How Much Does IVF Cost in the UK? (Updated for 2025–26)
Private costs for IVF in the UK vary greatly, ranging from £2,750 to £13,750 for an advertised IVF package. But that’s not the most accurate price for those paying for IVF treament, so we crunched the data.
Author
Reviewed by
Kayleigh Hartigan
15 min read
Updated 18 November 2025
IVF cost spotlight:
- The average advertised cost for an ‘IVF package’ in the UK is £3,850, but our analysis of fertility clinic in 2025 shows that the true cost of an ‘IVF package’ is £4,890, excluding medication, which can cost an average of £1,500 — that’s over 27% higher than advertised.
- The price of an ‘IVF package’ isn’t the only thing to consider when budgeting for treatment. The initial investigation (AKA a ‘Fertility MOT’), medication, treatment add ons, and long-term embryo storage are all charged in addition to the package price, significantly increasing the total overall cost of treatment.
- The average total cost for one round of IVF for a heterosexual couple, including fertility MOTs for both partners and medication is £6,939 (before add ons, which vary from person to person).
- Buying your medication from pharmacies and not directly from your clinic can reduce your costs (although your clinic will still charge you a prescription fee).
- The NHS only funds 27% of the total IVF rounds in the UK, meaning most people pay for themselves. Eligibility for NHS treatment is defined by your personal circumstances and postcode; use our NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator to find out in seconds if you’re eligible for NHS-funded IVF.
- Each person is unique and will have a unique treatment journey with varying costs. Use our Clinic Matcher to find the right clinic for your budget and find detailed cost breakdowns for those clinics.
If you’re struggling to figure out how to budget for IVF treatment, you’re not the only one! Working out how much one cycle of IVF will cost is not easy. Knowing how many rounds of IVF you’ll need in total to have a child is impossible.
For many of us, paying for fertility treatment is the first time we move from simply being patients, to paying customers. We’re here to help you understand the ins and outs of the costs of every step of your IVF treatment process, helping you to make accurate and informed decisions about your IVF journey.
Find the right clinic for you
Choosing a clinic is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. We’ll find the best options for you and arrange your pre-treatment tests, empowering you from this point onwards.
What is the average cost of IVF?
The average advertised cost of an IVF package in the UK for 2025–26 is £3,850. However, what’s listed on a clinic’s website rarely reflects the total amount you’ll pay. Many exclude essentials such as blood tests, HFEA-mandated viral screening, and embryo storage from their package price.
When we analysed data from hundreds of UK clinics, the average true cost of an IVF cycle in 2025–26 is £4,890 — around 27% higher than the advertised figure. Once you add in pre-treatment investigations, medication, and long-term embryo storage, the total average cost reaches £6,939.
By comparison, in 2023–24 the average advertised IVF package cost was £3,898, and the average true cost was £5,310 — a 36% difference. Including medication and other essentials, the overall cost reached £7,545. That means prices have dipped slightly across the board since last year, largely due to a rise in low-cost IVF options offering more streamlined treatments.
These newer, simplified models now average £2,950 per cycle on paper, compared with £3,995 for standard IVF. Yet even here, the small print matters: the true cost of low-cost IVF is closer to £3,500, excluding add-ons and specialist procedures — roughly 19% higher than advertised.
Funding your Fertility Treatment, Fertility Network UK
“The cost of treatment can vary considerably from one clinic to another, and the headline figures quoted on clinic websites may not be what you’d end up paying for a cycle of IVF.” [1]
These numbers are just averages — fertility treatment, and IVF in particular, is a very personal journey — the actual amount you pay will vary from clinic to clinic and person to person. Some people will need one round of IVF, and other people will need more, so it’s important to note when you are budgeting that you might need to pay for a number of IVF cycles.
Kayleigh Hartigan, Founder and CEO of Seen Fertility
“The fertility regulator recently found that an average fertility patient will go through three embryo transfers. This is because, even for the youngest demographic of IVF patients, the chance of having a live birth from an embryo transfer is just one in three. Understanding these statistics can not only provide some level of comfort when cycles don’t end in the way you’d hoped, but can also help you to financially plan for your fertility treatment.”
Considering that the average fertility patient will go through three embryo transfers, that increases the price even further, especially if more egg retrievals, medication, and other add-ons are needed or recommended.
The reality is that IVF is expensive even with low-cost providers. It can be one of the biggest investments any of us make in our lifetimes, but unfortunately there is often a lack of transparency around costs, something we aim to change.
