Everything you need to know about pursuing surrogacy in Ireland under the 2024 Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act — costs, legal steps, finding your team, and the parental order process.
Note: This page provides general information only. It is not legal or medical advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor and fertility clinician for guidance specific to your situation.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 established Ireland's first formal legal framework for surrogacy. As an intended parent, you can pursue domestic altruistic surrogacy with legal protections for all parties. The surrogate retains legal motherhood at birth; you obtain full legal parental status through a parental order after the birth.
At least one intended parent must have a genetic connection to the child. Couples (married, civil partners, or cohabiting 3+ years) and single people are all eligible. Same-sex couples are explicitly included.
The domestic surrogacy process under the 2024 Act involves six broad stages. Each requires professional support.
Research your options — domestic vs. international surrogacy, fertility alternatives. Speak with a specialist counsellor to understand the emotional, medical, and legal dimensions before committing.
Both you and the surrogate must independently obtain legal advice from a solicitor experienced in surrogacy law. This is a legal requirement under the 2024 Act — not optional. Your solicitor will explain your rights, structure the agreement, and later handle the parental order application.
A registered IVF or fertility clinic will carry out medical assessments, create embryos, and manage the IVF process. The clinic must be AHRRA-registered to carry out surrogacy-related treatments. Choose a clinic experienced in donor and surrogacy arrangements.
Ireland does not allow commercial surrogacy agencies. You may connect with a surrogate through personal networks or AHRRA-facilitated channels. The surrogate must register independently with AHRRA. Both parties must pass screening and counselling before any agreement is formalised.
Once the surrogacy agreement is signed and AHRRA approval obtained, the fertility clinic carries out embryo transfer. The surrogate undergoes the pregnancy with her own medical care team. Stay in regular contact and maintain the relationship agreed in your surrogacy plan.
At birth, the surrogate is registered as the legal mother. You must apply for a parental order through the courts (typically within 6 months of the birth) to become the child's legal parents. Once granted, the parental order is permanent. Your solicitor manages this process.
Domestic surrogacy in Ireland is a significant financial commitment. These are realistic estimates — always get itemised quotes from your providers.
Multiple IVF cycles are common and each adds €5,000–€15,000. If egg donation is required (e.g. for same-sex male couples or when the intended mother cannot provide eggs), add €3,000–€8,000 for donor fees and coordination. International surrogacy adds agency fees, travel and accommodation, and the cost of legal proceedings to bring the child back to Ireland as an Irish citizen.
Surrogacy in Ireland requires a solicitor, a fertility clinic, and a counsellor — all mandatory under the 2024 Act.
IVF and fertility clinics registered to carry out surrogacy-related treatments under the 2024 Act.
View clinics →Irish law firms specialising in the 2024 AHR Act, surrogacy agreements, and parental order applications.
View solicitors →Counselling is mandatory for intended parents under the Act. Find therapists experienced in surrogacy and fertility.
View counsellors →Under the 2024 Act, intended parents can be a couple (married, civil partners, or cohabiting for at least 3 years) or a single person. Same-sex couples are fully included. At least one intended parent must have a genetic connection to the child.
Domestic surrogacy under the 2024 Act typically costs €30,000–€80,000. This covers legal fees (€3,000–€8,000), IVF and medical costs (€5,000–€15,000 per cycle), surrogate expenses (€5,000–€10,000), and counselling (€1,000–€3,000). Multiple IVF cycles are common. International surrogacy costs €40,000–€100,000+.
Yes — it is a legal requirement under the 2024 Act. Both intended parents and the surrogate must each obtain independent legal advice from a solicitor experienced in surrogacy law before any agreement is signed. Your solicitor will also handle the parental order application after the birth.
A parental order is a court order that legally establishes intended parents as the child's parents. At birth, the surrogate is initially registered as the legal mother. Intended parents typically apply for a parental order within 6 months of birth. Once granted, parental status is permanent and the surrogate has no further legal obligations or rights.
Yes. The 2024 Act explicitly includes same-sex couples. Male same-sex couples typically require both an egg donor and a surrogate. One intended parent must have a genetic connection to the child. The parental order process applies equally to all couples regardless of sexual orientation.
Ireland does not permit commercial surrogacy agencies. Intended parents may connect with a potential surrogate through personal networks, fertility clinics, or AHRRA-facilitated channels. The surrogate must register with AHRRA independently. Both parties must pass screening and mandatory counselling before any agreement is formalised.
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