Georgia is one of the very few countries in the world where surrogacy — including commercial surrogacy — is fully legal, well-regulated, and open to international couples. For UK, EU, and US couples who face a closed door at home, Tbilisi has become a realistic, affordable, and legally clear option.
This guide covers the legal framework, realistic costs, the process from initial consultation to bringing your child home, and what to look for in a Georgian fertility clinic.
Why Georgia for Surrogacy?
It’s Legal — and Clearly So
Georgia’s Law on Healthcare (Article 143) explicitly permits surrogacy. Key provisions:
- Gestational surrogacy (surrogate has no genetic link to the child) is permitted
- Both altruistic and compensated surrogacy are legal
- The intended parents are recognised as the legal parents from birth — their names go on the birth certificate, not the surrogate’s
- Foreign nationals can use Georgian surrogacy services
This is not a legal grey area. Georgia has been a recognised surrogacy destination for Israeli, Italian, Spanish, and British couples for over two decades.
Cost
Surrogacy in Georgia costs £25,000–55,000 all-in for most international couples. This includes agency coordination, IVF with the intended mother’s (or donor) eggs, surrogate compensation, legal fees, and medical care throughout pregnancy and birth.
Comparable programmes in the United States cost $120,000–200,000. Ukraine was a popular alternative until 2022 — Georgia absorbed significant demand after the war began.
The Surrogate Is Not the Legal Parent
This is the critical legal point. Under Georgian law, the intended parents are the legal parents from the moment of birth. The surrogate has no parental rights and no legal claim to the child. This is explicitly different from UK law, where the birth mother is automatically the legal parent regardless of genetic connection.
UK Legal Position
UK law does not recognise foreign surrogacy agreements as legally binding in the UK. When you bring your child to the UK, you will need to apply for a Parental Order to become the legal parents under UK law.
Key requirements for a UK Parental Order (as of 2026):
- At least one intended parent must be biologically related to the child (egg or sperm donor)
- At least one intended parent must be domiciled in the UK
- The surrogate must consent to the Parental Order (after 6 weeks from birth)
- Any payment to the surrogate must be reasonable expenses, or authorised by the court retroactively
The court almost always authorises payments where they represent genuine surrogacy costs — this is standard practice. You should take UK legal advice before proceeding with any international surrogacy arrangement. Many UK solicitors specialise specifically in surrogacy Parental Orders.
Entry clearance for your child: you will need to apply for a British passport or entry clearance before your child can enter the UK. This involves the British Embassy in Tbilisi and typically takes 4–8 weeks. Plan for this before you travel.
Costs Breakdown
| Item | Typical Cost (GEL / approx. GBP) |
|---|---|
| IVF with own eggs (1 cycle) | £2,500–4,500 |
| Egg donation (if required) | £1,500–3,000 additional |
| Embryo transfer and monitoring | included in IVF |
| Surrogate matching and screening | £1,000–2,500 |
| Surrogate compensation | £8,000–18,000 |
| Surrogate living and maternity allowance | £2,000–5,000 |
| Obstetric care and delivery | £1,500–3,000 |
| Legal fees (Georgian) | £1,500–4,000 |
| Agency coordination fee | £3,000–8,000 |
| Accommodation for intended parents (stay in Tbilisi around birth) | £1,500–4,000 |
| Total typical range | £25,000–55,000 |
Programmes with guaranteed birth (multiple IVF cycles included) are offered by some clinics at fixed fees of £35,000–55,000.
The Process Step by Step
1. Initial Consultation (remote)
Most clinics offer a free video consultation with their medical director and international coordinator. You’ll discuss:
- Your medical history and fertility tests
- Whether you need egg donation or can use own eggs
- Timeline and next steps
- Cost breakdown
Send recent fertility bloodwork before this call if you have it (AMH, FSH, AFC for the woman; semen analysis for the man).
