Why Georgia is the Cheapest Country for Surrogacy: A Comprehensive Guide
Surrogacy is a life-changing journey for many intended parents, offering hope and the possibility of having a biological child when other options have been exhausted. However, surrogacy can be an expensive process, with costs varying significantly depending on the country and legal framework.
One country that has emerged as a leading destination for affordable surrogacy is Georgia. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia offers a unique combination of low costs, a supportive legal environment, and high-quality medical care, making it a popular choice for intended parents worldwide.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why Georgia is considered the cheapest country for surrogacy, the factors contributing to its affordability, the legal landscape, and what intended parents should consider when choosing Georgia for their surrogacy journey.
Get in touch for a Free Surrogacy Consultancy:
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Additional guide for surrogacy in Georgia
Surrogacy In Georgia State: A Comprehensive Guide
Low-Cost Surrogacy in Georgia for Intended Parents
Surrogacy in Georgia Tbilisi, Europe
What is a surrogate mother cost in Georgia
Why USA Couples Should Do Surrogacy In Georgia, Europe?
Commercial surrogacy laws in Georgia
Surrogacy in Georgia has been legal since 1977. Also, the law is a little different compared to the other nations. Surrogacy laws in Georgia state that only married heterosexual couples have the right to have a child through surrogacy. This prevents gay and non-married individuals from having a child through surrogacy.
However, according to Article 143 of the Republic of Georgia, extracorporeal fertilization is allowed. Article 143 refers to a woman who has no uterus as a potential candidate for surrogacy. However, Georgian law also considers medical inability to carry a child till birth and Mullerian duct anomalies as potential clients for surrogacy as well.
Before starting the treatment, the intended couples need to give written consent. That written consent will be used to deem the legal parent’s rights to the intended parents.
Why Georgia is the Cheapest Country for Surrogacy
Surrogacy Laws in Georgia
One of the key reasons Georgia is so attractive for surrogacy is its clear and supportive legal framework. Surrogacy has been legal in Georgia since 1997, and the country offers a straightforward legal process for intended parents. This clarity and simplicity help keep costs down.
- Legality: Georgia allows gestational surrogacy for married heterosexual couples. Intended parents are recognized as the legal parents of the child from birth, and the surrogate has no legal claim to the child. This eliminates the need for lengthy court proceedings, which can add significant time and legal costs to the surrogacy process in other countries.
- Birth Certificate: The names of the intended parents are directly placed on the birth certificate, without the surrogate being listed. This clear legal process makes it easier and quicker to complete the surrogacy journey.
2. Affordable Medical Costs
Georgia is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system. Medical costs in Georgia are significantly lower than in countries like the United States, Canada, or even some European nations. This includes everything from IVF treatments to prenatal care and delivery.
- IVF Costs: In Georgia, the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fraction of what it would be in the U.S. or Western Europe. IVF is a crucial part of gestational surrogacy, and lower costs mean that intended parents can save thousands of dollars.
- Surrogate Care: The cost of medical care for the surrogate, including prenatal checkups, hospital stays, and delivery, is also more affordable. The lower cost of living in Georgia means that healthcare professionals and hospitals can offer their services at a reduced rate compared to many other countries.
3. Low Compensation for Surrogates
In Georgia, surrogates are typically compensated at much lower rates than surrogates in countries like the United States or Canada. While the exact amount varies, it is common for surrogate compensation in Georgia to be between $12,000 and $15,000, whereas in the U.S., compensation can easily exceed $40,000 to $60,000.
- Cost of Living: Georgia’s lower cost of living is a significant factor in this affordability. Surrogates in Georgia are able to live comfortably on lower compensation because the general costs of housing, food, and other living expenses are much lower than in Western countries.
- Cultural Considerations: In Georgia, surrogacy is often seen as an altruistic act, with women choosing to become surrogates for reasons beyond financial gain. This cultural attitude helps to keep compensation reasonable and in line with the local economy.
4. Minimal Legal and Agency Fees
Legal and agency fees in Georgia are substantially lower than in other countries. In places like the United States, legal fees for surrogacy agreements, court filings, and legal parentage processes can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total surrogacy cost.
In Georgia, however, the legal process is straightforward, and attorneys typically charge much lower fees for drafting contracts and managing the necessary paperwork.
- Agency Fees: Surrogacy agencies in Georgia offer comprehensive services for intended parents, including matching with a surrogate, managing medical appointments, and handling legal matters. These agencies operate at a fraction of the cost of U.S. or European agencies due to the lower cost of doing business in Georgia.