How much is 1 round of IVF?
The cost of a single round can therefore range anywhere from £3,500 to £8,000, depending on your circumstances. What matters most is understanding exactly what’s included in your clinic’s quote — and what isn’t — before you begin.
That number can increase depending on your individual treatment plan. Some people may need extra procedures such as ICSI (which costs an average of £1,375), while others will require additional scans, tests, or storage beyond what’s included in their clinic’s package.
Price differences between clinics are also shaped by where you go and the level of care provided. Smaller, boutique clinics in major cities tend to be more expensive than larger or more standardised providers. Meanwhile, newer low-cost IVF models are helping to widen access by offering simpler packages for around £3,500–£4,000, often with fewer add-ons.
Is the cost of IVF different from clinic to clinic?
Yes — and it’s something to keep in mind when choosing the right clinic for you. Comparing prices isn’t straightforward, because clinics package their costs differently and often leave out key details until later in the process. That’s where Seen Fertility can help.
IVF involves several stages: pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment. Each stage comes with its own costs, which are sometimes grouped into packages. A Fertility MOT, for example, covers pre-treatment tests and consultations, while an IVF package includes the core procedures for egg collection, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. Both are essential parts of treatment — and both are paid for separately.
Because fertility clinics are private providers, they set their own prices. What’s more, each clinic decides what’s included in its packages. Some may bundle key services like blood tests or embryo storage, while others charge for these separately. This means a lower headline price doesn’t always equal better value — it might simply exclude more items you’ll later need to pay for.
To help make sense of it all, we’ve collected data from hundreds of UK clinics and compared their package prices and the individual costs often hidden in the fine print. You can explore these breakdowns on our Find a Clinic pages to see how clinics differ before you commit.
And before you start treatment, always ask your chosen clinic for a fully costed treatment plan. Our True Cost of Fertility report found that nearly a third of patients weren’t given one at the start — yet it’s the best way to avoid unexpected expenses later on.
Find the right clinic for your budget
Finding a clinic that suits your budget, background and clinical needs is essential. We’ll match you to the clinics that are the right fit on all counts, so you can access your best options and have a clear plan from here on.
What’s the cost of IVF at each treatment stage?
IVF happens in stages, and each stage comes with its own costs — we’ll break these down in more detail below.
It’s worth knowing that starting one phase doesn’t lock you into the next. You might choose to have your pre-treatment tests done at one clinic, then decide to move elsewhere for the treatment or post-treatment stages. That flexibility is entirely your choice.
However, many clinics will only accept test results they’ve carried out themselves. If you switch providers partway through, you may need to repeat — and pay for — certain investigations. It’s always best to ask about this upfront before changing clinics.
Pre-treatment investigation costs
Every IVF journey begins with an initial consultation and a series of pre-treatment tests — things like blood tests to check hormone levels, pelvic scans, sperm analysis, and STI screening.
Some clinics group these into a single Fertility MOT package, giving you one set price for the full set of investigations. Others charge for each item separately — so you’ll pay individually for every scan, test, and appointment. In those cases, the overall cost depends on how many tests you need, which can add up quickly.
Here are some typical packages, tests, and costs for the pre-treatment investigation stage for 2025–26, compared to costs from 2023–24:
Treatment
Average cost (2023/24)
Cost range (2023/24)
Average cost (2025/26)
Cost range (2025/26)
Initial consultations
£230
£150 – £395
£200
£120 – £250
Baseline scans
£180
£90 – £300
£180
£90 – £300
AMH tests
£110
£35 – £560
£240
£110 – £370
Thyroid tests
£53
£20 – £140
£96
£40 – £249
Semen analysis
£165
£60 – £275
£165
£105 – £195
Female fertility MOT
£420
£200 – £650
£483
£275 – £681
Male + female fertility MOT
£565
£225 – £1,050
£635
£375 – £1,275
Female + female fertility MOT
£625
£305 – £829
£858
£460 – £1,112
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
Our Clinic Matcher can help you access some of these key blood tests at a lower cost — and importantly, your results can be shared with more than one clinic. That means you can have multiple consultations without paying to repeat the same tests.
You can also upload any recent, valid test results you already have, so you’re not charged again for work that’s already been done.
If you’re ready to get started, we can help you arrange an AMH test through one of our trusted third-party partners. (We receive a small payment from the testing provider, but it doesn’t affect the price you pay — it simply helps us keep our guides and community resources free for everyone.)
