Poland is becoming another popular option for fertility treatment abroad. It is located in central Europe and it borders a few countries including Germany and the Czech Republic. It has a population of around 38 million and the overwhelming majority are of Roman Catholic religion.
There are currently (as of 2017) 39 IVF clinics in Poland. These are a mixture of state and private facilities. The state provides an all-inclusive insurance system for the population but people can opt to be treated in a private facility if they want to pay. The cost of living in Poland is significantly cheaper than in the UK and USA with consumer prices approaching 75% less for some things like restaurant meals and drinks in cities such as Katowice. This together with the high medical standards makes Poland a really attractive place to visit for IVF treatment abroad.
Fertility Treatment in Poland
Warsaw is the capital of Poland
If you are considering egg donation treatment in Poland, the laws state that both sperm and egg donors are anonymous. This is similar to many other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Spain, Greece etc. The recipients of sperm or egg donation can find out about donor’s blood type whilst undergoing treatment. A fertility clinic will match the donor and recipient on: ethnicity, race, hair colour, hair structure, weight, height, body build, eyes colour and blood type. As for a person born as a result of assisted reproductive treatment, they can find out once they reach 18 years of age some details about the donor such as the date of birth of the donor, the place of birth of the donor and the results of the examinations the donor went through while preparing for the donation process. There is no upper age limit for egg or sperm donation, but most Polish fertility clinics won’t accept a donor older than 32 years.
Donors must register with a Central Register -Krajowy Rejestr Dawców (National Register of Donors) – which is controlled by Ministry of Health. This means that no more than ten babies can be born per donor.
By law, egg and sperm donors are screened psychologically and physically before being able to donate.
Sperm donors are screened for a number of diseases including:
- anti-HIV
- HbsAg
- Anti-HBc
- Anti-HCV-AB
- VDRL
- HTLV-I
- RhD antigen
- CMV
- tripanosomosis
- malaria
Egg donors are screened for:
- anti-HIV
- HbsAg
- Anti-HBC
- Anti-HCV-AB
- VDRL
- Chlamydia
- VDRL
- Toxoplasmosis (Igg, Igm)
- PAP smear
- high vaginal swab
- Rubella (Igg, Igm).
IVF Cost Poland
The cost of IVF in Poland is much lower than in the UK. The price of IVF treatment using own eggs is as low as 3300 Euros and the IVF package can include most of the expected costs such as sperm freezing and embryo freezing – which are usually considered extra costs. Together with the cost of living being lower and low-cost budget airlines flying to major destinations such as Warsaw and Katowice, it is no wonder that many people are considering IVF in Poland.
IVF Laws Poland
Within Poland:
- Assisted reproduction is not available to single women and women-only couples.
- An “infertile couple” is classed as a man and woman who live together in a relationship. They do not need to be married to undergo the treatment.
- There is no age limit – the decision about the treatment is based on the patient’s health and medical examinations.
- Sex selection is not allowed for non-medical reasons.
- Donation of egg and sperm is anonymous.
- Surrogacy is not permitted.
- The maximum number of embryos allowed to be transferred is three.
- Egg freezing is permitted.
Safety and Quality for IVF Treatment in Poland
Fertility clinics in Poland are inspected regularly – at least once per year- and they need a license to operate. The focus of the inspections is to see what clinics are adhering to the standards set out.
Fertility success rates are sent to the Ministry of Health but they are not made public. Some IVF clinics will publish their success rates on their website but apart from that, there is no scope to view individual clinic’s successes.
View Featured Clinics in Poland
We also have lots of information on IVF abroad in other countries in Europe and beyond.
