Surrogacy in Greece
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Average price: 70,000 to 95,000 EUR
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Legal status: Regulated
Intended Parents Accepted: Heterosexual couples, Single women (with Greek residency only) -
Types of surrogacy supported: Gestational surrogacy
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Surrogate Compensation: Altruistic on paper, commercial in practice
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The Surrogacy Insider viewpoint: involves a lengthy court process before the ET
Surrogacy is fully legal and regulated in Greece, making it one of the few EU countries that explicitly allows altruistic, gestational surrogacy. Under Greek law, surrogacy contracts are enforceable only after judicial approval, ensuring intended parents are recognized as the child’s legal parents from birth.
The law requires the intended mother (or surrogate’s commissioning woman) to be medically unable to carry a pregnancy, and mandates the arrangement be altruistic (the surrogate’s expenses are reimbursed but she cannot receive profit). This means you won’t be buying a baby - only covering the surrogate’s documented costs.
Greece’s clear legal framework provides confidence: with a court-authorized plan, there’s no post-birth adoption needed and no risk of custody disputes. Intended parents can rest assured that, once the court has issued its permit, the birth certificate will list your names (not the birth mother’s).
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Changes introduced in May 2025
In May 2025 new amendments tightened eligibility. Now both the intended mother (or commissioning parent) and the surrogate must have legal residence in Greece for a surrogacy agreement to be approved.
The old rule allowing non-residents to apply with just a short stay (established in 2014) has been abolished. Also, a 2025 clarification explicitly excludes men (single or in same-sex couples) from commissioning surrogacy.
In practice, this means that Greece is no longer a hub for international surrogacy. While some agencies and organizations may advertise ways around the residency requirement, the law is clear: without Greek residence, you cannot obtain legal approval. Outside of a married or unmarried heterosexual couple—or a single woman—with legal residence in Greece, surrogacy in Greece is no longer an option.
We explain these points in detail below, along with who qualifies, legal requirements, and the step-by-step procedure to help you decide if Greece is right for your family-building journey.
Still having questions? Fill out our contact form or schedule a free 30 min session with Olga Pysana, the founder of The Surrogacy Insider.
Who Can Access Surrogacy in Greece
Heterosexual Couples
Greek law permits surrogacy for a woman who cannot carry a pregnancy due to medical reasons. This applies whether you are married, cohabiting or even single. If the intended mother has a spouse or partner, that person must give notarized consent (confirming he accepts parental responsibility) before court approval. For example, a married woman whose health would be endangered by pregnancy can apply, with her husband’s written permission. The intended mother must provide a detailed medical report from a specialist stating why pregnancy is impossible or risky.
Single Women
Yes - single women are explicitly eligible. You do not need to be married. You simply must meet the same medical criteria (e.g. uterine absence, repeated IVF failures, etc.). (Since you have no spouse, there is no partner consent issue.) Greek courts and clinics recognize unmarried commissioning mothers, provided your application is comprehensive. In fact, Greek law allows “unmarried women” full access to assisted reproduction, so you can pursue surrogacy with the same legal backing as a married woman.
LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents
Lesbian couples: A lesbian woman can commission surrogacy if she meets the medical criteria, just like any other woman. She will be named the child’s legal mother at birth (per the court order). However, her spouse or partner has no automatic parental status. In practice, the non-gestating partner would typically pursue second-parent adoption or another legal route to become a parent later. The 2024 legalization of same-sex marriage did not change surrogacy law: even married lesbian spouses will have only one legal parent (the one who applied to court).
Gay male couples and single men: Under current law, surrogacy is strictly limited to female commissioning parents. Single men and gay male couples are excluded. Recent amendments made this explicit: the law now states that inability to gestate “due to one’s sex” is not a qualifying medical inability. In short, Greece does not allow two men to use a surrogate to have a child.
