Surrogacy in Dubai - cost and process

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is when a woman carries and gives birth to a baby on behalf of another person or couple and we call them surrogate mothers. In Dubai, gestational surrogacy is the only type of surrogacy authorised to take place. This method is where the surrogate mother has no genetic link to the baby.

The baby is produced via IVF with the intended parents’ own oocytes and semen (egg and sperm), and donor oocytes or semen are not permitted. All procedures are legally required to take place at licensed clinics.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Dubai?

Yes. Surrogacy is now legally allowed and regulated in Dubai, thanks to a new law introduced in 2023 (Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023) which can be found here. This is a big change that changes the way couples grow their families in the UAE.

All surrogacy services must follow rules from the Department of Health (DoH), and only approved clinics and agencies are legally allowed to offer them. It’s highly important to work with professionals authorised to make sure the process is safe, legal and managed from beginning to the end.

Our intention is to give you reliable, up-to-date information. Currently, there is only one surrogacy agency in Dubai that holds official licensing. We can outline the medical and legal processes involved in pursuing surrogacy in the country and point you in the right direction towards the doctors and clinics that are approved in Dubai.

If you’re an intended parent or someone considering being a surrogate, we’re here for you. We can help you understand the law, each stage of the process, and who you need to contact to start the journey.

Surrogacy Law in Dubai

Surrogacy in Dubai is governed by strict legal regulations designed to protect everyone involved. These laws clearly outline who is eligible, what medical and legal steps must be taken, and what documentation must be signed. You’ll need to work closely with registered doctors, licensed clinics, and legal experts throughout the entire process. You can view the new law here Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023 which can be found here.

For the most accurate and updated list of licensed providers in Dubai, please submit an enquiry.

We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Intended Parents

In Dubai, intended parents must meet certain requirements. The intended mother must be unable to carry a pregnancy safely. Individuals of any religion or marital status may apply, though both partners must be aged between 18 and 45. Single individuals are not permitted to apply. Both must complete medical and psychological evaluations and must use their own egg and sperm. Donor gametes are not allowed under the Dubai law.

Couples must also not carry any serious inheritable genetic disorders. Before beginning the steps, you’ll need a certificate of eligibility from an approved clinic confirming that you meet all the conditions to be eligible for surrogacy.

In addition to the above, surrogacy will only be considered for women who were born without a uterus, have had it surgically removed, or have uterine scarring or abnormalities. It can also be an option for those who have experienced multiple miscarriages or for whom pregnancy would cause a serious health risk. All medical reasons must be evaluated and approved by a dedicated medical committee.

For the most up-to-date information, you can contact us and request an update.

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The Surrogacy Process in Dubai: Step-by-Step

While service availability varies, a general process will look like this once fully implemented:

01

Step 1: First Contact

Estimated Time: 1 – 2 weeks

The intended parents will visit and consult with doctors and lawyers to help you understand the eligibility and the full surrogacy process. Any questions you have can be asked here and we would answer them and settle any thoughts you may have.
02

Step 2: Health Checks for the Intended Mother
Estimated Time: 2 – 4 weeks

The Intended mother will have a health evaluation. Some of these tests will include the following;
- Clinical confirmation of absence of the uterus.
- Severe health risk to the intended mother if she were to carry a pregnancy.
- Testing for an abnormal uterus.
- Genetic testing.
- Psychological testing.
03

Step 3: Medical Approval

Estimated Time: 3 – 5 weeks

A medical report is written and reviewed by two doctors at the clinic and it is then sent to the medical committee for approval.
04

Step 4: IVF & Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Estimated Time: 6 – 8 weeks

The intended mother will go through IVF and a PGD. A PGD is used to screen the embryos before implantation to make sure there aren’t any genetic or chromosomal conditions before the transfer. It helps to make sure there are no genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities. Upon approval, the embryo transfer in Dubai is carried out at a licensed fertility centre.
05

Step 5: Surrogacy Agency Contract

Estimated Time: 1 week

A written contract is signed with the agency, laying out the process, costs, and roles.
06

Step 6: Matching With a Surrogate
Estimated Time: 4 – 8 weeks

We would find a surrogate for the intended parents. The surrogate mother would go through a medical and psychological evaluation to ensure she is a suitable match for the intended parents (in terms of compatibility, health, expectations) and they meet the medical criteria outlined by the DoH Dubai, which all licensed clinics must follow.

