Where Patients Go for IVF Abroad – Destinations Ranked by 1,189 Patients
Wondering which country to choose for IVF? Here’s the short answer: Spain is where most patients look first – 60% of patients researching IVF abroad shortlist it. Greece comes second at 34%, and the Czech Republic third at 30%.
Those figures come from the IVF Media patient survey of 1,189 patients seeking IVF abroad. It’s one of the largest patient studies of its kind, and the full results are available at our research hub. Below is what the destination data shows – and how to use it to build your own shortlist.
The full destination ranking
We asked patients which countries they were considering (they could pick more than one). Here’s how the world’s IVF destinations stacked up:
| Destination | Share of patients considering it |
|---|---|
| Spain | 60% |
| Greece | 34% |
| Czech Republic | 30% |
| Denmark | 23% |
| Portugal | 21% |
| North Cyprus | 20% |
| Poland | 15% |
| Latvia | 12% |
| Turkey | 12% |
| Estonia | 11% |
| USA | 10% |
| Mexico | 6% |
| Barbados | 5% |
| India | 4% |
| Belgium | 1% |
Three things jump out. First, Spain’s lead is enormous – nearly double its closest rival. Second, this is overwhelmingly a European story: eight of the top ten destinations are in Europe. Third, no single country wins outright. Most patients shortlist two or three, which is exactly the right approach.
Where patients from your part of the world go
Popularity isn’t uniform. Where you live shapes where you look – because of flight times, language, cost, and what’s legal at home.
- UK and Irish patients – the largest group in the survey – lean on Spain and Greece. 65% shortlist Spain and 42% Greece, both above the global average, with the Czech Republic (29%) and North Cyprus (25%) next. Short-ish flights, English-friendly clinics and no waiting lists for donor eggs do the heavy lifting.
- Italians love Spain. 83% of Italian patients shortlist it – the highest single figure in the entire survey.
- Scandinavians stay close. 46% shortlist Denmark and 31% Latvia – both far above the global average. Short flights matter when you may need repeat visits.
- German-speaking patients (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) favour the Czech Republic. 39% shortlist it, more than in any other market. It’s next door, and prices are attractive.
- Australians and New Zealanders think differently. Distance is already huge, so 52% shortlist Greece (which beats Spain there) and a striking 40% consider the USA.
- North Americans look south. 29% shortlist Mexico – and nearly three-quarters of everyone worldwide who’s interested in Mexico is North American.
The lesson: the “best” destination is partly geographic. A country that’s a cheap two-hour flight for a German patient is a long-haul commitment for a Canadian one.
What budgets go where
Money shapes the map too. Overall, just over half of patients cap their budget below €7,000 – so it’s no surprise that value destinations attract the most price-sensitive patients.
Among patients considering each country, the €3,000-5,000 budget bracket is largest for India (45%), Turkey (41%), Estonia (36%), the Czech Republic (35%) and Poland (35%). These are the destinations where a tight budget stretches furthest.
At the other end sits the USA, where 26% of interested patients can spend more than €15,000 – by far the biggest high-budget share of any destination. Patients heading there are typically after specific treatments or perceived top-end care, not savings.
And the big three? Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic attract the full range of budgets. That’s part of why they dominate: they have clinics for almost every price point, from streamlined value packages to premium personalised programmes.
How to shortlist a country in three steps
Step 1: Check the law first. This is non-negotiable. Countries differ on donor egg treatment, donor anonymity, age limits, treatment for single women and same-sex couples, and embryo donation. A country can be cheap, close, and completely unavailable to you legally. Confirm your treatment type is permitted – and that you qualify – before you fall in love with a destination.
Step 2: Match the country to your budget. Be honest about your ceiling, and remember to budget for medication, flights, accommodation, and a possible second trip. If you’re working with €3,000-5,000 for treatment, the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia or Turkey deserve a close look. If you have more flexibility, Spain and Greece open up a very wide choice of clinics. Whatever your bracket, you’re not alone in it – patients at every budget level find treatment abroad.
Step 3: Think through the travel logistics. How many visits will the clinic need? Can monitoring be done at home? How long is the flight, and what does it cost at short notice? IVF timing isn’t always predictable, so a destination you can reach easily – and afford to reach twice – beats a marginally cheaper one that’s three connections away. This is a big part of why Scandinavians pick Denmark and Latvia, and Germans pick the Czech Republic.
The bottom line
Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic top the shortlists of patients worldwide – but the right country for you depends on three filters: is your treatment legal there, does it fit your budget, and can you get there without adding stress to an already stressful process. Run those three filters over the table above and you’ll usually end up with two or three strong candidates. Then the real work begins: comparing clinics.
FAQ
What is the most popular country for IVF abroad?
Spain, by a wide margin. 60% of patients researching IVF abroad shortlist it – almost twice as many as second-placed Greece (34%). It combines a huge clinic sector, favourable laws, and options at every budget level.
Which countries are cheapest for IVF abroad?
Patients with the lowest budgets (€3,000-5,000) most often consider India, Turkey, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Poland. The Czech Republic stands out for combining low prices with a top-three global reputation.
How do I choose between IVF destinations?
Apply three filters in order: legality (is your treatment type allowed, and do you qualify?), budget (including travel and medication, not just the clinic fee), and logistics (flight time, number of visits, ease of a repeat trip). Then compare individual clinics within the two or three countries that pass.
Should I only consider one country?
No. Most patients shortlist more than one destination, and comparing clinics across two or three countries gives you a much better feel for fair pricing and realistic promises.
