Surrogacy in Ukraine

What you need to know about legal surrogacy in Europe.

Ukraine is a secure and legal surrogacy destination in heart of Europe. But, surrogacy in Ukraine is only available to the married hetero couples.  That means, no gay men or single parents can take part in surrogacy services in Ukraine.

Couples who are unable to get pregnant face several psychological and social impacts. Surrogacy acts as the much-needed solace for these couples, who consider it a renewed hope for starting a new life as parents.

In current scenarios, Ukraine is becoming a good hope for the childless couples. Surrogacy in Kiev, capital of Ukraine, is a legal and trusted surrogacy destination for childless couples from many countries. 

A Brief Overview about Surrogacy in Ukraine which we will cover here:

1. Why surrogacy in Ukraine?
2. What surrogacy laws in Ukraine says?
3. Why surrogacy is Ukraine becoming popular for international couples?
4. Cost of surrogacy in Ukraine
5. Ukraine surrogate mother selection criteria
6. Travel trip when planning surrogacy in Ukraine

Why surrogacy in Ukraine?

Ukraine is an eastern European country.  Earlier it was part of USSR before becoming an independent state in 1991.  Kiev, the capital of Ukraine is a modern city and house the most advanced medical facilities.

Surrogacy in Ukraine is offered since 2000 for married heterosexual couples. The laws are the same for local residents or international surrogacy seekers.

Each passing month, more and more couples are exploring Ukraine surrogacy options. The trend is only upward, and it is going to see further growth.

As Ukraine is located in Europe, it brings the trust of European standard medical facility.  The surrogate mother has a healthy lifestyle and a good standard of living as compared to Asian countries.

Ukraine has opened its doors to international surrogacy and give adequate protection to the intended parents.

In short, we can say, Ukraine is emerging as a new hub for international surrogacy.

What surrogacy laws say in Ukraine?

Surrogacy in Ukraine has been growing in popularity, owing to the increased influx of couples from around the world.

The Gestational Surrogacy agreement is well regulated in Ukraine.  The surrogacy agreements are enforceable under the Ukraine reproductive laws.

Ukrainian legislation allows intended parents to carry on a surrogacy program.  The commissioning Parents will be on the baby birth certificate of the child born as a result of the surrogacy program from the very beginning. The child is legally “belonging” to the intended parents from the very moment surrogate conceive.

The child born through surrogacy belongs to intended parents right from the time of conception.  The baby birth certificate is issued in the name of commissioning parents.  The surrogate mother in Ukraine is not given any right over the baby.  Thus, the rights of the parents are well protected and secured.

Even if the commission parents use an egg donor or sperm donor or both, their name come in the baby birth certificate. Meaning, there is comprehensive legal support for Intended Parents.

After the baby birth, the process of getting the baby citizenship and the travel documents varies from country to country.

The citizen of countries like the USA or UK, get the baby documents within a certain time frame.  The process of baby exit is well documented for most of the countries.

But, few European countries, where surrogacy is not allowed legally, might find it difficult to get the citizenship of the baby.  That is why it is important that you consult your local family lawyer before enrolling yourself to surrogacy program in Ukraine.

Countries like Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, and Belgium do not encourage any surrogacy arrangement for their citizens. Parents from these countries should consult their local reproductive attorney before starting the cross-border surrogacy in any part of the world.

In Ukraine, surrogacy is only allowed for the married heterosexual couples.

Although surrogacy in Ukraine is well regulated and stable, but still intended parents need to go through qualification.  Couples need to have.

1. The couple needs a letter of recommendation from their local doctor clearly mentioning why they need a surrogate mother.
2. In Ukraine, intended parents can only use surrogate mother if the female partner is not capable of carrying the baby or she has other serious medical conditions which make it difficult for her to carry the pregnancy safely.
3. If a couple has done 4 cycle of IVF cycles and still not successful due to unknown fertility, they can apply for surrogacy.
4. Marriage certificate of couples, fully apostille.
5. The passport copies of the parents.

