Surrogacy in Abu Dhabi

Medical accuracy + uncompromising selection + technological approach + professionalism and expertise= the highest success rate

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Control at all stages of the program

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in accordance with the current legislation of the UAE

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Over 9 years of experience in conducting surrogacy programs

What is surrogacy?

Surrogacy means that one woman (the surrogate) carries a baby for someone else. Like most countries, Abu Dhabi only allows gestational surrogacy, this is the type of surrogacy where the baby has no biological relation to the surrogate. The oocyte and semen (egg and sperm) come from the intended parents and are combined in a lab (through IVF), then transferred into the surrogate’s womb (uterus).

Gestational surrogacy means that a woman (the surrogate) carries a child that is not genetically related to her. The genetic materials, oocytes and semen (egg and sperm) come from the intended parents and are combined in a lab through IVF, then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus.

All medical procedures must happen in special clinics approved by the Department of Health (DoH), Abu Dhabi.

Surrogacy in Abu Dhabi: Legal, Licensed & Now Available

The new law (Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023), explains what’s allowed and protects everyone involved. The Department of Health manages the process.

Some of the important legal points include that the surrogate must not be biologically related to the baby, an agreement must be signed by both parties (the intended parents and the surrogate) and after the birth, the surrogate will have no legal rights to the child as per the contracts that will be signed.

Surrogacy Law in Abu Dhabi

As previously stated, surrogacy in Abu Dhabi is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023 and programmes began on 7 May 2025. The law is extremely clear with their requirements and they are there to protect the surrogate and the intended parents. The whole process is carefully monitored by the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi. 

Under this law, the surrogate will have no parental rights over the child once the baby is born, and a formal agreement must be signed by both parties prior to the beginning of the process. It will provide legal stability, certainty and peace of mind for everyone.

Whilst the law applies nationwide, implementation is overseen locally by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi (DoH). Surrogacy is only legally and practically available in Abu Dhabi with licensed clinics and agencies beginning to offer services under strict regulatory guidance.

Who Can be a Surrogate Mother?

Women that want to be a surrogate in Abu Dhabi have to meet a number of requirements, medically and emotionally. The requirements include but are not limited to, surrogate mothers being between the ages of 21 and 45 and must have had between one and five full term pregnancies, no more than two caesarean sections, no issues with their uterus, good overall health, no history of drug abuse, a BMI between 19 and 30, pass a mental and emotional assessment, agrees to have counselling to confirm their mental wellbeing and medical screening, such as blood tests, scans and interviews to make sure she’s confident and informed about the journey involves as well as being healthy.

It is a good idea to note that most clinics set their own medical limits to ensure the safety of a pregnancy. One of those limits is the age of a surrogate mother and most clinics prefer to set the age limit as 21 to 40 for the safety of the pregnancy.

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Is surrogacy legal in Abu Dhabi?

Surrogacy is now legal in Abu Dhabi, due to the Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023 which can be found here. This is exciting news for people who want to grow their families in new ways. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate or you’re hoping to find one, this guide will walk you through the basics, simply and clearly.

We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Intended Parents

Looking into gestational surrogacy in Abu Dhabi as intended parents opens you up to many questions and we want to help you understand what is required to be an intended parent in this country. There are several requirements that must be followed in order to be considered and we are going to explain these here.The intended mother must have a medical condition that will not allow her to safely carry a baby. This could be for the following reasons;

  • Absence of a uterus.
  • Serious health risks
  • History of complications in pregnancies, like repeated miscarriages or failed IVF treatments.

The other requirements include, Muslim and non-Muslim couples are allowed, whether married or unmarried, both individuals must be between 18 and 47 years old and prepared to go through full medical and psychological assessments to ensure they are ready for the journey ahead. Sadly, single individuals or same-sex couples are not currently allowed to apply for surrogacy in Abu Dhabi.Unfortunately, egg and sperm donation is not allowed in this country and this prevents intended parents from using donors. Therefore, intended parents are required to use their own eggs and sperm to create the embryo that will be transferred to a surrogate mother.

Genetic health is also thoroughly checked and the intended parents must be willing to have a genetic screening to ensure there is no risk of passing on any inherited conditions to the baby. Only after all these are completed can a certificate be issued from a licensed clinic, which would then need to be approved by the health authorities.

The fertility treatment must be carried out in authorised clinics in Abu Dhabi only, under the care of certified specialists. Each case is also reviewed by a medical board to confirm that surrogacy is the safest and appropriate option. The careful screening process is created to protect the health of everyone involved, especially the baby.

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Surrogacy without waiting

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Prenatal care and child delivery in one of the best hospitals in Abu Dhabi

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The Surrogacy Process in Abu Dhabi: Step-by-Step

In total, the whole process can take around 12 to 18 months for the surrogacy process to be completed. The timeline can vary under some circumstances. This can be due to the speed of approvals from the health authority, IVF success rates, surrogate availability, and any legal and administrative processes. Unsuccessful embryo transfers or the need for a new surrogate match may extend this duration.

