IVF with PGS in Cyprus: The Ultimate Guide to Family Balancing & Healthy Embryos
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For couples facing infertility challenges or seeking family balancing, Cyprus has emerged as a premier global destination. Offering a unique combination of advanced medical technology, liberal regulations, and significant cost savings, IVF with PGS in Cyprus provides hope to thousands of international patients annually.
Whether you are traveling from the UK, Dubai, or the US, this guide covers everything you need to know about pursuing fertility treatment in Nicosia, Kyrenia, or Famagusta. From understanding the legal landscape of gender selection to breaking down package costs, we provide the transparency you need to make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways: Why Choose Cyprus?
Cyprus offers a compelling mix of affordability and expertise, particularly for patients seeking gender selection which is restricted in many Western nations. Clinics in Northern Cyprus operate under regulations that permit family balancing, supported by ISO-certified laboratories.
- Huge Cost Savings: Save 50% to 70% compared to the UK or USA. An IVF cycle with PGS often costs less than a basic IVF cycle in London.
- High Success Rates: Clinics boast success rates of 70-80% for women under 35, thanks to advanced blastocyst transfer techniques.
- Legal Gender Selection: Northern Cyprus allows gender selection for family balancing via PGS/PGD, a key driver for medical tourists.
- Inclusive Packages: Standard packages typically range from €5,000–€7,500 and include procedure fees, airport transfers, and sometimes accommodation.
Why Choose IVF with PGS in Cyprus?
Combining world-class fertility experts with relaxed regulations, Cyprus offers solutions often unavailable elsewhere.
Cyprus is unique because it is divided into two distinct jurisdictions with different medical laws. Northern Cyprus is the hub for IVF with gender selection, attracting patients who want to balance their families or screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The clinics here utilize state-of-the-art technology like EmbryoScope and IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection) to maximize fertilization rates.
Beyond the technology, the island offers a stress-free environment—a crucial factor for fertility success. Patients can combine their treatment with a relaxing holiday, often called "fertility tourism," which can help lower cortisol levels and potentially improve outcomes.
Cyprus has one of the highest densities of fertility clinics per capita in the world. This high competition drives quality up and keeps prices competitive, ensuring that international patients have access to premium IVF packages at a fraction of the global average cost.
Step-by-Step Treatment Journey in Cyprus
A typical IVF journey involves careful planning, remote coordination, and a short 10-12 day stay on the island.
1. Initial Consultation & Testing
Your journey begins at home. You will share your medical history and test results (hormone levels, sperm analysis, ultrasound) with the clinic via email or video call. A specialized fertility doctor will design a custom protocol for you.
2. Ovarian Stimulation (At Home)
To minimize your time abroad, you will likely start hormone injections in your home country. This phase stimulates your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. You will need local scans to monitor progress, which you send to your doctor in Cyprus.
3. Arrival & Egg Retrieval
You fly to Cyprus around day 9-10 of your cycle. The egg retrieval procedure is a minor surgery performed under sedation. Simultaneously, a sperm sample is collected from the partner.
4. Fertilization & PGS Biopsy
Eggs are fertilized using ICSI. The resulting embryos are cultured for 3-5 days. A few cells are biopsied from each embryo for Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS). This advanced test checks for 24 chromosomes to identify gender and ensure the embryo is free from abnormalities like Down syndrome.
5. Embryo Transfer
Only the healthiest embryos of the desired gender (if applicable) are selected. One or two embryos are transferred into the uterus in a painless procedure. You can fly home 1-2 days later.
"The use of PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) in Cyprus significantly reduces miscarriage rates. By transferring only chromosomally normal embryos, we see a dramatic increase in live birth rates, especially for women over 35. For patients seeking family balancing in Europe, Northern Cyprus remains one of the few legally safe and regulated options."
Cost of IVF with PGS: Cyprus vs. The World
Cyprus offers arguably the best value-for-money ratio for fertility treatments globally, especially for complex procedures.
Understanding the full cost is vital. While a clinic might advertise a low base rate, IVF packages in Cyprus often include add-ons that others charge separately for. Below is a detailed comparison of the estimated total costs for a cycle of IVF with Gender Selection/PGS.
| Destination | Procedure Cost (IVF + PGS) | Typical Inclusions | Est. Savings vs UK/USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (North) | €5,000 – €7,500 | Consultation, ICSI, PGS Biopsy, Transfer, Airport Transfers | 60-70% |
| Turkey | $4,500 – $7,000 | Consultation, Procedure, Translation, Hotel (sometimes) | 50-60% |
| Spain | €8,000 – €12,000 | Medical procedure only (Gender selection illegal) | 30-40% |
| United Kingdom | £12,000 – £16,000+ | Medical procedure only (Gender selection illegal) | 0% (Baseline) |
| USA | $20,000 – $30,000+ | Medical procedure only | -50% (More expensive) |
*Prices are estimates and may vary by clinic and currency exchange rates. Medication is usually extra (approx. €1,000-€1,500).
