IVF and Egg Donation in South Africa
IVF in South Africa - basic information
Egg Donation in South Africa
brief information regarding donor eggs IVF in South Africa-
Average egg donation success rates2
48-65% -
Egg donation
Anonymous -
Donor availability
Very good: black, Caucasian, mixed race, Indian
IVF with Donor Eggs in South Africa Availibility and Limits
| IVF and Egg Donation in Latvia - availability and limits | |
|---|---|
| Maximum patient age (woman) | 50 |
| IVF treatments for single women | Allowed |
| IVF treatments for female same-sex couples | Allowed ROPA method available (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) |
| Gender selection | Allowed only if there are medical reasons Not allowed for family balancing reasons |
| Maximum number of embryos to transfer IVF with donor eggs | 1-2 depending on the age of the patient |
| Maximum number of embryos to transfer IVF with own eggs | 2 |
| Egg donation - anonymity | Anonymous |
| Egg donor availability | Very good: Black, Caucasian, mixed race, Indian. |
| Egg donor age | 18-35 |
| Maximum number of children born from the same egg donor | 6 |
| Sperm donor - maximum age | 40 |
| Maximum number of children born from the same sperm donor | 6 |
Why IVF with Donor Eggs in South Africa?
South Africa is a popular destination for IVF egg donation. Egg donation is tightly regulated, and anonymous, and donors are unpaid except for reasonable expenses. South Africa welcomes same-sex couples and offers treatment for single women, with or without egg donation.
Boasting world-class experts, cutting-edge reproductive technologies and favourable fertility laws, it is little wonder why more and more people are choosing to head to South Africa for egg donation IVF.
Donor Egg IVF in South Africa – Reasons to Go
- South Africa welcomes single women and both female and male same-sex couples for fertility treatment.
- South Africa has egg donors from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and is particularly good for patients seeking mixed-race donors.
- South Africa has many well-stocked gamete banks, meaning that donor eggs are usually available for treatment to start immediately
- IVF egg donation in South Africa costs significantly less compared to many other developed countries, including top European destinations.
- World-class IVF experts operate within accessible cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria.
South Africa offers a range of fertility treatments to heterosexual couples and single women.
The country is also considered an LGBTQ+ ally, with favourable fertility laws allowing lesbian couples to have treatment, including the shared motherhood option ROPA, and gay men to expand their families via gestational surrogacy.
Which patients choose South Africa for egg donation IVF?
- Single women.
- Female same-sex couples. As well as regular IVF with donor sperm, South African IVF clinics offer a shared motherhood option called ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner).
- This particular fertility treatment allows one partner to donate her eggs and the other partner to receive the embryo and carry the pregnancy, allowing both women to share in this beautiful experience.
- Male same-sex couples.
- Patients seeking anonymous egg, sperm or embryo donation.
- Women with advanced maternal age. Under South African law, women can have IVF with donor eggs up to the age of 50. If the patient uses her own eggs, she must be under 45.
- Patients interested in PGT-A embryo genetic diagnosis. The technique is widely used in South Africa, with great success.
- Couples who are seeking surrogacy as well as egg donation.
- Patients who are seeking Black or mixed-race egg donors.
IVF Clinics in South Africa
Whether you are seeking IVF with donor eggs or another form of fertility treatment, South Africa is rapidly becoming a go-to destination. Over the years, the country has welcomed international patients from Australia, the UK, mainland Europe, the US, and countries across Africa.
South Africa prides itself on providing affordable IVF to patients from diverse backgrounds, with clinics headed up by experts who have trained at some of the world’s leading centres of excellence.
The most popular cities for IVF patients from abroad in South Africa are Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. If you do an online search using phrases such as “IVF in Johannesburg”, “IVF in Pretoria”, “IVF in Cape Town”, “egg donation in Johannesburg” or “egg donation Pretoria” you will find many IVF clinics treating patients in these areas.
Egg Donation IVF in South Africa
South African IVF clinics pride themselves on their high levels of patient care and whether you are seeking egg or sperm donation IVF or plan on using your own, you can be guaranteed a world-class service, for a competitive price.
Egg donation IVF in South Africa can be carried out on women up to the age of 50. In contrast, clinics are only allowed to treat women up to the age of 45 if they plan on using their own eggs. Egg donors are aged between 18-35, although some clinics only accept donors under the age of 30, and men are only allowed to donate sperm up to the age of 40 to ensure the best possible outcome. Egg donors may only donate six times or when six viable pregnancies have been achieved, whichever comes first.
Egg donation is unpaid, although the donor can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses. On average, egg donors can expect to receive R8,000 and R10,000 (approximately €409 to €511). The fertility clinic reimburses the egg donor. An egg donation agency may charge the recipient an administrative fee for matching them with the egg donor.
