Question 1

Is egg donation legal in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation is legal in Taiwan and is regulated under the Assisted Reproduction Act.

The process is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, ensuring adherence to standardized guidelines and ethical practices, and Taiwan is recognized as one of the few countries in Asia with a formal egg bank and a clear legal framework for assisted reproductive technology. Egg donation is permitted for heterosexual married couples who meet specific criteria, including a diagnosis of infertility or a major hereditary disease, and both spouses must undergo detailed psychological and physiological examinations.

Egg donors in Taiwan undergo extensive screening for infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and fertility evaluation, and there are specific donor age limits, legally between 20 and 39 years old. The process is largely anonymous, protecting both donor and recipient, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare verifies there are no familial relationships between the donor and recipient family.

Question 2

Is reciprocal IVF (ROPA) allowed in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal IVF (ROPA) is not currently permitted under Taiwanese law, which restricts IVF to heterosexual married couples.

However, a significant amendment to the Assisted Reproduction Act is being considered to extend access to fertility treatments, including potentially ROPA for married lesbian couples, provided both partners have healthy eggs and one can carry the pregnancy. This proposed legislation, passed by the Cabinet in December 2025, aims to broaden eligibility to include single women and married lesbian couples, and would clarify parental recognition for children born through assisted reproduction, designating them as marital children.

Taiwan has a developed fertility treatment sector, with centers like the Taiwan IVF Group offering various services, but these are currently within the bounds of the existing legal framework which does not explicitly allow ROPA.

Question 3

When was the first IVF baby born in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

The first IVF baby in Taiwan was born in April 1985 at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, representing a key moment in the country’s reproductive medicine history.

The successful birth was the result of a team effort led by Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology Wu Hsiang-ta, director of the Planned Parenthood Division Chang Sheng-ping, Dr. Chen Shu-chi, and Dr. Tseng Chi-rui; Dr. Chang Sheng-ping is widely known as the “father of the test-tube baby” in Taiwan.

Following this initial success, the first IVF operations were conducted in 1987, achieving a 20 percent success rate, which has since significantly improved with modern advancements to as high as 80 percent in some clinics.

Question 4

Are egg donors anonymous in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation in Taiwan is strictly anonymous, meaning donors are not permitted to specify recipients, and recipients cannot choose specific donors.

This system is designed to protect the privacy of donors and prevent potential future complications for families, and it is based on three core principles: anonymity, no specification of recipients, and no compensation to donors. Donor-conceived children in Taiwan are currently unable to access the identity of their egg donors, and while inquiries about familial relationships are permitted before marriage, direct disclosure of donor identity is not provided.

Recent legislative changes are expanding access to assisted reproduction in Taiwan to include single women and same-sex couples, and propose expanding the disclosure of limited donor information like nationality, blood type, and skin tone to intended parents; however, the fundamental principle of donor anonymity remains unchanged.

Question 5

Can you choose gender with IVF in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Gender selection using IVF is legally prohibited in Taiwan except for specific medical reasons.

Taiwan strictly bans sex selection for non-medical purposes, encompassing practices like sex-selective abortions and the use of technologies such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to choose an embryo’s sex. Revealing an embryo’s sex is also not permitted when there is no medical need to know.

However, PGD/PGT can be used to identify the sex of an embryo if there is a risk of sex-linked genetic disorders, allowing for the prevention of transmitting these conditions to a child.

Question 6

Can gay couples do IVF in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Currently, male same-sex couples in Taiwan cannot access IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to legal restrictions within the country’s Artificial Reproductive Law.

The law requires that human zygotes be created within a legal marriage between a man and a woman, despite the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan. As a result, services like IVF, IUI, and egg donation are not available to same-sex couples domestically, and surrogacy is also illegal in Taiwan. Couples seeking to have children biologically related to one or both partners typically pursue ART options abroad, with countries like Ukraine, Colombia, and Mexico being potential destinations.

While parental recognition can be complex for children born through ART or surrogacy abroad, recent amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act, approved in December 2025, aim to clarify legal parenthood and designate all births through assisted reproduction as marital children, a status that cannot be revoked once the procedure is completed.

Question 7

Is IVF legal in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

IVF is legal in Taiwan and is governed by the Assisted Reproduction Act (ARA), first implemented in 2007.

Historically, the ARA restricted access to ART to infertile heterosexual married couples, but significant changes are being made to expand eligibility. As of December 2025, amendments approved by the Cabinet will allow single women and women in same-sex marriages to access fertility treatments, aiming to respect women’s reproductive autonomy and the best interests of children.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) oversees ART through its Health Promotion Administration (HPA), licensing and reviewing institutions to ensure quality. Women aged 45 or older seeking treatment will require a medical evaluation, and prospective parents will undergo a child-welfare assessment. The amendments also clarify the legal status and parental rights of children born through assisted reproduction.

Question 8

Is embryo donation legal in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Embryo donation is legal in Taiwan for heterosexual married couples who are experiencing infertility or have concerns about genetic disease.

The process is governed by the Artificial Reproduction Act, which was enacted in 2007 and has been amended since, and emphasizes safety and ethical considerations for everyone involved. Taiwan has a well-established framework for assisted reproductive technologies, with many licensed medical institutions offering these services.

To be eligible, at least one partner must have a diagnosis of infertility or a hereditary disease, and both donors and recipients undergo thorough psychological and physiological evaluations. Notarized written consent from both partners is required, as well as approval from the National Health Administration, which can take up to a month to obtain.

Question 9

What is the age limit for IVF in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

In Taiwan, the age limit for IVF treatment eligibility for government subsidies is generally under 45 years of age for the female partner, as of the year of application or treatment.

