Sperm donation in IVF – what to know before using donor sperm or embryos in fertility treatment
A clear guide for women and couples considering sperm donation or embryo donation, with key facts on donor types, legal options, storage, transport and international IVF regulations
Sperm donation is an increasingly common part of modern fertility care. Whether you're a single woman, part of a same-sex couple, or facing male fertility issues in a heterosexual relationship – donor sperm can open the door to parenthood in ways that were unthinkable just a few decades ago. Today, sperm donation is no longer a rare or secretive option. It’s a well-regulated, safe and effective part of fertility treatment, supported by scientific progress and a growing range of treatment options.
But choosing to use donor sperm is a deeply personal step – and it comes with many questions. What are the legal and medical differences between using a known sperm donor or someone from a sperm bank? How are sperm donors screened, and what kind of information about their donor can recipients expect? Is sperm donation anonymous? How is donor sperm used in IVF, and what happens during the donation process?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the essentials of IVF with donor sperm. We'll explain how donor sperm is used to create embryos, how sperm is stored and transported, and what to consider before choosing a suitable donor. You'll also find out why many women and couples prefer sperm from a donor bank, and how the identity of the donor may be handled differently depending on where you live.
This guide is for women and couples who want clear, supportive answers – without needing a medical degree. Whether you're just starting to explore donor sperm or already planning your IVF cycle, you’ll find practical information to help you make confident decisions.
What is sperm donation in IVF
How IVF with donor sperm works in practice
Sperm donation plays a vital role in assisted reproduction. When a man donates his sperm for use in fertility treatment, the donation may help individuals or couples conceive when this would otherwise not be possible. In the context of IVF, donor sperm is used to fertilise eggs in the lab – creating embryos that can later be transferred to the uterus.
In IVF, donor sperm is used by the clinic to fertilise eggs either through standard insemination or with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm cell is injected directly into the egg. The resulting embryos are monitored closely, and the highest-quality embryo is selected for transfer. Extra embryos can be frozen for later use, making it easier to plan future pregnancies within the same IVF cycle.
Why more women and couples consider sperm donation
Sperm donation may be recommended when a partner has a low sperm count, blocked sperm ducts, or when no sperm can be used at all. For single women and lesbian couples, donor sperm is often the only way to conceive biologically. But even for heterosexual couples, using donor sperm can offer a path to parenthood when traditional fertility treatment is not effective.
With improved donor screening, legal frameworks and more transparency around donor identity, many women feel increasingly comfortable choosing sperm donation. The use of donor sperm has become a well-established option – supported by medical research, regulated donation programs and broader social acceptance.
Brief mention of other options like embryo donation or adoption
While this article focuses on sperm donation, it’s worth noting that embryo donation and embryo adoption are also options in some countries. These involve the transfer of embryos created by another couple, often anonymously. They can be relevant when both partners are unable to provide their own gametes, or when the use of donor gametes (both sperm and egg) is medically indicated. However, access to these options and their legal status vary widely across countries.
Who can use donated sperm for IVF
Eligibility by country and medical indications
Access to sperm donation varies depending on where you live. Some countries offer it only to heterosexual couples with diagnosed fertility issues, while others allow single women and lesbian couples equal access to donor sperm. The legal framework plays a major role in determining who is allowed to begin treatment with donor sperm – and under what conditions.
Most clinics will first assess whether there is a medical indication to use donor sperm. This may include cases of low sperm count, severe male infertility, genetic risk factors, or situations where no sperm is available. In some countries, psychological or social reasons – such as single parenthood by choice – are also considered valid.
What the law says and how it varies internationally
The legal situation around sperm donation is far from universal. In some European countries, donation is anonymous by default. Others require open or identity-release donation, where the donor-conceived child has the right to know the identity of the donor in the future. Some regions allow known sperm donors (such as a friend or acquaintance), while others only permit donation through licensed sperm banks.
Understanding the law in your home country – and in the country where you plan to undergo IVF treatment – is essential. Legal differences can affect everything from the use of donor sperm to the rights of the child, the donor and the intended parents. Our free guide on IVF destinations provides an overview of where sperm donation is available and under what legal conditions.
Why single women, lesbian and heterosexual couples all turn to sperm donation
While many people associate sperm donation with same-sex couples or single women, the reality is broader. Heterosexual couples also turn to sperm donation when male fertility issues prevent natural conception. Lesbian couples may choose donor sperm to start a family together, while single women often see this as the most accessible path to parenthood without a partner.