How pre-treatment costs have changed since 2023–24
Pre-treatment prices have shifted since our last report, reflecting both inflation and changes in how clinics bundle their services. While some individual tests have increased in price, others have stabilised or even dropped slightly as more clinics offer streamlined packages.
The average cost of an initial consultation is now £200, down from £230 in 2023–24. However, certain diagnostic tests have become noticeably more expensive. For example, an AMH test — used to measure ovarian reserve — now averages £240, more than double last year’s £110. Similarly, thyroid tests have risen from £53 to £96.
Combined fertility MOT packages, which group several pre-treatment tests together, have remained relatively steady. A male + female MOT now averages £549, just below last year’s £565, while female-only MOTs have decreased slightly to £382.50.
These shifts highlight why it’s worth checking exactly what’s included in your clinic’s package before booking. Small differences in what’s covered — or how it’s priced — can make a big impact overall.
IVF treatment costs
Once your pre-treatment tests are complete, you’ll move into the treatment phase. Most clinics offer this as part of an ‘IVF package’, which covers key elements such as your doctor and nurse time, the use of surgical facilities, and clinic appointments.
However, these packages vary widely — and not every clinic includes the same things. Some may cover most of your treatment costs, while others only include the basics. Anything that falls outside of your clinic’s package will be billed separately, and these extra costs can add up quickly.
Below, we’ve listed some of the common additional costs that aren’t always included in IVF packages, along with how they compare between 2023–24 and 2025–26:
Core components of IVF treatment
Average cost (2023/24)
Cost range (2023/24)
Average cost (2025/26)
Cost range (2025/26)
Nurse consultation
£158
£130 – £180
£185
£100 – £220
Female viral screening tests
£190
£90 – £350
£250
£80 – £330
Male viral screening tests
£200
£90 – £285
£235
£80 – £330
Sedation
£265
£230 – £400
£300
£175 – £400
Blastocyst culture
£560
£400 – £800
£550
£450 – £1,090
Follow-up consultation
£165
£80 – £250
£200
£80 – £275
Counselling session
£70
£70 – £140
£90
£70 – £150
Pregnancy scan
£215
£120 – £250
£225
£100 – £260
Embryo freezing
£450
£275 – £880
£550
£292 – £1,250
Embryo storage for 1 year
£360
£175 – £440
£400
£275 – £499
HFEA fee
£85
N/A
£100
N/A
IVF package
£3,898
£2,750 – £12,500
£4,890
£3,465 – £14,450
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
How IVF treatment costs have changed since 2023–24
Across the board, IVF treatment costs have risen, with most core components increasing slightly since 2023–24. The average IVF package price now stands at £4,890, up from £3,898, with top-end costs reaching over £14,000 at some clinics.
Individual elements within a treatment cycle have also edged up. Viral screening tests, which are mandatory for both partners, now average £250 for female and £235 for male patients, compared to £190 and £200 last year. Sedation costs have increased from £265 to £300, and embryo freezing now averages £550, up from £450.
Not every cost has climbed, though. Blastocyst culture has held steady at around £550, and counselling sessions remain relatively affordable at around £90.
These shifts reflect rising clinical overheads and a wider price range between boutique and budget providers. The result is greater variation than ever — with some clinics offering highly competitive low-cost options, while others continue to price at the premium end of the scale.
IVF treatment add-ons costs
Some people choose — or are advised by their clinic — to include treatment add-ons as part of their IVF cycle. These are optional procedures or techniques that can support certain fertility challenges, but they also come with additional costs.
For example, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which helps sperm fertilise an egg in the lab, is used by 49% of IVF patients and costs around £1,375 on average in 2025 and into 2026. [2]
Your clinic will usually recommend any add-ons after reviewing your test results or previous treatment history. It’s important to ask questions and do your own research before agreeing to them — as the HFEA advises:
Treatment Add-ons, Human Fertility & Embryology Authority
“For some treatment add-ons there is not enough evidence to show that they are effective at improving treatment outcomes” [3]
Some common add-ons include:
Add-on
Average cost (2023/24)
Cost range (2023/24)
Average cost (2025/26)
Cost range (2025/26)
ICSI
£1,300
£800 – £1,675
£1,375
£780 – £1,675
Blastocyst culture
£560
£400 – £800
£550
£450 – £1,090
Embryo glue
£275
£65 – £345
£275
£65 – £345
Endometrial scratch
£300
£115 – £450
£300
£115 – £450
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
How IVF add-on costs have changed since 2023–24
The cost of IVF add-ons has remained broadly stable since 2023–24, with only minor changes across most procedures.
