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NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator

Trying to find out if you qualify for NHS-funded IVF or IUI treatment? You’re not alone — between postcode rules and unclear criteria, it can be hard to know where you stand. That’s exactly why we built the NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator: to help you find out, quickly and clearly, if the NHS might be an option on your fertility path.

Tassia O'Callaghan profile

Author

Tassia O’Callaghan

Reviewed by

Kayleigh Hartigan

2 min read

Updated 15 April 2025

How to use the NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator

All you have to do is enter some basic details into the boxes below, and our calculator does the hard work for you. You’ll get a personalised eligibility assessment emailed straight to your inbox. Easy.

Why we built this calculator

Like many within the fertility community, we grew frustrated with the NHS postcode lottery approach to fertility treatment. This approach means that where you live, as well as your personal circumstances, dictates what treatment you can receive. In itself, that’s challenging enough — but if you’ve ever tried to find out whether NHS-funded treatment, such as IVF, is an option for you, then you know another big pain point is simply finding out if you’re eligible, and what, exactly, is included in your treatment.

So, we’ve spent done legwork, scouring local NHS sites across the UK, bringing together different eligibility criteria and policies into a single, searchable NHS fertility treatment database.

Because at Seen Fertility, we believe it should be so much easier to find out what help you can expect from the NHS, based on your unique personal circumstances, when you’re ready to start a family.

How does the calculator work?

First, we ask you for the postcode of the GP you are currently registered with so that we can match you to the policy of your local NHS integrated care board (ICB) in England, or your nationwide policy if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. These policies determine who is eligible for NHS-funded fertility treatment (including IVF) in your area, and what treatment is offered.

Next, we ask you some straightforward questions about you, your partner and your life together. These questions cover the main NHS eligibility areas:

  • Clinical factors: Your age, and whether you have any underlying conditions.

  • Lifestyle factors: Whether you have ever smoked, and your body mass index (BMI).

  • Your fertility journey to date: How long you’ve been trying naturally to conceive, and whether you’ve had any fertility treatment to date (including any you’ve paid for yourself).

  • Your family history: Whether you or your partner have children already, whether together or from previous relationships.
 

Once complete, you’ll receive a personalised email assessment outlining your likely eligibility — plus what fertility treatment is usually offered in your area.

This is an estimate based on your answers and publicly available NHS policy data. We recommend confirming directly with your GP or ICB.

What happens after you get your results?

Whether you’re eligible or not, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you stand — and crucially, what you can do next. We know how important it is to feel informed and empowered, especially when the system can feel overwhelming or opaque.

If you might be eligible:

The next step is speaking to your GP. They’ll play a key role in confirming your eligibility and referring you to a fertility clinic — so being prepared can make a big difference.

  • Book a GP appointment as soon as you can. Appointments can take time to arrange, so it’s helpful to act quickly once you have your results.

  • Bring a copy of your calculator results to your appointment. This can help you advocate for yourself and explain what you’ve already explored.

  • Ask about next steps, such as which fertility investigations are covered, how to start the referral process, and what to expect in terms of timelines. It can help to come prepared with a list of questions to ask — just remember to take notes on your GP’s answers.

  • Check if you and/or your partner meet all local criteria — especially around BMI, smoking status, or prior treatment history — as these can affect when (or if) treatment starts.

  • Keep records of your conversations, referrals, and any tests or timelines given to you. The NHS process can involve multiple steps, so having everything in one place helps.
 

You don’t need to have all the answers — that’s what your GP and clinic team are there for. But going in feeling prepared can help you feel more in control.

If you might not be eligible:

Being told you may not meet the criteria for NHS-funded IVF can feel incredibly disheartening — but you still have options.

  • Understand your private treatment options. Costs can vary significantly between clinics, so research and transparency are key. Not sure where to start? We can match you to local clinics to help find the best fit.
  • Explore egg or embryo freezing if you’re not ready to try yet or want to preserve your fertility for the future.

  • Consider payment plans or shared risk programmes, which offer more financial predictability. Some even refund a portion of fees if treatment doesn’t result in a live birth.

  • Speak to a fertility specialist anyway. Even if you’re not eligible for NHS-funded care, they can offer insights into your fertility health and what paths might be right for you.

  • Don’t give up on the NHS completely. In some cases, criteria can be appealed — especially if your circumstances change or you believe you’ve been wrongly assessed.

How to qualify for IVF on the NHS

NHS IVF eligibility isn’t universal — it depends on where you live and your personal circumstances. In England especially, each integrated care board (ICB) sets its own policy, which means someone in one postcode might be offered three funded IVF cycles, while someone a few miles away is offered none.

But while local differences can be frustrating, there are common themes across most NHS fertility policies, such as:

  • Aged between 23 and 39 (some ICBs allow treatment up to 42)

  • Trying to conceive naturally for 1–2 years without success

  • No existing children (in some regions, this applies to either partner)

  • BMI usually between 19 and 30 (some allow up to 35)

  • Non-smoker or have quit for a set period

  • No privately funded IVF cycles already completed (varies by region)

Your GP or fertility clinic will confirm your exact criteria based on local guidance, or you can use our calculator for quicker results.

How long is the IVF waiting list in the UK NHS?

There’s no single answer — and that’s one of the most frustrating parts of navigating NHS fertility treatment. Waiting times for NHS-funded IVF vary not just by country, but by region, clinic capacity, and individual circumstances.

