International Surrogacy

International surrogacy means completing a surrogacy program in a country other than your own, usually because surrogacy at home is prohibited, restricted to altruistic arrangements, or far more expensive. This guide explains where surrogacy is legal for foreign intended parents in 2026, what it costs by country, how the process works abroad, and how to bring your baby home. Militta is a surrogacy and egg donation agency in Kyiv that has run programs in Ukraine since 2017 and also offers programs in Georgia.

Why families choose surrogacy abroad

• Legal restrictions at home. Surrogacy is banned in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and most of Western Europe, and only altruistic arrangements are allowed in the UK, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.
• Cost. A US program typically exceeds $100,000; programs in Ukraine and Georgia cost $41,500–$82,500 all-inclusive.
• Legal certainty. In Ukraine and Georgia the intended parents are recorded on the birth certificate without a court order or adoption.
• Waiting time. Where altruistic surrogacy is the only option, finding a surrogate can take years; agencies abroad keep a pool of screened candidates.

Where is surrogacy legal for foreign intended parents in 2026?

Figures for countries other than Ukraine and Georgia are indicative market ranges published by agencies in those countries, not Militta prices. Laws change: always confirm the current status with a lawyer in the destination country before starting.

What is the cheapest country for surrogacy?

Among countries where surrogacy is legal and the birth certificate is issued in the intended parents’ names, Ukraine is the most affordable destination: Militta’s basic program costs $41,500–$48,500 and the guaranteed program $57,300–$68,000. Georgia is the next option at $52,500–$82,500, with the advantage of direct flights and eligibility for cohabiting couples. Countries that appear cheaper on paper, such as Kenya or some Latin American destinations, usually lack a clear legal procedure for parentage, which turns into months of court proceedings and embassy delays.

Surrogacy in Europe: what is actually allowed

Commercial surrogacy is prohibited across the EU except where national law allows it for foreigners: Ukraine (not an EU member) and Georgia are the two established European destinations. Greece permits altruistic surrogacy with court approval for residents of the EU; the UK allows altruistic surrogacy with a Parental Order after birth; Portugal and the Netherlands allow altruistic arrangements under strict conditions. For most intended parents from Germany, France, Italy or Spain, the practical route is a program in Ukraine or Georgia followed by recognition of parentage at home.

How an international surrogacy program works

1. Consultation and eligibility check. A video call with the coordinator, review of your medical history and your country’s rules on recognising a child born through surrogacy abroad.
2. Written quote and agreement. An itemised quote with a payment schedule, then a surrogacy agreement signed and notarised in the destination country or remotely by power of attorney.
3. Surrogate and donor matching. Screened candidates from the agency database; egg or sperm donors if needed.
4. IVF and embryo transfer at the partner clinic (“Lita” in Kyiv or ReproART in Tbilisi). Embryos can be shipped from your clinic at home.
5. Pregnancy monitoring with regular reports; you do not need to stay in the country.
6. Birth and documents. Birth certificate in your names, apostilles, DNA test if your embassy requires it, passport or travel document for the baby.

International surrogacy law: bringing the baby home

The destination country decides who the legal parents are at birth; your home country decides whether it recognises that status. The main routes:

• United States: a US passport is issued at the embassy after DNA testing confirms a genetic link to a US citizen parent.
• United Kingdom: a passport or emergency travel document for the child, then a Parental Order in a UK court within six months of the birth.
• Australia: citizenship by descent and a passport; commercial surrogacy abroad is a criminal offence for residents of New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, so legal advice at home is essential.
• Germany, France, Italy, Spain: the foreign birth certificate is not automatically recognised; parentage is usually established through the genetic father with a subsequent adoption or court recognition for the mother.
• Scandinavia: similar to Germany; the child usually travels on a passport of the destination country or of the genetic father.

Militta and its partner lawyers prepare the documents each embassy requires and accompany you to the appointment, but recognition at home should be confirmed with a family lawyer in your country before you start.

International surrogacy cost: what the price includes

Militta’s programs in Ukraine and Georgia are all-inclusive: surrogate selection, screening and compensation, IVF and embryo transfer, pregnancy monitoring, delivery, legal documents and a personal coordinator. Outside the price: optional PGT-A testing, embryo storage, your travel and accommodation, translations and apostilles for your embassy, and additional payments for twins or caesarean delivery. See the detailed breakdowns for Ukraine and Georgia.

How to choose an international surrogacy agency

• Ask for the legal basis of the program in the destination country and for the name of the partner clinic and its licence.
• Request a written, itemised quote before paying anything; refuse “all-inclusive” prices without a breakdown.
• Check how the surrogate is screened, paid and supported during pregnancy.
• Ask what happens if the first transfer fails, and compare the guaranteed format.
• Confirm who prepares the embassy documents and whether the agency has handled cases from your country.

FAQ: international surrogacy

Is international surrogacy legal?

It depends on both countries involved. Ukraine and Georgia permit commercial surrogacy for foreign heterosexual couples; the United States permits it in most states; Canada and the UK allow altruistic arrangements only; France, Germany, Italy and Spain prohibit it. Your home country decides whether it recognises the child’s parentage.

How much does international surrogacy cost?

From $41,500 in Ukraine and $52,500 in Georgia with Militta, to $120,000–$200,000 in the United States. The price in Ukraine and Georgia includes the surrogate’s compensation, IVF, delivery and legal documents.

Which country is the best for surrogacy?

For married couples on a budget, Ukraine; for couples who are not married or prefer direct flights, Georgia; for single parents and same-sex couples, the United States or Colombia, at a higher cost and with a different legal procedure.

Can we bring the baby home easily?

Yes, with preparation. The birth certificate in Ukraine and Georgia is issued in your names, and the embassy procedure takes 2–6 weeks depending on your citizenship. Recognition of parentage at home varies by country and should be checked before the program starts.

Do we need to travel?

Usually twice: once to sign the agreement and, if you use your own eggs, for egg retrieval; and once for the birth and documents. Everything else is handled remotely.

Ready to compare Ukraine and Georgia for your situation? Book a free consultation and receive written quotes for both programs.

Guides for intended parents by home country

The medical program is the same for everyone; what differs is how your own country treats the child and the parents afterwards. We keep a page for each country we work with most.

• Surrogacy abroad for UK intended parents: altruistic-only UK law, the Parental Order and the British passport route.
• Surrogacy in Ukraine and Georgia for US intended parents: citizenship transmission, CRBA and passport at the embassy, cost against US programs.
• Surrogacy in Ukraine and Georgia for Australian intended parents: which states permit compensated surrogacy abroad, citizenship by descent.
• Surrogacy in Ukraine and Georgia for Scandinavian intended parents: Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, recognition through the genetic father.
• Is surrogacy legal in Singapore?: the legal position and citizenship by descent for Singaporean couples.
• Militta at a glance: all facts, prices and eligibility rules on one page.