisted reproductive technologies restricts the use of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis/Testing (PGD/PGT) for the sole purpose of choosing a child’s sex; however, exceptions are made when there is a medical necessity to prevent serious genetic diseases linked to a specific sex. While some Danish companies may direct clients to clinics in other countries, like Cyprus, where gender selection is legal, the practice is not allowed within Denmark itself.

PGT-A is primarily used to screen for chromosomal abnormalities, and a head of a Danish fertility clinic has voiced concerns regarding the methods and potential long-term effects of gender selection practices offered elsewhere.

Question 4

Is surrogacy legal in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Denmark permits altruistic surrogacy, but commercial surrogacy is illegal.

Altruistic surrogacy is allowed as long as no financial remuneration is exchanged, and the surrogate mother meets specific criteria including being at least 25 years old, having given birth before, and residing in Denmark. A close relationship between the surrogate and intended parents is also required, and a genetic link to at least one parent is necessary for registered parenthood. New legislation taking effect January 1, 2025, will clarify parentage rules for children born through surrogacy, both within Denmark and internationally.

While commercial surrogacy is prohibited and can result in fines or imprisonment, approximately 100 children are born annually to Danish parents via international commercial surrogacy. Previously, Danish law considered the birth mother the legal parent, creating challenges for children born through surrogacy abroad, but the upcoming legislation aims to address this by establishing clearer pathways to legal parentage.

Question 5

Is reciprocal IVF (ROPA) allowed in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal IVF, also known as ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner), is permitted in Denmark for lesbian couples.

A legal change effective January 1, 2025, removed the previous requirement of a medical reason, making this treatment accessible to all lesbian couples. Both partners must be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and chlamydia, and women can undergo treatment until their 46th birthday.

Danish legislation ensures both partners in a same-sex couple undergoing ROPA are legally recognized as parents from birth, thanks to a streamlined administrative procedure established in 2018, eliminating the need for adoption. Several clinics throughout Denmark, including Diers Fertility Clinic, Maigaard Clinic, Cryos International, Sellmer Clinic, Vitanova Fertility Centre, and IVF-Syd, offer ROPA as a service.

Question 6

How much does IVF cost in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

The cost of IVF in Denmark typically ranges from €3,300 to €4,500 (approximately $3,600 to $4,900 USD) for a standard cycle using your own eggs, though some clinics offer single cycles starting around €3,480.

Multi-cycle packages are frequently available and can provide cost savings, with a 3-cycle package ranging from approximately €6,295 to €8,045 (around $6,900 to $8,750 USD) depending on the clinic and treatment protocol. For women up to 35 years old, a 3-treatment package for ICSI treatments can cost €6,174, while for women over 35, the cost is €7,124. IVF with donor eggs generally costs between €7,000 and €8,300 (approximately $7,600 to $9,000 USD), with some clinics offering options around €45,800 DKK (approximately $6,600 USD) for egg donation with IVF and €49,800 DKK ($7,200 USD) for egg donation with ICSI.

It is important to note that medication costs are usually not included in the initial price and are paid separately to the pharmacy, varying based on the individual’s treatment plan. Additionally, ICSI, where a single sperm is injected into an egg, can add approximately €475 to €520 (around $515 to $565 USD) to the cost of a cycle, and may be included in some packages.

Question 7

Is egg donation legal in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation is legal in Denmark and is available to single women, heterosexual couples, and female same-sex couples.

The legal framework in Denmark permits both anonymous and open egg donations, with donors required to be between 18 and 35 years old and in good physical and mental health. Donors undergo thorough screening for infectious diseases and a mandatory psychological evaluation, and should be non-smokers with a BMI under 30.

While egg donation is altruistic and unpaid, donors can receive compensation for expenses up to 7,000 Danish Kroner (approximately €940). It is also legal to receive an oocyte donation from a known donor, excluding the patient’s mother or daughter, and double donation is allowed, though practices like embryo donation, sex selection, surrogacy, and PGS/PGD screening are prohibited.

Question 8

When was the first IVF baby born in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

The first IVF baby in Denmark was born in October 1983. This birth represented an important advancement in Danish reproductive medicine.

Although details regarding the specific clinic or physician involved are not widely available, the event was a significant milestone for the country. Denmark has since become known for its progressive fertility laws and accessible treatments, with a notable percentage of births – estimated between 8-10% – resulting from assisted reproductive technologies.

Prior to this landmark birth, Denmark established its first privately owned sperm bank, Den Centrale Sædbank, in 1975, laying some of the groundwork for future advancements in assisted reproduction.

Question 9

Are egg donors anonymous in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

In Denmark, egg donors can be either anonymous or non-anonymous, offering prospective parents a choice in how much information about the donor is shared.