HIV-positive Intended Parents
Greek law requires thorough medical screening of all parties (intended parents and surrogate) before approval, including tests for HIV, hepatitis, etc. There is no blanket ban on HIV-positive intended parents in the law itself. If you or your partner are HIV-positive, many clinics will still consider your case, provided your health is well-managed and you follow strict medical protocols. For instance, sperm washing and antiretroviral therapy can virtually eliminate transmission risk. The key is open communication with your fertility clinic and specialist: you will need clearance from your doctor and possibly extra laboratory precautions to ensure the surrogate’s safety. In practice, HIV is not an automatic disqualification in Greece, but it does require extra medical steps
Special Situations
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Egg/Sperm Donation: Greece allows donor gametes and embryo donation. Using a donor egg or sperm does not affect your eligibility - intended parents may use donations if needed. (Greek law even allows choosing a known donor under the 2022 reforms.) The child’s genetic link isn’t the legal issue: the court will recognize the woman who applied as the mother.
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Age Limits: The intended mother’s age limit is 50 years (some courts have historically pushed this slightly, but 50 is the standard cap). However, recent 2022 reforms raised the upper limit to 54 for IVF and surrogacy with special permission. In practice, clinics in Greece will consider applicants up to 54 if you obtain the required approvals. Surrogates themselves are usually required to be between about 25-45 years old, have had at least one healthy pregnancy, and no more than two prior C-sections.
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Residency: As of 2025, both the intended mother and surrogate must have established legal residence in Greece. Temporary tourist visits no longer suffice. In past years (2014-2024) courts accepted even short-term stays for applicants, but that changed in 2025. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll need a Greek residency permit (e.g. work, student, or other visa) to qualify under the new rule.
Legal & Medical Requirements for Surrogacy in Greece
Before proceeding with surrogacy in Greece, you must meet all of these conditions:
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Medical Necessity: There must be a medical reason a woman cannot carry a pregnancy. Common examples include uterine absence (e.g. hysterectomy), severe uterine damage (like Asherman’s syndrome), serious health risks to the mother (heart disease, cancer history), or repeated IVF failures/miscarriages. A certified medical report from a specialist is required to document this inability. The law explicitly forbids pursuing surrogacy for purely social or convenience reasons.
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Age Limits: The intended mother must not exceed the upper age limit. By law this is 50 years, though a 2022 amendment allows extensions up to 54 with National Authority approval. (In practical terms, clinics may evaluate on a case-by-case basis for women aged 50-54.)
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Surrogate Qualifications: The gestational carrier must meet strict criteria: typically 25-45 years old, healthy, with at least one uncomplicated pregnancy of her own. She must have no more than two prior C-sections (for safety). She must undergo full medical (HIV/Hepatitis, etc.) and psychological screening. The surrogate’s own egg cannot be used - the embryo must be formed from the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg to avoid any genetic parentage by the surrogate. If the surrogate is married, her husband must also consent in writing to the procedure. Under Greek law she can only carry for the intended parents twice at most, and must agree in advance to give up all parental rights.
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Residence: You must prove legal residence in Greece. Courts will ask for documentation like long-term lease agreements or other proof of living in Greece. Currently, both you (the intended mother) and the surrogate must have residence status in Greece. (Until 2025, temporary stay was enough, but that is no longer the case.)
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Court Approval: No embryo transfer can occur until you obtain a surrogacy permit from a Greek Family Court. This is a special court hearing (usually one judge) that reviews your entire case. You and the surrogate must file a detailed petition with the court, including all the medical evidence, signed consents, the surrogacy agreement, etc. The judge checks that the arrangement meets all legal criteria: consent, altruism, medical need, etc. If satisfied, the judge issues an order (usually within a month or two of hearing) authorizing the surrogacy. Importantly, this order is final and must become irrevocable before proceeding (recent law now requires waiting out any appeals). Only after this court order is final can the IVF clinic transfer the embryo to the surrogate.
