Starting 1st January 2025, a groundbreaking law in Denmark will allow lesbian couples to donate eggs to each other without the need for medical justification. The change marks a significant shift in Denmark’s fertility landscape, enabling shared motherhood through the Reception of Oocytes from Partner (ROPA) method, commonly referred to as reciprocal IVF. Danish fertility clinics are already witnessing increased demand from British couples eager to take advantage of the new legal framework.
Liza Diers, founder of Diers Fertility Clinic in Aarhus, highlighted the surge in interest from the UK. “In the past few months, we’ve experienced a huge increase in the share of British couples asking us about shared motherhood through partner donation. Reciprocal IVF treatment was previously only possible with medical justification, but the fact that it will soon be available for all is really great and will allow us to meet the great demand we’re experiencing from Great Britain,” she said.
While many European countries still ban partner egg donation, Denmark’s legislative shift could prompt broader discussions about fertility rights. Liza Diers believes the new law represents a step forward in achieving equality and inclusion in fertility treatment.
“Shared motherhood is extremely important to a lot of our customers, which is something we see and hear from them,” Diers explained. “Both partners feeling like biological mothers can help strengthen the shared connection and intensify maternal instincts. At the same time, both mothers feel more included in the process and share the excitement along the way, while no one feels like they’ve been left out.”
Diers expressed hope that Denmark’s move would inspire other countries to reassess their fertility laws. “We are waving the rainbow flag! There’s no doubt that the law change in Denmark is a significant milestone for autonomy and inclusion in the fertility field. I deeply hope that this will push more countries around Europe to look into their fertility legislation to secure equal rights for all who need fertility treatment to fulfill their dreams of having children.”
Denmark has established itself as a frontrunner in fertility care. With one in eight Danish children conceived through IVF, the country boasts the highest proportion of IVF-born children globally. Fertility tourism is also thriving, with a significant number of patients travelling from abroad to access Denmark’s advanced treatments, competitive pricing, and short waiting times.
“Most of our clients at the clinic are not from Denmark, as is the case for many Danish clinics. This demonstrates that Denmark has a well-respected fertility program, and there is no doubt that getting treated here is in high demand abroad,” said Diers.
British couples have been a growing part of this trend. Over the past decade, the number of foreign lesbian couples seeking IVF in Denmark has risen by almost 50%, while the number of non-native clients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments has surged by over 80% in the past year alone.
“Denmark’s reputation for cutting-edge research and development in fertility treatment is widely recognised,” Diers added. “Combined with the ease and affordability of flying from Great Britain to Aarhus and the rest of Denmark, it makes sense that more lesbian women choose to go abroad to receive IVF treatment.”
The law’s introduction is poised to make shared motherhood more accessible and inclusive, cementing Denmark’s position as a leader in the fertility sector and a beacon of progress in Europe.
