Best countries for surrogacy: compare 8 destinations

Which are the best countries for surrogacy?

As of October 2026, Canada is the most widely open destination with clear law, Georgia (the country) suits heterosexual couples, and the USA is open where one intended parent is a US citizen. Mexico and Colombia accept more profiles at lower cost but have no national surrogacy law. Greece, Cyprus and Argentina are restricted for most people living abroad.

The list of realistic surrogacy destinations is shorter than most agency websites suggest, and it keeps changing. Rather than rank countries, we show you which are open to someone in your situation and what each costs. You can then rule options out quickly and take a short list to a lawyer. For the bigger picture of international surrogacy, start on our homepage.

Compare destinations side by side

Use the filters to show only destinations that accept your profile and fit your budget and timeline. Costs are typical all-in ranges for international parents, not quotes. Each country name links to a full guide with the legal basis, cost breakdown, process and the date the law was last verified.

“Limited” means possible only under conditions (for example a medical indication, residency, or a court’s discretion). “Unclear” means the law is silent or contested. Always confirm with a lawyer in both the destination and your home country. See surrogacy laws by country.

How to read the table

Read the status column first, then your profile column, then cost and timeline. "Yes" means the law or settled practice allows your profile. "Limited" means only under conditions such as residence or a medical reason. "Unclear" means the law is silent or contested. Cost ranges include IVF, surrogate payments, legal, agency and travel.

• Open to foreigners: foreign intended parents can lawfully take part under current law, though rules on eligibility still apply.
• Legally uncertain: surrogacy is used in practice but no national law governs it, or a recent change affects international parents. Pending bills or unresolved court cases could change the position mid-journey.
• Restricted: surrogacy is legal, but residence, profile or court rules exclude most people travelling from abroad.
• Closed to foreigners: the law excludes foreign intended parents. None of our eight destinations is in this category today, but several former hubs are.

The table cannot show your home country's rules. Some countries limit how they recognise parentage from abroad, and a few make it a crime. Read our guide to bringing your baby home before you choose.

The eight destinations in brief

Each destination has a different legal basis, so the same profile can be welcome in one country and excluded in the next. These short summaries reflect the law as we verified it on 5 October 2026. Follow the links for the full legal framework, step-by-step process, cost breakdown and exit documents.

Mexico. No federal law. Tabasco and Sinaloa regulate surrogacy, and since February 2026 a binding Supreme Court criterion lets a judge order a birth certificate naming the intended parents. Open to couples in practice, less tested for single parents, and proposals to criminalise commercial surrogacy are pending. Typical cost: US$55,000–100,000.

Colombia. No statute, but not prohibited, and the Constitutional Court has repeatedly recognised the practice. Used by couples and single parents of every profile. Bills filed in July and August 2026 would ban commercial or all surrogacy. Typical cost: US$60,000–95,000.

Georgia. Open to heterosexual couples, with the intended parents named on the birth certificate from birth. Same-sex couples and single people are excluded. A 2023 plan to bar foreigners was withdrawn but could return. Typical cost: US$50,000–90,000.

Canada. Open to every profile in most provinces (Quebec requires residence). Surrogates may be reimbursed but not paid, so waits to match are long. Typical cost: US$70,000–125,000, over 18–36 months.

United States. State-by-state law, compensated surrogacy and court parentage orders in states such as California and Washington. Since an August 2026 executive order, the baby's US passport is uncertain when neither intended parent is a US citizen. Typical cost: US$170,000–300,000.

Greece. Since May 2025, only intended mothers and surrogates who both live in Greece can apply, and men are excluded. Effectively closed to people travelling from abroad.

Cyprus. The Republic allows altruistic surrogacy for residents with a medical reason. Programmes in the north operate without a recognised legal framework, and the UK government warns of serious risks.

Argentina. No law, and an October 2024 Supreme Court ruling held that the woman who gives birth is the legal mother. We do not consider it a realistic option for international parents.

Why Ukraine, Thailand, India and Kazakhstan are not listed

We list only countries where foreign intended parents can realistically take part, or where many still try to. India, Thailand and Kazakhstan exclude foreigners under current law. Ukraine still allows surrogacy for married heterosexual couples, but it is at war and a bill would bar most foreigners, so we do not recommend it.

Kazakhstan limited surrogacy to married Kazakh citizens in July 2026. Thailand's reform bill was only at public consultation when we checked. Some agencies keep marketing programmes after a country closes, so always ask for the legal basis in writing. The details are in our surrogacy laws by country guide and our Ukraine status update.