Gestational surrogacy in Greece is an assisted reproduction option for women who are medically unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. In gestational surrogacy, another woman, known as the gestational carrier or surrogate, carries the pregnancy and gives birth to the child. The surrogate has no genetic relationship with the baby, as her own eggs are not used in the treatment.
The process is closely connected with in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Embryos are created in the laboratory using the intended mother’s eggs or, when medically appropriate, donor eggs, together with sperm from the intended father or another permitted source. After the necessary medical and legal requirements have been completed, an embryo is transferred to the uterus of the gestational carrier.
Surrogacy in Greece is regulated by a specific legal framework and requires judicial authorisation before embryo transfer. Eligibility is based on defined medical and legal criteria, which makes proper preparation and specialist guidance an essential part of the process.
For patients considering gestational surrogacy, coordinated medical, legal and emotional support can help make every stage of the journey clearer, safer and carefully planned.
What Is Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is a form of assisted reproduction in which a woman carries a pregnancy for another person or couple, without using her own eggs. This means that the gestational carrier has no genetic relationship with the baby.
The process usually involves in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Eggs are retrieved from the intended mother or, when necessary, from an egg donor and are fertilised in the laboratory with sperm. The resulting embryos are then cultured for several days before a suitable embryo is transferred to the uterus of the gestational carrier.
Gestational surrogacy differs from traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate’s own egg is used. In gestational surrogacy, the role of the surrogate is limited to carrying the pregnancy and giving birth.
Because the treatment involves both assisted reproduction and specific legal requirements, gestational surrogacy requires careful coordination between fertility specialists, the intended parent or parents, the gestational carrier and the legal professionals involved in the process.
Who May Consider Gestational Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy may be considered when a woman is medically unable to carry a pregnancy or when pregnancy could pose a serious risk to her health. In Greece, eligibility for surrogacy is subject to specific medical and legal requirements, and the inability to carry a pregnancy must be medically documented.
Surrogacy may be an option in circumstances such as:
- Absence of the uterus due to a congenital condition or previous hysterectomy.
- Serious abnormalities or medical conditions affecting the uterus.
- Previous medical or surgical treatment that makes carrying a pregnancy impossible.
- Severe health conditions for which pregnancy could create significant risks for the woman.
- Other medically documented conditions that prevent a woman from safely carrying a pregnancy to term.
Every case is different. Before proceeding with gestational surrogacy, a detailed medical assessment is necessary to determine whether this approach is appropriate and whether the applicable requirements under Greek assisted reproduction legislation are fulfilled.
The fertility specialist can then recommend the most suitable treatment plan and explain how IVF, embryo creation and the preparation of the gestational carrier fit into the overall surrogacy process.
Is Gestational Surrogacy Legal in Greece?
Yes, gestational surrogacy is legal in Greece, but it is permitted only under specific medical and legal conditions. Greek law requires judicial authorisation before any embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier.
The application for court approval is submitted by the woman who wishes to have a child. She must provide medical evidence demonstrating that she is unable to carry a pregnancy herself. At the same time, the gestational carrier must be considered medically suitable to carry a pregnancy. Under the current legal framework, inability to become pregnant due solely to a person’s sex is not considered a medical inability to carry a pregnancy.
A written agreement must also exist between the intended parent or parents and the gestational carrier. The arrangement must be made without commercial payment, although certain legally permitted expenses and compensation may apply.
Following the changes introduced by Law 5197/2025, both the woman applying for surrogacy and the gestational carrier must have their residence in Greece.
Because every case has individual legal and medical circumstances, specialist legal guidance is essential before beginning IVF treatment or embryo transfer.
What Is the Gestational Surrogacy Process in Greece?
The gestational surrogacy process in Greece combines medical treatment, IVF and specific legal steps. Each case is individually assessed, but the journey generally includes the following stages.
1. Initial Medical Consultation
The process begins with a detailed consultation with a fertility specialist. The intended mother’s medical history is reviewed, and the reason why she is unable to carry a pregnancy is evaluated and medically documented.
2. Evaluation of the Gestational Carrier
The prospective gestational carrier undergoes medical examinations to confirm that she is suitable to carry a pregnancy. Her general and reproductive health are assessed before treatment begins.
3. Legal Preparation and Court Approval
Before embryo transfer, the required legal documentation and written agreements must be prepared and judicial authorisation must be obtained. The court reviews whether the medical and legal requirements for surrogacy are fulfilled.
4. Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval
When the intended mother’s own eggs are used, she receives fertility medication to stimulate the ovaries. The mature eggs are then collected and fertilised in the laboratory with sperm. Donor eggs may also be considered when medically appropriate.
5. Preparation of the Gestational Carrier
At the same time, the gestational carrier receives medication to prepare the endometrium so that it can support embryo implantation.