The surrogacy journey in Abu Dhabi, once fully implemented, generally follows these steps:

Phase 1: Initial Assessment and Preparation (Estimated: 6 – 11 weeks)

  • 01

    Initial Enquiry (1 – 2 weeks):

    Intended parents consult with medical and legal professionals to discuss eligibility and the entire surrogacy process. All questions will be addressed during this stage.

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  • 02

    Proof of Conditions (2 – 4 weeks):

     The intended mother undergoes a comprehensive health evaluation, including:

    • Clinical confirmation of the absence of the uterus.
    • Documentation of a severe health risk if the intended mother were to carry a pregnancy.
    • Testing for uterine abnormalities.
    • Genetic testing.

    Psychological testing.

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  • 03

    Proof of Indications (3 – 5 weeks):

    A medical report, prepared and approved by two clinic consultants, is submitted to the medical committee for their approval. The process will proceed upon their response.

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  • 04

    IVF & Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) (6 – 8 weeks):

    The intended mother undergoes IVF and a PGD. During IVF (in vitro fertilisation), the intended mother’s eggs and the father’s sperm are combined in a laboratory to create embryos. Before any embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus, a procedure called PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) can be  performed. A PGD screens embryos for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, particularly when there is a known risk of inherited conditions. It helps increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy by selecting the most viable embryo for transfer.

    It needs to be understood that PGD does not pick up all the possible genetic issues as it is a targeted test, and while it reduces certain risks, it doesn’t guarantee that a child will be free from all genetic disorders.

    The approved embryo transfer will then be actioned at a licensed fertility centre in Abu Dhabi.

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Phase 2: Matching and Legal Agreements (Estimated: 5 – 9 weeks)

  • 01

    Surrogacy Agency Contract (1 week):

    A contract is signed with the surrogacy agency, outlining the service scope, responsibilities, costs, and payment schedule.

     

     

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  • 02

    Matching With a Surrogate (4 – 8 weeks):

    A suitable surrogate is identified for the intended parents. The surrogate undergoes medical and psychological evaluations to ensure compatibility and adherence to:

    • The intended parents’ requirements (compatibility, health, expectations).
    • The medical criteria set by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.
      Evaluations also include assessments of:
    • Hormonal levels.
    • Uterine health.
    • Past pregnancies.
    • Mental readiness.

    Infectious disease screening.

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  • 03

    Signing a Legal Third-Party Notary Agreement (1 week):

    A legal agreement is signed by the surrogate mother, intended parents, and surrogacy agency, defining roles, parental rights, liability, and financial terms.

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Phase 3: Pregnancy and Birth (Estimated: 40 – 42 weeks)

  • 01

    Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) (2 weeks):

    The surrogate mother will undergo a full medical screening and approval. She will follow a 20 to 25 days medical protocol called endometrial preparation. She receives hormone treatment to prepare her uterus for the transfer of a thawed, previously screened embryo. This is essential for the medically assisted pregnancy.

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  • 02

    Pregnancy Care (38 – 40 weeks):

    The surrogate receives comprehensive pregnancy care in Abu Dhabi, including regular ultrasounds, check-ups, and support services adhering to Abu Dhabi healthcare standards. The licensed surrogacy agency operating in Abu Dhabi are also including the housing, food, and any daily requirements for the surrogate during the pregnancy as well.

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  • 03

    Birth and Legal Registration (2 – 6 weeks after birth):

    After the birth, the intended parents are registered as the legal parents. The surrogate waives all parental rights, and legal documents such as the birth certificate, nationality papers, passport, and DNA test (if needed) are issued.

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We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Costs & Confidentiality

Surrogacy in Abu Dhabi is private and self-funded, it’s not covered by government insurance like Basic, Enhanced or Thiqa. There is a private insurance company called Daman Insurance that has created three insurance packages with an annual limit of AED 150,000. The packages vary for a number of reasons like the number of included embryo transfer attempts, the duration of the coverage (8 or 16 months), the available network of providers, risk coverage and restarting the cover.

The total cost ranges from AED 200,000 and AED 435,000, this is based on the only agency that is currently licensed for surrogacy in Abu Dhabi. They cover medical costs, legal services, surrogate support, IVF treatment, insurance, surrogate compensation, housing, meals, a monthly allowance, and emotional support.

It is understandable that this is a major financial commitment, but please bear in mind that the process is carefully regulated and all the costs are agreed in advance to avoid any surprises throughout the journey.

Is surrogacy legal in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, surrogacy has been legal since 2023 and programmes in Abu Dhabi began on 7 May 2025.

Are surrogacy services available in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, surrogacy is fully legal in the territory of Abu Dhabi and is regulated by law (the Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2023)

Can non-residents or foreigners pursue surrogacy in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, non-residents may participate in surrogacy arrangements in Abu Dhabi, in accordance with applicable regulations

Can we use donor eggs or sperm?

No. The law requires the use of the intended parents’ own eggs and sperm.

Are surrogates compensated?

Yes, surrogate mothers receive compensation for accommodation and medical expenses, plus a substantial reward upon completing the program

What if someone disagrees with something during the process?

The signed, notarised contract provides legal protection and the UAE courts will enforce it under the national surrogacy law.

800

Babies born

98

Surrogates participating in our programs

748

Successful IVF cycles

60

Oocyte donors in the database

9

years of successful work

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