Egg donation

⚕ Medically reviewed by Prof. Stratis Kolibianakis, MD, MSc, PhD · Thessaloniki Medical Chamber Reg. No. 16340 · Last reviewed 6 July 2026

Egg donation offers a realistic chance of pregnancy for women with diminished or depleted ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, or significant risk of genetic disease transmission. Donors are anonymous, aged 18–35, and we screen them rigorously per Greek law. We match donors based on the recipient’s phenotypic characteristics, prepare the recipient’s endometrium, and schedule the embryo transfer. Owing to the donors’ young age, pregnancy rates are high and independent of the recipient’s age.

When egg donation is advised. Egg donation is discussed when your own eggs are too few or of too low quality to give a realistic chance with IVF — for example after premature ovarian insufficiency, after cancer treatment, at advanced reproductive age, or after repeated failures with your own eggs. It is a decision with medical, psychological and emotional dimensions; we take the time so that you make it informed and without pressure.

The legal framework in Greece. In Greece egg donation is anonymous and non-commercial: the identities of donor and recipient are not disclosed. Donors undergo medical, genetic and infectious-disease screening in accordance with the law (L. 3305/2005 as in force) and the guidance of the National Authority of Assisted Reproduction. The legal child is unambiguously the child of the couple/recipient who carries the pregnancy. For cross-border patients, we explain how the Greek anonymity rules relate to the law of your country of residence.

How matching works. Matching is based on phenotypic characteristics (blood group, skin/eye/hair colour, build) so that there is a natural resemblance. The recipient’s endometrium is prepared with oestrogen, with ultrasound monitoring of endometrial thickness, followed by embryo transfer — fresh or, more often, frozen. The recipient’s cycle needs no ovarian stimulation, so it is physically simpler.

Realistic expectations. Because the eggs come from young donors, the chance of pregnancy per transfer is high and does not fall with the recipient’s age — this is the method’s major advantage. Success also depends on the health of the uterus and the overall pregnancy, which is why a full recipient assessment comes first. Individual results vary.

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