Tag: fertility abroad

Embryoclinic is proudly sharing the great experience of fertility care for international patients and is joining forces to highlight Greece as the perfect fertility destination. Every team member is dedicated and experienced to provide high standards of care and uninterrupted communication and support to all our international patients, irrelevant of their country of residence. We aim at making the journey to parenthood a wonderful experience for all, while making their best of their stay in our wonderful country.

Warm Mediterranean climate, tempting blue sea, impressive beaches, amazing historical sites and great food – this is what we all know Greece for. However, not all of us may be aware of the fact that one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world plays also a very important role on the medical tourism map. It turns out that Greece has a lot to offer in terms of in vitro fertilisation and reproductive medicine in general. If you have been considering IVF treatment abroad and wondering whether Greece is a right choice for you, we’ll say: yes! Here are some reasons why.

It is in Greece where you will find some of the world’s top IVF clinics, combining high-quality services and reasonable rates. These units, mostly located in Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete, apply best practices and are staffed with both state-of-the-art technological equipment and trained specialist doctors. The clinics are certified by internationally acclaimed organisations, which assure not only innovation but also safety and quality of clinical, surgical and laboratory procedures.

What is more, all the IVF clinics in Greece operate under license from the Greek National Authority of Assisted Reproduction. It is a national body that makes controls, gives suggestions, collects data and keeps records of every single case related to assisted reproduction in the country. And finally – what’s probably most important from a patient’s point of view – first class fertility treatment is offered in Greece at a much lower cost than in other top European fertility destinations.

Greece has surely a lot of advantages over other countries in terms of infertility treatments and services – one of them is its liberal IVF legislation. Issued in 2005, it allows most IVF methods (e.g. intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg/sperm donation, frozen embryo transfer), surrogacy arrangements and genetic testing options (such as PGT-A and PGD). The age limit for women undergoing IVF treatment is 50 years old and there are no exceptions in terms of marital status. It means that all the procedures are available to both married and unmarried heterosexual couples, single women and women in lesbian relationships. In case of the latter, it is only required that one partner states she is going through treatment as a single woman and signs a notarial deed.

Greece is one of the countries that allow anonymous egg and sperm donation. According to the Greek IVF law, information on a patient and the child conceived via donation will not be disclosed to an anonymous donor – and vice-versa. Donor anonymity translates into a lot of advantages: the development of egg/sperm banks, large pools of donor candidates and the lack of waiting lists for donation treatments. The latter will surely be considered as a great asset by advanced-age patients who find time very precious and cannot allow themselves to wait months for the treatment to start.

Feeling convinced? We suppose so! However, if you are still not sure whether your IVF treatment should be performed in Greece, we encourage you to follow the campaign Greece – Fertility Destination 2021 that commences on October 1, 2020. In the upcoming 6 months, the campaign will make you familiar with all the available treatment options in Greece and some of the most acclaimed IVF clinics that accept international patients.

The campaign’s online events will present you with a unique chance to get to know some of Greece’s leading fertility specialists and trusted IVF coordinators who will share some useful advice on fertility treatment in our country. And who knows, maybe you will find your future fertility team among them?

The campaign is organised by eggdonationfriends.com and fertilityclinicsabroad.com – two well known websites for patients seeking IVF treatment options abroad. It is also supported by more than 30 ambassadors worldwide and special Patron from Greece – ELITOUR – Greek Medical Tourism Council.

Read more about Greece – Fertility Destination 2021

Crossing borders and having fertility treatment abroad is becoming increasingly popular.
In study by Fertility Network UK, 93% of people trying to conceive would consider going abroad, and those who had been abroad for fertility treatment, would go back again.1
The main reason for IVF abroad is related to cost, as patients look for affordable treatment. Others turning to healthcare tourism are looking for egg or sperm donation, have had previous unsatisfactory care in the UK or perceive better success rates for IVF abroad. Several patients are also looking for treatment in a less stressful environment.

If you are considering IVF abroad, check out our 5 tips for healthcare tourism when trying to conceive.

1. IVF ABROAD: CHOOSING A COUNTRY

Certain countries are known to have good fertility regulations while maintaining a high quality of care at reduced cost. Make sure the country you chose has fertility friendly laws and strong governing bodies that regulate healthcare professionals’ activities and clinics. The most popular destinations for fertility treatment abroad are Greece, Spain, Czech Republic and Cyprus. In Europe, look for clinics who follow the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology guidelines (ESHRE).

2. WHICH CLINIC?

Take time to get to know the clinic and the team who will be treating you. Start by searching and engaging with the clinic online. Check they have the right certifications, are renowned in this field and recognised by others. You can also check patients’ feedback in several forums. Most clinics offer consultations via Skype or even in person in the UK. This is essential to learn about their services, how they can help you and learn about what the process involves. Patients going abroad for fertility treatment are usually attracted to the high standard of care provided and the person-centred and individual approach which is so important when trying to conceive.

3. TREATMENT: HIGH STANDARDS, LOW COST

Healthcare tourism and fertility treatment abroad is usually less expensive than in the UK. You can find well established fertility clinics, with good success rates up to 50% cheaper. There is usually shorter waiting lists and access to a higher number of donors.
Check if the clinic offers the treatment you need and how much it costs. It is also important to ask about emotional support as this is an important part of treatment.
Most clinics abroad also have patient coordinators who speak several languages and are available to answer questions, manage appointments, book travel and deal with all day-to-day practicalities. They will look after you before, during and after treatment and make sure the process runs smoothly.

4. TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

Once you have chosen a clinic, check the cost of living in that particular area and account for travel and accommodation costs. Some clinics may have special deals with local hotels. Even adding these costs, fertility treatment and IVF abroad might be cheaper than in the UK.
Ask your clinic how many times you will need to travel there and how many days you need to stay. Most tests, exams and consultations can be done in the UK and you only need to travel for the procedure itself. The clinic may be able to help you organise your travel or you can do it yourself using websites like Booking.com and Skyscanner.net

5. TRYING TO CONCEIVE IN THE PERFECT SCENERY

Most patients seeking treatment abroad are also looking for a less stressful environment. This is the opportunity to break from routine and enjoy the beautiful scenery alongside low-cost treatment. It can help you focus on treatment without having to worry about day to day things, keep you distracted, and even reconnect with yourself and your partner.

If you have been trying to conceive and are now thinking about IVF Abroad, you are joining those 93% of people who feel attracted to high standards of care, at more attractive prices, with shorter waiting lists and a complete medical team concerned with making you feel comfortable and safe. Our 5 tips will get you started so you can get the fertility treatment you need in the most perfect location. Check out EmbryoClinic and how we can help you in your journey of fertility treatment abroad.