How much does IVF cost?

In vitro fertilisation is an effective but often expensive fertility treatment. It involves fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once an egg is fertilised, the embryo is monitored for a few days before being transferred to the uterus.  

The main IVF costs include:

• Medical evaluations to identify fertility issues and appropriate treatments
• Hormone treatment for ovarian stimulation
• Fees for processes like egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo culture

The price of IVF depends on various aspects such as treatment country and the specific treatments required. Some of the factors that influence the cost of IVF are:

• Clinic location: IVF costs differ from country to country. 
• Sperm and donor types: Using donor sperm can add to overall expenses. IVF with sperm donor cost varies depending on whether you choose an ID release donor or a No ID release donor.
• Clinic reputation and success rates: Clinics with higher IVF success rates and strong reputations may charge more for their services. 
• Treatment complexity: IVF with donor sperm or donor egg can be higher due to additional procedures.
• Medication costs: Fertility drugs are a significant part of the budget.

Location has a lot to do with the average cost of IVF and prices vary from country to country. IVF is often priced per cycle, meaning that each round of treatment has its own cost. However, some clinics offer packages that include IVF treatment for more than one cycle. Since success rates increase with multiple attempts, you may need to go through more than one cycle. 

Prices can range depending on medications, lab procedures and additional treatments like embryo freezing.

You can get an overview of the average IVF costs in the table below.

*Sources: NHS, Total Fertility, MVZ Fertility Center Hamburg, Nij Geertgen and Trianglen Fertility Clinic.

In some countries, public healthcare systems or private insurance may cover parts of the treatment, while in others, you must pay entirely out of pocket. It’s a good idea to check the rules, so you know if it is possible to get your treatment funded.

As well as the standard fees for IVF treatment, there are often additional costs to consider. Follow-up appointments, including ultrasound scans and blood tests, can add to the total cost. If you are having treatment abroad, you should also consider the cost of transportation, accommodation and time off work. 

Some advanced techniques, such as ICSI and genetic testing come with extra fees. Additionally, if you choose to freeze extra embryos for future use, cryopreservation will involve further costs.