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Altruistic Compensation: Greek law allows the surrogate to be reimbursed for documented expenses and lost wages, but no payment beyond that. Regulations set a cap (around €10,000) on the total pregnancy-related stipend. This covers things like medical care, maternity clothes, travel, and reasonable income loss. Any payment above actual costs - or any fee to recruiters or agencies - is strictly illegal and can bring criminal penalties. In short, while you must support your surrogate’s well-being, you cannot “pay” her a profit.
Still having questions about legal options? Join our Facebook community and get all the information from Olga or parents who had experience with Surrogacy in Greece!
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Surrogacy Process in Greece (Sept 2O25)
Check you’re eligible (new rules)
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Residency is mandatory for both women involved: the intended mother (the court applicant) and the gestational carrier (surrogate) must each have legal residence in Greece. Cross-border cases without Greek residence no longer qualify.
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Gestational only: the surrogate cannot use her own eggs (no traditional surrogacy).
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Medical need: the intended mother must show medical inability to carry a baby (risk to health or inability to gestate), supported by a physician’s report.
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Age guidance: courts and clinics apply an upper age limit around 50 for the intended mother (this remains the standard threshold used in case law/clinic practice).
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Who is excluded: Greece has moved to exclude single men and male same-sex couples from surrogacy access (part of 2025 civil-code reforms clarifying that “inability to carry a pregnancy” is not related to gender).
Prepare your documents
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What you gather: medical report for the intended mother; surrogate’s medical/psychological suitability; written surrogacy agreement signed by all parties (and surrogate’s spouse, if married); IDs and proof of Greek residence for both women; consents; and clinic letters.
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Altruistic framework: Greece allows expenses-only arrangements (no payment for carrying).
Apply to the court (before any embryo transfer)
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Where/how: the Court of First Instance (multi-member) where the applicant or surrogate resides; the case is non-adversarial (it’s a compliance check, not a dispute). Parties and lawyers typically attend a short hearing.
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What the judge checks: residency, medical necessity, that the surrogate is medically/psychologically fit, and that the agreement is lawful and altruistic
Wait for a final (irrevocable) decision
Important 2025 change: you can proceed only once the decision is irrevocable (not simply “30 days after”). Clinics should not perform embryo transfer before that point.
IVF & embryo transfer (after the final order)
With the final court order in hand, the clinic creates embryos (using the intended parents’ or donors’ gametes) and performs embryo transfer to the surrogate. The surrogate’s eggs may not be used.
Pregnancy care
Routine obstetric care and monitoring; psychological support for all parties is common clinic practice and helps keep expectations aligned. (This is practice guidance consistent with the legal/medical checks referenced above.)
Birth & parentage
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Parentage at birth: because the court order was granted before transfer, the intended mother is the legal mother “without giving birth”, and the birth certificate lists the intended parents. No adoption is required.
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If there were no court authorization, the woman who gives birth would be the legal mother, which is exactly why pre-approval is mandatory
After birth (for foreign nationals who meet residency)
You’ll use the Greek birth certificate and court order for home-country consular/citizenship steps. Processes vary by country; ensure your nationality law aligns with Greece’s gestational-only model and (if relevant) any donor usage.
Do you understand the process? Reach out if you have questions! The Surrogacy Insider provides independent surrogacy guidance without agency bias!
Cost & Timeline of Surrogacy in Greece
Costs: Surrogacy in Greece involves several expense categories. The medical/IVF costs (doctor visits, IVF cycles, medications) can range widely depending on the clinic, but expect at least €20,000–€30,000 for one IVF cycle. Some agencies report that the total process (including surrogate stipends, medical and legal fees, travel, etc.) commonly runs €80,000–€100,000. (This is comparable to many Western surrogacy programs – cheaper than the U.S. but more than some Eastern countries.) Court and legal fees (lawyer fees, translations, notaries, court costs) add several thousand euros. The surrogate’s reimbursements (up to ~€10,000) must also be budgeted. Travel/living costs should be included: plan for multiple trips to Greece (see timeline below) and at least ~4–6 weeks stay around the baby’s due date. We can help you prepare a realistic budget; remember, as independent advisors we have no markup on any of these services.
