Surrogacy in Europe – from the UK’s leading surrogacy lawyers
Surrogacy is outlawed in many European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Only Greece (and the UK) have a legal framework supporting surrogacy in limited circumstances.
Cyprus/ Northern Cyprus is an unregulated surrogacy destination without a clear legal framework. Parents from the UK considering surrogacy arrangements there should exercise caution.
Expert UK law guides from our Knowledge Centre
International surrogacy and UK law
Why do you need to think about UK law if you are going abroad for surrogacy? Find out what to ask at the planning stages, how to bring your baby home and what you need to do to become a family under UK law
Parental orders
UK parents who have a child through surrogacy overseas are expected to apply for a UK parental order after their child is born. Find out why you need one, what the court is assessing and how the process works
Latest news about surrogacy in Europe
Read our latest updates about what’s going on with surrogacy in Europe, including Cyprus, Greece and law changes in Italy, France and Ireland
NGA quoted in the Guardian: Unregistered surrogate-born children creating legal timebomb, warns judge
Today's Guardian has reported comments made by High Court judge Mrs Justice Theis at a conference last week about her concerns for children born through international surrogacy whose parents have not applied to properly resolve their legal status in the UK. ...
International surrogacy: UK High Court awards parenthood to couple living in France
In its latest published international surrogacy decision, the High Court has awarded a British-French couple living in France a parental order in respect of their son born through international surrogacy. The case makes clear that you don’t need to live in the UK to...
New Foreign Office guidance for parents planning international surrogacy
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has today published updated guidance for parents planning international surrogacy arrangements. We have been working with the FCO on this new guidance as part of our campaigning and policy work and are proud to have helped with...
High Court judge warns ‘loud and clear’: international surrogacy parents need a UK court order
In a High Court ruling published today (a case in which we represented the parents), Mrs Justice Theis has warned parents of children born through international surrogacy that they must apply to court in the UK if they want to be the legal parents of their children....
How we can help you with surrogacy law
Getting your baby home safely
We can advise you on your UK options for bringing your baby home, and represent you in British nationality and passport applications. We have a long history of working to champion the interests of parents through surrogacy, including working with the UK government on emergency travel measures during COVID and on improving the passport application process
Securing your legal parentage
Even if you are recorded on your child’s overseas birth certificate you will need a UK parental order to become legal parents in the UK. The court process is well established, but will be heard by a High Court judge who will expect detailed evidence. We work with parents in a range of different ways, depending on your budget and the support you feel you need.
Still have questions?
If you need legal advice or want to make an appointment, feel free to get in touch. We offer meetings in-person in London or in the New Forest, as well as online.
We are here to help however we can.