6. Embryo Transfer
Once the embryos have developed and the gestational carrier’s endometrium is ready, a suitable embryo is transferred into her uterus.
7. Pregnancy Test and Follow-Up
A pregnancy test is performed after embryo transfer to determine whether implantation has occurred. If pregnancy is confirmed, the gestational carrier continues with regular medical monitoring throughout the pregnancy.
Gestational Surrogacy and IVF
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an essential part of gestational surrogacy. Unlike traditional surrogacy, the gestational carrier does not provide the egg. Instead, an embryo is created through IVF and subsequently transferred to her uterus, meaning that she has no genetic relationship with the child.
Depending on the individual treatment plan, the eggs may come from the intended mother or from an egg donor. They are fertilised in the laboratory with sperm, and the resulting embryos are monitored as they develop before embryo transfer.
When the intended mother’s own eggs are used, treatment usually includes ovarian stimulation followed by egg retrieval. The gestational carrier undergoes a separate treatment protocol to prepare the endometrium for embryo implantation. The timing of both treatments is carefully coordinated by the fertility team.
In some cases, previously frozen embryos may also be available for transfer, avoiding the need to create new embryos during the surrogacy cycle.
The exact IVF protocol is always individualised according to factors such as the source of the eggs and sperm, embryo availability, medical history and the reproductive health of the people involved. Careful medical assessment and monitoring are therefore important throughout the entire surrogacy treatment.
Gestational Surrogacy at Our Fertility Clinic
Gestational surrogacy is a complex process that requires close coordination between medical treatment, legal preparation and ongoing support. At our fertility clinic, each case is approached individually, with careful attention to the medical history, reproductive needs and personal circumstances of the intended parent or parents.
Our team provides guidance throughout the IVF process, from the initial fertility assessment and preparation of the treatment plan to egg retrieval, embryo creation and embryo transfer to the gestational carrier. When donor eggs are required, the available options can also be discussed as part of the personalised treatment plan.
The gestational carrier undergoes the necessary medical evaluation and is carefully monitored throughout the preparation for embryo transfer. Treatment is coordinated to ensure that the endometrium is appropriately prepared before the selected embryo is transferred.
As surrogacy in Greece also involves specific legal requirements, our clinic collaborates with legal professionals experienced in family law and assisted reproduction. This allows the medical and legal stages of the process to be properly coordinated before treatment proceeds.
Our aim is to provide clear information, confidentiality and continuous support at every stage, helping patients understand their options and move forward with a carefully planned surrogacy journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gestational Surrogacy in Greece
Is gestational surrogacy legal in Greece?
Yes. Gestational surrogacy is legal in Greece under specific medical and legal conditions. Judicial authorisation must be obtained before embryo transfer, and the court decision must have become final before the procedure can proceed.
Who is eligible for surrogacy in Greece?
The application is made by a woman who wishes to have a child but is medically unable to carry a pregnancy herself. The gestational carrier must also be medically suitable to carry the pregnancy. Each case requires appropriate medical documentation and legal assessment.
Is court approval required before surrogacy?
Yes. Court approval is mandatory and must be obtained before the embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier. A written agreement between the parties is also required under Greek law.
Can foreign patients pursue gestational surrogacy in Greece?
Under the current legal framework, both the woman applying for surrogacy and the gestational carrier must have their residence in Greece. Therefore, international patients should obtain specialised legal advice before planning treatment to determine whether they meet the applicable residence and other legal requirements.
Can male same-sex couples pursue surrogacy in Greece?
Under the legislation currently in force, inability to carry a pregnancy solely because of a person’s sex is explicitly not considered a medical inability to carry a pregnancy for the purposes of surrogacy authorisation. As a result, the current legal pathway for gestational surrogacy in Greece does not provide access to male same-sex couples on this basis.
Is the gestational carrier genetically related to the baby?
No. In gestational surrogacy, the carrier’s own eggs are not used. The embryo transferred to her uterus is created through IVF using eggs from the intended mother or, where appropriate, an egg donor. Greek law specifically provides for the transfer of fertilised eggs that are genetically unrelated to the woman carrying the pregnancy.
Can donor eggs be used in gestational surrogacy?
Donor eggs may form part of an IVF treatment plan when medically appropriate and provided that the applicable assisted reproduction requirements are met. The fertility specialist will determine the most suitable option according to the patient’s medical history and reproductive circumstances. Egg donation in Greece is regulated and supervised within the framework of medically assisted reproduction.
How does IVF work in a gestational surrogacy programme?
Eggs are fertilised with sperm in the laboratory through IVF, and the resulting embryos are monitored during their early development. The gestational carrier’s endometrium is prepared with an appropriate treatment protocol, and a suitable embryo is then transferred to her uterus after all medical and legal requirements have been completed.
