Surrogacy is becoming a popular option for many who want to start a family, and celebrity stories often spotlight surrogacy complexities. In this article you’ll learn about famous cases and how they shape surrogacy laws and shift public views across Europe. You’ll find a quick review of European countries’ laws, pinpointing where hopeful parents face hurdles or find support. Plus, we’ll offer some helpful advice and resources for anyone going through the surrogacy process in Europe.
Surrogacy Laws in Europe and Couples’ Legal Obstacles
For infertile and same-sex couples who desire biological children, surrogacy often presents the only viable option. Yet, the landscape of surrogacy laws across European countries is not always accommodating, posing significant challenges. As a result, an increasing number of European couples are turning to Pons Medical Research surrogacy programs in Georgia and Armenia, where the regulations are 100% favorable and surrogacy-friendly. Here is a quick overview of surrogacy law in some European countries.
Current Surrogacy Laws Across Europe
United Kingdom
Surrogacy is legal but comes with heavy regulations. Surrogates receive no payment beyond reasonable expenses, and surrogacy contracts are not enforceable by law. Parental orders are required post-birth to transfer legal rights from the surrogate to the intended parents.
Spain and France
Surrogacy is illegal in Spain under any arrangement. Spanish citizens often seek surrogacy services abroad and face a daunting adoption process and many legal challenges after returning to their countries.
Netherlands
The Netherlands tolerates altruistic surrogacy, but commercial surrogacy is illegal. The legal process to establish parental rights after surrogacy is complex and often lengthy and adoption is the only way to legalize surrogate babies.
Contrary to laws in the UK, Spain, France, Netherlands, the Georgian and Armenian laws are open to both altruistic and commercial surrogacy.
Celebrity Influence on European Surrogacy Laws
Celebrity experiences shed light on surrogacy in a way that resonates with many. When stars like Kim Kardashian and Elton John share their journeys, they do more than just tell their story; they influence how people view and understand surrogacy. Their advocacy also plays a key role in prompting changes to make surrogacy laws more supportive for everyone.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West had two surrogate babies:
- Chicago West (born 2018)
- Psalm West (born 2019)
The reason why they used surrogate mothers is that Kim Kardashian had health issues during her first pregnancy, including preeclampsia and placenta accrete, both very dangerous and life-threatening.
In the United States, the legal process varies by state. Kim and Kanye, living in California, established their parentage before the birth via a pre-birth order, which is common in the state. Pre-birth order document declares the intended parents as the legal parents from birth, removing the need for later adoption processes.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick got twins, Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge (born in 2009), from the surrogate mother they chose.
After giving birth to their first child, the couple chose surrogacy to expand their family. Sarah Jessica Parker has shared in interviews that they faced challenges with infertility, which is why they turned to surrogacy as a viable option to grow their family. In numerous interviews, Parker has expressed gratitude towards their surrogate for helping them realize their dream of having a larger family.
As Kim and Kaney, the Parker-Broderick family didn’t go through adoption but used a pre-birth order, confirming that California is a progressive state and open to the surrogacy process.
Elton John and David Furnish
Elton John and David Furnish, being a same-sex couple, opted for surrogacy as the only way to have biological children. In 2010, they got Zachary Jackson Levon, and in 2013, Elijah Joseph Daniel enriched their family.
Since the UK laws are not surrogate-friendly, they went through a surrogacy process in California.
Many European couples facing infertility find themselves constrained by restrictive surrogacy laws in their home countries. Without the resources to pursue options in places like California, Georgia and Armenia emerge as viable alternatives. Both countries boast supportive legal frameworks for surrogacy at more affordable costs than many other regions. For three times less money, European couples can overcome infertility and become proud parents in top-notch clinics such as Pons Medical Research with medical facilities both in Georgia and Armenia.
Pons Medical Research: Best Choice for European Couples
At Pons Medical Research, the surrogacy process is complete and supportive. Each surrogacy program starts with detailed screenings and thorough legal consultations so that both the surrogate and prospective parents are well-informed and comfortable.
Once a suitable match is confirmed, the surrogate undergoes extensive health checks to confirm her readiness for pregnancy. Various tests, overseen by fertility experts, focus on the health and safety of the surrogate and the baby. Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate receives excellent medical care, nutritional advice, and emotional support.
Handling all the legal details efficiently, Pons Medical Research guarantees that the intended parents’ names are on the birth certificate right from the start. The cost for PMR’s total services ranges between $40,000 and $50,000, covering all medical, legal, and support aspects of the surrogacy process. Their approach makes the path to clear, seamless, and stress-free parenthood for everyone involved.
