Surrogacy costs vary widely by country. For example, in the United States a full gestational surrogacy program often runs $140,000–$200,000 USD. In Canada, where commercial compensation is not allowed (only reimbursement of expenses), costs are lower – roughly $75,000–$90,000 USD. In the United Kingdom, surrogacy is altruistic, and total costs (clinic fees, expenses, legal, etc.) can exceed £50,000 (about $65,000 USD). Eastern European destinations like Ukraine and Georgia are more affordable: current estimates put Ukraine around $50,000–$65,000 USD (Georgia is similar) because of lower medical and surrogate fees. In Mexico, costs are roughly $50,000–$80,000 USD, depending on the state and services (some programs include multiple embryo attempts or donor services). These ranges include most major components (surrogate compensation, IVF, legal fees, etc.), but actual budgets should be confirmed with providers.
What are the cost components in a surrogacy program?
Key cost categories for intended parents include:
Surrogate compensation or expenses: In commercial programs (e.g. U.S., Ukraine) the surrogate is paid a base fee (often the largest single line item) plus allowances. In the U.S. this can be $65,000–$75,000 for a first-time surrogate. In altruistic countries (e.g. UK, Canada) only expenses are reimbursed; even then UK cases have approved expense packages up to ~£25,000 ($32k).
Medical/IVF costs: This covers IVF cycles, embryo transfers, fertility drugs and tests. In the U.S. clinic and lab fees often total $25,000–$35,000. In Ukraine or Mexico, IVF is cheaper (studies or clinics may quote ~$7–15k for basic cycles), but note that multiple IVF attempts may be needed.
Pregnancy and delivery care: Includes prenatal visits, hospital delivery and any NICU stay. Usually covered as part of the program, but if complications arise (emergency C-section, extended bedrest, preterm delivery) extra medical bills can occur.
Agency or coordination fees: Surrogacy agencies handle matching, screening and case management. U.S. agencies often charge $25,000–$35,000. Agencies abroad may charge less ($5k–$10k in some countries) but services can vary.
Legal fees: Drafting and reviewing contracts, establishing parentage and obtaining birth paperwork. In the U.S., legal costs are typically $8,000–$10,000. Abroad, legal fees can range from a few thousand dollars up (for example, Ukrainian legal support is often around $5k).
Insurance: Intended parents generally must provide health insurance for the surrogate’s pregnancy if her policy doesn’t cover it. Surrogacy-friendly maternity insurance (or gaps coverage) can run ~$800+/month in the U.S.. Newborns also need immediate coverage at birth.
Travel and accommodation: Intended parents (or surrogates) may need multiple trips overseas or within-country. Flights, lodging and meals add up, especially if long stays are required for embryo transfer and birth. If the surrogate lives far away from the clinic, her travel and lodging during pregnancy can also be included as an expense.
Other expenses: These can include donor egg fees (if needed), psychological screening, embryo shipping, translation services, background checks, escrow and banking fees, and newborn arrangements (maternity clothes, infant care kits, etc.). Budgeting software or agencies often list these as separate line items.
How does compensated vs. altruistic surrogacy affect costs?
Surrogacy systems differ by country. In compensated surrogacy jurisdictions (e.g. much of the USA, Ukraine, Georgia), the surrogate receives a base compensation in addition to actual expenses. This means overall costs are higher because you are effectively paying for her time and effort. By contrast, in altruistic systems (e.g. UK, Canada, many parts of Mexico), surrogates may only be reimbursed for verifiable expenses (travel, loss of income, maternity clothes, etc.). In practice:
Altruistic systems limit surrogate pay. For example, UK law bans paying a wage to surrogates, allowing only “reasonable expenses” (recent legal cases have approved up to ~£25,000 in expenses). This tends to keep budgets lower, but also means finding surrogates can be harder (e.g. Canada often has long waitlists).
Compensated systems carry large surrogate fees. In the U.S., surrogate compensation often alone is nearly half of the budget (commonly $65–75k). Ukraine’s surrogates are paid less (roughly $18–20k in many packages), contributing to lower total costs there. Agency and clinical fees may also be higher in commercial programs.
The key takeaway is that where surrogate pay is restricted (altruistic), total costs tend to be lower, but you still must fund all other components. In commercial models, higher surrogate pay and agency fees can double the cost compared to an altruistic country, even though medical costs (IVF, hospital) may be similar.
What hidden or unexpected expenses should intended parents plan for?
Even with a line-item budget, surprises can arise. Common unexpected costs include:
Medical complications: If the surrogate faces a high-risk pregnancy or emergency (e.g. early bedrest, NICU), extra medical bills can accrue. For instance, a NICU stay for a preterm baby can be tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
Legal contingencies: Changes in laws or additional legal work (e.g. appeals, citizenship cases) can add attorney fees. Contracts might need revisions, or additional court orders (especially for international births) may be required.
Travel overruns: Multiple trips might be needed. If an embryo transfer fails, you might need to travel again for a frozen transfer. Intended parents should plan for flights and lodging for multiple visits, and possibly extra time if there are delays. Even surrogates might travel (e.g. from rural area to clinic), and those costs count.
