Legal regulations
Legal regulations
The current law on AR was passed in Croatia in 2012
Fundamental determinants of the current law on assisted reproduction in Croatia
- AR treatment is possible in state or private licensed institutions with all the same rights and obligations.
- It is necessary to protect the dignity and privacy of those treated.
- Treatment is only allowed to achieve pregnancy while guaranteeing the safety of patients and the well-being of the offspring.
- Treatment shall be carried out only when other treatment methods have failed or would remain hopeless.
- A couple in a marriage or civil partnership and, in exceptional circumstances, the infertile woman herself is entitled to AR.
- A couple in which the woman is under 43 years of age is eligible for AR treatment at CHFC expense.
Then, these are free of charge:
• 4 attempts at intrauterine insemination
• 6 attempts at ectopic insemination (2 in a natural cycle)
- A woman who has proven favourable reproductive capacity can be treated
- AR treatment with cryopreservation of gametes, tissues or embryos for her own use at a later date is allowed. This is allowed for people who are at risk of infertility as a result of the disease or are at risk of permanent infertility.
- The law allows for homologous and heterologous AR; the donation of eggs or sperm should be anonymous.
- It is the right of the child to know his/her biological parents.
The couple undergoing treatment has several options:
- Natural, mild or standard IVF.
- Number of oocytes for fertilization
- Freezing of oocytes or embryos
- One or two embryos for ET
The storage (cryopreservation) of germ cells, tissues and embryos is fully financed (in institutions with a contract, the costs for the first 5 years are covered by the CHFC). In all other circumstances, it is the patient's responsibility.
With donated gametes from one donor, three children can be born in the Republic of Croatia. Simultaneously, using both donated gametes (sperm and egg) is prohibited.
Surrogacy is prohibited.
Development of an embryo outside the womb for more than 6 days is prohibited.
Experimentation on embryos is prohibited.
Additional specifications are in 'All AR treatment forms require both partners' written consent. Withdrawal of consent terminates treatment.
The donor has no right to know the identity of the woman and child born with AR (with the donation).
They have no obligations or rights to the child conceived with their gametes.
Monetary or other rewards for donating gametes or embryos are prohibited. Reimbursement of only necessary expenses of the Regulations of Ministries and Guidelines of Professional Associations.