ICSI, one of the most commonly used add-ons, now averages £1,375 per cycle, a small increase from £1,300 the previous year. Blastocyst culture, which supports embryo development in the lab, has held steady at around £550, though the upper price range has widened — some clinics now charge over £1,000 for this service.
Other optional procedures, such as embryo glue and endometrial scratch, have seen no price change at all, remaining at £275 and £300 respectively.
While prices haven’t shifted significantly, it’s worth noting that clinics vary widely in how they package and price these add-ons — and not all are supported by strong clinical evidence. The HFEA continues to recommend careful consideration before adding any optional treatments to your plan.
IVF medication costs
Medication is one of the biggest additional expenses in IVF — and it’s rarely included in a clinic’s advertised package. This is because every person’s medication needs are different. Dosages and drug types vary depending on your treatment plan, how your body responds, and what your doctor recommends.
Once your doctor has given you a fully costed treatment plan and a prescription list, you’re not limited to buying your medication through your clinic. Many people don’t realise you can often source the same medication elsewhere, including through trusted high-street pharmacies — sometimes at a lower price.
For example, Asda continues to offer certain fertility medications at cost price. However, most clinics charge a small prescription fee if you choose to buy your medication independently, so it’s worth checking this before you decide.
Costs for IVF medications and prescriptions in 2025–26 are generally similar to those from 2023–24:
Service
Average cost
Cost range
Medication
£1,600
£1,000 – £2,500
Prescription
£53
£15 – £140
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
Total cost of IVF treatment
As you can see, there are many moving parts when it comes to understanding the full cost of IVF. To give you a clearer picture, here’s an example of what the average true cost of one full IVF cycle typically looks like for a heterosexual couple:
Treatment
Average cost (2023/24)
Average cost (2025/26)
Average true cost of a male + female fertility MOT
£635
£549
Average true cost of IVF treatment package (average true cost for one cycle)
£5,310
£4,890
Average cost of medication
£1,600
£1,500
Total excluding add-ons
£7,545
£6,939
(Optional add-on) ICSI
£1,300
£1,375
Total including add-ons
£9,420
£8,314
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
It’s important to remember, this is based on averages across the UK so at some clinics the price will be higher, or indeed lower. You can find a full breakdown of IVF cost by clinic on our clinics pages.
How the total cost of IVF treatment has changed since 2023–24
The overall cost of IVF treatment has slightly decreased since 2023–24, largely due to lower clinic package prices.
In 2023–24, the average total cost for one full IVF cycle — including pre-treatment tests, medication, and storage — was around £7,545. In 2025–26, this figure has fallen to £6,939, a drop of around 8%. The average true cost of an IVF treatment package has also reduced, from £5,310 to £4,890.
These shifts suggest that while clinics are becoming more transparent about pricing, the true cost of IVF remains a significant investment — and one that varies widely depending on treatment type, medication needs, and whether add-ons are included.
What personal factors influence cost?
Fertility treatment is a very personal journey. There are various individual factors that also affect the cost of IVF treatment: your age, relationship status, medical history and location can all impact the final figure.
Not sure where you stand? Let’s break it down.
Age
Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Unlike other cells in the body, such as skin cells, eggs don’t regenerate. This means our eggs age like the rest of us; the quality decreases over time, as does the number.
As such, older women going through IVF are likely to have fewer eggs collected, and the quality of those eggs tends to be lower. This means that the success rates per embryo transfer also reduce with age, according to the HFEA. Unfortunately, the older you are, the more likely it is that you will need to pay for more cycles of IVF, as well as higher doses of expensive medication. [4]
Age can also affect eligibility for some low-cost IVF pathways. These clinic models often have specific criteria designed to keep treatment accessible and affordable, which can include age limits or requirements linked to predicted medication needs and expected egg numbers. This doesn’t reflect anyone’s worth or potential to conceive; it’s a practical consideration based on how these clinics structure their care. Understanding this early on can help you plan, compare clinics confidently, and find the pathway that aligns with your needs.
Medical history and reproductive conditions
It’s worth knowing that certain reproductive conditions — such as PCOS, endometriosis, or tubal blockages — can increase the overall cost of IVF. This is because people with these conditions often need more frequent clinic appointments for monitoring, which are usually charged per visit.
