Rules on surrogacy

Surrogacy is an arrangement by which a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple (the intended parent/s). Following the birth, the surrogate gives the child to the intended parent(s), who will become the child's legal parent(s).

EU law does not govern surrogacy, so each EU country defines its own policy and practices on this matter. Some EU countries allow and regulate surrogacy, some EU countries prohibit the practice, and other EU countries have no specific rules in place. The rules regulating surrogacy in an EU country normally cover the type of surrogacy arrangements allowed, the conditions under which surrogacy may take place, and the legal rights and status of the intended parent(s).

Legislation in EU countries in this area is currently undergoing changes. Find more information (where available) on surrogacy in EU countries.