Question 1

Are egg donors anonymous in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Egg donors are anonymous in Poland, and donor-conceived children do not have the right to access the donor’s identity.

The Law of 25 June 2015 on Infertility Treatment mandates full anonymity for all gamete and embryo donations in Poland. Recipients are able to access basic medical information about the donor, but the donor’s identity is always kept confidential, and this policy has remained unchanged.

Poland maintains a strict policy regarding anonymity in gamete donation, which differs from practices in some other European countries.

Question 2

What is the age limit for IVF in Poland?

Accepted Answer

In Poland, there is no legally mandated upper age limit for IVF treatment in private clinics, though treatment decisions are made individually based on a patient’s health and medical history.

For publicly funded IVF programs, women must be under 42 years old to use their own eggs or donor sperm, and under 45 years old to use donor eggs or donor embryos. Men seeking publicly funded IVF treatment must be 55 years old or younger.

Some private clinics, like INVICTA and NOW-fertility, will consider treating women over 50 with donor eggs if they are in good health and have no contraindications for pregnancy, as confirmed by a specialist assessment.

Question 3

Is IVF legal in Poland?

Accepted Answer

IVF is legal in Poland and is governed by the Act of June 25, 2015, on infertility treatment, which came into effect on November 1, 2015.

This act establishes a regulatory framework for assisted reproduction, covering aspects like reproductive cell and embryo use, patient qualification, and the management of procedures like insemination and in vitro fertilization, with oversight from the Ministry of Health. Recent changes in December 2023 led to the launch of a state-funded IVF program for 2024-2028, reversing a prior decision, and making treatment more accessible.

To qualify for IVF treatment, particularly within the government-funded program, couples generally need to be heterosexual, married or cohabiting, and have documented infertility or a diagnosed cause. Age limits apply, typically up to 42 or 45 for women and 55 for men, and both partners must be insured with the National Health Fund and provide written consent for the procedure.

Question 4

What is the IVF success rate in Poland?

Accepted Answer

IVF success rates in Poland are age-dependent, with women under 35 generally experiencing the highest rates, and rates declining with age. Using donor eggs tends to result in more consistent success rates regardless of the patient’s age.

For women under 35, birth rates using their own eggs are around 34.6%, while those aged 35-39 experience a rate of 28.7%, and women over 40 see a further decrease to 14.2%. With donor eggs, birth rates can reach 46.2% across all age groups, and one clinic reports a 75% clinical pregnancy rate after the first transfer of frozen donor eggs. Clinical pregnancy rates for women under 35 range from 44.6% to 58.3% depending on whether assisted hatching is used.

For women aged 41-42, clinical pregnancy rates with assisted hatching are 27.3%, dropping to 10% without. Women over 42 have a 50% clinical pregnancy rate with assisted hatching, but this falls to 0.2% without. Egg donation shows a high success rate, with one clinic reporting 84% success in the 40-45 age group.

Question 5

Is sperm donation legal in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Sperm donation is legal in Poland and is utilized for infertility treatments, particularly in cases of male factor infertility.

The process operates under strict anonymity rules, protecting the privacy of both the donor and the recipient parents and child. Potential donors must meet specific health and age criteria, generally being healthy men between 18 and 35 years old, and undergo thorough medical and psychological evaluations, including tests for infectious diseases and genetic conditions.

While not a commercial transaction, donors typically receive compensation to cover expenses and time, potentially reaching up to PLN 5,000 depending on the number of successful donations, and Polish law limits the number of children that can be born from a single donor to ten.

Question 6

Can you choose gender with IVF in Poland?

Accepted Answer

In Poland, selecting a child’s gender through IVF for non-medical reasons is not allowed, as it is prohibited by the country’s legal framework for assisted reproduction.

While Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), including PGT-A, is available with IVF, it cannot be used for gender selection based on social preferences. An exception exists when there is a risk of a serious sex-linked hereditary disease, in which case PGT can be used to select embryos of the unaffected sex, ensuring the procedure remains therapeutically focused on preventing genetic disorders.

