IVF in Cyprus: Republic of Cyprus vs Northern Cyprus — What Patients Need to Know (2026)

Q: What is the age limit for IVF in the Republic of Cyprus?

The law sets a maximum age of 50 for women, with exceptions possible only with approval from the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction.

Q: Is egg donation anonymous in the Republic of Cyprus?

Yes. Donor identity is confidential and selling gametes is prohibited.

By Cyprus Medical Care · Last reviewed: October 2026 · 9 min read

Search for “IVF in Cyprus” and most of the clinics you will see are located in the north of the island. Many patients don't realise that Cyprus has two completely different systems for fertility treatment: one inside the European Union, and one outside it. The difference affects which laws protect you, who checks the clinic, and what you can do if something goes wrong.

This guide explains the differences in plain language, summarises what the 2026 BBC investigation and the UK government's updated travel advice say, and gives you a checklist to use with any clinic.

Key takeaways

Republic of Cyprus (south): EU member state. IVF is governed by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Law 69(I)/2015 and supervised by the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction. EU tissue and cells rules apply.
Northern Cyprus: administered by an entity recognised only by Turkey. EU law does not apply, and there is no independent fertility regulator.
In 2026 a BBC investigation reported that at least 30 children, most of them British, may have been conceived with donors other than the ones their parents selected at clinics in the north.
The UK Foreign Office now warns that fertility treatment in the north carries risks because clinics are not regulated in the same way as in the UK.
Whatever you choose, ask every clinic the 8 questions in the checklist below — in writing.

One island, two different systems

The whole of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004. However, EU law is suspended in the northern part of the island, which is administered by the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, recognised only by Turkey. In practice this means:

Clinics in the Republic of Cyprus (Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos) operate under Cypriot national law and EU directives on the donation, screening, processing and storage of human tissues and cells.
Clinics in the north (for example in northern Nicosia, Kyrenia or Famagusta) operate under local rules. EU directives, EU patient rights and EU cross-border healthcare rules do not apply there.

Both sides often market themselves simply as “Cyprus”. Before you contact any clinic, check its full street address and which authority licenses it.

Side-by-side comparison

Summary based on published legal overviews and official travel advice. Rules and clinic policies change — always confirm in writing.
Topic	Republic of Cyprus (EU)	Northern Cyprus
Legal framework	Medically Assisted Reproduction Law 69(I)/2015, as amended	Local legislation; EU law does not apply
Oversight	Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction; EU tissue and cells rules	Local Ministry of Health; no independent fertility regulator
Age limit for women	50, with exceptions only by Council approval	Varies; some clinics advertise treatment for women in their mid-50s
Embryos per transfer	Up to 2 (women up to 38), up to 3 (ages 39–50)	Up to 3
Egg and sperm donation	Allowed, anonymous; egg donors up to 35, sperm donors up to 45; selling gametes is prohibited	Allowed; donor selection and record-keeping are under investigation following the BBC reports
Sex selection	Only for medical reasons (avoiding sex-linked disease)	Offered for non-medical “family balancing”
Single women and same-sex couples	Possible; some cases need Council approval — confirm with the clinic	Generally accepted by clinics
Surrogacy	Altruistic only, with Council approval and residency conditions	No legal framework, according to UK travel advice
If something goes wrong	EU-member legal system and courts	Local authorities do not act on British court orders
Getting there	Direct flights to Larnaca and Paphos	Ercan airport is served only via Turkey; many patients fly to Larnaca and cross the checkpoints

What the 2026 BBC investigation found

In March 2026, BBC News reported that the families of seven children believed the wrong sperm or egg donors had been used during IVF at clinics in the north of Cyprus. Most of the families had DNA tests that supported their suspicions.

A follow-up investigation expanded the findings: at least 30 children, most of them British, may have been conceived using donors different from those their parents had chosen. According to the reports:

about half of the cases were linked to a single clinic in northern Nicosia;
most of the children who took DNA tests were conceived between 2012 and 2024;
the local Ministry of Health in the north announced an investigation;
a major international donor bank suspended its cooperation with one of the clinics while the investigation is ongoing.