2. Surrogate Matching (2–6 months)
The clinic or agency maintains a pool of screened surrogates — Georgian women who have had at least one healthy pregnancy and have passed medical and psychological screening. You’ll receive profiles (anonymous or identified, depending on your preference) and choose your surrogate.
Matching timelines vary. Some clinics have waiting lists of 2–6 months for suitable surrogates. Plan accordingly.
3. IVF and Embryo Creation (in Tbilisi)
You’ll travel to Tbilisi for the IVF cycle. If using own eggs, this takes 10–14 days for stimulation and egg retrieval. Embryos are typically cultured to blastocyst stage (day 5) and tested using PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) to identify chromosomally normal embryos.
If using donor eggs, you can provide sperm remotely (some clinics accept frozen samples shipped from the UK) and may not need to travel until the birth.
4. Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy
A healthy embryo is transferred to the surrogate. If the first transfer doesn’t result in pregnancy, subsequent transfers are usually included in the programme fee (confirm this).
The surrogate carries the pregnancy in Georgia. Most clinics provide monthly update calls or reports to the intended parents throughout the pregnancy. You are not expected to be present in Georgia during the pregnancy.
5. Birth and Legal Documentation
You’ll travel to Tbilisi 2–3 weeks before the due date and stay through the birth and initial documentation. The birth certificate issued in Georgia names the intended parents. This is the legal foundation for your UK Parental Order application.
6. UK Entry and Parental Order
Your Georgian lawyer will prepare the documentation package for the British Embassy. Typical documents needed:
- Georgian birth certificate (with apostille)
- DNA test confirming biological link to intended parent
- Evidence of surrogate’s consent
- Evidence of payments made
The Parental Order application in UK Family Court is typically handled by a specialist solicitor. Once granted (usually 3–9 months after return), you are legally the parents under UK law.
Top Clinics in Tbilisi for Surrogacy
Reprofit Georgia
One of the most established fertility and surrogacy centres in Tbilisi. Strong IVF success rates, experienced international coordinator team, and full legal support through their in-house Georgian legal team. Works regularly with UK couples.
Aversi Reproductive Medicine
Part of the Aversi Clinic network — the largest private healthcare group in Georgia. Strong obstetric team for surrogate monitoring and delivery. Competitive pricing on IVF cycles.
IVF Georgia (various independent clinics)
Tbilisi has several smaller, specialist fertility clinics that handle surrogacy cases. Quality varies — always ask about IVF success rates, embryologist credentials, and how many international surrogacy programmes they have completed.
What to Look for in a Georgian Surrogacy Clinic
Mandatory:
- Published IVF success rates (live birth rate per transfer, by age group)
- Full legal support included or available through affiliated Georgian lawyers
- English-speaking international coordinator
- Clear surrogate compensation and allowance structure in writing
- Policy on what happens if surrogate miscarries (included transfers?)
- Policy on what happens if IVF fails (number of included cycles)
Good signs:
- Experience with UK couples and UK Parental Order requirements specifically
- Relationships with a UK-based surrogacy solicitor they can recommend
- Lab accreditation or international affiliations
- Willingness to share testimonials from previous international couples
Red flags:
- Unusually low fixed prices with vague inclusions
- No transparency on surrogate compensation
- Pressure to sign contracts before medical evaluation
- No in-house legal team or legal affiliate
Is Georgia the Right Choice for You?
Georgia makes sense if:
- You need surrogacy and are comfortable with international arrangements
- You understand the UK Parental Order requirement and have taken legal advice
- You have (or can create) embryos with a genetic link to at least one intended parent
- You can travel to Tbilisi twice — once for IVF, once for the birth
It may not be ideal if:
- You want same-sex male couple surrogacy (some clinics accept this; others don’t — check explicitly)
- You need very rapid timelines (surrogate matching takes time)
- You’re not comfortable navigating UK immigration paperwork for your child
For many UK couples, Georgia offers a legal, clear, and genuinely affordable path to parenthood through surrogacy — one that has worked for thousands of international families over the past twenty years.