Research destinations
Surrogacy destinations
Browse country profiles for international intended parents researching where to start. These pages are orientation only — laws, consular practice, and programs change. Always verify your situation with an independent lawyer.
Orientation only. Surrogacy laws, consular practices, passport rules, and agency programs change frequently. These results are not legal advice and should not be your only basis for a decision. Always verify your situation with an independent lawyer and the relevant consular authorities before choosing a country or signing any agreement.
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few practical questions and we’ll suggest destinations worth researching for your situation. This is orientation only — verify everything independently with a lawyer.
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Colombia
Colombia is often researched by international intended parents, including same-sex male couples, because agency-supported journeys exist and costs are generally lower than in the United States. Programs vary — requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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United States
The United States is often researched for strong legal frameworks and mature agency ecosystems, especially by same-sex male couples — at significantly higher cost than many other destinations. Laws vary by state; requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Mexico
Mexico may be worth researching for agency-supported journeys at mid-range costs, but pathways vary significantly by state and program. Requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Canada
Canada is often researched for ethical frameworks and clear altruistic surrogacy rules — possible but complex for intended parents who want commercial agency support or are not open to altruistic-only models.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom may be worth researching for altruistic surrogacy within a regulated framework — often possible but complex for international intended parents seeking commercial agency models abroad.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Greece
Greece may be relevant only for specific eligible profiles, but it is not a strong starting point for same-sex male couples or single men. Eligibility, residence requirements, and court authorization must be independently verified before researching it as a destination.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Cyprus
Cyprus may appear in Mediterranean surrogacy research, but public information and pathway clarity are uneven. Treat it as possible but complex until eligibility, parentage, and return-home documents are verified with independent counsel.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Portugal
Portugal may be relevant for some intended parents researching altruistic European frameworks, but practical access and implementation should be verified carefully. It is usually a complex research path rather than a strong starting point.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Argentina
Argentina has no specific surrogacy statute. For about a decade courts allowed it case by case, but an October 2024 Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed that the woman who gives birth is the legal mother — adding uncertainty, especially for same-sex male couples. Requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Belgium
Belgium has no surrogacy law. Altruistic, high-technology surrogacy is quietly practiced at a few hospitals, but the woman who gives birth is the legal mother and intended parents usually establish parenthood through adoption. Possible but complex — requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Netherlands
The Netherlands permits only altruistic surrogacy through a private arrangement with someone you know; commercial surrogacy and advertising are prohibited. It is not a turnkey international destination — possible but complex, and requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Australia
Australia allows altruistic surrogacy and bans commercial surrogacy in every state and territory; in NSW, Queensland and the ACT it is also a crime for residents to do commercial surrogacy overseas. Mostly relevant to Australians — possible but complex, requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Georgia
Georgia is commonly researched by heterosexual couples but is probably not suitable as a starting point for same-sex male couples — eligibility and recognition require independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Ukraine
Ukraine was historically researched by heterosexual couples but is probably not suitable as a starting point today for most profiles — eligibility limits and geopolitical risk require independent verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Brazil
Brazil allows only altruistic surrogacy, regulated by Federal Council of Medicine resolutions: no payment to the surrogate, who generally must be a blood relative of an intended parent. Rarely viable for international intended parents — requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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India
India closed surrogacy to foreign and OCI intended parents in 2015, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 now allows only altruistic surrogacy for eligible Indian citizens. Not available to international intended parents — requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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France
Surrogacy is not available domestically in France. French intended parents often research international destinations; the key question is return-home recognition, not where to give birth in France.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Spain
Surrogacy is not available domestically in Spain. Spanish intended parents often research international destinations; focus on return-home recognition and civil registry after birth abroad.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Germany
Surrogacy is prohibited in Germany. German intended parents research international destinations and focus on return-home recognition; the woman who gives birth is the legal mother under German law. Requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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Italy
Surrogacy is prohibited in Italy, and since Law 169/2024 Italian citizens can be prosecuted for surrogacy abroad, even where it is legal. Italy is an origin-country context with serious criminal exposure — requires independent legal verification.
Last reviewed: 3 Jun 2026
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