5. No Need for a Court Order
In many countries, intended parents must obtain a court order to be recognized as the legal parents of the child born via surrogacy. This process can be time-consuming and expensive, involving lawyers, court appearances, and legal fees.
In Georgia, the legal process is much simpler, as the intended parents are automatically recognized as the legal parents from the moment of birth, with no need for a court order. This saves both time and money.
6. Easy Access to Egg Donation
Georgia also offers affordable access to egg donation for intended parents who need it. Egg donors in Georgia are typically younger women who undergo thorough screening to ensure their health and fertility. The cost of egg donation in Georgia is much lower than in Western countries, further reducing the overall cost of surrogacy.
- Egg Donor Compensation: Egg donors in Georgia are compensated at lower rates than in countries like the U.S., where compensation for egg donation can reach $10,000 to $15,000. In Georgia, egg donor compensation is typically in the range of $2,000 to $5,000.
7. Cost Breakdown of Surrogacy in Georgia
To give a clearer picture, here’s a rough breakdown of the average costs associated with surrogacy in Georgia:
| Expense | Estimated Cost in Georgia (USD) |
|---|---|
| IVF Treatment | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Surrogate Compensation | $12,000 – $15,000 |
| Egg Donation (if needed) | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Agency Fees | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Legal Fees | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Medical and Prenatal Care | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Total Surrogacy Cost | $25,000 – $45,000 |
In comparison, surrogacy in the United States can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000, making Georgia a much more affordable option.
8. High Success Rates
While affordability is a major factor, it’s important to note that Georgia does not compromise on quality. The country is home to several highly reputable fertility clinics that use the latest technology and medical advancements.
These clinics boast high success rates for IVF and surrogacy, making Georgia an excellent option for intended parents looking for both affordability and quality care.
9. Ease of Travel and Logistics
Georgia’s location between Europe and Asia makes it easily accessible for intended parents from all over the world. The capital city, Tbilisi, has an international airport with direct flights to many major cities. Additionally, Georgia offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to citizens of many countries, making the surrogacy process logistically easier for intended parents.
- Affordable Travel and Accommodation: The cost of travel and accommodation in Georgia is significantly lower than in Western countries. Intended parents can stay in comfortable accommodations in Tbilisi for a fraction of the price they would pay in other surrogacy destinations like the U.S. or Canada.
10. Supportive and Friendly Environment
Georgians are known for their hospitality, and the surrogacy community is no exception. Intended parents who choose Georgia for their surrogacy journey often report a warm, welcoming environment where both the medical professionals and the surrogacy agencies work closely with them to ensure a positive experience.
What are the legal requirements for surrogacy in Georgia?
Surrogacy is covered under Article 144 of the republic. According to Article 144, sperm and egg donation are also allowed. The identity of the sperm or the egg donor can be kept confidential from the intended parents if they wish not to meet the person.
Once the baby is born, the intended parents will become the legal parents. The birth certificate will be issued in the name of the intended parents within 24 hours of the delivery. Further, the surrogate will not have any right over the child and will not be recognized as the legal mother of the child.
The other aspects that need to be kept in mind are –
- The birth certificate must be issued within 24 hours of the birth of the child
- The intended parent’s name is written on the birth certificate of the child.
- The intended parents do not require the consent of the surrogate to be registered as the legal parents of the child.
For the intended parents from the USA
Intended parents from the US should be aware of the requirements of the Department of State ART and surrogacy abroad. According to Immigration and Nationality Act 301 and 309, it is important for one of the intended parents of the US to be biologically related to the child. For this purpose, DNA testing will be required to prove the genetic relationship.
After the intended parents meet this criterion, the next step is to apply for the US passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad of an American Citizen (CRBA) for the child at Tbilisi (The US embassy).
Why choose a low-cost surrogate mother in Georgia?
Georgia is a country located at the West Asia and Eastern Europe crossroads. Tbilisi, also known as Tiflis, is the country’s capital and largest city. Georgia, among other global organizations, is a member of the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
Intended parents who come for surrogacy in Georgia include those from Israel, Poland, Spain, the USA, Sweden, the UK, and Turkey. They come to Georgia because there is either legal restrictions or cost restrictions.
Why Georgia is the cheapest country for surrogacy?
A few factors that make Georiga one of the cheapest surrogacy countries in the world is due to:
- Low-cost surrogate mothers are available
- The IVF cost is much less
- The cost of prenatal care and baby delivery is affordable
- As commercial surrogacy is legally allowed in Georiga, the legal cost for parentage or court order, etc is not needed.
