16. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos anonymous?

sperm Yes / oocytes Yes / embryos -

Art. 18 specifies the rules of confidentiality regarding both the couples receiving MAP and the gamete donors.

17. Is it possible to obtain information about the biological origin of a child born after gametes of embryo donation? 

i. For the child him or herself No; ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court Yes

Art. 18: The child may request medically important information about the donor after reaching 15 years of age, provided that he/she is mentally competent. The child’s legal representative may be given such information only with a permission issued by court, in cases of exceptionally important medical reasons.

The child’s physician has the right to access information in the donors’ registry for health reasons.

The court and administrative body have a right to access information in the registry if that is absolutely necessary for carrying out their official duties under this law.

a. Identity of the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself No; ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court Yes. See comment to first table answer 17.

b. Certain health information concerning the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself Yes; ii. For the parents Yes; iii. For a court Yes. See comment to first table answer 17.

c. Other information

i. For the child him or herself No; ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court Yes. See comment to first table answer 17.

18. Is it possible to contest maternity and paternity of children born utilising MAP and under which conditions? 

In principle, no.

• Art. 41: Maternity cannot be contested if the mother had consented to the MAP procedure. When  a donated egg is used, the donor cannot claim maternity for the child, nor can biological maternity be determined in the interest of other parties. 
• Art. 42: Paternity may not be contested, unless it is claimed that the child had in fact not been conceived with a MAP procedure. In that case articles 96-99 of the Marriage and family relations Act apply.

When donated sperm is used, the donor cannot claim paternity for the child, nor can biological paternity be determined in the interest of other parties.

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? Yes. 

This may differ between counties but normally MAP is covered up to a limited number of attempts, presently most state owned/contracted clinics offer three attempts by national recommendation (by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, SKL).

MAP is considered part of health care.

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? By national recommendations: If the couple/female is approved by above mentioned criteria she will receive up to three attempts. Females above 40 will however normally not be approved for treatment, unless embryos were frozen before she turned 40, in which case the embryos may be used before she turns 45. This applies regardless of financial coverage. The other parent must not be above 56 years old.

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? Yes. Up to three attempts are normally covered.

16. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos anonymous?

sperm No / oocytes No / embryos N/A

17. Is it possible to obtain information about the biological origin of a child born after gametes of embryo donation? 

i. For the child him or herself Yes. Yes, by request to the clinic which has a special registry about the donors (to be saved for 70 years). For embryo donor children it will be possible to find genetic siblings who have requested to be entered into the register.;

ii. For the parents No;

iii. For a court No. Unlikely, but potentially if court rules it necessary. 

Identity of the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself Yes; ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court No

b. Certain health information concerning the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself Yes, if relevant and noted in the donor registry; ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court No

c. Other information

i. For the child him or herself Yes, 

Contact info and any other info provided in the medical file

A donor child has the right to, at a “mature age” (interpreted as appx 18) and upon request, find out the identity and contact information of their donor. This information is to be kept for 70 years in a special donor registry. The parents are encouraged to inform their child about the donation;

ii. For the parents No; iii. For a court No

18. Is it possible to contest maternity and paternity of children born utilising MAP and under which conditions? No. 

Paternity is regulated in the Parental Code.

Paternity can be contested if, having regard to all the circumstances, it is not probable that the child was conceived by insemination or IVF.

2. Are there specific criteria for access to MAP? 

Medical reasons:

a. Infertility:

For a heterosexual couple? Yes; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? Yes

Female married couples have access to sperm donation even if there is no infertility in the medical sense.

b. Risk of transmission of a disease

For a heterosexual couple Yes?; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? Yes

Female married couples have access to sperm donation and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis if there is a risk of transmitting a predisposition to a serious disease.

c. Other N/A

19. Is there an important current debate in your country on these or related issues? These issues are currently being discussed in medical faculties, medical doctors' councils and among lawyers.

20. Delegations are invited to provide information, in this section, on particular cases encountered in their country, and especially their case-law. -

2. Are there specific criteria for access to MAP? 

Adults between 18 years and – 50 years subject to exceptions. For example, if necessary, minors could cryopreserve gametes for their own use at a later stage, in order to preserve fertility in situations of pathological procedures. Always under medical guidance.

1. Is access to medically assisted procreation (MAP)

a. restricted to heterosexual couples? No

b. possible for women not living in a heterosexual couple? Yes

16. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos anonymous? Yes. According to the Czech Act on Specific Health Services (Act No. 373/2011 Sb.)

17. Is it possible to obtain information about the biological origin of a child born after gametes of embryo donation? 

i. For the child him or herself, ii. For the parents, iii. For a court. Yes. Only some very basic health, psychosocial and appearance information.

a. Identity of the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself No, ii. For the parents No, iii. For a court Yes. 

b. Certain health information concerning the donor(s)

i. For the child him or herself Yes, ii. For the parents Yes, iii. For a court Yes.

c. Other information

i. For the child him or herself Yes, ii. For the parents Yes, iii. For a court Yes. No exact legal framework for that.

