Inclusive IVF Abroad: A Global Guide for All Families

Starting a family is deeply personal—and for many, it means looking beyond borders. Whether you're a same-sex couple, a solo parent, or a couple navigating fertility challenges, inclusive IVF abroad can offer more options, fewer delays, and the chance to take control of your journey.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Countries that offer IVF with donor sperm

• Where ROPA (shared motherhood) is legal

• IVF options for same-sex couples

• Legal and practical tips for travelling abroad for treatment

Let’s dive in.

🧬 What is Inclusive IVF?

Inclusive IVF refers to fertility treatments that support all kinds of families—including:

• Heterosexual couples facing infertility

• Same-sex female couples (with or without ROPA)

• Same-sex male couples (via surrogacy and egg donation)

• Solo women and men

• Gender-diverse individuals and couples

For many, this involves donor sperm, donor eggs, or gestational surrogacy depending on the path to parenthood.

👩‍❤️‍👩 What is ROPA? Shared Motherhood Explained

ROPA stands for Reception of Oocytes from Partner—a beautiful option for lesbian couples who want to share the experience of bringing a baby into the world.

Here’s how it works:

• One partner provides the eggs

• The eggs are fertilised with donor sperm

• The embryo is transferred into the other partner, who carries the pregnancy

This process allows both women to participate physically and emotionally—one as the biological (genetic) parent, and one as the gestational parent.

Where is ROPA Legal?

ROPA is currently legal in a few LGBTQ+ inclusive countries:

• ✅ Spain

• ✅ Portugal

• ✅ Belgium (case-by-case basis)

• ❌ Not allowed in Denmark, Greece, Turkey, or most Eastern European countries.

🌈 IVF Options for Same-Sex Female Couples

Lesbian couples often choose either:

• IVF with donor sperm (one partner carries the pregnancy)

• ROPA (shared motherhood)

Countries like Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Denmark offer inclusive legal frameworks, high-quality clinics, and both anonymous and open-ID donors.

👨‍❤️‍👨 IVF Options for Same-Sex Male Couples

Male couples typically require:

• Egg donation

• Gestational surrogacy

The most popular and legally secure destinations include:

• USA (commercial surrogacy, most flexible but expensive)

• Canada (altruistic surrogacy only)

• Mexico (some states allow same-sex surrogacy)

• Colombia (emerging option for inclusive surrogacy)

Countries like Ukraine and Georgia offer surrogacy—but only for married heterosexual couples.

Countries That Offer IVF for Inclusivity

Here’s where you can access inclusive IVF (including donor sperm, ROPA, and surrogacy options):

Spain

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: Yes

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: LGBTQ+ friendly, high success rates

Portugal

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: Yes

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: Inclusive laws, ROPA supported

Greece

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal (including solo women)

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: No ROPA, anonymous donation only

Denmark

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: Wide donor choice, very LGBTQ+ friendly

Netherlands

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: Known donor preferred, stricter regulations

Belgium

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: Case-by-case (some clinics allow)

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: May allow ROPA depending on clinic

USA

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: Varies by state

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Legal

• Notes: Open-ID donors available, high costs, flexible laws

Canada

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Legal (altruistic only)

• Notes: Inclusive, but surrogacy is altruistic (no commercial fees)

Mexico

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: Varies by state

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal (in some regions)

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Legal (in some regions)

• Notes: State laws vary—important to check carefully

Ukraine

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Not legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Legal for heterosexual married couples only

• Notes: Not LGBTQ+ inclusive

Georgia

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Not legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Legal for heterosexual married couples only

• Notes: Surrogacy for married hetero couples only

Czech Republic

• Donor Sperm IVF: Yes

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): No

• Notes: Affordable but more conservative laws

Turkey

• Donor Sperm IVF: No

• ROPA: No

• Same-Sex Female Couples: Not legal

• Same-Sex Male Couples (Surrogacy): Not legal

• Notes: Donor sperm and surrogacy are banned

💬 Things to Consider Before You Travel

1. Parental Rights
   Ensure both parents can be listed on the birth certificate and recognised under UK law when returning.

2. Donor Identity Rules

   • Some countries use anonymous donors (e.g., Spain, Greece)

   • Others use open-ID or known donors (e.g., Denmark, USA)

3. Wait Times and Cost
   Some countries offer quick access (e.g., Spain, Turkey), while others may have long waitlists or high costs.

4. Language Support
   Choose a clinic with a strong track record supporting international patients and English-speaking staff.

5. Cultural & Legal Compatibility
   Make sure the country you choose aligns with your values, lifestyle, and legal needs.

💛 Why Families Choose Journawell

At Journawell, we don’t just organise travel—we walk this journey with you. Our founder Kelly Halls knows first-hand what it’s like to go through IVF abroad, and she’s poured that experience into a concierge service built for real people, real budgets, and real dreams.

We offer:

• Trusted IVF clinic recommendations (including LGBTQ+ friendly options)

• Full travel planning (flights, accommodation, transfers)

• Support with paperwork, appointments, and local services

• Personal insight, empathy, and practical advice

Whether you’re planning IVF in Istanbul, Barcelona, or Toronto, we’ll make it smooth, affordable, and unforgettable.

Ready to Take the First Step?

✨ Ask us about our FREE IVF in Istanbul competition
💬 Or speak to Kelly, our CEO, about her own IVF abroad experience.

Let Journawell help you turn your dream into a departure date.