Are you seeking IVF in South Africa?
South Africa welcomes IVF patients from across the globe, with countless people from Australia, the UK, mainland Europe and the US, as well as from neighbouring African countries choosing to make the journey each year.
And it’s little wonder why so many choose South Africa for IVF. Treatment is open to single women, heterosexual couples and both female and male same-sex couples. Egg, sperm and embryo donors are easy to come by, including gametes from mixed-race donors, which are not always readily available in other countries.
With world-class clinics located in popular holiday destinations such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, there is plenty to do during your stay in South Africa to ensure your trip is one you will never forget.
Egg Donation South Africa
South Africa has a healthy stock of donor eggs and, as a result, treatment is often able to begin immediately. Donors come from a wide range of backgrounds and South Africa is particularly attractive for patients seeking black, mixed-race, caucasian, and Indian donors.
The cost of egg donation in South Africa is much cheaper compared to many top European destinations, including Spain and Greece, but the success rates are broadly similar.
South Africa carries out egg donation IVF on women up to the age of 50. In contrast, women who are using their own eggs in IVF are only offered treatment up to the age of 45. Egg donors are aged between 18-35, although some clinics only accept donors between the ages of 21 and 30. Egg donation is anonymous, but donors may choose to register as an Identity Release donor, which allows the donor-conceived child to access identifying information when they turn 18 if they wish to do so.
Egg donation in South Africa is altruistic, meaning that it is unpaid except for reasonable expenses. An egg donation agency may charge an administrative fee for matching patients with an egg donor.
You may also like to read – Sperm donation abroad – what you need to know.
Embryo Donation South Africa
Embryo donation in South Africa is legal and donor embryos are freely available from gamete banks. Just like egg donation, the process is anonymous and unpaid. However, there is the option of using a known embryo donor for IVF treatment.
Under South African law, frozen embryos may be stored for up to ten years.
Egg Donation Costs South Africa
Egg donation IVF in South Africa costs in the region of R75,000 – R120,000 (€3,838 – €6,142 or $3,999 – $6,398). This compares favourably with top European destinations, for example Greece and Spain, and is much cheaper than IVF egg donation in the US, where the treatment can cost as much as €25,000.
It is important to remember that not all IVF clinics are open and upfront about their pricing. Sometimes patients may encounter extra costs that they have not factored into their budget, for example the cost of medication, extra tests and add-on treatments. Before agreeing to treatment, make sure you get a full breakdown of exactly what is included in your IVF treatment package and gather quotes from several different clinics if possible. If a fertility clinic is not transparent about its pricing, you should approach with caution.
We would suggest using the IVF Cost Calculator to determine an indication of the potential cost for your treatment.
You may also be interested in IVF costs abroad.
Cost range of IVF treatment in South Africa 2025
| Treatment | Euro | GBP | US Dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVF with own eggs program | €4,354 – €5,122 | £3,644-£4,287 | $4,533 – $5,333 |
| IVF with donor eggs program | €3,838 – €6,142 | £3,213 -£5,141 | $3,999 – $6,398 |
| Embryo Monitoring (Embryoscope, Time Lapse, Geri, etc.) | €3,070 – €3,590 | £2,570 – £3,000 | $3,160 – $3,690 |
| Medical consultation (with doctor) | €100 – €140 | £86 – £115 | $105 – $145 |
| Sperm freezing | €220 – €400 | £185 – £333 | $226 – $410 |
IVF in South Africa costs between R85,000 – R100,000 (€4,354 – €5,122 or $4,533 – $5,333), or R75,000 – R120,000 (€3,838 – €6,142 or $3,999 – $6,398) if the patient is having egg donor IVF. The price will be higher if a patient opts for PGS/PGT-A, depending on the number of embryos biopsied.
Different clinics include different treatments in their IVF packages, for example, some clinics include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) while other clinics have this as an add-on treatment. If taken as an add-on treatment, ICSI costs in the region of R5,000 (€255 or £215), which will bump up your final bill. Medication, embryo freezing and other add-on treatments may not be included in the price of your treatment, so please always check with the clinic what is included before proceeding. IVF prices vary according to the needs and requirements of the individual patient.
You may be interested in reading: Egg Freezing in Europe Guide – Costs and Process Explained
IUI in South Africa
IUI, or Intrauterine Insemination to give it its full name, is a fertility treatment that involves selecting the best quality sperm from the patient’s partner or a sperm donor, and inserting them directly into the uterus, allowing the sperm to fertilise the egg naturally.
The procedure is less invasive than IVF and costs less, but the success rate is lower than IVF. The treatment is not suitable for all patients, including women with low-quality eggs, low ovarian reserve, severe endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, or other diagnosed fertility problems.
