IVF Gender Selection in Cyprus: Costs, Clinics & Legal Guide
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For couples seeking family balancing or looking to prevent genetic disorders, North Cyprus has emerged as the world's premier destination for IVF gender selection. Unlike many Western nations where sex selection is strictly prohibited or limited to extreme medical cases, North Cyprus offers a legal, transparent, and highly advanced environment for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
Combining vacation-ready Mediterranean views with cutting-edge fertility technology, Cyprus offers high success rates at a fraction of the cost found in the US or UAE. Whether you are looking for a boy or a girl to complete your family, this guide explores the costs, legal framework, and step-by-step process of gender selection IVF in Kyrenia, Nicosia, and Famagusta.
Key Takeaways: Gender Selection in Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the few jurisdictions globally that legally permits gender selection for family balancing. Patients can expect world-class ISO-certified clinics and savings of up to 60% compared to US prices.
- High Accuracy: 99.9% gender certainty using PGD/PGS technology.
- Legal Framework: North Cyprus allows gender selection for family balancing (unlike the UK/EU).
- Cost Effective: Packages range from €5,000 to €7,500.
- Treatment Time: Only requires a 1-week stay in Cyprus if stimulation starts at home.
Quick Cost Snapshot:
- • IVF with Gender Selection (PGD): €5,000 – €7,000
- • MicroSort + IVF + PGD: €7,200 – €8,500
- • Tandem Cycle (Own + Donor Eggs): €6,500 – €8,000
Why Choose Cyprus for Gender Selection?
North Cyprus offers a unique combination of liberal fertility laws, advanced genetic laboratories, and affordable pricing, making it the top choice for couples from the UK, Middle East, and Europe.
The primary driver for medical tourism to North Cyprus is the legal landscape. In the UK, Australia, and most of the EU, gender selection is banned except for preventing severe genetic diseases. In contrast, clinics in Kyrenia and Nicosia are legally authorized to perform PGD for family balancing, allowing parents to choose the sex of their baby.
Furthermore, the island is home to highly experienced fertility specialists, many of whom trained in the UK or Turkey. They utilize the same equipment found in London or New York—such as EmbryoScope incubators and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) machinery—ensuring that lower cost does not mean lower quality.
"The 'Cyprus Advantage' lies in its regulatory flexibility combined with European medical standards. While a patient in the UK might wait months for a basic IVF consultation, patients in North Cyprus can often start their gender selection program immediately. The addition of MicroSort technology—available in very few locations worldwide—further enhances the efficiency of the process by sorting sperm before fertilization."
The Science: PGD, PGS, and MicroSort
Understanding the difference between sperm sorting and genetic diagnosis is crucial. Cyprus clinics often combine methods to maximize the number of healthy embryos of the desired gender.
1. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
PGD is the gold standard for gender selection. After the eggs are fertilized, a biopsy is taken from the embryo (usually on day 3 or day 5). Geneticists analyze the DNA to identify XX (female) or XY (male) chromosomes. This method is 99.9% accurate. It also screens for genetic abnormalities like Down Syndrome, ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
2. MicroSort Technology
North Cyprus is one of the few places offering MicroSort. This technique separates sperm based on density (X-bearing sperm are slightly heavier). While not 100% accurate (typically 75-80%), it significantly increases the ratio of desired sperm before fertilization. Many clinics use MicroSort in conjunction with PGD to ensure a higher number of embryos of the desired sex are available for screening.
Cost of IVF Gender Selection: Cyprus vs. The World
Comparing the price of gender selection reveals massive savings. While the US charges premium rates for sex selection, Cyprus offers all-inclusive packages at a third of the price.
| Destination | Avg. Cost (USD) | Legal Status (Family Balancing) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Cyprus | $5,500 – $7,500 | Legal & Common | IVF, ICSI, PGD/PGS, Transfers, Hotel (often) |
| USA | $25,000 – $35,000 | Legal | Procedure only (Meds extra) |
| United Kingdom | N/A | Illegal (Medical only) | N/A |
| Mexico | $7,000 – $9,000 | Legal | IVF, PGD |
| UAE (Dubai) | $12,000 – $15,000 | Restricted | Procedure only |
North Cyprus uses the Euro (€), but the Turkish Lira is also widely accepted. While medical packages are quoted in Euros or Pounds, daily expenses like food and transport are incredibly cheap due to the local economy, making your medical trip to Cyprus significantly more affordable than a stay in Western Europe.
