Europe, non-anonymous egg donation (& the Portuguese clinic to know)

Egg donation IVF in Europe is on the up, with data from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) showing a steadily increasing number of donor egg cycles increasing steadily in recent years. 

Deciding whether you want to choose an anonymous donor or not is no small thing, and is an intensely personal decision.

But if we are looking at non-anonymous egg donation in Europe, what should we know right now? Which countries allow it, and why are more and more of us choosing Portugal? 

We’re back partnering with Porto-based Procriar Fertility clinic, for the 101. With one of the largest non-anonymous donor egg banks in Europe, their expert team are here to support you and shed light on this specific topic.

Before you get reading – add our big guide to sperm and egg donation in Europe, created in collaboration with the experts at Procriar Fertility clinic, to your list. It’s a fantastic place to start, for an at-a-glance look at all of your wider options.

What is non-anonymous egg donation?

If you’re here, we’re guessing you probably already know this. But non-anonymous or open-ID donation means that children born from donor gametes have the right to access the identity of their donor when they turn 18. 

This long-term availability is especially important as it allows the donor-conceived child and their families to decide whether or not to learn about their donor later in life, without feeling the pressure to make that decision immediately. The information will still be accessible whenever they are ready.

Which European countries allow non-anonymous egg donation?

According to a 2024 publication by ESHRE, the approach to donor anonymity varies widely across countries. Here’s the nutshell.

• Strict anonymity: In 16 European countries, strict donor anonymity remains the rule. This means that neither recipients nor children born from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have access to the donor’s identity.
• Recipient anonymity only: In 12 countries, donor anonymity is preserved for recipients, but children born from ART can access the donor’s identity once they reach a defined age. These countries include Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.
• Mixed systems: Another 12 countries operate under a mixed system, allowing for both anonymous and non-anonymous donations depending on the circumstances or preferences of the parties involved.

Why choose Portugal for non-anonymous egg donation treatment?

Of all the countries that offer open-ID, non-anonymous egg donation in Europe, Portugal is one of the best. Here’s why.

You’re in control of your family-building story

Portuguese legislation guarantees that children born through ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) treatments with egg or sperm donation have the right to request information about their donor identification once they turn 18. 

The disclosure of donor information is entirely controlled by you and your family, ensuring it is shared at a time and in a manner of your choosing – this guarantees it is never revealed accidentally.

Progressive and transparent legislation protects both parties

The entire process is transparent and carefully regulated, with all relevant data stored in Portugal’s National ART Authority database. This transparency can provide peace of mind to those considering donor conception, knowing that everything is properly documented and overseen by the state. 

Portuguese legislation allows clinics to provide detailed donor profiles to intended parents, which may include information on physical traits, education, cognitive abilities, and personality, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the donor and taking the guesswork out of the decision-making process.

There’s a high availability of donors, with no wait time

The law also protects donors, preventing any unexpected disclosure of donor-conceived children. And thanks to the transparency of the legislation – which includes clear guidelines on donor compensation and a limit of four donations – donating gametes is seen as a generous and honourable decision. 

This way, Portuguese clinics can have a large pool of donors, allowing the possibility to offer treatments without long waiting lists, while maintaining affordable pricing for patients.

The Portuguese egg donor bank to know

Home to one of the largest non-anonymous donor egg banks in Europe, Procriar’s dedicated Donation Team is committed to helping you choose a Portuguese egg donor that matches your needs. 

Their donor selection process is highly rigorous, with all donors undergoing comprehensive screening, including psychological evaluations, to ensure they meet the highest standards. 

Genetic testing is performed on every donor to minimise the risk of genetic disorders in the baby. For additional reassurance, extended genetic carrier screening is available to assess compatibility between the patient and the donor.

During the donor selection process, the team carefully considers each patient’s specific requirements to identify the most suitable non-anonymous egg donor from their extensive pool. Detailed donor profiles are provided to help patients feel a personal connection with their chosen donor. If the first proposed donor does not align with the patient’s preferences, another equally qualified donor will be promptly presented for consideration.

In short – from bank donation to family creation, their goal is to make every step of your journey as informed and seamless as possible.

Egg donation IVF treatment in Portugal – what to expect

The International Patient Coordination Team at Procriar Fertility clinic is dedicated to supporting you through every step of your treatment journey – from your very first consultation to the completion of your care.

Here’s a neat breakdown of what the treatment journey could look like.

1. Donor selection and planning

The process begins with an initial medical consultation, where our doctor will conduct a thorough clinical assessment. Once the medical team has all the necessary test results and evaluations, they will create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss available donor profiles with their Donation Team. They’ll help to identify the best match for you according to your personal preferences and guide you through the selection process.

Procriar ensures all egg donors are thoroughly screened, including gynaecological consultations and psychological assessments, plus blood tests, genetic testing, ultrasound scans, and other medical examinations.

If using your partner’s sperm, their laboratory team will also process the sperm, ideally freshly collected on the day of the donor’s egg collection, or the egg thawing process.

2. Treatment prep and next steps

You’ll then meet with the nursing team to review your treatment plan and receive clear instructions to ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout the process. 

During the entire treatment process, the nursing team will always be available for support – from clarifying doubts or concerns, to showing you how to get started with each IVF medication.

Until the day of the procedure, you don’t actually need to travel to Portugal. Ultrasound monitoring (to check endometrial thickness and follicular development) can all be arranged in the UK or your home country, and sent to Procriar for review. 

Based on these results, any necessary adjustments to the treatment protocol can be made, and the date for the embryo transfer will be scheduled. Typically, 1-2 ultrasounds are needed, though in specific cases, more scans may be required. If they are, you’ll be kept in the loop.

3. Embryo transfer and follow-up care

For your embryo transfer, you’ll need to come to Procriar. They generally recommend arriving the day before the procedure and staying for an additional 48 hours after the transfer to rest.

Procriar will then follow up with a pregnancy test two weeks later, and after a positive test, clinical and ultrasound monitoring will continue up to 8-12 weeks of pregnancy.

Typically, this process is straightforward, though it requires close coordination among a multidisciplinary team, including medical professionals, nursing staff, embryologists, and international coordinators. 

At Procriar, you’ll benefit from a dedicated team focused on one goal – helping you build your family.

And whenever you’re ready to get started with non-anonynmous egg donation IVF, or something else, the team make it easy to get started. Book an initial consultation to chat through your options, and access their wide pool of egg donors with no wait time.