Zora Health / Employer guide / Europe
Compare fertility support for employees across 28 markets in Europe.
Public IVF funding, eligibility rules and leave differ from one market to the next. Of these 28 countries, 27 fund IVF through the state or health insurance, usually with age limits between 40 and 46; Switzerland is the exception. Surrogacy is banned in 11 and allowed in limited cases in Greece, Portugal and Ukraine, while France, Greece, Portugal and Romania give paid time off for treatment. Each country guide has the full detail and sources.
Overview
| Country | Public IVF funding | Eligibility and limits | Egg freezing | Surrogacy | Maternity and paternity leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | IVF Fund pays 70% of tariff, up to 4 attempts per couple | Woman under 40, partner under 50; couples with listed diagnosis | Medical only until 31 March 2027; elective legal from April 2027 | Prohibited | Maternity 8 weeks before and after birth; unpaid one-month Papamonat |
| Belgium | Insurance funds up to 6 IVF cycles; about €500 per attempt | Funded under 43; single women and female couples eligible | Allowed; collection reimbursed, freezing and storage self-paid | Not regulated or banned; centres accept altruistic cases only | Maternity 15 weeks; birth leave 20 days for other parent |
| Bulgaria | State pays up to €3,068 per attempt, up to 4 attempts | Woman under 43; citizens or residents; single women uncertain nationally | Allowed; self-paid, medical preservation state funded | Not permitted; mediation for gain is a criminal offence | Maternity 410 days, 90% in first year; paternity 15 days at 90% |
| Croatia | HZZO pays 4 inseminations and 6 IVF attempts | Generally until 42; single women only after failed treatment | Medical freezing in law; social freezing self-paid | Prohibited | Maternity to 6 months at 100%; paternity 20 working days |
| Czech Republic | Insurance pays basic IVF: 3 cycles, or 4 with single transfers | Insured to 40th birthday; woman and man couples, woman up to 49 | Allowed; self-paid, insurers fund cancer patients only | Unregulated; payment criminal; adoption needed | Maternity benefit 28 weeks at 70%; paternity benefit 2 weeks |
| Denmark | Up to 6 free IVF or ICSI attempts, first and second child | Referral before 40 (men 55, from 2027); singles, female couples eligible | Allowed; self-paid, storage until age 46 | Altruistic only; parenthood decision since 2025 | Mother 4 weeks before birth; each parent 24 weeks after |
| Estonia | Tervisekassa pays IVF and medicines in full; €3.50 prescription fee | Funded up to 40 with medical indication; law allows to 50 | Allowed for medical and social reasons; elective self-paid | Not permitted | Maternity 100 days; paternity 30 days |
| Finland | Public treatment, fees capped at €815 a year; Kela reimburses private | Kela under 43 with medical cause; counties set own criteria | Allowed; self-paid | Treatment for surrogacy banned since 2007 | Pregnancy allowance 40 days; each parent 160 days |
| France | 100% covered: up to 6 inseminations and 4 IVF attempts | Egg retrieval to 43rd birthday; single women and female couples eligible | Allowed 29 to 37; covered, storage self-paid, not by employer | Prohibited | Maternity 16 weeks; paternity 25 days plus 3 days birth leave |
| Germany | Statutory insurance pays 50% for up to 3 IVF or ICSI attempts | Married couples only; women 25 to 39, men 25 to 49 | Allowed; self-paid, about €5,000 per treatment | Prohibited; treating a surrogate is an offence | Maternity 6 weeks before, 8 after birth; no paid paternity leave |
| Greece | EOPYY approves up to 4 attempts, mainly paying for medicines | EOPYY up to 50; treatment to 54 with permit from 50 | Allowed for non-medical reasons; not covered by EOPYY | Court authorisation; intended mother must be medically unable | Maternity 17 weeks plus 9 months; paternity 14 working days |
| Hungary | Free for insured patients, up to 5 funded egg retrievals | Stimulation before 45; single women if medically indicated | Allowed since July 2025; not publicly funded | Prohibited | Maternity 168 days at 100%; paternity 10 working days |
| Ireland | HSE funds one full IVF or ICSI cycle per eligible couple | Referred before 41st birthday, BMI 18.5 to 30; couples only | Allowed; no public funding found | Commercial surrogacy prohibited | Maternity 26 weeks plus 16 unpaid; paternity 2 weeks |
| Italy | National package covers up to 6 cycles; regional ticket applies | Until 46th birthday; different-sex couples with documented infertility | Allowed; outside public package, self-paid | Prohibited, including abroad for Italian citizens | Maternity 5 months at 80%; paternity 10 working days at 100% |