Sperm donation is not limited to one type of family – and fertility clinics around the world have adapted to offer inclusive, personalised treatment plans. With the option to use donated sperm from a sperm bank or known donor, each patient can make the decision that best fits their values, medical needs and long-term plans.
Using donor sperm: medical and legal foundations
Medical preparation before starting treatment
Before beginning IVF treatment with donor sperm, your fertility clinic will usually conduct a full assessment. This includes hormone testing, ultrasound, and often a review of your reproductive history. In some cases, fertility medications may be prescribed to optimise egg development before egg retrieval. The use of donor sperm typically follows the same clinical pathway as other forms of IVF, with slight variations depending on the chosen method – standard fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Once a suitable donor has been selected, the sperm sample is thawed and prepared in the lab. The clinic will then proceed with fertilising the eggs and monitoring the embryo development. This preparation stage is essential for ensuring the highest chances of success and for matching the timing of the sperm with your ovulation or egg retrieval.
Parental rights and legal status of donor-conceived children
Laws concerning the legal parentage of children born through sperm donation differ by country. In most European countries, if the treatment takes place within a licensed facility and the required consents are signed, the intended parent or parents are recognised as the legal guardians. The donor does not have parental rights or responsibilities.
However, it's important to ensure that the legal framework in your chosen destination fully supports your situation – especially if you are using a known sperm donor, undergoing IVF abroad, or planning to use the same donor for more than one child. In cross-border cases, it may be advisable to seek legal advice before starting treatment.
Legal requirements for counselling and documentation
Many countries require mandatory counselling sessions before using donor gametes. These sessions are designed to help you understand the medical, emotional and legal implications of using donor sperm – and to prepare for potential future questions from a donor-conceived child. Clinics often help guide patients through the documentation process, which includes signing consent forms and confirming your understanding of the use of donor sperm.
You may also be asked to confirm that you are aware of your right – or lack thereof – to receive identifying information about the donor, depending on the donation model. Ensuring that the donor meets the legal criteria in the country where treatment takes place is a shared responsibility between you and the clinic.
Known, anonymous or open donation – what are the options
What each type means for your future family
When considering sperm donation, one of the first questions is whether the donor should be anonymous, open-identity, or known. A known sperm donor is someone you already know – such as a friend – who agrees to donate sperm for your treatment. While this option can offer emotional closeness and more information for the child, it also comes with legal and relational risks. In most cases, clinics recommend proceeding through a regulated donation program instead.
Anonymous donation remains the most common model worldwide. In this case, the identity of the sperm donor is not shared with the recipients or the child. Some basic, non-identifying information may be available, such as physical traits, education or interests – but direct contact is not possible. This option is often more accessible, easier to organise and more affordable.
Open or identity-release donation means that the donor agrees to allow identifying information to be shared with the child once they reach legal age – typically 16 or 18. This model is seen by many as a child-centred approach, but it's only available in certain countries and often comes at a higher cost.
Pros and cons of known, open and anonymous donation
Anonymous donors are easier to find, widely available and usually more affordable. Many sperm banks and clinics offer well-documented, high-quality anonymous donor profiles. However, this model limits the future child’s ability to know more about their biological background.
Open-identity donors are often chosen by families who want to keep the possibility of future contact open. While this model may support a child’s identity development later in life, it is not always legally available – and when it is, the options may be limited or more expensive.
Known donors offer the most personal connection, but they also involve legal complexities and emotional considerations. For this reason, most families decide to work with a clinic or sperm bank to ensure that all legal and medical safeguards are in place.
Why anonymous donation is still the standard in many countries
Although open donation is often considered ideal from an ethical perspective, the reality is that most countries still rely on anonymous sperm donation as the legal standard. It is more practical to organise, especially across borders, and donor availability is significantly higher in this model.
Many women and couples choose anonymous donation not because they prefer secrecy, but because it is often the only feasible or legally permitted option. While it’s important to understand the long-term implications, it’s equally important to work within the legal framework and resources available in your chosen country.
If open donation is important to you, it’s worth looking into countries where this model is supported – but flexibility may be necessary when balancing availability, cost and your treatment timeline.
