In vitro and insemination in European countries.

The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) commissioned a study on how assisted reproduction procedures are funded, regulated and nationally registered in Europe. The survey took the form of an online questionnaire, which was completed by all members of the European IVF-monitoring Consortium and representatives of countries that are not yet members of the consortium. The survey contained 55 questions.

In vitro and insemination in European countries

Of the 44 countries where assisted reproduction techniques, including insemination, are used, responses to the survey were received from 43 countries. In almost all, 39 countries, specific regulations are in place and patients can apply for public funding for the treatment. In 31 European countries, registers are kept of the procedures performed (as at 31 December 2018).

ESHRE survey results:

• in 35 countries artificial insemination is considered an assisted reproductive procedure (also in Poland);
• In 11 out of 43 countries (e.g. Poland), assisted reproduction procedures are only available to heterosexual couples affected by infertility;
• in 30 countries, single women can benefit from assisted reproduction procedures (this is not possible in Poland);
• in 18 countries, assisted reproduction techniques are available to female homosexual couples;
• only in 5 countries with insemination i in vitro can benefit everyone, not just those struggling with infertility, including homosexual couples of both sexes;
• In 41 countries, donor sperm can be used, in 38 - donor ova (both situations are possible in Poland);
• 32 countries allow IVF with donor sperm and donor ova and 29 allow embryo donation; in Poland both procedures are allowed;
• in 16 countries it is possible to use a surrogate (in Poland this is illegal);
• only two countries do not allow pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos and 11 countries do not perform the PGT-A test (genetic screening test); such tests are performed in Poland.

Other differences in regulation

As the results of the survey showed, the differences in regulations also relate to the age at which women (in some countries also men) can use assisted reproduction techniques and the number of children born through donor gametes (in Poland, a maximum of 10 children can be born from one donor's gametes).

You can read about the donor egg IVF programme run by Invimed on the website: Egg cell adoption programme with guaranteed embryo numbers

Financial support for infertile couples

Only four of the 43 countries do not offer any form of financial support to couples affected by infertility. In the remaining countries - including Poland - there are local, self-governing funding programmes that detail the scope of assistance. In 31 countries, assisted reproduction procedures and insemination are recorded in national registries, and there are gamete donor registries in 18 countries.

You can read about in vitro infertility treatment funding programmes carried out by InviMed clinics and implemented with funds from Polish cities and provinces at: In vitro co-financing.