Gestational surrogacy also known as IVF surrogacy is a treatment option for infertile women with certain clearly defined medical problems. Due to these problems, they are unable to conceive and carry a pregnancy.

The parts involved in a gestational surrogacy are the intended parents and the surrogate mother. A surrogacy arrangement is necessary.

The future parents may both be using their own gametes – egg and sperm (and are thus both genetically related to the child). They may be using one donor gamete (egg or sperm from a donor, in which case they are partially genetically related to the child). Or they may be using donor sperm and egg (in which case they are both genetically unrelated to the child).

They use the gametes (cells involved in sexual reproduction) to produce embryos. Then, they transfer those embryos to a woman who agrees to act as a host for these embryos, the surrogate mother.

The surrogate mother is therefore a woman who carries a pregnancy for another couple or woman. She is genetically unrelated to any offspring that may be born as a result of this arrangement. After the child’s birth, the birth mother gives the child to the intended parents.

Medical Indications for Gestational Surrogacy
The main indications for treatment by gestational surrogacy is the absence of uterus (congenital absence – müllerian agenesis – or absence following hysterectomy due to benign or malign conditions). There may also be severe medical condition incompatible with pregnancy (such as severe heart or renal disease).

The only type of surrogacy arrangement that is permitted in Greece is the altruistic arrangement (non-commercial arrangement). Also, the only legal expenses for the gestational surrogacy are the reasonable expenses related to the surrogate motherhood according to Law 3305/2005 Application of Medically Assisted Reproduction, Article 13 Surrogate Motherhood, § 4:

The two parties should make an agreement for the surrogacy without financial compensation. The following are not considered as financial compensation:

Surrogacy is regulated in Article 1458 of the Greek Civil Code introduced with Chapter 8 of the Law 3089/2002 as in Article 13 of Law 3305/2005:

Law 3089/2002 Medical Assistance in Human Reprodution, Chapter 8, Article 1458.

The transfer of an embryo into the body of another woman and the pregnancy are allowed by a court authorization granted before the transfer, given that there is a written and, without any financial benefit, agreement.