Surrogacy offers hope and a path to parenthood for couples and individuals unable to conceive naturally. However, the journey is complex, requiring careful consideration of legal, financial, and logistical factors.

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In this guide, we’ll explore the best countries for surrogacy, focusing on legal frameworks, costs, and the processes involved, providing intended parents with a comprehensive resource to make informed decisions.

More Resources to Read:

How much does Surrogacy Cost

Surrogacy Guide for Surrogate Mothers

Surrogacy Guide for Intended Parents

How does the surrogacy process work

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Surrogacy Destination

1. Surrogacy Laws: Opt for Surrogacy-Friendly Countries

Choosing a country with clear, favorable surrogacy laws is crucial to ensure legal protection for all parties involved. Countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and the United States offer well-defined legal frameworks that secure the rights of both the intended parents and the surrogate. Understanding these laws helps prevent potential legal challenges and ensures a smoother process.

2. Cost of Surrogacy: Balancing Affordability and Quality

The cost of surrogacy varies significantly between countries. While the United States offers high-quality medical services, it comes at a steep price, ranging from $130,000 to $150,000. On the other hand, countries like Ukraine and Georgia offer similar quality services at a fraction of the cost, between $35,000 and $60,000. It’s essential to weigh the costs against the legal protections and medical standards offered in each country.

3. Baby Exit Process: Navigating International Regulations

The process of bringing your baby home after surrogacy can vary depending on your home country’s regulations and the destination country’s policies. For instance, the U.S. offers a streamlined process for U.S. citizens, typically allowing them to return home within a few weeks. However, the process might be more complex in other countries, requiring thorough research and legal assistance.

Best Countries for Surrogacy: A Detailed Comparison

Below is a comparison of the best countries for surrogacy, considering factors like legal frameworks, costs, and eligibility criteria.

Country	Legal Status	Eligible Intended Parents	Cost Range	Exit Process	Success Rate
USA	Legal, varies by state	Married couples, singles, LGBTQ+	$130,000 – $150,000	Straightforward for U.S. citizens	75-85% per IVF cycle
Georgia	Legal, strict criteria	Married heterosexual couples	$32,000 – $60,000	Quick, birth certificate within days	Comparable to USA
Ukraine	Legal, well-regulated	Married heterosexual couples	$35,000 – $60,000	Efficient, requires DNA testing	Comparable to USA
Colombia	Emerging, inclusive	All, including singles, LGBTQ+	$60,000 – $65,000	New, process evolving	To be determined

List of Best Countries for Surrogacy 

So, here are a few countries where surrogacy is legal and widely practiced and accepted.  We can consider surrogacy laws by country and the cheap surrogacy countries available when opting for an international surrogacy destination.  Get in touch for a free surrogacy consultation for your specific case to guide and advise you further. 

Country #1. United States-  Best Countries for Surrogacy 

The U.S. is considered the gold standard for surrogacy, with state-specific laws providing clear guidelines. While surrogacy is legal in many states, the high cost remains a significant barrier for many intended parents. The success rate of IVF in the U.S. is high, with advanced medical facilities and comprehensive legal protection ensuring a smooth process. However, the cost, ranging from $130,000 to $150,000, may be prohibitive for some.

Pros:

• Strong legal protections
• High success rates
• Inclusive eligibility for all intended parents

Cons:

• Extremely high costs
• Legal frameworks vary by state

Country #2. Georgia Country in East Europe- Best Countries for Surrogacy

Surrogacy in Georgia has been legal since 1997, offering a well-regulated and affordable option for married heterosexual couples. The process is straightforward, with the intended parents being recognized as the legal parents from the moment of conception. The cost ranges from $32,000 to $60,000, making it a cost-effective alternative to the U.S.

Pros:

• Clear legal framework
• Affordable costs
• Quick issuance of birth certificates

Cons:

• Limited to married heterosexual couples
• No legal protection for single or LGBTQ+ parents

Country #3. Ukraine –  Best Countries for Surrogacy

Ukraine is another popular destination for surrogacy, particularly for heterosexual married couples. The country’s surrogacy laws are explicit, providing clear legal protection and a smooth baby exit process. The cost of surrogacy in Ukraine ranges from $35,000 to $60,000, with additional costs for services like genetic testing. Many clinics offer guaranteed baby programs, providing added security for intended parents.

