EU states differ on surrogacy regulations

European countries apply a wide range of rules to surrogacy. In the Netherlands, altruistic surrogacy is permitted but commercial arrangements are criminalised. Belgium has no specific legislation; the woman who gives birth is legally the mother, and intended parents must formalise parenthood after birth. Germany continues to prohibit surrogacy, while public debate has intensified following high‑profile cases.

Switzerland bans domestic surrogacy but tolerates arrangements performed abroad. Analysts note rapid growth in the European surrogacy market, with increasing numbers of children born through the practice in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and emerging venues in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Georgia and Kazakhstan.