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Timeline: A Greek surrogacy usually spans 18+ months from start to finish:
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Court preparation & approval: Collecting documents and filing to court can take 3–6 months, depending on how quickly you gather paperwork and the court’s schedule. The official hearing typically happens within about one month of application, and the judge’s decision often arrives a couple weeks later. (Courts can take longer in busy periods.)
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Surrogate matching: Finding and securing a surrogate (if you don’t already have one) may take additional time. Clinics that handle surrogacy often match intended parents within 3–4 months after court approval. (Independent paths can vary; some intended parents work through agencies or networks.)
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IVF and pregnancy: Once matched, IVF and embryo transfer happen quickly (usually within one menstrual cycle after readiness). Pregnancy then takes the usual ~9 months.
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Birth & final paperwork: After birth, you’ll spend a few weeks in Greece to finalize paperwork.
Is the cost something you have doubts about? Let us help you draft a budget plan!
Pros & Cons of Greek Surrogacy
Pros (Advantages):
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Legal Clarity and Security: Greek law is explicit and supportive: altruistic surrogacy is legal and regulated. You have court oversight and a clear court order before pregnancy, so parental rights are guaranteed. This transparency reduces uncertainty – unlike some countries, there’s no question of parentage if the procedure follows legal channels.
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Ethical Model: The altruistic model (with reimbursements only) is often viewed as more ethical. Greece’s capped expense system (about €10K) acknowledges the surrogate’s commitment without commercializing the process. This can ease moral concerns for many IPs and is backed by law.
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Inclusive of Unmarried Women/Hetero Couples: Unlike some countries, marital status doesn’t bar you. Single women and unmarried couples have the same rights as married ones to pursue surrogacy. This means your family situation (e.g. a devoted unmarried mother, a divorced woman, etc.) is accommodated under the law.
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Protective Safeguards: Surrogates undergo extensive health and psychological screening, and all parties must give fully informed consent. These safeguards protect the surrogate’s well-being and your child’s welfare. Also, because the surrogate has no genetic link to the child, legal disputes over maternity are virtually eliminated.
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Recognition of Parenthood: As soon as the baby is born, the intended mother is recognized as the legal mother. No post-birth adoption or second-parent processes are needed, which is rare globally. This means a smoother transition to home life and no limbo period for your child.
Cons (Drawbacks):
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Residency Requirement: Non-residents face a major hurdle. As of 2025, if neither you nor your partner is a Greek resident, you cannot get approval. This was a much-touted change to prevent exploitation, effectively marking the end of Greece as a destination for international surrogacy, since most foreign couples will be ineligible unless they first obtain Greek residency.
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Strict Eligibility: Greek law is restrictive about who can apply. Only a woman with medical infertility qualifies – so two men (single or married) are out of luck. Even heterosexual women who simply don’t want to carry must prove a medical need. Some intended parents feel this is unfair.
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Legal & Bureaucratic Complexity: The mandatory court process, though protective, adds time and legal costs. You must hire local lawyers, navigate foreign bureaucracy, and wait on court schedules. While we guide you, this complexity (and the 30-day post-order wait) can feel frustrating.
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Limited Compensation (Surrogate Scarcity): The €10,000 cap (plus strict receipts-only rules) can limit the pool of willing surrogates.
Each of these pros has a corresponding challenge. Let us help you balance them. Our goal is to maximize the benefits, while mitigating the downsides.
Why Work With The Surrogacy Insider?
Choosing surrogacy abroad is one of the most important and emotional decisions you will ever make. With so many agencies, clinics, and online promises, it can feel overwhelming to know who to trust. That’s where The Surrogacy Insider is different.
Unlike agencies, we do not sell packages. My only commitment is to you - the intended parents. I, Olga Pysana, founder of The Surrogacy Insider, have a goal to give you clear, unbiased, and realistic guidance so you can make confident decisions for your family journey.