Pros:

• Well-regulated legal framework
• Affordable with high medical standards
• Guaranteed baby programs available

Cons:

• Restricted to married heterosexual couples
• Requires at least one genetic link from the parents

Country #4. Colombia – Best Countries for Surrogacy

Colombia is an emerging destination for surrogacy, particularly for single and LGBTQ+ parents. The country’s legal environment is evolving, with recent rulings supporting the rights of all intended parents. The cost of surrogacy in Colombia ranges from $60,000 to $65,000, with programs often offering guaranteed births. However, as the industry is still developing, intended parents should proceed with caution.

Pros:

• Inclusive surrogacy laws for singles and LGBTQ+ parents
• Relatively affordable compared to the U.S.
• Strong legal protections emerging
• World class medical facility 
• Insurance of the surrogate is included

Cons:

• Newer surrogacy destination with less established processes
• Potential health risks in certain regions (e.g., Zika virus)
• Choosing the best surrogacy agency in Colombia so that you have a smooth and successful outcome. 

Country #5. Mexico – Best Countries for Surrogacy

Mexico has become a country of choice since 2021 supreme court order in favor of surrogacy.  After, Mexico Colombia is an emerging destination for surrogacy, particularly for single and LGBTQ+ parents. The country’s legal environment is evolving, with recent rulings supporting the rights of all intended parents. The cost of surrogacy in Mexico ranges from $60,000 to $65,000, with programs often offering guaranteed births. Pros:

• Inclusive surrogacy laws for singles and LGBTQ+ parents
• Relatively affordable compared to the U.S.
• Strong legal protections emerging
• Closer to the US

Cons:

• Newer surrogacy destination with less established processes
• Need to work with an experienced and trusted surrogacy agency in Mexico for successful journey. 

Country #6. Argentina – Best Countries for Surrogacy

Argentina is emerging as a popular destination for surrogacy, particularly for intended parents from countries where surrogacy is either illegal or prohibitively expensive. Although surrogacy is not explicitly regulated by law in Argentina, it is permitted under certain circumstances, making it a viable option for many.

Cost of Surrogacy in Argentina

The cost of surrogacy in Argentina is relatively affordable compared to countries like the United States. On average, intended parents can expect to pay between $60,000 and $80,000 for a surrogacy journey in Argentina. This cost typically includes the surrogate’s compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, and agency fees.

Pros of surrogacy in Argentina 

More Affordable Options

• Costs in Argentina are very affordable due to currency exchange rates
• Provides a high-quality, legal, and more affordable option for all family types
• Up to 70% less expensive than surrogacy in the United States

You can plan and Control your Budget

• Multi-transfer programs available
• Secure Plan with fixed-price fertility treatment for budget certainty

Bilingual Support Team

• Surrogacy support and legal team speaks English and Spanish
• Easy communication throughout the process

High-Quality Treatment/IVF/Prenatal care/Birt

• Modern reproductive medicine clinics
• Access to latest assisted reproduction techniques
• Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A)
• Genetic carrier screening for inheritable diseases
• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) during pregnancy

Extensive Experience our surrogacy team

• Tremendous experience working with intended parents from many countries
• Over 14 years of experience across 60+ countries
• Pioneered international surrogacy in several nations

Large Egg Donor Pool

• Large group of egg donors with diverse physical characteristics
• Meets the needs of most intended parents

Advanced Medical System

• Argentina’s medical system ranked as the best in South America
• Universal healthcare eligibility for all individuals

Newborn Insurance Included

• Surrogates and newborns covered by insurance
• Mitigates risks and controls budget for potential complications

Cons of Surrogacy in Argentina

• Lack of Clear Legal Framework: The absence of explicit surrogacy laws can create uncertainty, particularly regarding the establishment of legal parentage and the rights of all parties involved.
• Judicial Involvement: The requirement to undergo a judicial process to establish legal parentage can be time-consuming and may lead to legal complications.
• Potential for Legal Disputes: The lack of regulation increases the potential for legal disputes, especially if there is a disagreement between the surrogate and the intended parents.
• Limited Availability of Surrogates: The relatively new and unregulated nature of surrogacy in Argentina may result in a smaller pool of available surrogates compared to more established surrogacy destinations.