They may also need higher doses of medication or additional procedures before starting IVF, both of which can make treatment longer and more expensive. Understanding this early on can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs later in your fertility path.
These factors can also influence eligibility for low-cost IVF models. Some clinics place specific criteria around medical history or reproductive diagnoses to keep their treatment pathways streamlined and affordable. If a condition is likely to require more complex care or closer monitoring, you may be guided toward a standard IVF package instead. This isn’t a judgement on your chances of success; it’s simply how these clinics structure their services. Knowing this can help you compare your options with clarity and choose the clinic that aligns best with your needs.
Relationship status and LGBTQIA+ family building
There’s no single path to building a family — and no universal price tag either. Everyone’s fertility story is different.
Whether you’re a solo woman going through IVF (as nearly 2,559 people did in 2023, according to HFEA data), a heterosexual couple facing unexplained infertility, or a same-sex female couple starting reciprocal IVF with donor sperm, your costs will depend on your individual circumstances. [5]
The table below shows the true average costs of key treatment components, to help illustrate how expenses can vary depending on your fertility path.
Family structure
Fertility MOT
IVF
Donor sperm
Medication
Total
Heterosexual couples
£549
£4,890
N/A
£1,500
£6,939
Same sex female couples
£656
£4,890
£1,230
£1,500
£8,276
Solo mothers
£382.50
£4,890
£1,230
£1,500
£8,002.50
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
Location
For many thinking about private medical care, the first place that comes to mind will be London’s Harley Street. However, there are over 100 private clinics in the UK, and where you decide to do your IVF treatment will impact the amount you pay. If you choose a clinic that is far away from where you live, you should also factor the price of travel into your budget, as this can quickly accumulate to become a significant extra cost.
For an idea of how location can impact ‘true average cost’ in the UK, take a look at our table below:
Location
True cost of an IVF package (2023/24)
True cost of an IVF package (2025/26)
True total cost of IVF (inc. medication) (2023/24)
True total cost of IVF (inc. medication) (2025/26)
London
£6,150
£5,877
£8,385
£7,377
Brighton
£5,310
£5,790
£7,385
£7,290
Birmingham
£5,310
£4,823
£7,515
£6,323
Bristol
£4,917
£4,934
£7,152
£6,434
Leeds
£4,820
£4,495
£7,055
£5,995
Manchester
£4,764
£4,787.50
£7,012
£6,287.50
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
Low-cost vs conventional IVF costs
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in 2025 is the rapid growth of low-cost IVF — a newer, streamlined model designed to make treatment more affordable and accessible. On the surface, this trend appears to have lowered the average cost of IVF across the UK. But when we look closer, the story is more complex.
Low-cost IVF cycles are generally simpler, with fewer appointments, limited medication use, and more standardised protocols. Conventional IVF, by contrast, remains more individualised and often includes higher medication doses, additional monitoring, and more advanced lab techniques — all of which contribute to higher success rates for some patients, but also higher prices.
This difference in treatment models has had a measurable effect on national averages. While the headline figures suggest IVF is getting cheaper, it’s actually a reflection of how low-cost providers are reshaping the market — not a drop in the true cost of conventional care.
IVF type
Median advertised cost
Median true cost (excl. medication)
Typical cost range
All IVF packages (UK average)
£3,850
£4,890
£2,750 – £14,450
Conventional IVF (excluding low-cost)
£3,995
£5,725
£3,750 – £14,450
Low-cost IVF
£2,950
£3,500
£2,850 – £4,424
Medication (conventional IVF)
N/A
£1,500
£1,000 – £2,000
Source: Seen Fertility’s Fertility Clinic True Cost Data
When medication is included, the true average cost of a conventional IVF cycle rises to around £7,200, compared with £3,500–£4,000 for low-cost models.
Low-cost IVF represents an important step forward for accessibility, but it also highlights how national averages can mask the real picture. At Seen Fertility, we believe transparency matters — both in understanding what drives these costs and in helping patients make informed choices about the care that’s right for them.
Eligibility for low-cost IVF
Low-cost IVF models are designed around specific clinical criteria, which means not everyone will meet the requirements for this type of treatment. Clinics offering these pathways often set eligibility thresholds linked to age, BMI, AMH levels, and aspects of medical and reproductive history. These criteria help them determine whether someone is likely to follow a streamlined treatment plan with limited medication and fewer clinic visits.
