IVF in Cyprus or Greece: first, you need to know which part of the island you’re talking about

IVF in Cyprus or Greece? Before comparing the two, you need to know which part of the island you’re talking about. The Republic of Cyprus, which controls the south of the island, is a Member State of the European Union with legislation on assisted reproduction that is fairly similar to Greek law. The north is administered by a self-proclaimed ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, where EU law is suspended. For a patient, this is not merely a geographical detail: it is a different legal framework.

I work in Greece, and I do not claim to be neutral. I therefore stick to the texts: Cypriot law, European law and what the public authorities say. I do not mention any specific clinics, on either side.

Two parts of the island, two legal frameworks

The 2003 Act of Accession, which brought Cyprus into the European Union, contains a protocol stating that the application of EU law is suspended in areas where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control. Consequently, in the north, neither the European rules on the quality and safety of tissues and cells – which cover eggs, sperm and embryos – nor the European rules on healthcare abroad apply.

The north applies its own local regulations on assisted reproduction: an academic study published in 2023 describes a set of regulations dating from 2002, amended in 2006, 2009 and 2016. However, this framework lies outside the scope of the EU. The British Government, which does not recognise the northern entity, warns that fertility treatments there carry risks, as the clinics are not regulated in the same way as in the United Kingdom.

The law of the Republic of Cyprus

In the south of the island, assisted reproductive technology is governed by Cypriot Law 69(I)/2015, which has been amended several times, most recently in 2023. An Assisted Reproductive Technology Council grants and withdraws licences for clinics, monitors compliance with the law and may impose fines. The main points are:

• The age limit for women has been set at 53 since the 2023 amendment; the 2015 Act set it at 50. Treating a woman beyond this limit is a criminal offence.
• Single women may apply for treatment. The law defines a couple as a man and a woman, whether married or in a stable relationship.
• Donor data is kept in a confidential register. Since 2023, a child who has reached the age of majority may request the donor’s identity, which is disclosed only if the donor consents.
• A donor’s gametes are, in principle, used by only one family; the law provides for exceptions, notably for recipients residing abroad.
• Advertising to recruit donors is prohibited, and donors may only receive the compensation provided for by law.
• Surrogacy is regulated: approval from the Council, a court order prior to embryo transfer, and no financial benefit beyond the compensation provided for by law.

IVF in Cyprus or Greece: the two laws side by side

The two frameworks are very similar. The difference in age is one year, and Greece requires authorisation from the National Authority for those aged between 50 and 54; further details can be found in the article on the age limit in Greece. In Greece, the list of licensed clinics is public: see how to check whether a clinic is accredited.

What the north means for a patient

• No European Health Insurance Card. The European Commission states that it is not valid in the north of the island and recommends private insurance. Even in the south, it does not cover private healthcare or travel undertaken for medical treatment, such as IVF: see travel insurance and IVF abroad.
• No S2 form or reimbursement for cross-border healthcare: these arrangements fall under EU law, which is suspended in the north.
• Limited consular assistance. The UK states that it can only provide limited consular assistance in the north, and that the local authorities do not share information with its services.
• Entry onto the island. According to the UK government’s travel advice, the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regard entry via the north – for example, via Ercan Airport – as illegal, carrying the risk of a fine or refusal of entry into the Republic.

Choosing the sex of the child

In Greece, the Civil Code prohibits the selection of a child’s sex, except to avoid a serious sex-linked hereditary disease. The law of the Republic of Cyprus imposes the same prohibition, with the same exception, which additionally requires the written consent of the Council. If a clinic offers you the option to choose the sex without a medical reason, it is not operating under either of these two laws. Genetic testing of embryos for medical reasons is explained in the article on genetic testing of embryos in Greece.

Questions to ask before booking

• In which part of the island is the clinic located exactly, and which authority issued its licence?
• Which law will apply to your treatment, to the donation and to the storage of your embryos?
• How are donors selected, screened and registered, and for how many families can a single donor donate?
• Who will treat you, and who will pay, in the event of complications during your stay?
• Will you be able to obtain a full medical record, and have your embryos transferred to another country if necessary?

These questions apply to all countries; the full guide can be found at choosing a clinic abroad.

My opinion

The Republic of Cyprus is a serious European option, with legislation similar to that of Greece: 53 years of age compared with 54; single women are accepted in both countries; and the same ban on choosing the sex of the child applies. The choice will therefore come down to the clinic, the journey and the support provided. The north of the island presents a different situation: it falls outside the European framework and its checks and means of redress. I won’t tell you never to go there; I’ll tell you to do so in full knowledge of the facts.

Other countries are compared in which country to choose for IVF abroad. If you’d like us to look at your plans together, please write to me.

Frequently asked questions

Source: https://fertilitegrece.com/en/blog/cyprus-vs-greece-ivf/ — Triada Baloukoudis, IVF patient coordination in Greece. General information, not medical or legal advice. Printed on

Triada Baloukoudis
Independent IVF patient coordinator in Thessaloniki, with 24 years of experience supporting patients travelling from abroad. More · Contact · Facebook