Opting for surrogacy is a decision that comes with its own set of difficulties for couples. It is well understood that embarking on this life endeavor can be an arduous and demanding process, testing the resilience and determination of those who have the cherished aspiration of becoming parents.

Therefore, in addition to arming oneself with strength, love, and patience to face the obstacles that may arise along the way, it’s also necessary to be financially prepared for the whole process.

It is understandable that surrogacy entails significant expenses, regardless of the selected destination. However, many intended parents are eager to explore avenues for potential cost savings along their surrogacy journey.

Within this article, you will find a curated collection of the finest surrogacy destinations, focusing on those that provide greater affordability. The selection takes into consideration the advantages and disadvantages associated with each country.

1. Colombia 

Colombia has become a popular destination for surrogacy, thanks to its inclusiveness, accessibility, and affordability. Family Aims is one of the most prestigious international surrogacy agencies and takes care of managing the stay and the legal and clinical procedures of the intended parents in the country. Not only that, but it also makes the necessary arrangements to keep the costs within the initial budget agreed upon when undertaking surrogacy.

The commendable track record of Babynova Clinic by Novafem, a partner clinic with extensive experience in assisted gestation, serves as a strong endorsement of the exceptional experience offered.

Surrogacy waiting lists in Colombia are notably shorter, with an extension of 2 to 3 months compared to other clinics worldwide. This provides a significant advantage for parents who are keen to initiate the process expeditiously.

Moreover, the decreased waiting time in Colombia plays a crucial role in lowering the overall cost of surrogacy. With a starting price of $65,000 USD, Colombia becomes an enticing choice for those in search of accessible and cost-effective surrogacy options.

2. United States 

Although the United States is one of the countries with the largest surrogacy offer in the world and has expert agencies and specialized clinics, surrogacy treatments in this country are often expensive for foreigners, who must obtain a specific visa, (which can be costly or, sometimes, depending on the nationality of the intended parents, completely inaccessible).

Even for residents, surrogacy in the United States can be a costly endeavor due to the need to relocate between states. The lack of consistent regulations for surrogacy across the country results in additional expenses related to these interstate moves, ultimately inflating the overall surrogacy budget.

It is crucial to consider that, apart from visa costs and complying with state legislation requirements, the number of attempts included in each surrogacy plan and the need for additional tests can significantly contribute to a substantial increase in expenses.

Therefore, it is to be taken into account that the costs may even exceed 200,000 USD, a figure that may increase depending on the surrogacy method chosen, as well as on the number of attempts included.

3. Georgia 

Surrogacy in Georgia is known for its affordability, but it’s crucial to understand that this option is restricted to heterosexual couples who have a minimum of one year of relationship. The base costs for surrogacy in Georgia is 55,000 USD. However, the introduction of new legislation in 2024 has prohibited foreigners from pursuing surrogacy in the country. As a result, access to this treatment is now limited to same-sex couples and foreigners who have decided to pursue surrogacy specifically within Georgia.

Given the prohibitive legislation in force that involves numerous complications even for natural residents of Georgia, this destination is a possible one for its legality, but a difficult one to access for those interested.

4. Cyprus 

Affordable surrogacy options are available in certain European countries for their residents. For instance, Cyprus is known for its specialized clinics that offer surrogacy procedures at prices around 65,000 USD, making it an appealing destination for individuals seeking more budget-friendly surrogacy options in Europe.

Nevertheless, the high demand for surrogacy procedures coupled with a small local population results in limited candidate availability. As a consequence, there is often a need to expand the search beyond the country’s borders to find suitable surrogates to carry out the procedure.

This limitation forces foreigners who wish to serve as gestational carriers to travel abroad to deliver the newborn. Consequently, this increases the expenses, risks, and legal fees associated with surrogacy.

Moreover, the paperwork required for intended parents without European nationality is extensive, leading to additional expenses to access specific services and facilitate unrestricted movement during the surrogacy procedures.

Hence, opting for surrogacy in this country demands thorough financial planning to be undertaken.

 5. Mexico 

Mexico is one of the few Latin American countries that allows surrogacy, but regulations are only clear in a few states.

This implies that those interested must travel to these regions to perform the procedure, or give it a try in some other state with the uncertainty of the legal process.

Furthermore, the rising demand for surrogacy services, coupled with legal restrictions in other parts of the country, drives up the cost of the process to approximately 55,000 USD. Additionally, unlike other surrogacy destinations, the staff may not always possess specialized expertise.

Additionally, accessing the baby’s documentation may pose legal challenges as the surrogacy procedure is not legalized in all states, thereby resulting in increased expenses due to additional documentation requirements and transportation issues.

Although for residents living near states where surrogacy is allowed, the lack of training in some healthcare facilities may add complications for foreign parents traveling to these states for the first time, as they do not have the necessary guarantees of social security, like other countries.

Although surrogacy is permitted in the mentioned states, the demand for this procedure is generally low since these states are not popular tourist destinations and lack significant economic investment. Consequently, this may discourage foreigners from considering these states as the ideal destination for surrogacy.

Affordable prices for everyone 

Many couples do not dare to skimp on expenses when they wish to have a family, because it’s the most beautiful project they can make together.

However, it’s vital to be able to have a plan and anticipate any setback that may generate complications in any of its members, as well as affect the emotional and economic stability of its members.

Therefore, although there are many options for surrogacy, it’s important to choose wisely and watch the whole picture beyond choosing the destination that offers the best prices. You should think about which offers the best opportunities to achieve the dream of having a child.