Typical waiting times in England range from 6 weeks to 4 months after your referral is approved — but in high-demand areas, this can stretch, even up to 3 years. Some regions also have prioritisation policies (e.g. based on age), which can affect when your treatment begins.

Once your GP has referred you and you’ve completed the required fertility investigations, you’ll be assessed for eligibility under your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) policy. If you meet the criteria and funding is approved, you’ll be referred to a fertility clinic — but how long you wait after that can depend on:

  • Your ICB’s funding cycle and backlog: Some areas release fertility treatment funding in set windows, while others approve referrals on a rolling basis. If funding for the year has been allocated, you may be placed on a waiting list for the next round.

  • Clinic capacity and demand: Even after funding is approved, local clinics may have long queues depending on staffing, lab space, and regional demand.

  • The pace of your diagnostic process: If initial tests like bloodwork, semen analysis or ultrasounds need to be repeated or delayed, this can push your timeline back.
 

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, they typically follow national policies, which means timelines tend to be more predictable — though still not immediate.

  • Scotland: If eligible, you can access up to 3 full IVF cycles, and most people begin treatment within 6 months of being approved. [1]

  • Wales: Wait times tend to be around 6–9 months, depending on the clinic and demand, with up to 2 IVF cycles available across the country. [2]

  • Northern Ireland: Typically offers 1 NHS-funded cycle, with average waits around 6–12 months, though these timelines can vary. [3]

What weight do you have to be to get IVF on the NHS?

Your weight can influence NHS IVF eligibility, but the way it’s assessed — and who it applies to — depends on your local policy. Most NHS criteria use BMI (Body Mass Index) as a standardised way to evaluate whether you fall within the acceptable range for treatment. [4]

Typical NHS weight criteria for IVF includes:

  • BMI between 19 and 30 in most regions

  • Some integrated care boards (ICBs) extend this to BMI 35, especially for treatments like egg freezing or IUI

  • In many areas, both partners are assessed — particularly if the sperm provider is also involved in the treatment process

  • You may be asked to maintain your BMI within the required range for at least 6 months before treatment begins

How much does IVF cost on the NHS?

If you’re eligible for NHS-funded IVF, the treatment itself is free at the point of care. That usually includes core procedures like ovarian stimulation, egg collection, embryo transfer, and the necessary medications and scans during your cycle.

But — and this is important — even NHS-funded treatment isn’t always fully free, and the definition of what’s included can vary significantly depending on where you live.

Here’s what’s typically covered on the NHS: [5]

  • Fertility medications (including stimulation drugs)

  • Monitoring scans and blood tests during treatment

  • Egg collection and embryo transfer

  • Anaesthesia during procedures

  • Embryo freezing (sometimes limited to 1 year of storage)

  • A set number of treatment rounds, based on your local ICB policy
 

But there may still be costs you’ll need to cover:

  • Initial fertility investigations: Not all GP practices or ICBs cover early tests like AMH, thyroid function, or semen analysis. You might need to pay privately to get started — especially if you’re planning to bring results to your GP to speed up a referral.

  • Travel and accommodation: NHS fertility treatment isn’t always offered at your nearest hospital. You may need to travel further, particularly in rural areas, which can come with extra costs for transport or overnight stays.

  • Extra services not always included: Treatments like ICSI, blastocyst culture, or embryo glue may not be funded in your area — even if they’re clinically recommended. If so, you may be asked to pay privately for these add-ons during your NHS treatment.

  • Embryo storage beyond a certain timeframe: Many ICBs only fund one year of storage for frozen embryos. If you want to preserve them longer, you’ll usually need to cover the additional annual cost yourself — typically between £175 and £440 per year, from our IVF cost research. [6]
 

How many rounds of IVF does the NHS pay for?

This depends entirely on your location:

  • England: 0–3 cycles, depending on your ICB (most offer 1)
  • Scotland: Up to 3 full cycles if eligible
  • Wales: Up to 2 cycles
  • Northern Ireland: 1 cycle

Even within England, some ICBs count frozen embryo transfers (FETs) as part of a cycle, while others do not. And some consider any privately funded IVF as disqualifying, while others will still offer NHS support. [7]

Why does NHS IVF funding vary by postcode?

If you feel as though NHS IVF is a “postcode lottery,” you’re not imagining it. In England, 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) control their own fertility budgets and set their own rules. Because each ICB has a different pot of money — and different views on where fertility sits on the priority list — eligibility criteria, number of funded cycles, and even what counts as a “cycle” can change the moment you cross a county line. Your GP’s postcode — not your home address — locks you into that policy. [4]

When budgets tighten, fertility funding is often one of the first to be cut, viewed by some commissioners as “elective” compared with cancer care or emergency services. That’s why several ICBs have temporarily — or permanently — suspended NHS IVF in recent years.

So if you’ve noticed that someone in Oxfordshire might be entitled to two cycles of IVF after 12 months of trying to conceive, but in Newcastle, the same person would have to wait for 24 months of trying to conceive to get one cycle of IVF, that’s the NHS IVF postcode lottery at play.

Disclaimer on NHS IVF eligibility calculator data

We work hard to keep our database up to date with the latest ICB policy documents and national guidance. But criteria can change without notice, and some policies may not be published in full.

Always speak to your GP or contact your local ICB to confirm the most current NHS fertility eligibility rules for your area.