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IVF success rates — the honest version

What are your real chances of having a baby with IVF?

We won't quote you a single 70% success rate number. Instead, we'll show you exactly what the world's three biggest fertility registries — HFEA, SART and ESHRE — say about your specific situation.

47%
live birth rate per transfer with donor eggs, regardless of your age
4 to 6 weeks
typical waiting time for donor egg cycles in Prague (vs 8+ months in the UK)
50 to 70%
lower cost compared to UK private clinics
Use the success rate calculator Book Your Free Strategy Call
Success calculator

Get your personalised estimate in 30 seconds

Move the sliders to see how your age, treatment choice, and individual factors affect your real-world chance of a live birth.

Understanding success rates

Before you trust any number, ask one question: 70% of what?

Almost every fertility clinic quotes a success rate. The numbers look reassuringly large — 60%, 70%, sometimes 90%. So why do half of IVF patients leave their first cycle without a baby? Because the denominator does almost all the work.

It may be tempting to rely solely on success rates, but the reality is that most clinics are broadly as good as each other. Small differences in rates are usually down to the different types of patients treated. HFEA, the UK fertility regulator

Per embryo transfer (what most clinics quote)

One embryo is placed into the uterus. If no embryo ever reaches transfer (because no egg fertilised or no embryo developed), that complete cycle simply disappears from the success statistic. The transfer is an already-filtered selection — and that filtering hides the hardest failures.

Per cycle started (the honest measure)

Every cycle that starts with stimulation is counted — whether or not it reaches transfer. This includes cancelled cycles, failed retrievals and cycles with no transfer. <em>The gap between per-transfer and per-cycle rates is typically 10 to 20 percentage points.</em>

When we say donor egg IVF in Prague has a 47% live birth rate per embryo transfer, you should ask: per transfer or per cycle started? (Per transfer.) Live birth or clinical pregnancy? (Live birth.) Every number on this page uses the same definition. No marketing arithmetic.

Age & eggs

One thing matters more than all the others combined: the age of the egg

The single most important variable in IVF, explained.

The single most important variable in IVF is the age of the egg, not the age of the uterus. This is the most under-explained fact in fertility, and the one that opens up an entire alternative path for women over 38.

A 25-year-old egg has roughly a 75% chance of being chromosomally normal. By age 35, that drops to about 50%. By 43, it's around 24%. Most of the age-related decline in IVF success is caused by chromosomal errors in the egg.

This is why donor egg IVF transforms outcomes for women over 38. The eggs come from young donors (18 to 32 in the Czech Republic, most aged 22 to 28). The pregnancy is yours.

Live birth rate per embryo transfer, by maternal age
Own eggs versus donor eggs
Source: HFEA 2023 preliminary, ESHRE EIM 2020
~24%
At 43: chromosomal normality of own eggs
Source: HFEA 2023 preliminary, ESHRE EIM 2020
~47%
Donor eggs: live birth rate per transfer, age-independent
Source: HFEA 2023 preliminary, ESHRE EIM 2020
Treatment paths

Three treatments, three different success profiles

The right treatment depends on your medical situation, age, and priorities. Here's how the three options compare, including the trade-offs we wish more clinics talked about openly.

IVF with your own eggs

Best for: Women under 38 with no diagnosis of low ovarian reserve.
Per transfer (live birth) 25 to 36% under 35, ~10% at 40 to 42
Cumulative (3 cycles) 50 to 65% under 35
Starting price €2,790
The honest version: Right starting point for younger patients. Above age 38 to 40, cumulative chances drop sharply.
Book Your Free Strategy Call →

IVF with donor eggs

Best for: Women over 38, women with low ovarian reserve.
Per transfer (live birth) ~47% across all recipient ages
Cumulative (3 cycles) 70 to 85%
Starting price €4,980
The honest version: The treatment Czech Republic does best in Europe. Anonymous donors aged 18 to 32, no waiting list.
Book Your Free Strategy Call →

Embryo donation

Best for: Couples where neither partner can use their own gametes.
Per transfer (live birth) 35 to 45%
Cumulative (3 cycles) 65 to 80%
Starting price €1,990
The honest version: The most affordable fertility treatment in the EU. Per-transfer success rates comparable to donor egg IVF.
Book Your Free Strategy Call →

Every patient's situation is different. Talk to a specialist to find out which path fits your specific diagnosis, age and goals.

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PGT-A

PGT-A: when genetic testing of embryos actually helps

PGT-A is one of the most heavily marketed IVF add-ons in Europe. It can genuinely help in specific situations. It can also be deeply misleading. Here is how to tell which applies to you.