For couples seeking subsidies, women under 39 are eligible for higher amounts – up to NT$150,000 for the first attempt – compared to those aged 39 to under 45, who can receive up to NT$130,000 for a first attempt. While 45 is the standard upper limit for subsidy eligibility, women aged 45 and older may be considered for treatment if a medical evaluation deems them fit, and some indications suggest treatment may be possible up to age 55 in certain circumstances.

It’s important to note that Taiwan currently does not permit egg donor treatments, and the regulations primarily apply to heterosexual married couples, with no explicit differentiation in age limits based on whether own eggs or donor eggs are used.

Question 10

Can lesbians do IVF in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Currently, IVF in Taiwan is primarily available to infertile heterosexual married couples, but legislative changes are progressing to extend access to married lesbian couples.

Historically, Taiwanese law restricted assisted reproductive technologies like IVF to heterosexual married couples; however, draft amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act, approved by the Cabinet in December 2025, propose to include married lesbian couples. These changes are motivated by both a desire to address Taiwan’s low birth rate and to promote inclusivity in reproductive rights, and are currently awaiting legislative review. Access to donor sperm, which is necessary for lesbian couples undergoing IVF, is also included in these proposed amendments, with clinics providing non-identifying donor information.

Furthermore, the proposed amendments aim to ensure parental recognition for both partners in a same-sex couple, designating children born through assisted reproduction as marital children with a status that cannot be revoked, building upon the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019.

Question 11

Is surrogacy legal in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Currently, surrogacy is generally considered illegal in Taiwan, although the legal landscape is evolving with ongoing legislative discussions about potential legalization.

Historically, Taiwanese law has not permitted surrogacy, emphasizing that a wife should carry the fetus; however, reproductive assistance provided by a surrogate without commission and through independent connections isn’t entirely illegal, though medical professionals are hesitant to participate due to legal risks. Legislative proposals have considered allowing gestational surrogacy, but face opposition due to concerns about exploitation and commodification of children, and penalties exist for profiting from the sale or brokering of reproductive materials.

Legal parentage rules in surrogacy cases are complex and are a central focus of the legislative debates, with the aim of ensuring intended parents become the legal parents after birth, though clear frameworks are still under development.

Question 12

What is the IVF success rate in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

In Taiwan, the national pregnancy rate for implantation cycles in 2021 was 44.3%, with a pregnancy rate for treatment cycles at 22.5%, and a cumulative live birth rate for treatment cycles of 27.9%. Another report places Taiwan's national IVF pregnancy rate at 36.7%.

Success rates are closely tied to age, with women under 38 experiencing a cumulative live birth rate of 43.5% for treatment cycles. Data from 2020 showed a 34.8% live birth rate for single embryo transfer and 35.1% for multiple-embryo transfer. Using donor eggs results in higher success rates, with a 42% live birth rate in 2022, compared to 56.9% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer and 42.2% delivery rate per embryo transfer with donor eggs versus 34.6% and 25.0% respectively with own eggs.

For women under 35, IVF success rates are highest, with rates around 41.5% to 43.5%. Success rates decline for those aged 35-40, ranging from 31.9% to 12.4%, and fall below 5% for women over 40.

Question 13

How much does IVF cost in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

IVF costs in Taiwan generally range from $6,500 to $10,500 USD for a basic cycle, though options are available at different price points.

More advanced fourth-generation IVF treatments, incorporating technologies like AI Time-Lapse Incubator Systems, can cost between $6,000 and $7,500 USD per cycle. Standard IVF cycles are also reported within a broader range of approximately $3,163 to $10,500 USD, and some clinics include services like fertility tests, ovulation induction medication, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and anesthesia in this price. IVF with egg donation typically ranges from $17,000 to $20,050 USD, encompassing donor compensation, procedures, and embryo transfer.

Additional procedures can impact the overall cost; while ICSI is sometimes included, PGT testing for up to four embryos can cost around $2,200 USD. Medication costs are separate and can vary, with estimates around $1,000 USD, though this figure is based on European pricing.

Question 14

Can single women do IVF in Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Currently, single women in Taiwan are legally restricted from undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using their own or donor eggs.

The Assisted Reproduction Act in Taiwan, enacted in 2007, permits assisted reproductive technology (ART) only for legally married heterosexual couples, excluding single women, same-sex couples, and unmarried couples. While single women can freeze their eggs, the law requires these eggs to be used only within a heterosexual marriage, and they are not permitted to use donor sperm for conception.

Although there is no explicit age restriction for ART in general, public funding for IVF is limited to heterosexual married couples under 44 years old and is not available to single women. There is ongoing discussion and proposed amendments to the law that may expand access to ART for single women in the future.

Recipient age	Country	EU median
<34 years	Not published	45.7%
35–39 years	Not published	45.5%
40+ years	Not published	41.7%

Age group	Country	EU median
<34 years	Not published	38.8%
35–39 years	Not published	32.8%
40+ years	Not published	27.9%

Age group	Country	EU median
<34 years	Not published	25.6%
35–39 years	Not published	20.2%
40+ years	Not published	10.1%

Best IVF and Fertility Clinics in Taiwan

Top IVF Clinics in Taiwan

黃建榮婦產科暨台北試管嬰兒中心(TAIPEI IVF)

禾馨宜蘊生殖中心台中 Nuwa Fertility Center Taichung

HUAYU FERTILITY CENTER

Dr. Wang Reproductive Fertility Center

禾馨宜蘊生殖中心桃園 Nuwa Fertility Center Taoyuan

孕醫生殖中心-試管嬰兒,ivf,台北不妊治療

Hung Chi Gene IVF Center

TFC 臺北婦產科診所生殖中心 TAIPEI FERTILITY CENTER

Taiwan IVF Group 艾微芙國際生殖醫學中心

IVF success rates in Taiwan

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Taipei

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