For anonymous donations, recipients and any resulting child do not receive identifying information about the donor, only non-identifying characteristics like height, eye color, and education level are provided. Alternatively, an “open donation” allows donor-conceived children to access identifying information, such as the donor’s name, nationality, and date of birth, when they turn 18, though the donor is not obligated to make contact.

Historically, Denmark only allowed anonymous donations until 2012, and while open donations are currently available, they are typically more expensive; legal challenges are also ongoing that could potentially change the laws surrounding anonymous donations in the future.

Question 10

Can single women do IVF in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, single women can undergo IVF treatment in Denmark, as Danish law is liberal regarding assisted reproductive technologies.

Single women have been legally permitted to access fertility treatments like IVF since January 2007, regulated by the Act on Artificial Fertilisation. Denmark offers access to a large sperm bank with minimal waiting times, allowing single women to choose between anonymous or non-anonymous donors, with the option for children born from non-anonymous donors to learn the donor’s identity at age 18.

Women can receive fertility treatment up to age 46, though public funding has age restrictions; women must be referred before 40 and complete treatment by 41 to qualify for public funding, while private treatment is available up to age 46. Public funding covers up to three fresh IVF transfers or five started cycles for eligible women under 40, but single women may need to cover the cost of donor sperm at private clinics.

Question 11

Can lesbians do IVF in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lesbian couples can pursue IVF and other fertility treatments in Denmark, which has a supportive legal framework for same-sex couples seeking to build families.

Denmark was an early adopter of recognizing same-sex partnerships and has since moved towards gender-neutral marriage laws, making fertility treatments legally accessible to lesbian couples alongside single women and heterosexual couples. Access to donor sperm is readily available, with options for both anonymous and “open” donors, and comprehensive donor profiles are often accessible.

Danish law ensures both partners in a lesbian couple can be legally recognized as parents; the female partner of the birth mother is recognized as a co-mother with consent, and automatic registration of co-motherhood has been streamlined since 2022. Furthermore, as of 2025, reciprocal IVF (ROPA) will be legal, allowing one partner to contribute eggs for fertilization with donor sperm and the other to carry the pregnancy.

Question 12

What is the IVF success rate in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

IVF success rates in Denmark are notably high, with assisted reproductive technology contributing to a significant number of births in the country, though specific national averages aren’t uniformly published.

Success rates vary considerably based on the age of the woman and whether her own eggs or donor eggs are used. For women under 35, pregnancy rates range from approximately 38% to 55% per cycle, decreasing to 28-41% for those aged 35-39, and further to around 10-15% for women aged 40-42. Success rates are considerably lower for women 43 years and older, sometimes falling below 5% per cycle. Using donor eggs generally results in higher success rates, with figures reported between 39-41% and as high as 65-75% per cycle.

Denmark is a leading European destination for IVF due to its advanced medical standards and liberal fertility laws, though comparing success rates internationally is complex due to differing reporting methods between countries.

Question 13

What is the age limit for IVF in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

The general legal age limit for women undergoing IVF treatment in Denmark is 46 years old, and this applies to private fertility clinics with no exceptions.

There is no age limit specified for male partners. Publicly funded IVF treatment has more restrictive age criteria, requiring women to be referred to a public clinic before their 40th birthday and not providing treatment after age 41. The 46-year-old age limit for private treatment remains consistent whether a woman is using her own eggs or donor eggs, though egg donors themselves must be between 18 and 35 years old.

While the legal maximum age is 46, some private clinics may consider a woman’s overall health and reproductive function when making treatment decisions, and may recommend additional procedures like assisted hatching for women over 37. It is important to note that fertility treatment is generally not offered to women with a BMI over 35.

Question 14

Is sperm donation legal in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Sperm donation is legal in Denmark and is carefully regulated to protect all parties involved, including donors, recipients, and any children conceived through donation.

Danish law recognizes three different types of sperm donation: anonymous, open (identity-release), and known donors, each with distinct rules regarding donor information. The process is overseen by the Danish Patient Safety Authority and certified sperm banks, adhering to the requirements outlined in the Danish Tissue Act, which covers donor screening and assessment. While anonymous donations are currently permitted, legal challenges argue they may conflict with human rights related to the right to family life; prior to 2012, only anonymous donations were allowed.

To be approved as a sperm donor in Denmark, individuals typically need to be between 18 and 45 years old, demonstrate good physical and mental health with quality sperm and a BMI preferably under 35, and undergo comprehensive screening for genetic conditions, infectious diseases, and other factors like recent piercings or tattoos.

Recipient age	Country	EU median
<34 years	45.8%	45.7%
35–39 years	34.7%	45.5%
40+ years	42.7%	41.7%

Age group	Country	EU median
<34 years	38.2%	38.8%
35–39 years	30.2%	32.8%
40+ years	27.8%	27.9%

Age group	Country	EU median
<34 years	26.1%	25.6%
35–39 years	16.9%	20.2%
40+ years	8.2%	10.1%

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