No financial transactions can take place between fertility clinics and egg donation agencies – referral fees or kickbacks are illegal under South African law.
Egg Donation IVF in South Africa – age limit
The legal age limit for women seeking IVF egg donation in South Africa is 50. If a patient is planning to use her own eggs during treatment, the legal limit is 45.
IVF (egg donation) for lesbian couples in South Africa
Same-sex female couples seeking IVF in South Africa have two treatment options. The couple may opt for regular IVF using donor sperm, or a shared motherhood option called ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner), which allows one partner to use her eggs and the other partner to receive the embryo and carry the pregnancy.
Egg donation in South Africa
Egg donation in South Africa is anonymous and altruistic, meaning donors do not get paid, apart from reasonable expenses. Egg donors must be aged between 18-35, although some clinics only accept donors under the age of 30. According to Chapter 8 of the Artificial Fertilisation of Persons under the National Health Act, egg donors may only donate six times or when six viable pregnancies have been achieved, whichever comes first.
South Africa has an impressive stockpile of donor eggs, meaning treatment can often begin immediately. South Africa is particularly good for patients seeking Black or mixed-race donors.
Egg donor information available in South Africa
Egg donation in South Africa is anonymous, but donors can choose to register as an Identity Release donor. This means that the donor agrees to identifying information being shared with the donor-conceived child once they reach 18, should the child request it. Identifying information may include the donor’s name and contact details. Identity release also allows the donor-conceived child to access information about their genetic background.
If a donor does not choose to register as an Identity Release donor, then no identifying information will be released to the child. The intended parents will only receive non-identifying information, including details about the donor’s physical characteristics, personality, and academic achievements, plus their health history as well as that of their immediate family. Childhood pictures of the donor up to the age of 10 are also available to the patient.
Egg donor qualifications in South Africa
According to guidelines set out by the Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG), all egg donors should be mentally and physically healthy, have a BMI under 30, and should be under 35 years of age. Some clinics will only accept egg donors under the age of 30.
While the legal age is 18, SASREG recommends that donors are at least 21 years old, unless specifically cleared by a psychologist.
SASREG recommends that egg donors should not make more than four egg donations within a 12-month period in order to protect their own health. Back-to-back donations are not permitted.
Egg donor qualification in South Africa – tests required by law:
There are a number of tests that must be carried out on potential donors.
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Blood type and Rhesus
Embryo donation in South Africa
Embryo donation is legal in South Africa and embryo donors undergo the same checks as egg donors. Embryo donation is unpaid and anonymity laws are the same as egg donation.
Frozen embryos may be stored for a maximum of ten years.
Egg donation and IVF cost in South Africa
The cost of a single round of IVF in South Africa using the patient’s own eggs is between 85,000 – 100,000 South African Rand (€4,354 – €5,122 or $4,533 – $5,333). In comparison, egg donation IVF in South Africa costs on average R75,000 – R120,000 (€3,838 – €6,142 or $3,999 – $6,398). This compares favourably with popular European destinations including Spain and Greece.
The cost of egg donation IVF in South Africa is much cheaper than in the US, which may cost in the region of €25,000 (around 26,000 USD). This explains why South Africa is an attractive option for US citizens seeking egg donation IVF.
| IVF costs abroad – popular countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country / IVF treatment type | Egg donation costs | IVF own eggs costs |
| Spain | €5,900 – €11,000 | €4,100 – €7,100 |
| Czech Republic | €4,500 – €8,000 | €2,700 – €5,700 |
| Greece | €5,000 – €8,000 | €3,200 – €6,200 |
| North Cyprus | €4,500 – €6,000 | €2,700 – €5,700 |
| Portugal | €6,000 – €8,000 | €3,200 – €6,200 |
| Latvia | €5,000 – €8,000 | €3,200 – €6,200 |
| UK | €10,000 – €14,000 | €6,000 – €10,000 |
| Denmark | €7,000 – €8,300 | €3,300 – €4,500 |
| South Africa | €3,838 – €6,142 | €4,354 – €5,122 |
| Argentina | €5,700 – €9,530 | €3,330 – €5,000 |
| Ukraine | €4,000 – €7,000 | €2,200 – €5,200 |
| Poland | €4,000 – €6,000 | €2,200 – €5,200 |
| Russia | €3,800 – €7,000 | €2,000 – €5,000 |
It’s important to note that not all IVF clinics are transparent about their pricing. Some clinics don’t highlight any additional costs that could be incurred during treatments. When obtaining a quote from a clinic, always check exactly what is covered in the price, including:
- The donor’s expenses, medication and screening
- Egg retrieval
- Sperm collection and preparation
- ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
- IVF add-on treatments (such as PGT-A and assisted hatching)
- Transfer of blastocysts
- Vitrification (freezing) of embryos/blastocysts
- Storage of frozen embryos/blastocysts
- Frozen embryo transfer
IVF and Egg Donation in South Africa – success rates
The success rate for IVF using the patient’s own eggs is 45%-62% for women under 35, depending on the clinic. This figure rises to around 80% after three transfers. For patients using donor eggs, the success rate stands between 50-65%, which is comparable to other countries.
