Spain has traditionally been the destination of choice for French women. Greece is catching up fast. Both countries are reputable; they are not identical.
I work in Greece and support patients who come here. So I’m not going to pretend to be neutral. But I’ve spent twenty-four years reviewing case files of patients who’d initially looked at Spain, and I know exactly what tips the balance for them, one way or the other. Here are the criteria that matter, and where each country stands.
| Criterion | Spain | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit | 50 in practice, sometimes 52 | 54 years old by law, special authorisation from 50 to 54 |
| Cost of a cycle with donor eggs | €6,500 to €9,500 | €5,000 to €8,000 |
| Time before transfer | 2 to 4 months | 2 to 4 months |
| Donor anonymity | Guaranteed by law | Guaranteed by law |
| ROPA method | Permitted | Not provided for by law |
| Publication of results | National Register (SEF) | No obligation: figures to be requested from the clinic |
| Pregnancy rate per transfer | 50–65% | 50–65% |
| Flight from Paris | Barcelona, approx. 2 hours | Thessaloniki, approx. 3 hrs 15 mins |
| Support in French | Dedicated teams at the larger clinics | By an independent coordinator |
The table provides an overview; the following paragraphs explain what lies behind each line.
Both countries permit anonymous, compensated egg donation for heterosexual couples and single women. The main difference lies in the age limit: Greek law permits treatment up to the age of 54 (with special authorisation between 50 and 54), whilst Spanish clinics apply an upper age limit of 50, or sometimes 52 depending on the case. For a 48-year-old woman, this is no minor detail.
Spain, on the other hand, permits the ROPA method for female couples, which is not provided for under Greek law. If you are in a relationship with a woman and wish for one of you to carry the other’s embryo, Spain is the answer, not Greece.
In both countries, the donor’s anonymity is guaranteed by law: the child will not be able to find out the donor’s identity, unlike under the French system since 2022. In Spain, debates on changes to the law resurface periodically; in Greece, the legal framework has remained stable since 2005. Some patients see anonymity as an advantage, others as a disadvantage: it is a personal choice that must be made beforehand, not afterwards.
Neither country has a waiting list comparable to that in France. In Spain, the major clinics in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Alicante treat thousands of international patients each year and have substantial egg banks. In Greece, the volume is lower, but the licensed clinics in Athens and Thessaloniki can schedule a donor embryo transfer within two to four months. On this criterion, they are on a par.
This is where the difference is most striking. A cycle involving egg donation generally costs between 6,500 and 9,500 euros in Spain, compared with 5,000 to 8,000 euros in Greece, for comparable services. Over the course of a treatment programme that may require two attempts, the difference amounts to thousands of euros. The difference is not dramatic for a single cycle: this is not the only factor to consider when making a choice. Accommodation and the cost of living are also cheaper in Thessaloniki than in Barcelona. Detailed Greek prices can be found here.
For egg donation, both countries report pregnancy rates per transfer of between 50 and 65 per cent in the best clinics. Spain has a national register published by the Spanish Fertility Society, which allows for independent verification. In Greece, the publication of results by clinic is not compulsory: you must therefore request the figures from the clinic, specifying the exact definition used (clinical pregnancy or live birth, per transfer or per cycle). In terms of data transparency, Spain has the advantage; in terms of the results themselves, the differences between good clinics are small.
The major Spanish clinics have well-organised French-speaking teams; this is undeniable. In Greece, most doctors speak English, and a few speak French; support in French often depends on external coordination. This is precisely the role I fulfil, and the reason why the Greek treatment journey can be conducted entirely in French, from the first call right through to your return.
Barcelona is less than two hours from Paris; Thessaloniki is about three and a quarter hours away, with seasonal direct flights and connections via Athens for the rest of the year. For a three-day stay, the difference is significant but manageable. For a couple travelling from Marseille or Nice, it is even shorter.
Choose Spain if you require the ROPA method, if independent publication of results is a decisive factor for you, or if geographical proximity is your top priority. Choose Greece if you’re over 50, if budget is a consideration, or if you’d like a more personalised programme at a clinic on a human scale, with someone who knows you every step of the way. In both cases, ask for a written quote and the success rates along with their definitions: this is what distinguishes a good clinic from one that simply communicates well.
Yes, generally by 20 to 30 per cent. Expect to pay between 5,000 and 8,000 euros in Greece, compared with 6,500 to 9,500 euros in Spain for a full cycle involving egg donation, excluding medication and travel costs.
Greek law permits treatment up to the age of 54, with special authorisation required for women aged between 50 and 54. In practice, Spanish clinics apply an age limit of 50, or sometimes 52.
No. Greek law does not provide for the ROPA method for female couples. Spain, Portugal and Belgium do allow it.
Yes, in reputable clinics in both countries, with pregnancy rates per transfer of 50–65% for egg donation. Spain publishes a national register; in Greece, you need to request the figures from the clinic.
Source: https://fertilitegrece.com/en/blog/spain-vs-greece-egg-donation/ — Triada Baloukoudis, IVF patient coordination in Greece. General information, not medical or legal advice. Printed on
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