Full Analysis of Surrogacy in Georgia: Policies, Processes, and Ethical Controversies
Legality and Policy Status of Surrogacy in Georgia
Georgia is one of the few countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe that explicitly allows commercial surrogacy, with a legal framework centered on the Law on the Protection of Citizens’ Health, which guarantees the legality of the process. According to the current law:
Scope of legality: only married heterosexual couples are allowed to have children through surrogacy, with proof of marriage and medical certificates (e.g. infertility diagnosis).
Parental rights: the birth certificate of the baby is directly registered in the name of the commissioning parents, the surrogate mother has no legal connection.
Qualifications of surrogate mother: She must be 21-35 years old, have a healthy BMI, have at least one history of successful births, and have no bad habits such as smoking or alcohol abuse.
Policy Controversy: In early 2024, the Georgian government proposed a draft ban on surrogacy for foreigners, but the policy has not yet been officially implemented due to industry opposition and demand from international clients. Current surrogacy services are still open to international clients, but the law may be tightened in the future.
Surrogacy Core Process and Technical Requirements
Georgian surrogacy is known for its transparent process and mature technology, which is mainly divided into the following stages:
Pre-preparation and matching
Medical assessment: the commissioning party needs to complete basic tests such as sex hormones, ovarian reserve (AMH), semen analysis, etc.
Surrogate Mother Screening: Agencies match surrogates based on health, psychological and reproductive history, and some agencies provide egg donor databases.
Ovulation Promotion and Embryo Culture
Technology application: Third generation IVF technology (PGT) is used to screen for chromosomal abnormalities and single gene disorders, increasing the live birth rate to 60%-70%.
Embryo transfer: Selection of healthy blastocysts for transfer to the uterus of the surrogate mother, with luteal support and 48 hours of rest after the procedure.
Pregnancy management and legal procedures
Obstetrical norms: regular monitoring of NT screening, non-invasive DNA and fetal development, with reports synchronized to the commissioning party.
Legal documents: birth certificate, DNA paternity test and passport processing are all assisted by the organization to ensure that the client directly obtains parental rights.
Cost composition and cost-effective advantage
Georgian surrogacy attracts global clients with high cost-effectiveness, and the cost is usually divided into three parts:
Medical expenses (about 60%-70%):
Basic package (ovulation, egg retrieval, embryo culture, transfer): 40,000-60,000 USD.
Additional services (PGT screening, gender selection): $5,000 – $10,000 additional.
Surrogate Mother Compensation:
Base compensation of approximately €8,000 (approximately $85,000) with final payment after delivery.
Nutrition, medical expenses and accommodation during pregnancy will be covered by the commissioner.
Living & Administrative Expenses:
Approximately $10,000-20,000 USD for visa, interpreter, accommodation and other miscellaneous expenses.
Comparison: Georgia’s total cost ($80,000 – $120,000) is only 1/3 of that of the United States, and the legal protection is better than that of Thailand and other regions where surrogacy is prohibited.
Ethical Controversies and Potential Risks
Ethical Challenges
Controversy over objectification of women: Surrogacy is seen as commoditization of women’s wombs, and in some cases surrogate mothers are paid as low as US$300-500/month, raising questions about exploitation.
Emotional disputes: Surrogate mothers may become attached to their babies due to hormonal changes, requiring contractual constraints and psychological counseling.
Legal and Health Risks
Cross-border legal conflicts: Surrogacy is prohibited in the country of nationality of the client (e.g., China), and there may be difficulties in determining paternity when the client returns to her home country.
Health complications: the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in surrogate mothers is 30% higher than that of natural pregnancies.
Industry Chaos
Various qualifications: Some organizations are poorly equipped or falsify the health reports of surrogate mothers.
Hidden danger of human trafficking: In 2025, it was revealed that Thai women were lured to Georgia for surrogacy, exposing the gray chain of the industry.
Future Outlook and Industry Recommendations
Policy Trends
Georgia may follow Ukraine’s lead and gradually restrict commercial surrogacy and push for the legalization of altruistic surrogacy.
Under international pressure, the industry may introduce third-party regulation and mechanisms to protect the rights of surrogate mothers.
Technological Innovation
Artificial uterus experiment: the future may reduce the reliance on surrogate mothers, but the technology is still in the early stages.
Gene editing technology: CRISPR application may further reduce the risk of genetic diseases, but requires ethical review.
Recommendations for commissioning parties
Choosing a compliant organization: Prioritize laboratory equipment (e.g., timeline incubator), physician qualifications (European and American training background) and legal team.
Risk prediction: consult with lawyers in home country in advance to ensure the transnational legality of paternity.
Summary and Appeal
Georgian surrogacy provides fertility hope for infertile families and the LGBTQ+ community, but its sustainability relies on legal perfection and ethical balance. The commissioning parties need to weigh the medical advantages and potential risks, and choose transparent and compliant organizations to cooperate with. In the future, the industry needs to find a balance between technological innovation and humanistic care to truly realize “reproductive equity”.