Egg Donation in Greece

Everything You Need to Know

What is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a significant advancement in the field of assisted reproduction, offering hope to couples who are unable to conceive naturally or through IVF using their own eggs. It is a process that requires responsibility, scientific guidance, and absolute respect for both the donor and the recipient couple.

From a social perspective, egg donation is closely linked to the values of generosity and support. A woman who chooses to donate her eggs gives another individual or couple the opportunity to experience parenthood—an experience that might otherwise not be possible. The process is strictly regulated by Greek law, ensuring the safety and ethical balance of all parties involved.

Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in cases where IVF with egg donation is considered the most appropriate solution. Couples facing fertility challenges due to age, repeated failed IVF attempts, or genetic conditions are increasingly turning to this method. Although the decision is often accompanied by emotional and social considerations, strong scientific evidence and high success rates make egg donation one of the most reliable fertility treatment options available.

Egg donation in Greece is regulated by Law 3305/2005. It is a modern, scientifically proven solution that helps many couples achieve their dream of having a child. View the full legal framework here.

Why Should I Choose Egg Donation?

When Eggs Are Not Sufficient

Egg donation is often a necessary solution for women who are unable to achieve pregnancy using their own eggs.

This mainly applies to women:

With diminished ovarian reserve,
Experiencing premature menopause or ovarian insufficiency,
Who do not produce eggs or produce poor-quality eggs,
Who carry genetic abnormalities they do not wish to pass on to their child.

Egg donation offers these women the opportunity to become mothers using eggs from young and healthy donors, significantly increasing success rates in IVF treatment.

What Are the Indications for Egg Donation?

The main indication is reduced ovarian reserve, meaning a low number of follicles and poor egg quality.

This condition is common either due to age or as a result of medical conditions such as:

Chromosomal abnormalities,
Consequences of chemotherapy or radiation,
Autoimmune diseases affecting ovarian function.

According to data, over 70% of women over the age of 45 who wish to have a child resort to egg donation. Similarly, this option is recommended in cases of repeated IVF failures, as well as when there is a risk of passing on a serious genetic disorder.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Egg Donation

Gentle adult hand holding a newborn’s hand during egg donation journey in Greece.

What Does Egg Donation Offer?

Egg donation is one of the most effective solutions in assisted reproduction, with clear clinical and psychological benefits.

High Success Rates

Eggs come from young, fertile, and healthy donors.
The chances of successful implantation and pregnancy are significantly increased, even in older women or those with previous IVF failures.

Gestation by the Recipient

The recipient becomes pregnant and carries the child herself.
The embryo develops in her body, ensuring natural hormonal communication and psychological bonding from the start of pregnancy.

Prevention of Genetic Diseases

Donation is chosen when there is a risk of transmitting genetic or mitochondrial diseases.

Medical Safety for the Donor

The procedure follows standard IVF medication protocols.
The donor’s future fertility is not affected.
Risks are minimal and similar to those any woman undergoing egg retrieval would face.

Newborn’s delicate hand resting on adult finger — emotional moment post egg donation in Greece.

What You Should Know About the Challenges

Despite the many advantages, egg donation may raise concerns and questions, both emotional and practical.

Psychological Issues

The absence of genetic relation may cause dilemmas for the recipient.
Full acceptance of the situation requires internal processing and/or psychological support.

Financial Cost

The procedure may carry a significant financial burden, which includes:

Compensation for the donor covering expenses and participation in the process
Medication and hormonal preparation
Laboratory procedures

Medical Risks

Although rare, side effects may arise from hormone treatment or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Procedures are controlled but require medical monitoring by specialized staff.

Ethical and Social Questions

The use of genetic material from a third party often raises ethical concerns that require sufficient legal and medical guidance to be addressed safely and transparently.

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The Step-by-Step Process

Below you will find a complete timeline of all stages from donor selection to final pregnancy testing. The detailed description of each step helps you understand exactly what will happen, when, and why—so you can make decisions confidently and maximize success rates.

Donor Selection

The process begins with evaluating and matching the appropriate donor:

Medical history and reproductive characteristics
Age, blood type, physical features for better compatibility
Legal consent and signing of all required documents

Preliminary Medical Exams

Before any medical action, both donor and recipient undergo:

Hormonal and gynecological assessment
Infectious and genetic testing for maximum safety
Determination of medication protocol based on individualized data

Egg Donation Methods & Cycle Synchronization

The egg donation process can be carried out in two main ways, depending on the origin of the eggs and the treatment plan:

Through a European Egg Bank:The couple selects the donor and the egg package. After arrival at the IVF laboratory, the eggs are thawed, fertilized, and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Embryo transfer can take place immediately or at a later time, following appropriate endometrial preparation of the recipient.
Through a Donor Based in Greece: This approach may involve either cycle synchronization for a fresh embryo transfer or egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo freezing, with transfer performed once the recipient’s endometrium is optimally prepared.

Ovarian Stimulation & Donor Egg Retrieval

The donor receives short-term stimulation to develop multiple follicles. With mild sedation, egg retrieval is performed—a process lasting only a few minutes and completed within the day. Eggs are immediately transferred to the embryology lab.

Fertilization & Embryo Culture

Eggs are fertilized with the partner’s sperm or from a bank. The embryos are then cultured in special incubators until the appropriate stage. The embryology team selects the most viable for transfer or future cryopreservation.

Recipient Endometrium Preparation

Alongside embryo culture, the recipient receives estrogen and progesterone for thickening and maturation of the endometrium. Preparation is monitored via ultrasound until the ideal embryo transfer date is determined.

