Known, anonymous or open ID? What to know about Danish sperm donor law in 2025
Denmark sperm donor law – a super-niche topic, but the kind that we love to tackle head-on here at TRB HQ.
Because every fertility journey brings its own unique set of needs and questions, and when you’re in the throes of it, getting clear answers and fully understanding your options is key to finding the right path for you.
Considering IVF with donor sperm to build your family? With many of us in the UK increasingly turning to Europe for treatment, we’re back partnering with the expert team at Maigaard Fertility Clinic to spotlight your options in Denmark, and to unpack everything you need to know from a legal POV.
Maigaard is one of Denmark’s most trusted and longest-standing clinics, and with over 25 years of experience, they know a thing or two about IVF with donor sperm. They’ve even built their own internal sperm donor bank, which offers patients donor access with no wait times and without the need for costly external sperm banks.
Over to their team, for the Denmark sperm donor law 101.
Denmark sperm donor law, at a glance
In Denmark, you can choose between anonymous, non-anonymous (open ID), and known donors.
- Anonymous donors: No identifying information is ever shared with the parents or the child. Only basic, non-identifying characteristics (think height, eye colour, education level) are available.
- Non-anonymous (open ID) donors: The child has the right to access identifying information about the donor once they turn 18.
- Known donors: These are donors personally known to the recipients (e.g., a friend or acquaintance). The donor is not anonymous, and legal agreements are typically advised in advance. Not all clinics in Denmark offer known-donor treatment, so it’s worth checking in advance.
All three options are permitted under Danish law, offering flexibility to patients based on their values, preferences, and long-term goals.
What does Danish sperm donor law say about family limits?
Danish law limits a sperm donor’s use to 12 families within Denmark. The same donor may be used by additional families abroad, depending on the regulations in the recipient countries.
This limit is carefully tracked by Sundhedsstyrelsen (The Danish Health Authority) in collaboration with certified banks, ensuring transparency and safety for all involved.
What about the rights or responsibilities of donors and intended parents?
Anonymous & open ID donors
In Denmark, anonymous and open ID sperm donors do not have parental rights or responsibilities.
This includes no legal or financial obligations toward donor-conceived children.
The intended parent(s) are legally recognised as the child’s parents.
Known donors
The laws surrounding known donors are slightly more complicated here and will depend on the kind of agreement that’s put in place.
Good to know – patients are encouraged to seek specialist advice and legal support ahead of treatment with a known donor.
What about the rights of donor-conceived children?
Children conceived via open ID donors have the legal right to request identifying information about the donor once they turn 18 years old.
This does not apply to anonymous donors. If a known donor is used, of course, the child’s access depends on the nature of the arrangement made with the family.
Sperm donor anonymity in Denmark vs the UK
Denmark still allows anonymous donation, something which was phased out in the UK in 2005.
Today in the UK, all donors must agree to be identifiable to donor-conceived offspring when the child turns 18, according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
For many international patients (especially from countries like the UK, where donor identity release is mandatory), the wider flexibility in Danish donor laws is really appealing.
It allows you to choose between complete anonymity, future identity release, or a known donor, depending on your preferences and the future rights you’d want your family to have.
And because this flexibility applies to both sperm and egg donation, legislation is especially supportive if you’re in a same-sex female couple, or are building your family as a solo mum by choice.
Beyond anonymity – other Denmark sperm donor laws to know
Outside of the anonymity question, there are three other key legal areas to note if you’re thinking about Denmark for IVF with donor sperm:
- Donor screening: Denmark has strict health and genetic screening protocols for all sperm and donors, ensuring high standards for safety and quality.
- Legal parentage: Same-sex female couples are legally recognised as parents from birth when treated in Denmark.
- Donor profiles: Extensive donor profiles, including personality traits and medical history, are often available, especially for open ID donors.
Why Maigaard, for donor sperm family-building in Denmark?
At Maigaard, their approach is centred on personalised care, ethics, and transparency.
They guide each patient through the pros and cons of each option, taking into account not only medical and legal considerations but also long-term implications for the family and any future children.
Here’s how Maigaard support patients, especially those coming from abroad:
- Dedicated team: Our experienced staff guide patients through the legal, emotional, and practical aspects of choosing a donor.
- Pre-treatment counselling: All patients receive thorough counselling on donor types and long-term considerations for their child.
- Wide donor access: We work with top sperm banks in Denmark as well as our own donor bank, offering a broad selection of screened, high-quality donors.
- Ethical focus: All treatment follows Danish and EU legislation, with an emphasis on the welfare of donor-conceived children.
The key takeaway – Their goal is to ensure that every family they work with — wherever they come from — feels supported, empowered, and informed throughout their journey and beyond.
Want to learn more about how Maigaard can support you? Read up on their treatment offerings here, and connect with their English-speaking team.
Denmark deep-dives, to help you plan your journey
Liked this feature? Bookmark these to read next:
- Fertility treatment in Denmark – myths vs facts
- The demand for Danish sperm donors (& travelling for treatment)
- Your guide to sperm and egg donation in Europe – the process, costs, and where to travel for IVF
