Zurich Insurance supports US surrogacy for employee, exposing Swiss‑German fertility divide

A Zurich Insurance employee and his partner used a surrogate mother in the United States, paying 100,000 CHF per child. Zurich granted the employee an extended paternity leave of several weeks, while the partner received only five days of unpaid leave. The insurer declined to comment publicly but the arrangement illustrates the pragmatic approach to surrogacy in Switzerland, where the practice is not prohibited.

In Germany, surrogacy remains illegal, creating a stark contrast and fueling debate after a high‑profile case involving former CDU politician Jens Spahn. Meanwhile, couples in Upper Bavaria (Oberpfalz) facing infertility are exploring various routes to parenthood, including assisted reproductive technologies, adoption and, in some cases, overseas surrogacy, highlighting the regional demand for solutions amid restrictive national laws.