The law prohibiting non-medical gender selection aims to prevent potential societal sex-ratio imbalances that could result from widespread use of this practice.

Question 7

Can single women do IVF in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Yes, single women can access IVF treatment in Poland, as the legal framework permits fertility care for single women, married couples, and unmarried heterosexual couples.

The law, updated in 2024, specifically allows single women to utilize donor sperm for IVF procedures, although sperm donation is generally anonymous and clinic policies vary regarding gamete facilitation. Public funding for IVF is available through a program launched in June 2024, but while the law enables access for single women, details regarding their eligibility, particularly concerning donor gametes, should be confirmed with individual clinics as the program is primarily focused on couples.

Age restrictions apply to publicly funded IVF, with a limit of 42 for women using their own eggs or donor sperm, and 45 for those using donor eggs or embryos; however, privately funded treatments are assessed individually by doctors without a strict legal upper age limit.

Question 8

Can gay couples do IVF in Poland?

Accepted Answer

IVF treatments are available in Poland, and fertility clinics offer services to a range of patients, including those needing donor gametes, however, the legal landscape for gay couples seeking to have children is complex, with significant limitations regarding parental recognition and surrogacy.

While IVF and egg donation are permitted, Poland does not currently recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, which impacts parental recognition for children born through assisted reproductive technologies. Polish law does not regulate surrogacy, and courts have sometimes refused to transcribe foreign birth certificates listing two same-sex parents, creating legal challenges for establishing parentage and obtaining necessary documentation.

There is ongoing legislative effort to introduce civil partnerships, with a bill debated in parliament in October 2024, but the Polish Constitution's Article 18 is often interpreted as prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Question 9

Is reciprocal IVF (ROPA) allowed in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal IVF (ROPA) is not permitted in Poland, meaning lesbian couples cannot legally share biological motherhood through this method within the country.

Although Poland provides extensive IVF services, including options with donor gametes and embryos, and even has a national IVF funding program, ROPA is specifically prohibited by the current legal framework. The law does not allow for one female partner to donate eggs to be fertilized and then transferred to her partner for gestation.

Because ROPA is not legally sanctioned in Poland, there are no established legal procedures for recognizing both partners as parents, nor are there any clinics offering this service to couples within the country.

Question 10

Is embryo donation legal in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Embryo donation is legal in Poland and is governed by the Act on Infertility Treatment, which was enacted in 2015.

While permitted, the legislation has faced criticism for restrictions that some consider discriminatory and potentially infringing on human rights; unused embryos must be donated after 20 years of storage or when the storage contract expires, unless they are taken out of the country. Voluntary embryo donation is allowed with informed consent from both gamete providers, and a psychological consultation is required for patients undergoing donation procedures. Donation is fully anonymous, with recipients having access to limited medical information about the donor.

Currently, embryo donation is primarily available to married or cohabiting heterosexual couples who have documented infertility or an absolute cause of infertility, with age limits of under 42 for women and under 55 for men to qualify for government-funded programs. Single women and same-sex couples are generally ineligible to receive donated embryos in Poland, though recent court decisions have shown some flexibility regarding the rights of individuals to utilize previously frozen embryos.

Question 11

Can lesbians do IVF in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Polish law does not provide access to IVF treatment for lesbian couples, and regulations primarily focus on heterosexual couples.

While IVF treatment is legally available in Poland, the national IVF funding program for 2024-2028 is limited to married or cohabiting couples consisting of a man and a woman who meet specific criteria. Access to donor sperm is also generally restricted to heterosexual couples, meaning lesbian couples often need to seek options outside of Poland or through private arrangements, which may lack legal clarity and safety.

Furthermore, Poland lacks specific regulations recognizing same-sex partnerships, creating complexities in establishing legal parenthood for both partners in a lesbian couple through assisted reproduction, potentially leading to precarious situations for children and their non-biological parent.