The price of IUI in South Africa varies from clinic to clinic, but you can expect to pay somewhere between R6,500 and R10,000 (€333 – €513 or £280 – £430). However this may not reflect the final cost if medications, blood tests and any other necessary treatments aren’t included in the price.
IVF Success Rates in South Africa
Unlike European countries, it is not easy to find a comprehensive breakdown of IVF success rates in South Africa. However, through our extensive research, we have discovered that IVF in South Africa using the patient’s own eggs has a success rate of between 45% and 62% for women under the age of 35.
Once again, it is important to remember that IVF success rates vary between clinics and depend on the patient’s own unique set of circumstances and past medical history.
Egg Donation Success Rates in South Africa
Egg donation IVF in South Africa has a success rate of 50-65%. Although egg donors can be aged between 18-35, some clinics only accept donors under the age of 30 to ensure only the best quality eggs are used for treatment.
IVF Laws in South Africa
The IVF laws in South Africa in a nutshell:
- Single women are eligible for treatment
- Female same-sex couples are eligible for treatment
- Male same-sex couples are eligible for treatment
- Women can have IVF with donor eggs up to the age of 50. If the patient uses her own eggs, she must be under 45.
- Egg, sperm and embryo donation is anonymous
- Donors are unpaid, but are reimbursed for reasonable expenses
- Surrogacy is legal
- PGS/PGT-A embryo genetic diagnosis is widely used in South Africa
- Sex selection is illegal, except in the case of serious sex-linked conditions
- Frozen embryos may only be stored for a maximum of ten years
- Financial transactions between fertility clinics and gamete donation agencies (ie referral fees) are illegal
Read more: Can anyone have IVF treatment abroad?
Safety and Quality in IVF Clinics South Africa
The South African Department of Health has overall responsibility for IVF clinics in South Africa. The main law regulating fertility treatment in the country is the Artificial Fertilisation of Persons, part National Health Act 2003.
The Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) supports specialists working in the field of reproductive medicine in South Africa. SASREG is responsible for producing best practice guidelines for clinicians and has published its own list of ART Centres of Excellence, based on the quality of services offered by each clinic, as well as how each centre is managed. Clinics on the list are reassessed every four years to ensure they are upholding the stringent safety and quality standards set by SASREG.
IVF in South Africa – Testimonials
“For the past 3 and a half years of marriage we have been trying to conceive. After 3 years and 6 failed IVF’s our fertility professor […] told us that I couldn’t fall pregnant or carry a baby and we need to take the next step. SURROGACY!!!!
At first, we thought that this wasn’t an option for us, “where on earth would we find someone to do such a selfless, emotionally draining, amazingly courageous good deed for us?” The only way I can explain it, is that an angel came into our lives and offered us her womb.
We had no idea what we were in for or even where to start. After going through the legal contracts, high court, police clearances and medical clearances we felt like criminals but we were finally all good to go. After 2 IVF attempts our surrogate fell pregnant with 100% our genetics.
We are proud to say that we fell pregnant and we are finally parents of… TWINS. After the heartache and disappointments, it was all worth the wait. No matter how you get there in the end.”
The Mckenzie family
IVF in South Africa – Questions and Answers
How much does IVF cost in South Africa?
IVF in South Africa for women up to the age of 45 costs between R85,000 - R100,000 (€4,354 - €5,122 or £3,665 - £4,312). The price may vary depending on the number of cycles and whether any add-on treatments or additional tests are required.
How much does it cost to freeze your eggs in South Africa?
It costs between R27,000 and R40,000 (£1,164 - £1,725 or €1,383 - €2,049) to freeze your eggs in South Africa. Some clinics include storage and medication in this price, while others don’t. Check with your clinic before agreeing to proceed with treatment.
How much does embryo donation cost in South Africa?
The cost of embryo donation varies between donor banks, but can cost anywhere between R23,000 and R50,000 (£987 - £2,146 or €1,173 - €2,550) depending on donor expenses. This does not include the cost of IVF, which is paid to the clinic.
What is the cost of IVF with donor eggs in South Africa?
Egg donation IVF in South Africa for women up to the age of 50 costs R75,000 - R120,000 (€3,838 - €6,142 or £3,234 - £5,174). Check with the clinic what is included in the price before starting treatment.
How much does donor sperm for IVF cost in South Africa?
Donor sperm in South Africa costs in the region of R4,320 - R7,850 (£185 – £333 or €220– €400). The price does not include IVF or IUI.
Why is IVF more successful in South Africa?
With a favourable legal framework and an independent body ensuring clinics adhere to the highest possible standards, it is little wonder why IVF in South Africa is so successful. The country welcomes patients from all around the World, who are drawn to South Africa by low prices and the large stockpile of eggs and sperm from donors from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