When it comes to choosing a fertility clinic, it’s important to remember that each patient is different and prognoses can vary greatly depending on the individual, with their age, BMI, medical history and infertility diagnosis playing a part in the outcome. We advise calling the clinic before scheduling an appointment to seek clarification about their success rates. Any fertility clinic should ask about your medical history in detail, including your age, weight, height, infertility diagnosis, the number of failed cycles, performed tests and procedures, before giving you a personalised prognosis. If they are unable to do this, then proceed with caution.
Best Egg Donation IVF clinics in South Africa
According to reviews and comments left by previous patients, the best IVF clinics in South Africa are located in major cities such as Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg. But there is no easy answer to the question of which is the best IVF clinic in South Africa. However, as a good rule of thumb, the best IVF clinics in South Africa are usually the most popular ones.
Legal aspects of IVF in South Africa
IVF and IVF egg donation in South Africa is tightly regulated by the country’s Department of Health. The relevant legislation is the Artificial Fertilisation of Persons, which is part of the National Health Act.
The Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) supports specialists working in reproductive medicine in the country and has produced comprehensive best practice guidelines on various aspects of fertility treatments, including egg donation, embryo transfers and endometriosis treatment.
IVF in South Africa – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does IVF and egg donation cost in South Africa?
IVF in South Africa costs in the region of R85,000 – R100,000 (€4,354 – €5,122 or $4,533 – $5,333). For egg donation IVF in South Africa, you should expect to pay R75,000 – R120,000 (€3,838 – €6,142 or $3,999 – $6,398).
However once the cost of medication and additional add-on treatments have been factored in, the final total may be significantly higher. Before starting treatment at a clinic, check what is included in the price of your treatment. The initial advertised prices may not reveal the full and final cost.
What kind of IVF treatment is legally allowed in South Africa?
South Africa welcomes single women, heterosexual couples and both male and female same-sex couples for IVF treatment. Egg, sperm and embryo donation is legal, as long as it is anonymous and altruistic, and not-for-profit surrogacy is permitted, backed by a tight legal framework. Lesbian couples are offered the ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner), also known as ‘shared motherhood’.
Under South African law, women can have IVF with their own eggs up to the age of 45. If donor eggs are used, then this age limit extends to 50.
Sex selection is not allowed, except in the case of serious sex-linked conditions.
What are IVF and egg donation success rates in South Africa?
South Africa’s IVF success rate for using the patient’s own eggs is between 45% and 62% in women under the age of 35. For patients using donor eggs, the success rate stands between 50-65%. It is important to bear in mind that these success rates vary from clinic to clinic and depend on the patient’s own unique set of circumstances, including their age, medical history and previous IVF outcomes.
What are the most frequently chosen cities for egg donation treatment in South Africa?
The most frequently chosen cities for egg donation IVF in South Africa are Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. These cities are also major tourist destinations, so you can rest assured there will be plenty to do during your visit to South Africa to turn your trip into the holiday of a lifetime.
What major laws are regulating IVF treatment in South Africa?
The main law regulating IVF treatment in South Africa is the Artificial Fertilisation of Persons, which is part of the National Health Act 2003.
Where can I find the information on IVF clinics in South Africa?
The Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) has compiled a list of its ART Centres of Excellence. This takes into account the standards of clinical services, nursing services, laboratory services and counselling, as well as how the services are managed.
Each clinic on the list is subject to a repeat assessment every four years.
Why is IVF more successful in South Africa?
IVF in South Africa is tightly regulated, but the laws are favourable to patients regardless of their sexual orientation or marital status. The country has a large selection of gametes available from donors from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. IVF in South Africa benefits from the use of the latest cutting-edge technologies, with world-class experts at the helm.
How to get free IVF with donor eggs in South Africa?
It is not possible to get free IVF with donor eggs in South Africa.
Can you choose gender with IVF in South Africa?
No, gender selection is illegal in South Africa, except in the case of serious sex-linked conditions.
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- The Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG)
https://sasreg.co.za/ - National Health Act, 2003 {Act No. 61 of 2003). Regulations relating to artificial fertilisation of persons
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/35099rg9699gon175.pdf
Children’s Act 38 of 2005 - https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2005-038%20childrensact.pdf