For some people, these parameters may mean conventional IVF is the more appropriate option, particularly if additional monitoring or tailored treatment is needed. Understanding where you fit can make choosing a clinic far clearer from the start.
If you’re unsure which route aligns with your circumstances, our Clinic Match tool can guide you toward clinics you’re most likely to be eligible for — including low-cost providers — so you can compare options with confidence.
What if I can't afford IVF?
Some people receive financial assistance from the NHS, private health insurance providers or employee benefits schemes. If you don’t fall into either of these categories, there are some other financing options you can explore, which we’ll explain below. One of the questions we ask when Seen Fertility users leave a review of a clinic is how they funded their treatment, so you can see how people in our community have approached financing.
NHS-funded IVF treatment
Most people in the UK now pay for IVF themselves — around 73% of all IVF cycles each year are self-funded. The proportion of IVF funded by the NHS has been falling steadily, from 35% in 2019 to just 27% in 2023, with the sharpest decline seen in England. [5]
There are also big regional differences. In 2023, only 24% of IVF cycles in England were NHS-funded, compared with 33% in Wales, 49% in Northern Ireland, and 54% in Scotland.
Exactly who qualifies, and what support is available, depends on where you live and your individual circumstances. The media often calls this the ‘NHS postcode lottery’, but we prefer to call it the ‘NHS personal lottery’ — because eligibility isn’t just about geography, it’s about your unique situation.
You can learn more about the criteria in our NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator to see whether you might qualify for NHS-funded treatment.
Even for those who do qualify, funding is limited. Seen Fertility’s research found that 72% of NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) only fund one IVF cycle, and just 10% fund the three cycles recommended by the NICE guidelines for patients under 40. [6]
According to the HFEA, IVF live birth rates range from 33% for those under 34 to just 4% for those over 43. In reality, most people who need IVF will require multiple rounds of treatment to have a child — and for 9 in 10 regions, the NHS simply doesn’t fund that level of care. [2]
Private health insurance and employee benefits schemes
Most UK private healthcare plans don’t cover fertility treatments, as they see it as a lifestyle choice rather than a medical necessity. Even if they do, they are likely to restrict who is able to get coverage by employing criteria such as age limits or other factors including BMI, sexuality, smoking habits and relationship status .That being said, some employers have started to supplement their health insurance schemes with additional benefits, which can include fertility support. These can range in comprehensiveness: some cover the costs (at least partially) of treatment, whilst others only offer fertility testing and support. [7,8]
In reality, even with private healthcare insurance or employee benefits schemes, you will likely have to pay for some or all IVF treatment costs — especially if you require multiple cycles of treatment (which the majority of people do).
Financing with clinics
Some private clinics do offer IVF payment or refund plans as well as loans, via partnering with third party lenders. The options available will be different depending on the clinic, who they have associated with, and your personal financial situation.
IVF payment plans and loans allow you to pay off the cost of your treatment over a series of months or years, and mean that you can start treatment before paying the full cost upfront. IVF payment plans tend to have very low interest rates, but require you to pay back the cost over 12 months or less. Loans require you to pay back the cost over a longer period, sometimes over several years, but will usually charge you a higher interest rate because of this. For both payment plans and loans, you may be required to put down a deposit based on the total price of your treatments.
IVF refund plans typically consist of paying upfront for your treatment and are designed to offer a level of financial security in case you don’t have a child after multiple rounds of IVF. However, often the price you pay for treatment with a refund plan will be more expensive than a single cycle of IVF. If your treatment is not successful you will be refunded either partially or fully, depending on the clinic’s policy. Most clinics will also have eligibility criteria in place and will assess things like your fertility diagnosis and personal scenario to see if you are suitable for a refund plan.
It’s important to read the fine print very carefully if you opt for any type of finance to see what precisely is covered in your plan.
Grants
There’s a small number of IVF foundations and charities that offer grants to those struggling to conceive and cannot access treatment. If this sounds like the golden ticket, that’s because it is; they largely rely on private donations from the public and typically are offered once a year to an eligible person or couple.
Personal loans and credit cards
Personal loans can also be used for medical purposes, and therefore IVF treatment as well. This can be an incredibly expensive option, so make sure to explore a variety of lenders in order to find the lowest interest rates. There’s likely to be some financial requirements in place in order to be eligible for a loan, such as a credit or income check.