Fertility experts quoted in the coverage stressed that using the wrong donor is extremely rare in properly regulated systems. The cases are not an argument against fertility treatment abroad — they are a reminder that regulation and traceability matter.

What the UK government advises

In August 2026 the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) added new information about fertility treatment to its travel advice for Cyprus. In summary, it says that:

fertility treatment in the north carries risks, because clinics there are not regulated in the same way as in the UK;
British citizens should research clinics thoroughly and understand the risks before deciding;
surrogacy in the north carries risks, as there is no legal framework governing it;
the authorities in the north do not act on British court orders;
more information on treatment abroad is available from the UK fertility regulator, the HFEA.

Why the Republic of Cyprus is a regulated alternative

Patients choose Cyprus for the same reasons whichever side they look at: shorter waiting times, lower costs than in the UK, English-speaking teams and a pleasant place to spend treatment time. In the Republic of Cyprus you get those benefits inside an EU legal framework:

a dedicated national law on medically assisted reproduction, with penalties for breaches such as exceeding donor age limits;
a supervising body, the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction;
EU rules on screening, processing, storage and traceability of donated cells;
strict donor anonymity and a ban on selling gametes;
EU consumer and patient protections, and courts that recognise standard legal processes.

The trade-off is that some options offered in the north — such as non-medical sex selection or treatment well beyond age 50 — are not available. For most patients, that is exactly the protection they want. For a full overview of treatments and prices, see our complete guide to IVF in Cyprus.

8 questions to ask any fertility clinic

Where exactly are you located? Ask for the full street address and confirm whether it is in the Republic of Cyprus or in the north.
Who licenses you? Ask for the licence and the name of the authority that issued it.
Do EU tissue and cells rules apply to you? In the Republic of Cyprus the answer should be yes.
Where do your donors come from? Ask how donors are recruited and screened, and whether a donor bank is involved.
How will I know which donor was used? Ask for written confirmation of the donor code in your medical report.
What are your success rates by age group? Ask which body they are reported to — not just a single headline number.
What exactly is included in the price? Get an itemised quote in writing, including medication and extras.
What happens if something goes wrong? Ask about the complaints procedure and which country's courts would handle a dispute.

How Cyprus Medical Care helps

We are an independent patient coordination service based in Limassol. We work only with licensed private clinics in the Republic of Cyprus. We help you check a clinic's licence, request written treatment plans and quotes, prepare your medical records, and organise flights, accommodation, transfers and interpreters. Medical decisions are always made between you and your doctor. See how our coordination works.

Considering IVF in Cyprus?

Tell us about your situation. We'll explain your options at licensed clinics in the Republic of Cyprus — free and with no obligation.

Request a free call

Frequently asked questions

Is IVF in Northern Cyprus the same as IVF in Cyprus?

No. Clinics in the north operate outside EU law and outside the Republic of Cyprus's IVF legislation. Many clinic websites simply say “Cyprus”, so always check the address and the licensing authority.

Is Northern Cyprus part of the EU?

The whole island joined the EU in 2004, but EU law is suspended in the north, which is administered by an entity recognised only by Turkey. EU rules on tissues and cells, patient rights and cross-border healthcare do not apply there.

What is the age limit for IVF in the Republic of Cyprus?

The law sets a maximum age of 50 for women. The Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction can grant exceptions in specific cases.

Is gender selection legal in Cyprus?

In the Republic of Cyprus, sex selection is allowed only for medical reasons, such as avoiding a serious sex-linked genetic condition. Clinics in the north offer it for non-medical reasons, which is also not permitted in the UK.

Is egg donation anonymous in the Republic of Cyprus?

Yes. Donor identity is confidential, and clinics may share only general, non-identifying information such as age, height or eye colour. Selling gametes is prohibited.

Is surrogacy available in Cyprus?

In the Republic of Cyprus, surrogacy is possible only on an altruistic basis, with approval from the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction and strict residency conditions. UK travel advice warns that surrogacy in the north carries risks because there is no legal framework governing it.

Important: This article is for general information only and is not medical or legal advice. Laws and clinic policies can change. Always confirm the current rules in writing with the clinic and, where needed, with a qualified lawyer.