Insurance gaps: Surrogate’s own health plan may not cover surrogacy; you might have to buy a supplemental maternity policy on short notice. After birth, you’ll need health insurance for the newborn immediately. Denied claims or coverage gaps (e.g. IVF procedures not covered) can become surprise bills.
Currency fluctuations and fees: International programs often pay in a foreign currency. Exchange rate swings or bank transfer fees can inflate costs. It’s wise to lock in rates or account for a margin on the budget.
Delayed cycles or repeat attempts: IVF is not guaranteed. Budget for at least one extra cycle if needed. Many programs build a refund or guaranty clause, but if not, another cycle could cost several thousand more.
Additional services: Psychological counseling, extra clinic tests, gestational surrogacy insurance, genetic testing (PGS/PGD) or expanded screenings, maternity clothing allowances, and newborn supplies can be easily overlooked.
It’s recommended to build in a contingency buffer—for example, 10–15% of your total budget—to cover overruns. Always ask agencies or clinics what is not included in their package and consider those items in your budget.
What are Ukraine surrogacy fees?
Ukraine is a popular international surrogacy destination due to its legal clarity and relatively low costs. In Ukraine:
A typical package (gestational surrogacy with your own embryos) is often quoted around $50,000–$60,000 USD. This usually includes surrogate compensation, IVF, medical care, legal services and agency coordination.
Surrogate compensation in Ukraine is modest by Western standards (commonly around $18,000–$20,000 USD in many programs). This lower pay is a major factor in Ukraine’s lower overall cost.
IVF and clinical fees in Ukraine are also lower. Clinics typically charge roughly $7,000–$15,000 for IVF with embryo transfer, and fertility medications might add another few thousand. (If the intended mother cannot provide eggs, adding an egg donor costs ~$6,000.)
Legal and agency fees are built into most packages. For example, Nova Espero (a Ukrainian agency) lists legal support around $5,000 USD and agency coordination $2,500–$5,000 USD.
Total costs: Accounting for all components, many clinics and agencies quote a range of $50,000 to $65,000 USD for an all-inclusive surrogacy program. Some “baseline” programs might advertise as low as ~$35,000, but these often cover only the bare essentials (e.g. one IVF cycle with frozen embryos) and can rise if additional services are needed.
Why Ukraine is cheaper: High-quality IVF care is heavily subsidized for foreigners, medical staff fees are low, and surrogate base pay is far below Western rates. At the same time, the legal framework firmly names the intended parents on the birth certificate from conception, simplifying paperwork (so fewer legal hours may be needed).
Intended parents should still expect travel to Ukraine (often multiple visits), and should budget local living expenses (accommodation, etc.) during their stay. Many agencies include a set allowance for the surrogate’s living costs, but it’s wise to ask exactly what is covered. Despite the war-related upheaval in the region, Ukraine continues to be a leading destination – just make sure to work with reputable clinics or agencies.
How can intended parents prepare financially?
Thorough financial planning is crucial. Key preparation steps include:
Make a detailed budget: List every expense category (surrogate pay, IVF, meds, legal, agency, insurance, travel, etc.) and get quotes from providers. Consider consulting a financial planner who understands fertility costs. Break the budget into stages (e.g. pre-matching, IVF, pregnancy, post-birth) so you know when funds will be needed.
Build a contingency fund: Because surprises happen, set aside extra savings. Experts suggest a buffer of at least 10–15% of your expected total. This can cover unforeseen procedures or delays.
Explore financing options: Some agencies and clinics offer payment plans or staged payments. If cash is tight, fertility loans, home equity lines, or special programs (and even vetted crowdfunding) may help bridge the gap. Just be cautious of high-interest debt.
Maximize savings now: Cut non-essential expenses or increase income before starting the process. Even small monthly savings add up over the typical 1–2 year surrogacy timeline.
Understand payment schedules: Know which fees are due upfront (e.g. agency deposit, IVF clinic deposit) and which are later. Plan for lump-sum payments after pregnancy confirmation and at birth.
Check insurance and taxes: Verify whether any part of your surrogacy might qualify for tax relief (in a few cases U.S. parents have deducted surrogate medical expenses) and ensure you have or can get maternity insurance for your surrogate and immediate newborn coverage.
Get everything in writing: Have clear contracts with the agency and surrogate so you understand refund policies and what happens if the pregnancy doesn’t proceed. Clarity can prevent costly legal disputes later.
Research grants or assistance: While rare, a few organizations offer grants or low-interest loans for fertility treatment. Any help can reduce personal strain.
Monitor exchange rates (if international): If you’re paying in another currency (e.g. USD to EUR/UAH), consider hedging or timing transfers when rates are favorable to avoid hidden exchange costs.
By planning early and thoroughly, intended parents can approach their surrogacy journey with confidence. Breaking down the costs into categories and educating yourself (and your support network) about each expense will help you create a realistic surrogacy budget and avoid surprises