Independent Consultant, Not Agency-Driven Persona
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No hidden agendas, no financial ties to clinics or agencies.
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My advice is shaped by legal frameworks, medical facts, and real-world experience, not by sales pitches.
Personalized One-on-One Support
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You work directly with me, a professional who has years of experience guiding parents through surrogacy across multiple countries.
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Every consultation is adapted to your family situation, legal needs, and emotional readiness.
Clarity in Complex Processes
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Surrogacy involves court approvals, medical screenings, and cultural nuances. I will help you break it down step by step so nothing falls through the cracks.
Honest Answers to Hard Questions
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Let's address the difficult topics most agencies avoid:
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What are the legal risks?
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What if laws change mid-process?
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How do costs really break down?
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What emotional challenges should you prepare for?
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FAQ
No. Greek law clearly requires the commissioning parent to be a woman. Single men and gay male couples are explicitly barred from the surrogacy process. This remains true even if you are married.
Only the woman who applies (or requires a surrogate) will be the legal mother on the birth certificate. The other partner has no automatic status. In practice, she can later pursue second-parent adoption or another legal mechanism to be recognized as a parent. (Greek law did not change this with same-sex marriage legalization.)
Unlike some countries (e.g. the UK, USA, or certain Canadian provinces), Greece does not allow two men to jointly use a surrogate. If your goal is co-parenting as a gay male couple, Greece will not work. A lesbian couple, however, can have one partner as the gestational and legal mother, similar to how it works in most jurisdictions.
Legitimate medical reasons include things like no uterus, severe uterine scarring, recurrent IVF failures, or conditions making pregnancy life-threatening. You will need a doctor’s report documenting the specific condition. Our advisors can clarify what information the courts need.
Absolutely. A single woman who cannot carry a pregnancy is treated the same as a married woman under the lawabolition-ms.org. You need a valid medical reason and must satisfy all other requirements. As the only parent, you must demonstrate you can care for the child alone (the court will consider your personal situation, finances, support system, etc.).
Only if you have Greek residence. Prior to 2025, Greece was famous for allowing non-residents to obtain a surrogacy permitlaw-services.gr. But with the latest amendment, the law now requires legal habitual residence for both intended mother and surrogategrowingfamilies.org. In short, mere travel to Greece for the procedure will no longer work. You must already be living in Greece (for example, on a work visa or long-term permit) at the time of application.
Typically a government-issued permit or visa that shows you live in Greece for most of the year. Short tourist visas or random stays are insufficient. Proof can include residence cards, employment or property records, or other official ties. A Greek immigration lawyer can advise you on meeting this requirement.
Why Choose Independent (Agency-Free) Guidance
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Unbiased Advice: We are not a surrogacy agency, so we have no vested interest in a specific clinic or surrogate. This means our guidance is completely independent. We will tell you the Greek law and options as they truly are – even if that means advising against an expensive or inappropriate option. You can trust we have your best interests at heart, not a business to run.
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Emotional and Ethical Integrity: We appreciate that this is as much an emotional journey as a medical one. We’ll help you communicate ethically with your surrogate and set realistic expectations. Because we don’t get paid for the surrogate or clinic services, we fully respect the altruistic spirit of Greek surrogacy. You can rely on us to navigate both the legal complexities and the human side of this process.
Contact & Next Steps
If you’re considering surrogacy in Greece, the Surrogacy Insider offers a free initial consultation to assess your case and answer your immediate questions. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your eligibility, outline your options, and explain how we work.
The Surrogacy Insider provides lots of free downloadable guides and checklists (Surrogacy Process, Hybrid Surrogacy, How to find a surrogate, Key questions when interviewing surrogacy agencies… ) to help you get organized.
Make your path to parenthood through Greek surrogacy as smooth, transparent, and supported as possible. Contact Olga today to begin the conversation - you have nothing to lose, and expert guidance to gain.