| Lithuania | Insurance pays 2 cycles, including stimulation drugs | Married or registered couples; woman no older than 42 | Medical reasons only; no provision for elective freezing | Surrogacy agreements are void | Maternity 126 days at 77.58%; paternity 30 days |
| Luxembourg | CNS covers up to 4 IVF attempts; laboratory costs in full | Woman under 43; couples, female couples and single women | Medical reasons only; elective freezing not offered | Not offered; no specific law | Maternity 20 weeks; paternity 10 days |
| Netherlands | Basic insurance covers up to 3 IVF or ICSI attempts per pregnancy | Under 43 with medical reason; single transfer in early attempts under 38 | Allowed; self-funded unless medically needed | Promoting surrogacy for profit prohibited | Maternity at least 16 weeks; partner 1 week plus 5 at 70% |
| Norway | Public hospitals charge NOK 1,500 per attempt, up to 3 attempts | Many public clinics to about 40; legal limit 46 | Allowed since July 2020; self-funded | Not permitted; paternity plus adoption route | Parental benefit 49 weeks at 100%; 15-week quota each parent |
| Poland | Programme funds 4 own-egg, 2 donor-egg or 6 donor-embryo cycles | Married or cohabiting couples; women up to 42 with own eggs | Medical reasons only; social freezing likely ruled out | Unregulated; contracts void; birth mother is mother | Maternity 20 weeks at 100%; paternity 2 weeks at 100% |
| Portugal | SNS pays up to 3 IVF or ICSI cycles; 90% of medicines | IVF under 40, IUI under 42; all women eligible | Allowed; self-paid, SNS covers medical cases | Unpaid, exceptional cases only; not working in practice | Parental 120 days at 100%; father 28 days compulsory |
| Romania | Vouchers of RON 15,000, up to 3 times, 2026 to 2030 | Woman 24 to 42; couples or single women; medical indication | Allowed; privately paid | Neither regulated nor expressly banned | Maternity 126 days at 85%; paternity 10 working days |
| Serbia | RFZO pays unlimited attempts for a first child, fewer for a second | Women under 45; single women by exception | Medical storage in law; elective self-paid | Prohibited; a criminal offence | Maternity and childcare 365 days at 100%; no separate paternity leave |
| Slovakia | Insurance pays up to 3 IVF cycles with listed indication | Women under 40; 1983 rules refer to spouses | Offered; self-paid, not mentioned in law | Birth mother is legal mother; conflicting contracts void | Maternity benefit 34 weeks at 75%; paternity 2 weeks at 75% |
| Spain | SNS funds up to 3 IVF cycles with own eggs | Under 40, no healthy child; single and lesbian women eligible | Allowed; self-paid, no age limit for freezing | Surrogacy contracts are void | 19 weeks’ paid birth and childcare leave per parent |
| Sweden | Regions fund up to 3 IVF attempts for a first shared child | Start before 40, partner before 56; single women and female couples | Allowed; self-funded, regions fund medical cases only | Not available in health care; adoption needed | Parental benefit 480 days, 90 reserved per parent |
| Switzerland | Basic insurance excludes IVF; covers up to 3 inseminations | Couples only; about 40 in practice; donor sperm for married couples | Allowed; self-paid, 10-year storage limit | Banned | Maternity 14 weeks at 80%; other parent 2 weeks |
| Ukraine | State pays one full cycle a year, a second if no pregnancy | 41 or younger with infertility diagnosis; citizens, residents and refugees | Offered privately; free for service members | Legal for married heterosexual couples with medical need | Maternity 126 days; fathers up to 14 days employer-paid |
| United Kingdom | NHS funding varies by area; most English ICBs fund one cycle | NICE: 3 cycles under 40, 1 at 40 to 41 | Allowed; self-funded, storage up to 55 years | Altruistic only; parental order needed; reform not a priority | Maternity pay 39 weeks; paternity leave up to 2 weeks |
What employers need to know in each country
Each card sums up the country guide: the point that matters most for a fertility benefit, the typical private cost and anything that may change soon. The guide has the full detail and sources.
Austria
The IVF Fund leaves out women aged 40 and over, couples without a listed diagnosis and single women. With no statutory fertility leave, a fixed annual allowance can reach those groups and cover the own share, extras and time off.
- Typical private cost. €3,520 to €3,686 per attempt, before medication (2025 to 2026)
- Worth watching. Own share cut to 25% announced; single women case at Constitutional Court
Belgium
Since April 2024 employees in treatment are protected from dismissal for 2 months after giving a medical certificate, though paid time off is not required. An allowance can cover what insurance leaves out: a 7th cycle, treatment from 43, elective egg freezing and time off.
