What is The Surrogacy Cost in Denmark 2023?

Medfertility
June 19, 2023
Surrogacy

If you\’re considering surrogacy in Denmark, it\’s important to know and budget for all the associated costs. These can range from $80k-$120k, covering things like legal fees, medical procedures, and surrogate compensation.

Remember, every surrogacy journey is unique, so there may be additional costs for things like egg donation, fertility treatments, counseling, and travel that need to be accounted for.

While surrogacy expenses in Denmark are still much less than in the U.S., it\’s always best to approach these costs with care and planning.

Doing your research and preparing for all possibilities can help make the surrogacy process more manageable and ultimately lead to a successful and fulfilling experience.

Table of Contents

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy refers to an arrangement where a woman carries and delivers a baby for another individual or couple. The surrogate mother agrees to become pregnant and give birth to a child that she will not raise but instead relinquish to the intended parent(s).

There are two main types of surrogacy:

Traditional surrogacy: The surrogate mother is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father. She is the biological mother of the child.
Gestational surrogacy: An embryo is created using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors, then transferred to the surrogate. She is not genetically related to the child.

In Denmark, surrogacy is legal but highly regulated. Intended parents go through an extensive screening and approval process. Only gestational surrogacy is allowed, using the intended mother\’s eggs or donor\’s eggs. The surrogate cannot profit from the arrangement beyond reasonable medical and living expenses.

The total cost of surrogacy in Denmark ranges from $80,000 to $130,000. The expenses include medical procedures, surrogate compensation, egg donation or IVF fees, prenatal care, delivery charges, and legal fees. For international intended parents, there may be additional fees for travel, accommodation, and immigration procedures.

While Surrogacy Cost in Denmark is more affordable than in the U.S., it remains out of reach for many. However, for those who can pursue it, Denmark’s high standards of medical care and strict regulations provide a safe, legally secure option.

What is The Procedure of Surrogacy in Denmark

Legal Requirements

To pursue surrogacy in Denmark, you must meet several legal requirements. First, you must be a Danish citizen or have permanent resident status. Second, you must be in a stable relationship or married. Single individuals and same-sex couples are permitted to pursue surrogacy. Finally, you must prove that you cannot have a child through natural means or that pregnancy would pose serious health risks.

Finding a Surrogate

Once approved, the intended parents can begin searching for a surrogate through an agency or private means. The surrogate must be between 25 to 38 years old, have given birth before, and live a healthy lifestyle. She will undergo health and psychological screenings to ensure she is fit to carry a pregnancy. It is illegal to pay surrogates in Denmark, so the role is entirely altruistic. However, intended parents do typically cover reasonable expenses like maternity clothes, travel costs for doctor visits, and lost wages if bed rest is required.

Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy

After the surrogate is selected, the intended mother or an egg donor undergoes an IVF cycle to produce embryos. The surrogate is then implanted with the embryos and will carry the pregnancy for nine months. The intended parents can be as involved or uninvolved in the prenatal care as desired. After birth, the intended parents are named on the birth certificate and assume full legal responsibility for the child. The surrogate has no parental rights.

Factors That Could Affect the Overall Price of Your Surrogacy Journey in Denmark

The overall cost of surrogacy in Denmark can be affected by a number of factors. This includes whether you are using an agency to find a surrogate, the complexity of the medical procedures involved, and any legal fees that may be required. In addition, the amount you will pay for your surrogate\’s compensation will also have an impact on the overall price.

Average Cost of Surrogacy in Denmark

In Denmark, the average cost of surrogacy can range from $80,000 to $150,000. The exact fees will depend on factors like:

The fertility clinic and medical team you choose to work with. Fees for IVF, embryo transfer, and prenatal/delivery care make up a large portion of the total cost.
Whether you use a traditional surrogate or gestational carrier. Gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby, tends to cost more.
If donor eggs and/or sperm are required. This can increase the total fees for IVF and medical procedures.
The overall health of the surrogate and any complications during pregnancy or delivery. Extra medical care and hospital stays will increase the total bill.
Legal fees for establishing the surrogacy agreement and ensuring parental rights. This process typically costs between $20,000 to $30,000.

While surrogacy in Denmark is legal, commercial surrogacy is banned. This means surrogates can only be compensated for reasonable expenses. However, fertility clinics and other medical professionals involved in the process can still charge fees for their services. Many intended parents look outside of Denmark to find lower-cost surrogacy options in more \”surrogacy-friendly\” countries.

The cost of surrogacy in Denmark may be prohibitive for some, but for those who do choose this path, the end result of a much longed-for child can make the investment worthwhile. With proper research and planning, intended parents can navigate the complex surrogacy process in Denmark and fulfill their dream of starting a family.

Surrogacy Agency Fees in Denmark

Agency Fees – When pursuing surrogacy in Denmark, you will need to pay various agency fees to the surrogacy agency you work with in addition to other expenses. These agency fees typically cover the agency’s services in facilitating the surrogacy process, including:

Screening and matching you with a surrogate mother candidate based on your preferences and requirements. The agency will evaluate surrogate applicants and determine their suitability based on health, background, motivation, and more.
Coordinating and overseeing all legal contracts and agreements between you and the surrogate. The agency will work with attorneys to draft appropriate contracts that comply with Danish law.
Providing support for all parties throughout the surrogacy journey. The agency will offer counseling and guidance for intended parents and surrogates at every stage.
Ensuring proper medical care and health insurance for the surrogate during pregnancy and delivery. The agency will also facilitate the transfer of parental rights after the birth.