Sperm banks and finding a suitable donor
Differences between public and private sperm banks
Choosing where to find a sperm donor is one of the most important decisions in the process. Most women and couples turn to a sperm bank rather than a private arrangement, as sperm banks offer medical safety, legal clarity and consistent donor screening. There are both public and private sperm banks – each with slightly different policies, prices and donor selection options.
Private sperm banks often have a larger selection of donor profiles and more detailed information available. They also tend to offer faster access and more flexibility in shipping samples abroad. Public sperm banks may be more affordable but have fewer donor options and longer waiting times.
Whether the sperm comes from a sperm bank in your home country or abroad, it’s essential to check the clinic’s policy on which donors are accepted – and what regulations apply to transport and storage.
Options donors can offer: photos, personal letters, audio messages and more
When you browse donor profiles, you may notice a wide variety in how much information is shared. Some donors offer only basic medical and physical data, while others provide childhood photos, personal essays, audio recordings or handwritten letters to potential offspring.
These extras are particularly common in private sperm banks and with open-identity donation. However, even anonymous donors sometimes include personal messages or more in-depth descriptions. The level of available detail depends on the country, the sperm bank, and the type of donation.
While these elements can help make the choice more personal, the most important criteria are always medical safety and genetic compatibility. Clinics ensure that the donor must meet strict screening standards before their sperm can be used in treatment.
How to select based on health, education, ethnicity and personality
When searching for a suitable donor, most recipients start by filtering profiles based on basic preferences like height, eye colour or ethnic background. Some may also prioritise education, interests or personality traits. While it can be tempting to focus heavily on these details, it’s important to keep in mind that donor selection is not about creating the “perfect” child – it’s about finding a healthy, well-screened match.
Fertility clinics and sperm banks will support you in this process and help ensure that the donor sperm is used safely and appropriately. Some banks also allow you to reserve additional vials in case you want to use the same donor for a second child later on.
If you're working with a clinic abroad, they may also help coordinate the shipment of the sperm from a donor bank, ensuring all documentation is in order. Planning ahead helps avoid unnecessary stress and delays once your IVF cycle begins.
What makes a good sperm donor
Medical and psychological tests every donor must pass
Before sperm from a donor can be used in treatment, it must pass through several layers of medical and psychological screening. This is a standard part of every sperm donation program. The goal is to ensure that the donor is physically healthy, emotionally stable and free from transmissible diseases or genetic risks.
Donors are tested for a range of infections, including HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia and syphilis. A psychological evaluation also ensures that the donor understands the implications of becoming a donor and is not motivated by pressure or unrealistic expectations. These steps help ensure that the donor sperm available through licensed banks meets international safety standards.
Family history and genetic screening
In addition to basic health checks, donors are asked to provide a detailed family medical history. This includes information about chronic diseases, hereditary conditions and other genetic risks that could affect offspring. Many banks also carry out advanced genetic testing to screen for conditions such as cystic fibrosis or thalassemia.
If you or your partner have a known genetic condition, your fertility specialist may recommend a specific match or additional compatibility testing. This helps reduce the risk of passing on inheritable conditions when donor sperm is used.
Screening protocols may vary by country and institution, but a reputable sperm bank will always be transparent about how donors are assessed. Donors and donor information should be carefully reviewed before starting any treatment.
How sperm donors are motivated and why that matters
Understanding the motivation behind becoming a donor can also be part of your decision. While compensation for sperm donation is legally permitted in many countries, financial reward should not be the sole reason for donating. Many donors choose to participate because they want to help others build a family – and this altruistic motivation often reflects in their profiles.
Some countries allow only non-commercial donation, while others offer modest financial compensation to cover the donor’s time and medical expenses. Regardless of the system, the donor must go through counselling to confirm informed consent and long-term awareness of their role.
Being able to trust that the donor has fully understood the time of the donation, the potential long-term implications and the emotional weight of the process is part of making a well-informed choice.
How does the sperm donation process work
What happens at the clinic after you choose a donor
Once you’ve selected a donor, the clinic takes over the coordination. If the sperm comes from a sperm bank, the clinic ensures that all documentation is complete and that the sperm sample meets the required standards. Some clinics have their own donor banks, while others collaborate with international providers. In both cases, donated sperm is used only after thorough medical and legal checks.
Because donor sperm is almost always frozen, the timing of your treatment does not need to be coordinated with the donor himself. The sperm is stored in liquid nitrogen until it is needed for fertilisation during your IVF cycle. This makes the planning more flexible and allows the clinic to fully focus on your medical schedule.