18. Is it possible to contest maternity and paternity of children born utilising MAP and under which conditions? No. According to the Civil Code, the mother is the woman who gave birth to the child and the father who agreed with the treatment.

1. Is access to medically assisted procreation (MAP)

a. restricted to heterosexual couples? Yes. In April 2021, negotiations on an amendment to the Civil Code allowing "marriage for all" progressed to the next round in Parliament. Adopting the change would be a step towards homosexual couples' access to assisted reproduction, surrogacy and changing the birth certificates of the child.

b. possible for women not living in a heterosexual couple? No. 

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? Yes. Infertility is defined as a disease.

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? Yes. 4 IVF cycles up to the age of 40 of the woman are covered.

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? Yes. 6IUI cycles/year,  IVF cycles/life

6. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos permitted in your country? Yes. Donation of gametes (sperm and oocytes) and fertilized ova (only supernumerary fertilized ova) is allowed only with consent of the donors.

7. Are there specific compensation arrangements for donations of sperm/oocytes/embryos? Yes. 

According to Law 3305/05, (Art 8, para 1) “Reward or compensation for donation of gametes and fertilized ova are prohibited. However, medical, nursing or laboratory expenses travel and accommodation expenses as well as compensation for absence from work are possible.”

The National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction with a subsequent Decision (Decision No 36, State Journal 670 B’ 16.4.2008) provides for compensation of medical, laboratory and nursing expenses occurring before and after donation. It also provides for accommodation and transportation expenses. This amount must not exceed 200E for sperm donation and 600 E for oocyte donation. Compensation is also provided for absence from work. 

8. Are there specific criteria for donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos? Yes. 

Donors must have reached the age of majority with full judicial capacity. Regarding sperm donors must be under 40 years of age whereas for oocytes donors must be under 35 years of age.  These age limits can be extended to 50 and 40 years of age respectively in case of donation of fertilized ova or when there is a serious reason, after authorization by the National Authority on MAR. In these cases, special information to the recipients is required regarding increased risk for genetic diseases as well as the need for prenatal testing.

Donors are submitted to special medical and laboratory tests defined (due to scientific developments) by the National Authority.

9. Are there specific non-medical criteria for selection of gametes/embryos to be used for MAP? Yes. According to the Law the selection of the donor is the responsibility of the MAR Unit. During this selection other criteria like blood group (Rhesus) as well as phenotypic characteristics are taken into consideration. The same criteria apply to fertilized ova donation.

10. Are there special measures for the prevention of consanguinity? Yes. 

The number of children born from gametes by the same donor must not exceed 10, unless it is about the birth of a new child of a couple which has already had a child  from the gametes of this particular donor. The National Authority may determine the exact number of children resulting from the use of gametes by the same donor, depending on the population of a certain region and other special conditions.

[Comment: the law refers to the actual number of children born and not to the number of cycles of treatment attempted].

11. In a homosexual couple, is a legal relationship possible between a child and the partner of the legal parent? No. This law does not include any provisions for homosexual couples.

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? Yes. Article 28, para 1 of Law 3305/05 refers to the reimbursement of MAP procedures by Social Security, the presuppositions of which will be defined by a presidential decree to be published. The same presidential decree will assess the conditions under which reimbursement by the Social Welfare is given to people who wish to participate in MAP procedures and who are not insured. Therefore, as far as security coverage is concerned, the situation in Greece remains variable, depending on different social security funds. The Opinion proposed for full coverage of all necessary medication. 

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? Yes. The presidential decree which will be published according to the provisions of Law 3305 will cover terms, conditions and procedures for financial coverage by social security organisations.

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? Yes. In the Opinion submitted by the National Authority it was proposed to cover 4 IVF/GIFT/ZIFT attempts. The Opinion also included a variety of medical criteria and age limits. As far as sperm injection is concerned the Opinion proposed for financial coverage of 6 attempts.

2. Are there specific criteria for access to MAP? 

Medical reasons:

a. Infertility:

For a heterosexual couple? Yes; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? Yes

b. Risk of transmission of a disease

For a heterosexual couple? Yes; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? No

c. Other NA

Art 4, para 1 of the 3305/05 Law refers to:

• the age limit (50 years old) of natural ability for reproduction for women participating in MAP procedures;
• the application of MAP to people under the age of 18 is permitted only in case of a serious disease that could provoke sterility in order to ensure their ability of reproduction.

The law does not provide anything for women not living in a heterosexual couple.

