Important Notes
Intended parents embarking on a surrogacy journey in Cyprus must be mindful of the island’s complex geopolitical situation. On July 20th, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, leading to the division of the island into two distinct regions. This division created a unique geopolitical landscape, with the two areas separated by a secure buffer zone known as the Green Line. Understanding this historical context is essential for intended parents navigating the surrogacy process, as it may impact various aspects of their journey, including legal considerations and logistical arrangements. The two zones are:
- The Republic of Cyprus, which constitutes the southern portion and is a member of the European Union
- The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is under the control of Turkey and lacks recognition from the European Union and the majority of countries worldwide.
Given this division, intended parents should ascertain which part of Cyprus they will be traveling to, as only the southern section holds EU membership.
Understanding this distinction is paramount, as it dictates the legal framework, healthcare standards, and travel regulations governing surrogacy arrangements. Therefore, thorough research and consultation with legal and medical professionals and immigration officials from your country are essential to ensure a smooth and legally compliant surrogacy process.
Surrogacy Insights
Both the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-controlled region allow surrogacy, but the information provided in this document pertains exclusively to surrogacy laws in the southern part of the island. These regulations are not applicable in the Turkish-controlled section.
- Law on the Implementation of Medically Assisted Reproduction of 2015” (69(I)/2015), governs the practice of surrogacy in Cyprus.
- Intended parents seeking surrogacy must first submit an application to the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction for approval. Subsequently, they can apply for a surrogate motherhood order, granting them parenthood.
- Surrogates must be at least 18 years old, while intended parents must fall within the age range of 18 to 50. Exceptions to the age limit may be granted by the Council
- According to the law, the surrogate mother is not recognized as the child’s parent
- Intended parents are legally obligated to take custody of the child, with refusal constituting a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years.
- Both gay and single parents are permitted to pursue surrogacy.
- Some foreign nationals opt to travel to Cyprus with their surrogates for embryo transfer due to the high standard of medical care available, then return to another country for the birth.
- Per the government of Cyprus: “The state’s objective should not be to deprive couples of having their own biological children through medical means. Instead, it should focus on controlled medically assisted reproduction, prioritizing the safety and health of all parties involved while preventing any form of exploitation of these methods for purposes, whether economic or commercial, other than the intended one.”
Future Legal Developments
2019 Israeli Government Warning
It cautioned Israeli citizens against engaging in surrogacy agreements in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) due to potential legal complications and inadequate medical standards compared to those in Israel or other countries with established surrogacy regulations. This warning aimed to inform Israeli citizens about the potential risks involved in seeking surrogacy services in the TRNC and to encourage them to consider alternative options for assisted reproduction. (Read the report here.)