No single male or same-sex couple allowed to do surrogacy in Ukraine.

Ukraine Surrogacy Law

Registration of the baby is regulated by the Order 24 and Order 771 of the Health Ministry of Ukraine, which deals with the medical procedure of artificial insemination and embryo implantation.

The order declares that in cases of birth to a baby conceived by another couple ( a surrogacy arrangement) the registration of the child is made based on the surrogacy agreement signed by the Intended Parents.

The agreement is submitted alongside the medical document certifying that the surrogate gave birth to the child of the Intended Parents, and this allows the Intended Parents to be registered as legal parents of the child.

Legally, surrogacy in Ukraine is regulated by Article 123 of The Ukrainian Family Code (amended December 22, 2006, No. 524-V). A married couple can choose gestational surrogacy arrangement to have baby/babies. All that’s required is a written informed consent of all parties (intended parents and surrogate) participating in the surrogacy program and related agreements, confirming the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Order 24 of the Health Ministry of Ukraine further regulates the details of surrogacy in Ukraine, which give guidelines that protect the surrogate and ensure a healthy outcome to the process.

Receiving Baby Birth Certificates in Ukraine

The current status indicates that babies born via surrogacy in Ukraine belong to Commissioning Parents.

The baby birth certificate has commission parents’ names and no surrogacy is mentioned.  Matter of fact biological parents are considered legal parent of the baby soon after the conception of the baby via surrogate mother.

After the birth of baby, the birth certificate will be issued in the name of the father and mother of the baby.

Why surrogacy is Ukraine becoming popular for international couples

Surrogacy in Ukraine has peaked over the past few years.

• Ukraine is part of the European Union with a good standard of living
• Affordable costs
• World-class treatments
• Good infrastructure
• Minimal legal hassles

Surrogacy in Ukraine offers a unique advantage to childless couples.

1. Surrogacy agreement in Ukraine is explicitly supported by federal legislation. The laws support the surrogacy agreement for married hetero couples. That means, the intended parents right is well protected due to clearly defined surrogacy law.
2. The embryo donation, egg donation and sperm donation are legal and is regulated by the laws.  So, offer a great choice of beautiful egg donor of European origin.
3. No visa is needed for European and US citizens, thus making travel easy.
4. The reproductive laws are similar for both local and international fertility seekers.  So, both local and foreigner can apply for surrogacy contracts. No differentiation is made into local or international couples.
5. High standard of living as Ukraine is a European country.  The surrogate mother stays in a clean environment and has a healthy lifestyle.
6. The cost of surrogacy in Ukraine is much lower than the US and European countries. The cost of the overall surrogacy program in Ukraine can be 60% to 70% less than surrogacy in the USA.
7. No adoption is required to have the legal right of the baby. The baby belongs to commission parents and no court order is needed is needed to get the legal guardian of the baby.
8. The IVF Clinic in Ukraine has advance medical fertility. Most of the medical staff complete their training and internship in western countries and are well equipped to assist international parents. 

Cost of surrogacy in Ukraine

During my communication with most surrogacy seeker, I have seen that high cost of surrogacy is the most limiting factor for them to get started. The high cost of assisted reproductive services like IVF contributes to a higher overall surrogacy cost.

So, when planning to have a baby via surrogacy, cost of surrogacy remains the top dilemma for the couples.  That is why most of the couples search for affordable yet legal surrogacy option.   In recent time, cross- border surrogacy has gain momentum in eastern European countries.

We work with many IVF Clinics in Kiev.  The pricing and services offered vary slightly but the quality of services is the same.

Unlike other countries, Ukraine IVF Clinic offers more personalized and customized services to international parents.  Special prizing like VIP or premium surrogacy program is available.

We can even offer guarantee baby program which includes an unlimited number of IVF with an egg donor and embryos transfer in surrogate mother till the time you have a live baby.