Art 4, para 2 refers to an obligatory examination for HIV-1&2, hepatitis B & C and syphilis before submission to MAP procedures.  People with an HIV infection who wish to undergo MAP, need special permission from the National Authority of MAP.

6. Is donation of sperm/oocyte/embryos permitted in your country? 

No

7. Are there specific compensation arrangements for such donations? 

NA

8. Are there specific criteria for donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos? 

NA

9. Are there specific non-medical criteria for selection of gametes/embryos to be used for MAP? 

NA

10. Are there special measures for teh prevention of consanguinity? 

NA

11. In a homosexual couple, is a legal relationship possible between a child and the partner of the legal parent? MAP legal only for heterosexual couples

6. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos permitted in your country? NA

7. Are there specific compensation arrangements for such donation? NA

8. Are there specific criteria for donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos? NA

9. Are there specific non-medical criteria for selection of gametes/embryo to be used for MAP? NA

10. Are there special measures for the prevention of consanguinithy? NA

11. In a homosexual couple, is a legal relationship possible between a child and the partner of the legal partner? NA

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? NA

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? NA

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? NA

2. Are there specific criteria for access to MAP? NA

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? Yes. Estonian Health Insurance Fund covers 6 consecutive attempts for women until age 40.  In general MAP is allowed for women until age 50. Reason is not defined by law or other legislative documents.

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? Yes. Women over 45 year of age cannot receive treatment.

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? Yes. Limits are set by law - 6 consecutive procedures are covered by EHIF

6. Is donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos permitted in your country? sperm Yes/oocytes Yes/embryos No

See http://eng.heilbrigdisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/nr/686

7. Are there specific compensation arrangements for donations of sperm/oocytes/embryos? No

8. Are there specific criteria for donation of sperm/oocytes/embryos? sperm Yes/oocytes Yes/embryos *

* See regulation: http://eng.heilbrigdisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/nr/686

(Artificial insemination with donor sperm shall only be carried out if the fertility of the man is impaired, he has a serious hereditary disease or there are other medical reasons to use of donor sperm. (Article 8)

In vitro fertilization shall only be carried out with the gamete of the couple. It is however permitted to use donor gamete if the fertility of the man or the woman is impaired, either of them has a serious hereditary disease or there are other medical reasons to use of donor gamete. It is prohibited to carry out in vitro fertilization unless the gamete of either partner or either cohabitant is used. Donation of embryos and surrogacy is prohibited. (Article 9))

9. Are there specific non-medical criteria for selection of gametes/embryos to be used for MAP? Yes. If donated gametes are used, the doctor in charge of the treatment shall select the appropriate donor. A donor of gamete shall be healthy and have no hereditary diseases. Necessary tests shall be carried out to ensure that the donor is healthy and fertile and to prevent the transmission of diseases with the gamete. If imported gametes are used, the fulfilment of the aforementioned demands must be ensured. A doctor shall endeavour to realize the wishes of applicants that the build, height, colour of eyes and hair and the blood type of the gamete donor is as closely resembling the parent's as is possible . (art.17 reg.568/1997)

10. Are there special measures for the prevention of consanguinity? Yes. Indirectly, see art.18 reg.568/1997 (If a donor wishes to remain anonymous, health workers are obliged to ensure that this is respected. In this case, the donor may neither receive information about the couple receiving the donated gamete or the child, nor the couple or the child receive information about the donor. If a donor does not wish to remain anonymous, the institution shall preserve information about him in a special file. If the donation of gamete leads to the birth of a child, information about the child and the couple who received the gamete shall be kept in the same file. A child born on account of a gamete donation where the donor does not wish to remain anonymous can at the age of 18 gain access to a file pursuant to paragraph 2 for the purpose of obtaining information about the identity of the donor. If a child receives information about the gamete donor at the institution, the said institution shall as soon as possible inform the donor that the information has been given.)

11. In a homosexual couple, is a legal relationship possible between a child and the partner of the legal parent? Yes. Art. 6, Act no. 87/1996 (The provisions of the Adoption Act relating to spouses shall not apply to registered partnership. A person in registered partnership can however adopt a child of the other partner of whom that partner has custody, provided the child has not been adopted from another country. Nor statute provisions on artificial insemination apply to registered partnership. Ni statute provisions involving particular rules depending on the sex of a married spouse shall apply to registered partnership. 1). Provisions of international agreements to which Iceland is a party shall not apply to registered partnership unless approved by the other party.)

3. Are MAP procedures covered by the social security system? No. Although in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is not provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.

4. Are there specific criteria for such coverage? Assisted human reproduction is provided for in the private sector and at present there are no standard limits relating to age or infertility. However, most providers of assisted human reproduction services adhere to the guidelines produced by the Irish Fertility Society.

5. Is the financial coverage limited to a number of MAP procedures? No