It would also include other things like:
- Hormonal levels.
- Uterine health.
- Past pregnancies.
- Mental readiness.
- Infectious disease screening.
07

Step 7: Signing a Legal Third-Party Notary Agreement

Estimated Time: 1 week

All parties including, the surrogate mother, the intended parents and the agency will sign a legal contract confirming the roles, parental rights, liability and financial terms.
08

Step 8: Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Estimated Time: 2 weeks

The surrogate mother will then move on to having hormone treatment to prepare her uterus and a frozen embryo transfer will be arranged. On the day of the arrangement, It is carried out and the frozen embryo will be thawed and implanted into the surrogate’s uterus.
09

Step 9: Pregnancy Care

Estimated Time: 38 – 40 weeks

During the pregnancy, the surrogate will receive pregnancy care in Dubai, including ultrasounds, check-ups, and support tailored to the Dubai healthcare standards. The current licensed agency is also providing support for accommodation, meals and day to day support.
10

Step 10: Birth and Legal Registration

Estimated Time: 2 – 6 weeks after birth

After the birth of the surrogate baby, the intended parents are registered as the legal parents. The legal documents, such as the birth certificate, nationality, passport and DNA test if required, are issued.

The full journey, from the first contact to the birth, is estimated at 12 to 18 months depending on many reasons, such as, the approval speed from the health authority, IVF success rate, surrogate match availability, and legal and administrative timelines. Sometimes, the process may take longer if the embryo transfer is unsuccessful or if a new surrogate match is needed.

We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Costs & Confidentiality

There are no fixed prices set by the Department of Health, Dubai (DoH), but the total estimated costs are between AED 200,000 – 435,000 depending on the programme package.

In agreement with the DoH, the intended parents must purchase an insurance policy covering the necessary health services related to surrogacy. They also need to pay for costs that the insurance policy doesn’t cover.

When it comes to surrogacy insurance in Dubai, the government insurance plans like Thiqa, basic, and enhanced won’t insure surrogacy costs. However, Daman Insurance does offer a few options, each covering up to AED 150,000 per year for surrogacy-related needs.

There are different packages for embryo transfer, which vary in several key aspects:

Number of included transfer attempts.
Coverage duration (8 or 16 months).
Participating network of healthcare providers.
Extent of risk coverage.
Options for restarting coverage.

It is important to note that all agreements and medical records are highly confidential and the agency will adhere to Dubai’s health privacy regulations.

If you need to obtain information about the only licensed surrogacy agency, schedule a consultation with a legal or medical advisor, or receive guidance on the surrogacy journey in Dubai, please contact us.

Is surrogacy legal in Dubai?

Yes, surrogacy has been legal since 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023. programmes in Dubai began on 7 May 2025.

Can I start the process now?

Yes. Services have started in Dubai as of May 2025.

Can non-residents apply?

Yes, people from outside Dubai can apply.

Can I use donor eggs or sperm?

No. Only the intended parents’ own egg and sperm can be used.

What if a dispute arises?

The signed, notarised contract gives all the parties involved legal protection and the UAE courts will enforce it under the surrogacy law.

What happens if a surrogate mother withdraws from the programme?

Before the frozen embryo transfer, a surrogate with a valid reason (health or family concerns) for withdrawal and she will be replaced. If the reason is not justified, the surrogate is legally required to repay the incurred expenses.

What happens if there is a miscarriage or the frozen embryo transfer does not work?

Step 1: The IVF specialist looks at whether the current surrogate mother is able to repeat another transfer. The decision will be based on the clinical outcomes, psychological resilience and overall well-being.

Step 2: If the surrogate mother is not able to continue, all financial obligations to her are satisfied in accordance with the signed legal contract, a new surrogate is found and matched with the intended parents and the programmeme will proceed with a new embryo transfer.
Please note there can be extra costs if this is to happen.

800

Babies born

98

Surrogates participating in our programs

748

Successful IVF cycles

60

Oocyte donors in the database

9

years of successful work

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