Information on international surrogacy laws

Country	Eligibility for Surrogacy	Types of Surrogacy Allowed	Legal Protection for Intended Parents	Accessibility for Foreigners	Advertising for Surrogates
Australia	Altruistic surrogacy only	No donor or surrogate matching	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not legal
Canada	Altruistic surrogacy only	Not applicable	Not applicable	Altruistic surrogacy allowed	Not applicable
Greece	Heterosexual couples, single females	Not applicable	Not applicable	Foreign nationals allowed	Not applicable
Georgia	Heterosexual couples (including foreigners)	Compensated surrogacy	Well protected	Foreigners allowed	Not applicable
Ukraine	Heterosexual couples (including foreigners)	Compensated surrogacy	Well protected	Foreigners allowed	Not applicable
India	Indian citizens only	Commercial surrogacy allowed	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Israel	Heterosexual Israeli citizens	Altruistic surrogacy only	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Kenya	Locals and foreigners	Compensated surrogacy	Not legally protected	Not applicable	Not applicable
Laos	Foreigners only	Compensated surrogacy	Not legally protected	Foreigners allowed	Not applicable
Nigeria	Heterosexual Nigerian citizens	Altruistic and commercial surrogacy	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
South Africa	Heterosexual South African residents	Altruistic surrogacy	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Thailand	Heterosexual Thai couples	Altruistic surrogacy only	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
UK	Not applicable	Altruistic surrogacy only	Not applicable	Foreigners cannot access	Not legal
USA	Gay and heterosexual foreigners	All forms of surrogacy	Well regulated	Foreigners allowed	Not applicable

More Resources to Read:

How much does Surrogacy Cost

Surrogacy Guide for Surrogate Mothers

Surrogacy Guide for Intended Parents

How does the surrogacy process work

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Country for Your Surrogacy Journey

Choosing the right country for surrogacy is a deeply personal decision that should consider legal, financial, and logistical factors. For married heterosexual couples, Ukraine and Georgia offer affordable and legally secure options. 

The United States remains the best choice for those seeking the highest level of legal protection and medical care, provided they can afford the costs. 

For single and LGBTQ+ parents, Colombia presents a promising new option, though it requires careful consideration due to its emerging status in the surrogacy industry.

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at  Complete Surrogacy Agency. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.

FAQs on International Surrogacy

1. What are the main legal risks in international surrogacy? 

Legal risks include unclear parentage rights, potential for changing laws, and difficulties in obtaining exit visas for the baby. It’s crucial to choose a country with clear surrogacy laws that recognize the intended parents as the legal parents.

2. How do I verify the legitimacy of a surrogacy agency abroad? 

Research the agency’s history, check for reviews from past clients, and ensure the agency is registered with relevant authorities. Consulting with legal experts familiar with international surrogacy can also provide peace of mind.

3. Can I negotiate surrogacy costs? 

While some costs, such as agency fees, may be fixed, there may be flexibility in areas like surrogate compensation or medical procedures. However, negotiations should be handled with care to ensure fair treatment for all parties.

4. What should I consider when choosing between domestic and international surrogacy? 

Consider the legal protections, costs, success rates, and the ease of the baby exit process. Domestic surrogacy might offer greater convenience, while international surrogacy can be more affordable but may involve more complex legal and logistical challenges.

5. Are there any hidden costs in surrogacy? 

Potential hidden costs include additional IVF attempts, genetic testing, legal fees, and travel expenses. It’s essential to get a comprehensive breakdown of all possible expenses before proceeding.

6. How long does the surrogacy process take from start to finish? 

The surrogacy process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months, depending on factors like the country chosen, the success of IVF treatments, and the time required for legal processes and the baby exit procedure.

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