- Even the secure guaranteed baby surrogacy cost is almost 50% less than the US surrogacy cost
- No waiting list for egg donors and surrogates, so no extra fee to jump the queue.
Since the cost of surrogacy is different in different states, it is particularly difficult to determine what the total cost is. The circumstances of the intended parents will decide upon the surrogacy cost in Georgia
On average the cost of surrogacy in Georgia is between $35,000 to $60,000. The cost will vary for different factors and conditions. For example, in the case of sperm or egg donation, a different procedure will be carried out, for which the cost will be extra.
Similarly, if the IVF is not successful in the first attempt, then you have to pay for every subsequent attempt. The fee is about $4,500 if you work with a surrogacy agency. Other costs such as surrogate preparation medicines, lawyer charges, surrogate food allowance, and other expenses incurred during the process should also be regarded.
Georgia is much more affordable than the USA or other European countries.
The cost of surrogacy in Georgia lies in the range of $45,000 to $70,000 for a typical standard IVF egg donor surrogacy program. This includes the IVF, Caucasian egg donor fee, surrogacy-related fees like her compensation and antenatal care, legal guidance, and surrogacy agency fee. Most surrogacy clinics in Georgia also offer an all-inclusive guaranteed baby plan, which is between $70,000 to $75,000. The surrogate mother cost for twins is an extra $2000.
Typically, a Guaranteed Baby Cost would include:
- Egg Donor recruitment, selection, and then screening by the doctor
- Agency fee for the egg donor
- Egg donor medical exams and her stimulation ( preparation for the IVF)
- Egg Donor compensation
- IVF (in vitro fertilization) as many attempts as would be needed
- Embryo freezing and storage
- Surrogate mother recruitment, selection, and then screening by the doctor
- Gestational carrier compensation
- Surrogate mother’s monthly allowance ( for proper nutrition and vitamins to ensure she has good care during pregnancy and gets all necessary vitamins )
- ·Embryo transfer fee paid to a surrogate mother ( upon transferring the embryos)
- Pregnancy care ( visit clinic according to doctor medical protocol, regular check-ups, standard medicines prescribed during pregnancy)
- Baby delivery fee at the delivery hospital (paid directly to the maternity clinic)
- Surrogate mother supervision by our especially assigned Pregnancy Care Coordinator for the entire period of the pregnancy ( 9 months): this includes making sure the surrogate mother visits the clinic on time, unexpected visits to the surrogate mother at home for a check-ups, is available for the surrogate mother for 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week for her questions and assistance during pregnancy
- Notary fee for signing the contract between you and a surrogate mother, as well as the egg donor
- Meeting you at the airport upon your arrival
- Free accommodation for four days upon initial arrival for providing sperm for IVF procedure
Read more: Why Georgia is the cheapest country for surrogacy?
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In case you are looking for affordable yet legally secure surrogacy options in Georgia, that are best suited to your needs, get in touch. One of our case managers will be happy to guide and support you in your parenthood journey.
Why choose IVF conceptions to know more about the cost of surrogacy for hetero couples/gay couples?
Get in touch for a Free Surrogacy Consultancy:
📲 +91-8800481100 ( WhatsApp, Line, Viber)
FAQs for surrogacy in Georgia:
Q: Why is surrogacy cheaper in Georgia than in other countries?
A: Surrogacy is cheaper in Georgia due to lower medical costs, surrogate compensation, and legal fees. The country’s supportive legal framework also simplifies the surrogacy process, reducing time and costs.
Q: Is surrogacy legal in Georgia?
A: Yes, surrogacy has been legal in Georgia since 1997 for married heterosexual couples. Intended parents are automatically recognized as the legal parents of the child from birth.
Q: How much does surrogacy cost in Georgia?
A: The total cost of surrogacy in Georgia typically ranges from $25,000 to $45,000, depending on various factors such as IVF treatments, surrogate compensation, and agency fees.
Q: Are there any hidden costs in Georgia’s surrogacy process?
A: Georgia’s surrogacy process is generally transparent, with clear cost breakdowns. However, intended parents should account for additional costs like travel, accommodation, and unexpected medical expenses.
Q: Do Georgian surrogacy clinics offer high success rates?
A: Yes, many fertility clinics in Georgia use advanced medical technology and have high success rates for IVF and surrogacy, making it a popular destination for intended parents worldwide.