Global Surrogacy Laws: Country-by-Country Legal Landscape (2024 Overview)

Surrogacy legality varies dramatically worldwide. Laws change rapidly; this overview is a starting point—always engage qualified reproductive law counsel in the relevant jurisdiction before proceeding.

Countries Permitting Surrogacy (Some Form)

• Altruistic only: UK, Canada, Australia (most states), Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, South Africa, Israel (restricted).
• Commercial permitted: USA (state-dependent: CA, CT, NV, etc. favorable; NY, MI, LA restrictive), Ukraine, Georgia, Mexico (some states), Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan.
• Conditional/limited: India (altruistic for Indian couples only), Thailand (altruistic for Thai couples), Taiwan (altruistic, married heterosexual couples).

Countries Prohibiting Surrogacy

• Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Austria (mostly), China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Poland, Ireland.

Critical Legal Variables

• Eligibility: married heterosexual couples only? singles? same-sex couples?
• Genetic link requirement (at least one intended parent).
• Legal parentage process: pre-birth order, post-birth adoption, court declaration.
• Surrogate's rights: can she keep the child? compensation limits?
• Cross-border recognition of parentage.

International surrogacy adds immigration, citizenship, and Hague Convention complexities. Expert legal guidance is non-negotiable.