Destination profile: Surrogacy in Ukraine

Australian intended parents considering international destinations might come across surrogacy in Ukraine as an option.

Note: nothing in this article qualifies as legal advice, nor does it replace advice from a lawyer who can give advice about surrogacy in Ukraine. The surrogacy and political landscapes can change dramatically at short notice and this article will not be updated frequently. Sarah is not able to verify with 100% accuracy the information in this article.

Intended parents should consider what best practice, ethical surrogacy looks like and research widely before choosing a pathway. Agencies, intermediaries and trade shows are often conflicted from giving unbiased advice. Australian consumer laws will not protect intended parents if an international business does not deliver on their promises.

Ukraine is in Eastern Europe and is bordered by Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Hungary, Romania and Moldova with a population of over 37 million. Ukrainian is the main language.

Australia’s Smartraveller website provides up-to-date information for travellers to Ukraine. In August 2025, Smartraveller advised travellers not to travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. You are warned not to enter a surrogacy arrangement in Ukraine and the Australian government will not evacuate you or your child from Ukraine.

Legal Status:  Despite ongoing conflict and warnings, surrogacy is continuing in Ukraine. Gestational surrogacy may be available and open to married heterosexual couples only. Some intermediaries will suggest that single men can ‘marry their surrogate’ to proceed as a married couple.

Risks: You are warned again that this is a volatile situation and you take significant risks for you, your surrogate and your baby if you proceed. You may need to leave Ukraine and travel to Poland to obtain an Australian passport for your child.

Some services offering surrogacy in Ukraine offer ‘travelling surrogates’ which may also be referred to as human trafficking. Surrogates travelling from Russia and Ukraine may be recruited as surrogates and living in Georgia for the pregnancy, and housed with other surrogates in dedicated accommodation.

Safeguards: Intended parents should satisfy themselves that safeguards have been met, including that:

• there is no ongoing war with another country at the time.
• the surrogate has appropriate citizenship, visa and travel documents to be living in Ukraine.
• adequate legal protections are available to intended parents, the surrogate and the child.
• the surrogate has been medically and psychologically assessed and has access to psychological support.
• the surrogate can read and understand the surrogacy contract, and is assisted by an interpreter when needed – including during medical treatment.
• the surrogate and the child will have access to high quality healthcare, before, during and after pregnancy and birth.
• the parties have access to legal advice from an independent lawyer – one that is not employed by an agency or clinic.

Intended parents should seek advice from a Ukrainian lawyer about the ongoing challenges and changes to the surrogacy legal framework in Ukraine.

Egg Donation: egg donors are generally anonymous in Ukraine, meaning you may only be given non-identifying information about a donor. A child has a right to know their genetic and birth heritage, and anonymous donation is not considered to be in a child’s best interests.

Parentage and birth certificates:  For children born via surrogacy in Ukraine, intended parents may be able to obtain a birth certificate listing both intended parents and the full name they have chosen for the child. This will depend on the changing situation in Ukraine and access to services.

Australian recognition: Intended parents pursuing surrogacy in Ukraine should seek independent legal advice from an Australian lawyer. Australia does not regularly recognise an international birth certificate or court order.

Parents may need to travel to Poland to collect the child’s passport before returning to Australia.

You might be exploring surrogacy in Colombia and other international surrogacy destinations.

Intended parents explore many different international surrogacy destinations. Find more information including links to Facebook groups about different options.

If you are considering surrogacy in Australia, you can read about how to find a surrogate, or how to become a surrogate yourself. You can also download the free Surrogacy Handbook which explains the processes and options.

You can read a broad overview for surrogacy in Australia and how it works.