Step-by-Step Treatment Journey in Cyprus
The process is designed for international travelers, allowing you to complete the preliminary steps at home and only travel for the critical final week.
Phase 1: Preparation at Home (Weeks 1-3)
- Consultation: Video call with a Cyprus fertility specialist.
- Testing: Hormone blood tests (AMH, TSH) and sperm analysis performed at your local lab.
- Stimulation: You begin taking hormone injections at home to stimulate egg production.
Phase 2: Arrival in Cyprus (Day 1-2 of Trip)
- Scan & Trigger: Final ultrasound at the clinic in Kyrenia or Nicosia. Trigger shot administered.
- Egg Retrieval (OPU): Minor procedure under sedation to collect eggs.
- Sperm Collection: Partner provides sample (or MicroSort is performed).
Phase 3: Embryology & Selection (Day 3-6 of Trip)
- Fertilization: ICSI method injects sperm into eggs.
- Biopsy (PGD): On Day 3 or Day 5, cells are biopsied from embryos.
- Genetic Analysis: Lab confirms gender and checks for 24-chromosome health.
Phase 4: Transfer & Return (Day 7 of Trip)
- Embryo Transfer: 1 or 2 healthy embryos of the desired gender are transferred to the uterus.
- Return Home: You can fly home the next day. Pregnancy test is taken 12 days later.
Success Rates & Factors
Success depends largely on maternal age and egg quality. Cyprus clinics report some of the highest success rates in the region due to advanced embryology protocols.
For women under 35, the success rate for a live birth with gender selection is approximately 70-75%. As age increases, egg quality declines. Women over 40 may consider Tandem IVF (using own eggs + donor eggs) to maximize the chance of getting a healthy embryo of the desired sex.
- Age 20-29: ~75% Success Rate
- Age 30-34: ~65% Success Rate
- Age 35-39: ~55% Success Rate
- Age 40+: ~25% (Own Eggs) / ~70% (Donor Eggs)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gender selection legal in North Cyprus?
Yes, North Cyprus is one of the few global destinations where gender selection for family balancing is fully legal and regulated. This attracts thousands of patients annually who cannot access these services in the EU or UK.
How accurate is the gender selection process?
The PGD/PGS method used in Cyprus clinics is 99.9% accurate in determining the sex of the embryo. It eliminates the guesswork associated with natural conception or basic sperm sorting methods.
What happens to the embryos of the other gender?
Couples can choose to freeze healthy embryos of the other gender for future use (cryopreservation), donate them to other couples, or allow them to perish ethically. This decision is made by the parents prior to the procedure.
Can I select gender if I don't have fertility issues?
Yes, many couples visiting Cyprus for gender selection are fertile. However, because the process requires IVF (egg retrieval and fertilization outside the body) to test the embryos, you must undergo the standard IVF protocol.
What is the cost of twins gender selection?
The cost for the procedure generally remains the same whether you transfer one or two embryos. If you desire twins (e.g., two boys), the doctor can transfer two male embryos, though multiple pregnancies carry higher medical risks.
Is accommodation included in the package?
Most premium packages in North Cyprus include airport transfers and 4-star or 5-star hotel accommodation for the duration of the treatment. Flight costs are typically the patient's responsibility.
Which city is best for IVF in Cyprus?
Kyrenia (Girne) and Nicosia (Lefkosa) are the primary hubs for IVF clinics. Kyrenia offers a beautiful coastal resort atmosphere, making it ideal for a relaxing "fertility holiday."
What is the "Tandem Cycle"?
A Tandem Cycle involves using your own eggs and a donor's eggs simultaneously. This maximizes the chance of finding healthy embryos of the desired gender, especially for women with lower ovarian reserve, without giving up on their own biological eggs immediately.
Are the clinics JCI accredited?
Many top clinics in North Cyprus hold ISO certifications and some are JCI accredited or have partnerships with JCI hospitals. They follow strict European ESHRE guidelines for safety and hygiene.
Complete Your Family Today
Don't leave your family planning to chance. PlacidWay connects you with the most reputable, high-success IVF clinics in North Cyprus. Whether you seek a boy or a girl, our partner clinics offer legal, safe, and affordable Family Balancing packages tailored to your needs.
Get a free, confidential quote and let our medical care team guide you through every step of your journey to parenthood.
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