Yes, IVF is legal in France under strict regulatory oversight by the Agence de la Biomédicine (Biomedicine Agency), which enforces compliance with the Code de la Santé Publique (Public Health Code). Since 2021, access has expanded to all women, including single and same-sex couples, aligning with the 2024 constitutional amendment recognizing assisted reproduction as a right. Clinics must adhere to annual inspections and ethical guidelines, with penalties for non-compliance including license revocation.
Key Regulations for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in France
- Eligibility Criteria: IVF is restricted to women under 43 (extended from 42 in 2023) with a medical necessity, or for all women (including single and same-sex couples) seeking fertility preservation or gamete donation. Male infertility must be medically documented unless using donor sperm.
- Gamete Donation Limits: Donors must be aged 18–37 (eggs) or 18–45 (sperm), with a maximum of 10 live births per donor nationwide to prevent consanguinity. Anonymity was abolished in 2022, allowing donor-conceived individuals to access identifying information at age 18.
- Embryo Storage & Disposal: Embryos may be stored for up to 5 years (renewable once) under Agence de la Biomédicine approval. Unused embryos must be donated for research, transferred to another couple, or destroyed after 5 years of storage, per Article L. 2141-4 of the Public Health Code.
Post-2026, France will implement EU-wide traceability mandates for gametes, requiring digital tracking of all donations through the Système National de Biovigilance. Clinics must report adverse events within 15 days or face fines up to €75,000.