Where to do your programme: Georgia, Cyprus, Kazakhstan or Armenia – a practical comparison

"Which country should we choose?" is how almost every consultation begins. Legal comparison tables are easy to find, but the decision is never about law alone: price, timelines, logistics, language and how fast you get the baby's documents matter just as much. Here is a practical comparison of the main destinations.

Georgia: clear law and the best value for money

Surrogacy has been legal since 1997, intended parents go straight on the birth certificate, and the surrogate has no parental rights. A full programme costs roughly 45,000–70,000 dollars – two to three times less than in the US. Direct flights from most European and CIS cities, visa-free entry for many nationalities, English and Russian widely spoken. For most couples from Europe, the CIS and Israel, Georgia is currently the most balanced choice.

Cyprus: a European location, but trickier legally

Northern Cyprus attracts with its European feel and developed IVF infrastructure, with prices comparable to Georgia or slightly higher. But the legal status of surrogacy is less clear-cut, and the baby's paperwork may require extra procedures in your home country. Cyprus is more often chosen for donor-egg IVF programmes than for surrogacy.

Kazakhstan: works for citizens and couples from the region

Surrogacy in Kazakhstan is legal and regulated by the Marriage and Family Code: programmes are available to married couples, and a genetic link with the child is required. For couples from Central Asia and Russia it is a convenient destination – close, familiar language, moderate prices. The downsides: fewer clinics with deep surrogacy experience and longer surrogate matching.

Armenia: an emerging destination

Programmes are legal and prices are below the market average, but the agency infrastructure and surrogate database are smaller than in Georgia. Armenia is worth considering if you have personal ties to the country; otherwise the maturity of the Georgian market gives more predictability.

How to choose: three questions

First – will your country recognise the documents issued in the programme country, and what is your consulate's procedure. Second – the real budget with all hidden costs, not the advertised price. Third – how much time you can spend in the country after the birth. The answers usually narrow the choice down to one or two destinations.

We run programmes in Georgia and work with partner clinics across the region, so we will compare destinations honestly – for your situation, citizenship and budget. A free consultation commits you to nothing.