Depending on your credit limit, you can put IVF on a credit card as you would any other large expense. Be mindful however of your interest rates on such a payment; if you can’t pay it off in one go, putting IVF treatment on your credit card could be incredibly costly.
Fertility financing products
As more and more people look to IVF and fertility treatments, alternate funding has sprung up to assist. These IVF-specific lenders offer personalised finance and insurance plans, depending on your situation and needs. Some even offer to cover your treatment costs if you don’t have a child (your personal situation depending). These companies are often the same providers that offer financing options in clinics.
Like other finance options though, they will run affordability and credit checks to ensure that you are eligible.
Clinical trials and egg sharing programmes
Donating your eggs, either by partaking in clinical trials for research purposes or via egg sharing schemes, is another option if you are daunted by the financial implications of IVF. In these cases, IVF cycles — and specifics vary on a case by case basis — are offered for free in exchange for a number of eggs. In order to be eligible however, there are specific health criteria to meet, the most pressing likely being that you have a good ovarian reserve, which may not be the case for those seeking IVF treatment.
Friends and family
Some people receive loans or gifts from friends and family. While this might be the right choice for some, it can be tricky to navigate. To try and mitigate any uncomfortable future situations, ensure that you discuss how this might affect your relationship and agree on any repayment terms upfront. Making sure they understand things like success rates can help manage expectations. Crowd-funding pages to help fund fertility costs are also an option for people who are looking for help financing their treatment.
Finding the best IVF clinic for your journey
With so many clinics to choose from — and so much to consider — deciding what’s right for you and your budget can feel like a lot.
Cost is important, but it’s not the only factor to keep in mind. To help make things clearer, we’ve outlined some of the key considerations below.
Clinic reviews
IVF isn’t a quick process — treatment can take months or even years. It can place a strain not only on your finances, but also on your emotions and relationships. That’s why finding a clinic where you feel truly supported and understood matters just as much as the medical care itself.
This is where clinic reviews, the heart of Seen Fertility, come in. Nothing compares to hearing directly from people who’ve been where you are now. Our platform brings together the real experiences of our community — a collective of people who’ve navigated fertility treatment and want to help others make informed choices.
Our clinic reviews go beyond surface details. They highlight not only potential hidden costs but also the overall experience — how well clinics communicated, how respectful and supportive staff were, and how transparent they were about pricing and procedures. Every review is independent and anonymous, so you can trust what you read.
Of course, everyone’s experience is personal — different doctors, treatments, and outcomes all shape how someone feels about their care. But reading lived experiences can help fill the gaps that statistics can’t, giving you a clearer sense of what quality of care really looks like from the patient’s perspective.
Location
Once treatment begins, you’ll be visiting your clinic often for scans and blood tests — sometimes daily, or every other day during key stages. Choosing a clinic that’s easy for you to reach can make a big difference, reducing stress and travel time when you need to focus on your treatment.
Success rates
If you are looking at a clinic’s success rate, the only reliable source is the HFEA. Different clinics use different criteria to measure success, and may report a high success rate then you will find on the HFEA website. There are many reasons for this, for example some clinics will only offer IVF to people that are likely to have a child, which skews their reported success rate figures. Choosing a clinic with a reportedly high success rate doesn’t mean that you have more chance of success yourself; everyone’s situation is different.
Budget
Clinic pricing can be confusing — and not always as transparent as it should be. What looks like good value at first can end up costing much more once you add in tests, medication, or other essentials. That’s exactly why we’ve broken down IVF costs by clinic, so you can make an informed, fact-based decision before starting treatment.
Even the most affordable options are still a significant investment, and there’s no one-size-fits-all price for IVF. Every treatment plan is personal, and costs are tailored to each individual’s needs.
How Seen Fertility can help you find the best clinic for you and your fertility path
At Seen Fertility, our goal is to help you make confident, informed decisions about your care.
We’ve broken down the cost of IVF by clinic on our clinic pages, so you can easily compare options in your area and find one that fits both your treatment needs and your budget.
Reading real clinic reviews from our community is one of the most reliable ways to cut through confusing pricing information and understand the true cost of treatment at each clinic. The ‘cost transparency’ rating in each review shows how open clinics are about their fees — clinics with lower scores are more likely to charge unexpected extras later on. Knowing this upfront means you can plan ahead and factor those potential costs into your decision.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the many elements that shape the total cost of IVF, as well as the financial options available to you. Our resources are here to support you at every stage of your fertility path. To explore the data in more depth, read our full True Cost of Fertility report.