Assisted reproduction via egg donation is regulated in Spain but international demand remains high, despite donor shortages.
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Anna and Fabián, who had their ovaries removed, needed egg donation to have a child; despite egg donation being permitted in Austria since 2015, few donors were available, leading them to Estonia where they successfully had a daughter for about ten thousand euros. In contrast, Spain has become a major destination for international patients seeking parenthood, with it performing half of Europe’s gamete donation cycles. The Spanish Fertility Society president notes that while precise data is unavailable because the activity isn’t registered as such, many donated eggs originate from Spain, and in 2022, between 46,000 and 47,000 IVF cycles used donor eggs. Spanish law (Law 14/2006) regulates gamete and preimplantation embryo donation, stipulating it must not be commercial or lucrative, and that donors must be over eighteen with good psychological and physical health. While compensation is allowed to cover physical discomfort and expenses, it cannot serve as an economic incentive. Alba shared her experience donating eggs in Madrid in 2023, motivated by helping others, though she noted the process involved four phases—interview, medical tests, stimulation, and follicular puncture—and that the side effects were severe, leading her to state she would not do it again despite receiving one thousand euros. Espinós suggests that egg donation should have public awareness campaigns, as it is a legal necessity for many reproductive projects, though future technologies might reduce its need. Spain also has sperm banks, with Granada hosting an old facility, while Denmark has large international ones like Cryos International. Ariane, who sought motherhood alone at age 40, traveled to Dinamarca and Munich before ultimately using donor eggs from Estonia to have her “rainbow baby” after multiple failed attempts. In 2022, Spain conducted 167,195 IVF cycles and 31,635 artificial inseminations, resulting in 39,546 births. Furthermore, Law 14/2006 limits the number of children born in Spain from a single donor to no more than six.