Success Rates and Age Factors
Age is the single biggest factor influencing success, but donor options in Cyprus can extend the fertility window.
Cyprus clinics are renowned for transparency regarding success rates. While young women (20-35) enjoy high success rates with their own eggs, clinics in Cyprus are also expert hubs for egg donation IVF, which maintains high success rates regardless of the carrying mother's age.
- Age 20-35: 70% – 80% Success Rate (Own Eggs)
- Age 35-40: 45% – 60% Success Rate (Own Eggs)
- Age 40-45: 15% – 25% Success Rate (Own Eggs)
- Any Age (Donor Eggs): 75% – 85%+ Success Rate
Unlike many EU countries that mandate anonymity, some clinics in Cyprus offer profiles for egg donors that include detailed physical characteristics, educational background, and even childhood photos, giving parents greater connection to their donor choice.
Legal Landscape: North vs. South Cyprus
Understanding the geopolitical division is crucial for accessing the specific treatment you desire.
When researching IVF in Cyprus, you are essentially looking at two different legal systems. Southern Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus) is part of the EU and follows strict European guidelines that ban gender selection for non-medical reasons. Northern Cyprus operates under its own regulations, which legally permit gender selection for family balancing. This key difference makes the North the primary destination for couples specifically seeking a boy or a girl.
Finding the Right Clinic
Accreditation and technology should be your primary filters when selecting a provider.
Top-tier clinics in cities like Kyrenia and Nicosia are equipped with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications. Look for facilities that offer integrated packages including accommodation, as this eases the logistical burden. PlacidWay partners exclusively with reputable medical centers that have a track record of serving international patients from the UK, Germany, and the Middle East.
"Don't just look at the price tag. The most successful IVF treatment in Cyprus comes from clinics that invest in 'Clean Room' technology for their laboratories. This sterile environment mimics the human body's conditions, significantly protecting the embryos during the critical development phase."
Frequently Asked Questions
Common concerns from international patients planning their fertility journey.
Is gender selection 100% guaranteed?
While PGS technology is over 99% accurate in identifying the gender of an embryo, pregnancy itself is never 100% guaranteed. However, by transferring a healthy, confirmed embryo, you significantly maximize the chances of having a baby of your desired gender.
What happens if there are no embryos of the desired sex?
In rare cases, all healthy embryos might be of the opposite gender. You can choose to transfer them, freeze them for later, or start a new cycle. Your doctor will discuss these probabilities based on your age and egg reserve beforehand.
Is it safe to travel after embryo transfer?
Yes, it is generally safe to fly 1-2 days after the transfer. Doctors recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity, but a standard flight does not impact implantation success.
Are the donors in Cyprus screened?
Absolutely. Donors undergo rigorous psychological, medical, and genetic screening. They are tested for infectious diseases and genetic disorders to ensure the highest quality of eggs or sperm.
Can I bring my own medication?
Yes, many patients buy medication in their home country if it's covered by insurance. However, medication in Cyprus (and Turkey) is often much cheaper than in the US or UK, so buying it locally upon arrival or having it shipped is a popular option.
Is there an age limit for IVF treatment in Northern Cyprus?
The standard legal limit is 45 years old, but patients up to 55 can be treated with special approval from the ethics committee and additional medical screening to ensure a safe pregnancy.
How many embryos can be transferred?
Unlike the UK which strictly encourages Single Embryo Transfer (SET), Cyprus allows the transfer of up to 3 embryos (depending on age and medical history) to increase the odds of pregnancy, though this also increases the chance of twins.
What languages do the medical teams speak?
English is widely spoken in all major medical centers in Cyprus due to its history and tourism industry. Many clinics also have coordinators for German, French, Arabic, and Russian speaking patients.
Do I need a visa to visit Northern Cyprus?
Most visitors (UK, EU, US citizens) receive a tourist visa upon arrival at Ercan Airport or at the border crossing. However, always check the latest entry requirements for your specific nationality before travel.
Start Your Family Journey Today
Don't let regulations or high costs stand in the way of your dream family. PlacidWay partners with the top JCI and ISO-accredited fertility centers in Cyprus to bring you safe, legal, and affordable IVF packages tailored to your needs.
Whether you are seeking gender selection or advanced genetic screening, our care team is here to guide you through every step.
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