Why ICSI is the standard when using donor sperm
Most fertility clinics today use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) when working with donor sperm. In this method, a single sperm cell is directly injected into each egg. ICSI is considered more precise and efficient than conventional IVF when using frozen sperm, which is why it has become the standard approach in most donor-related treatments.
Even though donor sperm is typically of high quality, ICSI helps to maximise fertilisation rates and improve embryo development. It also allows the embryologist to work with the best possible sperm cells from the sample and closely monitor the outcome of each injection.
How embryos are created and prepared for transfer
After fertilisation, the embryos are cultured in the lab and carefully observed over several days. The goal is to allow them to develop into blastocysts, which are more likely to implant successfully after transfer. The embryologists assess each embryo based on its growth, structure and cell division.
When ready, the highest-quality embryo is selected for transfer to the uterus. If additional embryos reach the blastocyst stage, they can be frozen for future use. This is particularly helpful for families who may want to use the same donor for another child later on or in case the first transfer does not result in a pregnancy.
" Sperm banks in countries like Denmark follow some of the world’s most rigorous standards – supplying donor sperm globally and maintaining a strong reputation for safety and reliability."
Use the same donor for siblings – is it possible
Reserving donor sperm for additional cycles
If you’re thinking about having more than one child, it’s important to plan ahead when choosing a sperm donor. Many women and couples prefer to use the same donor for future IVF cycles, so that full siblings can share the same biological background. To make this possible, some sperm banks allow you to reserve additional vials of donor sperm for later use.
However, availability is not guaranteed indefinitely. Donors may reach national offspring limits or become unavailable due to personal or regulatory reasons. That’s why it’s worth discussing this early with your clinic or donor bank and considering whether you want to reserve extra samples at the time of your initial treatment.
National laws on the number of donor-conceived children
Many countries have legal limits on how many families a single sperm donor may help create. These rules are designed to reduce the chance of accidental contact between donor-conceived children and to protect the health and safety of the process overall. The allowed number varies widely – from a handful of families to several dozen.
These limits may also apply differently depending on whether the donation is anonymous or identity-release. Before you begin treatment, it’s helpful to ask how many families have already used the donor, and whether additional use is permitted. Clinics and banks are required to track these numbers and can inform you of the current status.
Coordination with sperm banks or clinics
To use the same donor for multiple treatments, communication between you, the clinic and the sperm bank is essential. If the sperm was imported, your clinic may need to request additional samples in advance or help you store them locally. Some families also ask to keep embryos created from the first IVF cycle frozen, which can provide extra flexibility for future pregnancies.
Using donor sperm to create embryos that can be used later not only simplifies future planning – it can also be a way to ensure consistency within the family. If this is important to you, make sure to clarify storage options, costs and long-term access to the donor’s profile with your clinic or sperm bank early in the process.
How sperm is stored and transported internationally
Freezing and storage times – what’s standard practice
Once a man donates his sperm, it is processed and frozen in liquid nitrogen to preserve its quality. This method, known as cryopreservation, allows the sperm to be stored for many years without losing its ability to fertilise an egg. Sperm donors are screened before their donation is accepted, and samples are quarantined and re-tested to ensure safety before they are made available for use.
How long sperm can be stored depends on national laws and the policies of the sperm bank. In many countries, donor sperm can be stored and used for up to ten years – sometimes longer with special permission. Clinics working with donor gametes monitor the storage carefully and maintain the necessary freezing conditions to ensure consistent quality over time.
Transporting sperm to a clinic abroad – how it works
If you're undergoing IVF abroad, your clinic can often help organise the transport of donor sperm across borders. This is usually done using specialised containers called dry shippers, which keep the sperm frozen throughout the journey. There are different types of transport services – some offer premium options where the sample is personally escorted by a courier, while others rely on scheduled medical logistics providers. Both methods are secure, but the private courier services tend to be more expensive.
It’s important to know that private individuals are not allowed to carry sperm samples themselves. Only certified medical couriers with the correct licenses can legally handle and ship reproductive tissue. Your clinic or sperm bank will usually have established partnerships with reliable transport providers and can help you choose the right option based on timing, destination and budget.