Embryo Transfer

The procedure is performed in a specialized environment and does not require anesthesia. Using a thin catheter, the embryo is placed inside the uterus. The recipient may leave a short while after the transfer.

Pregnancy Test & Next Steps

Ten to twelve days after embryo transfer, a beta-hCG blood test is done to confirm pregnancy. If positive, an ultrasound follows to check for the embryo’s heartbeat. Unused embryos may be frozen for future use.

Donor Selection & Criteria

The success of an IVF cycle with egg donation starts with proper donor selection. The process is strictly regulated, follows multi-level criteria, and ensures the genetic material comes from women medically and psychologically fit.

Legal Framework in Greece

According to Greek law, egg donation is anonymous and non-compensated beyond expense coverage. Clinics must maintain a donor record and inform the National Authority of Medically Assisted Reproduction for each cycle. Data protection is strict, and the maximum number of births per donor is monitored to avoid overuse of a single genetic profile.

Medical Eligibility Criteria

Donors are usually selected between 20 and 32 years old, an age range that ensures high ovarian reserve and good egg quality.

Each candidate undergoes detailed:

Hormonal profiling (FSH, LH, AMH)
Ovarian ultrasound evaluation
General physical assessment
Cardiological and gynecological exams

Excluded are those with histories of endocrine, autoimmune, or severe metabolic diseases, as well as substance users or heavy smokers.

Psychological & Social Assessment

A specialized psychologist conducts an interview to confirm the decision stems from conscious will and not external pressure.

Additionally evaluated:

Motivation for donating,
Understanding of anonymity
Emotional stability
Family support

The goal is to safeguard the well-being of both donor and future parents.

Matching Process with Recipient

The clinic uses a combination of biological and phenotypic parameters for optimal matching:

Blood type and Rh
Height, weight, eye and hair color
Education level and interests
Recipient’s special requests like language or cultural background

The process is finalized once the recipient approves the suggested profile, always maintaining anonymity.

What Donor Compensation Covers

Compensation is not a “payment” but reimbursement for the expenses and discomfort the donor undergoes. In Greece, the process is regulated by the National Authority of Medically Assisted Reproduction; only expense reimbursement is allowed, preserving the altruistic character of the donation.

Legal Framework in Greece

Anonymity of donor and recipient.
Full coverage of stimulation medication, medical tests, travel, accommodation, and any nutrition during the treatment period.
Compensation for lost wages or work leave, when documented.
Birth limit per donor to prevent overuse of a genetic profile.

Typical Compensation Range in Practice

In Greek fertility centers, the total amount usually covers:

€700 – €1,200 for medication and monitoring.
€100 – €400 for travel and accommodation, depending on residence.
Up to €300 for lost income in daily wage workers.

The overall cap is typically below €1,500, maintaining the non-commercial nature of donation.

Success Rates & Influencing Factors

Egg donation offers higher success rates than conventional IVF attempts with "own" eggs, due to the age and fertility of the donors.

Average Success Rates

45-55%

International average clinical pregnancy per embryo transfer

50%

Live birth per embryo transfer in Europe

Rates remain consistently high even when the recipient is aged 44–50, as egg quality is the main limiting factor bypassed by donation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Donation

How much does IVF with egg donation cost in Greece?

The total package usually ranges from €5,500 to €6,000, including lab procedures, ICSI, embryo culture, and embryo transfer.

What exactly does donor compensation cover?

Compensation covers only reasonable expenses: stimulation meds, medical exams, travel, accommodation, and possible lost income. The actual cap rarely exceeds €1,500 per cycle.

What are the success rates for recipients over 45?

With donor eggs under 32 years old, clinics report clinical pregnancy rates of 45–55% and live birth rates around 50%, regardless of recipient’s age.

Is there a genetic relationship (DNA) between recipient and child?

The child’s genetic material comes from the donor (egg) and biological father (sperm). The recipient does not contribute DNA but provides the uterus and gestational environment, which epigenetically influence development.

What’s the average waiting time for egg donation in Greece?

Waiting time usually ranges from 1 to 3 months, depending on the desired donor traits and center availability.

What are the main risks for the recipient?

Most side effects relate to hormonal support (nausea, fluid retention), while the main serious risk is multiple pregnancy if more than two embryos are transferred. In Greece, a maximum of two embryos is allowed.

Can I choose specific characteristics for the donor?

Donor matching is based on medical and phenotypic characteristics, such as blood type, Rh factor, height, eye color, and hair color, aiming for the closest possible resemblance to the recipient.

According to Greek legislation, selecting “custom” characteristics beyond medically acceptable criteria is not permitted. In cases involving collaboration with European egg banks, additional donor information may be available, such as photos or more detailed profiles, always within the limits of applicable regulations.

What does the law say about anonymity?

Egg donation is fully anonymous. Recipient and donor cannot exchange personal details, and the National Authority tracks births per donor for traceability.

How many embryos can be transferred per cycle?

Regulations set a maximum of two embryos for recipients under 50 to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy. Elective single blastocyst is recommended when quality is high.

Is the procedure safe for the donor?

The donor follows the same stimulation protocols as women undergoing IVF for their own child. Side effects are rare and include mild ovarian hyperstimulation; compensation covers any recovery costs.

Our Doctors

In an era where fertility requires knowledge, care, and substantial guidance, FertUlity is not an impersonal clinic. It is two people who look you in the eye and accompany you step by step on the journey you dream of.

Dr. Chrysostomos (Makis) Papadopoulos Obstetrician – Gynecologist, MD, PhDc, MIC I

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Dr. Chrysostomos Papadopoulos - Specialist in Infertility, Endocrinology & Menopause in Athens

Dr. Maria Oikonomou Obstetrician – Gynecologist

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