The surrogacy cost in Ukraine is much tolerable cost wise as compared to the USA and other European countries.

Most of the surrogacy agency in Ukraine, offer all range of services related to IV, IVF with Egg donor, PGD and Surrogacy services.

The typical surrogacy with egg donor program starts from $40,000 to $45,000.

IVF Clinics in Ukraine, which offer the guarantee baby program.   The cost varies slightly but can be around $55,000 to $60,000 for a guaranteed baby plan.

The other facility like PGD and NGS is allowed for genetic testing.  The gender selection is not allowed straight away, but if you are doing genetic testing because of any reason, you can use embryos of the desired gender.

Ukraine surrogate mother selection criteria

There is an increase in demand for Ukraine surrogate mothers and fortunately, more and more women are ready to become a surrogate mother for foreign couples.

Ukraine offer pools of a young and healthy surrogate mother.  But the criteria to choose an egg donor and surrogate mother are strict.  Only after an exhaustive recruitment criteria girl are accepted into the Third Party Assisted program.

The requirements for surrogate mother in Ukraine.  To be eligible for surrogacy, the surrogate mother should be:

• Between the age of 25 to 35 years.
• She should have one healthy baby of her own.
• The gestational carrier must be mentally and physically fit to carry the baby.
• A legal surrogacy agreement needs to be signed between the parents and the surrogate mother.
• She should not be related to her parents.

Travel trip when planning surrogacy in Ukraine

Most of the leading IVF Clinics and surrogacy agencies in Ukraine are based in Kiev, capital of Ukraine.

Although a good number of clinics are available in other provinces for international couples, it is easy to do the full program in Kiev, as it has good connectivity and it Is much more modern with good infrastructure.

The population of Kiev is around 3 million, making Kiev the 8th largest city in Europe.

Average temperatures range from an average 26ºC (79ºF) in summer to -2°C (28ºF) in winter. Spring and autumn can be very brief. Heat waves or cold spells occur occasionally and can push temperatures as high as 38ºC (100ºF) or as low as -20ºC (-4ºF).

Generally, westerners do not need a Ukrainian visa to visit Ukraine for less than 90 days. No special permit is needed to enter for the purpose of surrogacy in Ukraine.

A visa or valid Ukrainian residency permit is needed for all stays longer than 90 days. Ukrainian law requires visitors to have valid health insurance.

Local public transport popular in Kiev is Metro and Intracity Ring Railway. . The publicly owned and operated Kiev Metro is the fastest, the most convenient and affordable network that covers most, but not all, of the city.

Ukraine is a perfectly safe county to visit, excluding Crimea and war zone in Eastern Ukraine.

Air transport for Ukraine

Kiev is served by two international passenger airports:

1.    Boryspil Airport located 30 kilometers (19 miles) away.

2. Smaller, municipally owned Zhulyany Airport on the southern outskirts of the city.

Conclusion For Surrogacy in Ukraine

The international surrogacy laws are changing quite frequently since the last few years.  In this changing time, for married heterosexual couples, surrogacy in Ukraine is one of the most enticing prospects. In any typical surrogacy agreement, we expect to have 4 main things.

1. Affordable cost
2. Legal protection
3. Good Medical success rate for IVF Procedure
4. The good and professional pool of egg donors and surrogate mothers.

Fortunately, we do have all this criterion positive in Ukraine.  So, in my suggest it is the best option for those prospective couples who are looking for low cost yet legal surrogacy option internationally.

The one drawback which I can think is that surrogacy in Ukraine is that only r married couples are allowed to participate.  So, it excludes single or gay men from applying for surrogacy in Ukraine.

As we are seeing We are curious to know, will you use surrogacy in Ukraine to become a parent?

If yes, we are happy to help with one of our partner IVF Clinic in Ukraine.

In case you wish to know more about cost-effective and legal cross-border surrogacy services in Ukraine.

Contact us Now to get Started.