Legal and logistical points to check in advance
Before arranging a shipment, it's important to make sure the type of donor and donation model is legally permitted in the country where your treatment takes place. For example, in Northern Cyprus, most sperm donations are anonymous and imported from Denmark – local donors are not typically used. However, some clinics in Northern Cyprus offer the option to transport open-identity donor sperm, depending on their partnerships and internal policy. Not all clinics support this model, so advance clarification is essential.
In contrast, countries like Spain are often chosen for their reputation – and they offer a wide selection of both Spanish and international sperm donors. Many of the donors live in Spain but come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, which gives patients more flexibility than they might expect. Sperm donation in Spain is strictly anonymous by law, meaning that identifying information about the donor is not accessible to the recipient or the child. One of the advantages of treatment in Spain is that the cost of donor sperm is often lower than in other countries, which makes it a more accessible option for many patients.
These legal and cultural differences are essential to understand if you are hoping for flexibility in donor choice – especially if you’re looking for a specific ethnic background or want the option of open donation. Our free guide on IVF destinations in Europe provides a detailed overview of where different donation models are available and what clinics can offer in practice.
Costs and regulations of IVF with donor sperm in Europe
Overview of typical IVF treatment costs with donor sperm
The total cost of IVF with donor sperm varies depending on the country, the clinic and the type of donation. In Spain, anonymous donor sperm is often available for around €500. IVF treatment packages usually start between €4,000 and €6,000, with anonymous donation included or charged separately. Spain only allows anonymous donation, and most donors are local or international residents living in the country.
In Northern Cyprus, anonymous donor sperm typically costs between €1,000 and €1,500. IVF treatment packages range from around €5,000 to €7,000, depending on the clinic. If you choose open-identity donor sperm, some clinics in Northern Cyprus can import sperm from international banks, which adds around €1,000 in additional costs for transport and coordination – bringing the total for open donor sperm to approximately €2,500.
In some countries or sperm banks, it’s also possible to choose exclusive donors who donate sperm specifically for one family only. This level of customisation is rare and comes with a significantly higher price – in some cases exceeding €20,000 – due to the individual medical process and contractual arrangements involved.
Anonymous donors remain the most affordable and widely available option. However, for families who value future access to information or genetic consistency across siblings, open-identity donation may justify the higher cost.
Legal availability of donor sperm in key countries
Laws regarding sperm donation and its use in fertility clinics differ across Europe. In some countries, such as Germany, the use of donor sperm is allowed but strictly regulated. Other countries, like France or Italy, limit access to heterosexual couples or place restrictions on single women and lesbian couples. This legal patchwork can make it challenging to find the right location for your specific needs.
Countries like Denmark, Belgium and Spain are well known for having large donor banks and clear legal structures. However, most of them only offer anonymous donation, in line with national law. If you are looking for open donation, you’ll need to consider specific clinics or destinations that allow the use of open-identity sperm from abroad – such as Northern Cyprus, where some clinics offer this service.
Understanding the legal environment is essential not just for the treatment itself, but also for the legal parentage of the child and the future availability of donor-related information.
Why planning ahead helps you avoid surprises
Because so many factors influence the cost and availability of donor sperm, advance planning is key. Clinics may differ in how they structure their IVF packages, what type of sperm donors they accept, and how much experience they have with international coordination. If you're hoping to use donated sperm from a specific bank or need legal documents translated, this may affect both timing and budget.
Early research also helps you identify clinics that match your values – whether you prefer anonymous donation for simplicity and cost reasons, or are looking for a donor sperm option with more openness and transparency. Treatments using donor sperm can be a smooth and positive experience, especially when expectations are clear from the beginning.
Your next step – get our guide on IVF destinations in Europe
Choosing the right destination for IVF with donor sperm is about more than just price. It's about access to the type of donation you want, trust in the clinic, and confidence in the legal framework. Whether you're looking for anonymous, open or known donation, your treatment plan will depend heavily on where you go – and what each country allows.
Our free guide gives you a clear overview of the most popular IVF destinations in Europe. It explains where sperm or embryo donation is legally possible, what types of donors are available, and what cost and success rates you can realistically expect. You’ll also find a real example from a clinic in Northern Cyprus, including pricing and treatment details, to help you understand what a typical process might look like.
If you're planning treatment abroad – whether as a single woman or as a couple – this guide will help you make informed decisions with clarity and confidence. It’s designed to support you at the very start of your journey, so you can take the next step with peace of mind.
Download the guide now and start exploring your options – discreetly, safely and well informed.
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