Question 12

How much does IVF cost in Poland?

Accepted Answer

The cost of IVF in Poland typically ranges from approximately $1,000 to $5,800 for a basic cycle, though prices can vary depending on the clinic, specialist, and any additional procedures needed.

A standard IVF cycle generally costs between $1,000 and $3,500, and comprehensive packages including consultations, monitoring, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and transfer can range from around $2,500 to $6,000, not including medication costs. IVF with egg donation typically costs between $2,100 and $3,000, but can range from $3,233 to $11,199 depending on whether fresh or frozen eggs are used and donor egg access.

Additional procedures can significantly impact the overall cost; ICSI can add approximately $1,166 to $1,339, while preimplantation genetic testing ranges from $1,800 to $3,000, and can start from 2,990 PLN (approximately $645 USD). Medication costs are also individualized and are often billed separately from basic package prices.

Question 13

When was the first IVF baby born in Poland?

Accepted Answer

The first successful IVF in Poland took place in 1987 in Białystok, marking a significant moment for reproductive medicine in the country.

Although specific details regarding the first baby born through IVF, such as the baby’s name or the exact clinic, are not widely available, this event represented a crucial step forward. Initially, IVF faced opposition due to ethical and religious concerns, and unfounded beliefs about potential defects in babies born through this method, but public perception gradually shifted towards greater acceptance.

Later developments included the Polish government beginning to cover IVF treatments with state funding, starting in late 2007, and the launch of a national IVF funding program, placing Poland among the EU nations offering comprehensive IVF support, with the initiative resulting in over 9,258 pregnancies as of January 2025.

Question 14

Is egg donation legal in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation is legal in Poland and operates under specific regulations designed to protect the well-being of both donors and recipients.

The process is strictly anonymous, with no exchange of identifying information between donors and recipients, although clinics are required to keep records of both parties. Individuals conceived through egg donation have the right to access non-identifying information about their donor, such as date and place of birth and examination results, when they reach the age of 18. Access to these treatments is generally limited to married or cohabiting opposite-sex couples with documented infertility.

Eligible egg donors in Poland are healthy women between the ages of 18 and 35, though some clinics prefer candidates up to age 32, with no personal or family history of fertility issues, birth defects, genetic or mental illnesses. Donors must register with the National Register of Donors and, while not receiving financial compensation, can be reimbursed for expenses related to the donation process.

Question 15

Is surrogacy legal in Poland?

Accepted Answer

Surrogacy is not directly regulated in Poland, and surrogacy agreements are not considered legally valid, with the IVF procedure for surrogacy also being strictly prohibited.

Neither altruistic nor commercial surrogacy is explicitly legalized, and attempting artificial fertilization for the purpose of surrogacy, or transferring an embryo to a surrogate, can result in up to three years of imprisonment or a fine. Polish law unequivocally establishes the woman who gives birth as the legal mother, creating complex legal parentage issues for children born through surrogacy, particularly in international arrangements where foreign birth certificates indicating surrogacy may be deemed contrary to public policy.

While surrogate mothers themselves do not face direct penalties, individuals involved in arranging or performing the artificial fertilization process for surrogacy can be subject to imprisonment or a fine, and surrogacy agreements are not legally enforceable within Poland.

Best IVF and Fertility Clinics in Poland

Top IVF Clinics in Poland— Page 4

GYNCENTRUM Katowice

Parens Center of infertility treatment

InviMed Warszawa Mokotów Klinika Leczenia Niepłodności

Centrum Leczenia Niepłodności Novomedica

Gravid Center for treatment of infertility in vitro

Napromedica.pl Clinic Infertility Treatment | Bialystok

OVUM Specialized Medical Center

Popular Destinations in Poland

Katowice

Warsaw

Kraków

Wrocław

Białystok

Poznań

Gdańsk

Gdynia

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