- Typical private cost. More than €5,500 per attempt without mutual insurer cover
- Worth watching. Donor anonymity reform due by 30 June 2027
Bulgaria
There is no IVF leave, but Article 333 of the Labour Code limits dismissal of an employee in an advanced stage of IVF treatment. State funding is capped per attempt and may not reach single employees, so a fixed allowance fills gaps predictably.
- Typical private cost. About €800 to €3,500 per cycle, usually before drugs (2026 listings)
Croatia
HZZO funding is generous but generally ends at 42, and female couples do not qualify. With no fertility leave, an allowance can cover attempts beyond the limit, treatment after 42, private clinic fees and time off for appointments.
- Typical private cost. €793 to €1,394 per self-pay cycle at KB Merkur, drugs extra (2025)
Czech Republic
Insurance covers only basic IVF until 40, and patients still pay for ICSI, frozen transfers, freezing and part of the drugs. An allowance can cover these extras and treatment from 40 to 49, which is fully self-paid.
- Typical private cost. CZK 39,800 to 40,000 per cycle, excluding drugs (2025 to 2026)
- Worth watching. Draft law would open treatment to women without a partner
Denmark
In April 2025 the Supreme Court awarded DKK 150,000 to an employee dismissed after saying she planned treatment, so protection starts from the first conversation. An allowance can cover medication, treatment from 41, egg freezing and storage.
- Typical private cost. DKK 25,000 to 30,000 per private cycle, before medication
Estonia
Public funding is full but stops at 40, so women from 41 pay the full private price. With no fertility leave, an allowance aimed at older employees, elective egg freezing and time off fills the main gap.
- Typical private cost. €2,885 at Ovumia Tallinn, plus €700 for ICSI (2026)
- Worth watching. Ministry reviewing the funded age limit
Finland
Public treatment is cheap, but HUS queues run 4 to 6 months and Kela pays nothing for single women or female couples without a medical cause. An allowance can fund faster private care, elective egg freezing and time off.
- Typical private cost. €3,626 at Ovumia; €3,961 to €4,104 at Felicitas Mehiläinen (2026)
France
Employees in assisted reproduction have a legal right to paid absence for medical procedures, and treatment is covered at 100%. A benefit should target extra fees, treatment beyond age or attempt limits and travel; employers may not pay egg storage costs.
- Typical private cost. About €4,100 per cycle, average cost to Sécurité sociale
- Worth watching. For-profit egg freezing centres to be examined in 2028 review
Germany
Statutory insurance pays only half the cost, and only for married couples within age limits. A fixed allowance can reach unmarried couples, single women, same-sex couples and women aged 40 and over, and cover the remaining own share.
- Typical private cost. About €3,000 to €4,500 per attempt including medication (2026)
- Worth watching. Egg donation and Elterngeld reform under debate
Greece
Women in treatment get 7 paid working days of leave each time under Law 4808/2021, but most clinic fees stay with the patient. An allowance can cover clinic fees, elective egg freezing, treatment after 50 and travel from the islands.
- Typical private cost. €3,700 to €3,860 per cycle, medicines excluded (2025 to 2026)
- Worth watching. Egg freezing cover planned for 2026; demographic plan proposed
Hungary
IVF is free in state centres, but time off for treatment is unpaid, and women cannot be dismissed by notice for up to 6 months of treatment. An allowance can fund paid time off, egg freezing, donor-egg treatment abroad and treatment after 45.
- Typical private cost. Free in state centres; HUF 1.2m to 2m in Czechia or Slovakia
- Worth watching. Government reviewing state fertility system and egg donation
Ireland
The HSE funds only one cycle and excludes donor treatment, same-sex couples and single women. An allowance for second cycles, donor treatment, egg freezing and medication fills the gap, and employees can claim 20% tax relief on IVF costs they pay.
- Typical private cost. From €5,200 per cycle, before medication (2026)
- Worth watching. Clinic and surrogacy licensing due from 2028
Italy
Public cover excludes single women and female couples, and many patients travel to other regions for donor treatment. An allowance can cover private treatment, cycles after 46 or beyond 6, travel and elective egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. About €5,000 to €10,000 per private cycle (2025)
Lithuania
Since April 2026 new patients cannot start treatment until the Seimas amends the law, and single women and cohabiting couples are not eligible. An allowance can fund treatment abroad, extra cycles, storage and egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. From €1,225 to €1,750 per cycle (2026 listings)
- Worth watching. Bill widening access awaits final Seimas vote
Luxembourg
Elective egg freezing and egg donation are not offered in Luxembourg, so employees travel abroad and pay the full cost. An allowance open to residents and cross-border staff alike can cover egg freezing, donor treatment and time off.
