Cyprus

There is no single cost that applies to every case. In fact, the price is closely related to certain variables such as whether an egg donation is needed, the type of program requested from the IVF clinic which translates into the number of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers covered. There can be one, two, three or unlimited transfers until pregnancy is achieved. Having clarified all possible variables, an estimate based on the case histories we have had allows us to say that the average price today for a guaranteed set-price journey, (with no extra costs) including unlimited IVF and embryo transfers, egg donor, surrogate mother and legal is roughly €70.000. The average cost of a program with one’s own embryos, surrogate and legal support is roughly $60.000.

The division between South Cyprus and North Cyprus has deep political roots and has led to the creation of two separate systems of government on the island. On one side, the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus), an internationally recognized State and a member of the European Union, with a government fully recognized at the international level. On the other side, North Cyprus, which declared itself as a separate entity in 1983 under the name “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, but is not recognized by the international community, except by Turkey. This situation dates back to 1974, when a Turkish military intervention led to the division of the island along what is now known as the “Green Line”. Understanding this distinction is not just a geographical matter. It means recognizing that these are two completely different political and legal systems, with direct consequences on the international recognition of any surrogacy journey carried out on the island.

Surrogacy in the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus) is regulated by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Law No. 69/2015, which establishes a system based on prior approvals.
Article 22(1) of the law defines surrogacy as the “transfer of embryos into the uterus of a woman who will carry the pregnancy.” The procedure is allowed only with prior court approval, which must be granted before the embryo transfer, and is subject to the authorization of the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction, as well as the execution of a written agreement between the parties, strictly without any financial compensation.
This point is key. It makes clear that in South Cyprus a surrogacy journey cannot begin without prior court approval.

The legal framework in North Cyprus is very different. There is no specific law regulating surrogacy, which places the practice in a context of significant legal uncertainty. The absence of clear regulation exposes intended parents to the risk of not being recognized as the legal parents of the child, even when there is a genetic link. It's also important to consider that North Cyprus (TRNC) is not recognized by the international community, a factor that can make the child’s return to the parents’ home country more complex.

In the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus), surrogacy is regulated and the agreement with the surrogate is part of the process. However, it cannot be considered a “free” contract in the traditional sense. It must be understood within an authorization system and must comply with specific requirements set out in Law No. 69(I)/2015. One of the key elements is that surrogacy must be strictly altruistic, meaning that any form of financial compensation is excluded. In other words, the agreement alone is not enough. Once drafted and signed, the agreement is reviewed as part of the process leading to court approval, which must be obtained before the embryo transfer.

Article 16 of the Medically Assisted Reproduction law makes it clear that access to these techniques is limited to heterosexual couples, whether married or not, and only in specific situations. These include cases where there is a proven medical inability to conceive or where the goal is to prevent the transmission of serious diseases to the child. In practice, this means that surrogacy is not something that can be freely chosen.

With the relinquishment of parental rights by the surrogate mother, the names of the intended parents will be recorded on the birth certificate.

Once the birth certificate reflects the names of the intended parents, it's possible to apply for a passport to return to the parents’ home country. The passport will also include the names of both parents.