In total, you can expect surrogacy agency fees in Denmark to range from $15,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the services offered and the overall cost of living in your city or region. These fees are in addition to payments you will make directly to the surrogate for compensation, health insurance, and other pregnancy-related expenses. Carefully researching agencies and their fees and services can help ensure you choose one that fits your needs and budget.

Surrogate Compensation in Denmark

Surrogacy is legal in Denmark, but commercial surrogacy is prohibited. However, surrogate mothers are entitled to reasonable compensation. What Compensation Can a Surrogate Receive?

In Denmark, surrogates can receive compensation for reasonable expenses related to the pregnancy and delivery. This includes costs for medical care, maternity clothes, lost wages if bed rest is required, and postnatal care. Surrogates can also receive a moderate payment for the inconvenience and discomfort of pregnancy and childbirth.

However, the total compensation must be in line with the expenses typically incurred during pregnancy and not be disproportionately large. Paying a surrogate a high fee could be seen as commercializing the surrogacy, which is illegal. The key is that any payment must be reasonable and not create an incentive for a woman to become a surrogate primarily for financial gain.

The intended parents will also typically cover additional costs like travel expenses for medical appointments, health insurance premiums, and legal fees for establishing the surrogacy agreement. But again, the total compensation package for the surrogate cannot be excessive.

In summary, surrogate mothers in Denmark can receive reasonable payment and reimbursement for the real costs and efforts involved in surrogacy. However, surrogacy cannot become a lucrative business or source of income. The focus must remain on helping the intended parents have a child, not on enriching the surrogate. Keeping compensation within appropriate limits helps ensure surrogacy remains an altruistic act in Denmark.

IVF and Egg Donor Costs for Surrogacy in Denmark

IVF Treatment

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medically assisted procedure where fertilization occurs outside the body. In Denmark, IVF treatment costs between $4,000 to $5,000. The total depends on factors such as the required number of IVF cycles and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (, which is an additional charge of $1,000. The combined cost of medication for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval usually ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle.

Egg Donor Fees

Incorporating an egg donor in your fertility treatments can be an expensive process, with the donor\’s compensation ranging from $3,500 to $5,000 and agencies charging an additional fee of $2,500 to $3,500 for their services. A viable solution to lessen the financial burden, would be to opt for frozen donated eggs, which can save around $2,500 to $3,500 per cycle.

For those considering surrogacy in Denmark, on average, the total cost including IVF treatments, medication, egg donation, and agency fees for a single child, is approximately $15,000 to $25,000. However, it\’s worth noting that the cost can be higher if a surrogate is carrying twins. It\’s important to take into account, that these estimates do not include any legal fees or surrogate payments.

Surrogacy in Denmark is becoming an increasingly affordable alternative when compared to the United States and some other European countries. However, there are strict laws and regulations surrounding surrogacy, limiting it to only the altruistic using pre-approved surrogates chosen by the intended parents, with commercial surrogacy and advertising services strictly prohibited. As a result, many intended parents seek surrogacy services outside of Denmark.

Additional Surrogacy Expenses to Consider in Denmark

Legal Fees – The legal process for surrogacy in Denmark can be complicated and time-consuming. You will need to budget for the associated legal fees to establish parentage and citizenship for your child. This includes lawyer fees to draft surrogacy contracts, file petitions in court, and finalize the adoption or parentage orders. The total cost will depend on the specifics of your situation and can range from $5,000 to $30,000 or more.

Escrow Account – Most surrogacy agencies and clinics in Denmark require intended parents to fund an escrow account to cover the surrogate\’s medical and living expenses during the pregnancy. The escrow account, managed by a third party, ensures the surrogate does not incur out-of-pocket costs for expenses like obstetrician appointments, medications, maternity clothing, and childcare for her own children. You can expect to fund the escrow account in the amount of $20,000 to $45,000 or more, depending on the details of your surrogacy arrangement.

Travel and Accommodation – If you live outside of Denmark, you will need to budget for travel to Denmark for medical appointments, embryo transfer, and delivery, and to establish your parental rights. You may also choose to stay in Denmark during parts of the pregnancy or for several months after the birth. Accommodation and living expenses for two people can easily reach $2,000 to $5,000 per month. Be sure to factor the potential for extended stays into your overall surrogacy budget.

Life Insurance – Some surrogacy clinics and agencies require intended parents to take out a life insurance policy on the surrogate to ensure she and her family are provided for financially in the unlikely event of her death during the surrogacy. The cost will depend on the details of your specific policy but may be up to $500 to $1,000 per month for the duration of the pregnancy and postnatal period.

Conclusion

As observed, the surrogacy process in Denmark can prove to be quite expensive subject to one\’s unique situation and requirements. Commercial surrogacy is prohibited in Denmark, and altruistic surrogacy, wherein the surrogate mother is compensated only for reasonable expenses incurred, can be availed.

The overall surrogacy cost is influenced by several factors, including the use of an acquaintance as a surrogate, number of IVF cycles required, legal costs, and health insurance. Despite the time, patience, and financial resources required, the end result of holding one\’s baby in their arms makes the expenses and challenges worthwhile.

While steps can be taken to curtail expenses, it is imperative to manage expectations and acknowledge the considerable investment involved in growing one\’s family via Surrogacy in Denmark. However, with specialized support and legal guidance, surrogacy in Denmark can be successfully navigated despite its intricacy, culminating in a voyage of immense personal and emotional significance for many individuals.