- Typical private cost. No published cycle price; CNS covers IVF under 43
Netherlands
Covered treatment counts towards the €385 deductible, and a 4th attempt, treatment from 43 and elective egg freezing are self-funded. An allowance can cover these gaps, plus donor sperm and time off, as there is no statutory fertility leave.
- Typical private cost. €3,236 per IVF treatment, excluding medication (2026)
- Worth watching. Surrogacy bill awaits debate; deductible rises to €400 in 2027
Norway
Public IVF is cheap, but waits ran from 12 to 38 weeks in May 2026 and many public clinics treat women only up to about 40. An allowance can fund private clinic fees, a 4th attempt and elective egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. NOK 48,500 to 51,400 per cycle, before medication (2026)
- Worth watching. Biotechnology Act under review
Poland
The national programme excludes single and same-sex employees and women over 42, and leaves drugs and tests with the patient. An allowance can cover these costs and treatment abroad; tax-free social fund benefits are capped at PLN 1,000 a year.
- Typical private cost. PLN 11,200 for an IVF with ICSI package in Warsaw (2026)
- Worth watching. National programme planned to end in 2028
Portugal
Workers get 3 paid absences per assisted reproduction cycle under Article 46-A, but public IVF waits topped a year from 2021 to 2024 and funding stops at 40. An allowance can fund private treatment, elective egg freezing and care from 40.
- Typical private cost. €2,995 to €9,600 per package at two clinics (2026)
- Worth watching. 150 days at 100% from 2027 approved; awaiting promulgation
Romania
Since 2019 the Labour Code gives women having IVF 3 extra paid days a year, but nothing for other appointments or partners. Vouchers depend on annual funds and application windows, so an allowance gives employees in their late 30s certainty.
- Typical private cost. About RON 13,000 to 18,000 per cycle in Bucharest (2026)
- Worth watching. Dedicated assisted reproduction law being drafted
Serbia
RFZO funding is generous for women under 45, but there is no fertility leave and fathers rely on up to 5 days of family-event leave. An allowance can cover time off, travel, elective egg freezing and treatment after 45.
- Typical private cost. RSD 240,000 per IVF cycle; ICSI RSD 280,000 (June 2026)
Slovakia
Even insured patients pay for ICSI, used in 73% of 2024 cycles with own eggs, plus freezing and frozen transfers. An allowance can cover these extras, elective egg freezing and treatment from 40, as there is no fertility leave.
- Typical private cost. €1,350 per self-pay IVF cycle, excluding drugs (2026)
Spain
Public IVF waits are often about a year, and 20 months at one Valencia hospital, so an employee who joins the list at 38 may get only one or two funded attempts. An allowance can cover private treatment, care from 40 and egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. €3,500 to €5,500 per cycle, medication extra (2026)
Sweden
Regions fund treatment only for a first shared child, and waits can reach 2 years, leaving employees in their late 30s little time. An allowance can cover private cycles, a second child, treatment from 40 and elective egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. SEK 44,900 to 49,000 per IVF cycle (2025 to 2026)
- Worth watching. Grant for extra attempts expected to continue after 2026
Switzerland
Basic insurance does not pay for IVF or ICSI, so most employees pay the full CHF 5,000 to 11,000 per cycle. An employer allowance is often the main support available, and can also cover elective egg freezing.
- Typical private cost. About CHF 5,000 to 11,000 per cycle including medication
- Worth watching. Egg donation consultation planned for Q2 2027; storage extension pending
Ukraine
The state programme excludes foreign staff on temporary residence permits and treatment after 41, and martial law has changed some labour rules. Aon projects a 24.0% medical trend for 2026, so a fixed allowance keeps the employer’s cost predictable.
- Typical private cost. ₴66,200 at Dobrobut, Kyiv (November 2026)
- Worth watching. Age limit given as both 40 and 41; confirm with NHSU
United Kingdom
NHS funding depends on where employees live, and only 28% of UK IVF cycles were NHS-funded in 2024. With no legal right to paid time off for IVF, a written leave policy plus an allowance set against private prices fills the main gaps.
- Typical private cost. £3,675 to £4,750 per cycle at two NHS units (2026)
- Worth watching. Pregnancy loss leave covers failed IVF transfer from April 2027
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