Hidden Costs and Risks in Georgia's Surrogacy Industry

Georgia has become a significant hub for surrogate pregnancies following the war in Ukraine, but couples seeking these services and the surrogate mothers themselves are encountering unexpected costs and legal uncertainties. Many international agencies shifted their operations to Georgia after surrogacy for foreigners was banned in Russia.

Highlights

• Georgia has emerged as a global center for surrogacy services since 2022.
• Over 3,000 surrogate mothers were registered in 2023, giving birth to over 5,000 children.
• Service costs are lower compared to other countries, averaging between €45,000 and €55,000.
• Surrogate mothers earn an average of €18,000 to €28,000.
• Georgian laws do not regulate the role of agencies in the relationship between surrogate mothers and intended parents, leading to legal gaps.

Details

Couples like Olga and Daniel from Germany turn to Georgia due to legal restrictions in their home countries. However, they face challenges such as a lack of transparency from agencies and insufficient information regarding the health of surrogate mothers. The couple reports feeling manipulated by agencies to make quick decisions.

Surrogate mothers, like Anastasia from Russia working in Georgia, use this path to achieve financial goals. Yet, some report difficulties, such as delayed payments after childbirth. Georgian laws offer limited protection for surrogate mothers' rights; they are not permitted to terminate the pregnancy or keep the child.

According to human rights lawyer Nino Bogveradze, Georgian laws only regulate the relationship between surrogate mothers, intended parents, and clinics, overlooking the role of agencies. This allows agencies to exploit the situation for financial gain, pressuring both intended parents and surrogate mothers.

Why it matters

While surrogacy offers hope for many couples desiring children, the current legal framework and agency practices in Georgia raise serious ethical and human rights concerns. The limited rights of surrogate mothers and the opaque practices of agencies highlight the need for stricter regulation in this sensitive process.