Misleading
"PGT-A doubles our success rates"
Live birth rate (clinic claims) 58% vs 27%
Transfers per cycle started 0.4
Real live birth per cycle ~23%
Why this is misleading: The clinic is comparing PGT-tested embryos (which have already been selected) with untested embryos. The comparison ignores that many PGT cycles never reach transfer. Per cycle started — the more honest measure — the difference is modest.
Honest
"PGT-A can reduce miscarriage rate"
Miscarriage rate without PGT-A ~25% (age 40+)
Miscarriage rate with PGT-A ~8%
Relevance Helps for recurrent miscarriage, not routine
When PGT-A genuinely helps: Women over 38 with recurrent miscarriage, or known chromosomal translocations. As a routine add-on for younger patients or with donor eggs, the benefit is minimal.

✅ When PGT-A helps

  • Recurrent miscarriage — 2+ miscarriages, especially age 38+
  • Known chromosomal translocation — In either partner
  • Severe male factor — Elevated aneuploidy risk in embryos

❌ When PGT-A adds little

  • Donor eggs — Young donor eggs are already chromosomally normal
  • Patients under 35 — Low aneuploidy rate, no significant benefit
  • Few embryos available — PGT further reduces number of transferable embryos

PGT-A is one tool among many. A specialist can tell you if it makes sense for your specific situation.

Discuss Your Results in a Free Strategy Call
IVF add-ons

Some popular "add-ons" don't actually improve your chances. We won't sell you those.

The UK fertility regulator, HFEA, maintains a traffic-light rating system for IVF add-ons. As of 2024, not a single add-on holds a green rating for improving live birth in the general IVF population. We follow the evidence.

✅ This is proven to help

  • ICSI for male factor
    Standard for severe male infertility.
  • Blastocyst culture
    Culture to day 5-6 instead of day 2-3. Increases implantation rate.
  • Frozen transfer (FET) if OHSS risk
    Reduces ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome risk.
  • Time-lapse imaging (embryoscope)
    Helps embryo selection in specific cases.

❌ This is usually not worth it

  • Endometrial scratching
    HFEA: red rating. No benefit in RCTs.
  • Immunological tests and therapies
    Not evidence-supported (HFEA red).
  • Endometrial receptivity array (ERA)
    Not evidence-supported for general IVF.
  • PRP therapy
    No RCTs showing benefit.

We don't sell add-ons. We only recommend what the evidence says works for your specific case. We'd rather be honest than charge you for something that doesn't help.

Cost comparison

The price comparison that prompted this entire page

Cost is the practical reason most international patients consider Prague. Here's the honest cross-country comparison for a complete donor egg cycle.

Country Cost note Typical price (full donor egg IVF)
United Kingdom NHS: limited by postcode (27% of cycles funded) £8,000 to £15,000+
Ireland HSE: 1 cycle free for eligible patients Private only
Germany Egg donation not legal Travel required
Netherlands Insurance: 3 cycles under 43 €5,000 to €8,000
Sweden Public, age cutoff 42, 3 to 4 year waits €4,000 to €7,000
United States Limited; varies by state $35,000 to $60,000+
Czech Republic (Praga Medica) — From €4,980

Included in our donor egg package

  • Initial consultation with IVF specialist
  • Donor matching and screening
  • Cycle monitoring
  • Egg retrieval and ICSI fertilisation
  • Embryo culture to blastocyst stage
  • One fresh embryo transfer
  • Standard laboratory protocols

Typically extra (transparent pricing)

  • Stimulation medication for the recipient
  • Embryo freezing and storage beyond year one
  • PGT-A genetic testing (if clinically indicated)
  • Frozen embryo transfer in subsequent cycles
  • Accommodation and travel
Travel reality check. A complete donor egg course typically requires one short visit to Prague (5 to 7 days) plus a brief follow-up for the transfer. London–Prague return flights are £50 to £150.
The Praga Medica difference

What you actually experience as our patient

Together IVF concept

A personal IVF coordinator guides you through every step. Multilingual (English, German). Reachable on WhatsApp, email or phone.

15+ years with international patients

Praga Medica has worked with international patients since 2010. We understand the practical realities of cross-border care.

Certified IVF clinics

We work with established Czech IVF clinics regulated by SÚKL and reporting to NRAR.

Ready to talk to a specialist?

Your situation is unique, and a calculator can only get you so far. The next step is a free 30-minute online consultation with one of our IVF specialists.

Book Your Free Strategy Call Back to the calculator
1

Free online consultation

30 minutes. We review your medical history, ovarian reserve markers, and your goals.

2

Personalised treatment plan

Your specialist sends you a written plan within 48 hours: which treatment fits, realistic success rates, full pricing.

3

Treatment in Prague

Most patients begin treatment within 4 to 6 weeks. Your coordinator handles all logistics.

FAQ

Questions we hear most often from international patients

How accurate is the calculator on this page?

The calculator gives an evidence-based estimate based on registry data from HFEA (UK), SART (US) and ESHRE (Europe), adjusted for the factors you enter. It's accurate for population-level estimates but cannot replace a full medical assessment. Your individual results depend on factors like ovarian reserve (AMH, AFC), embryo quality, sperm quality and uterine health that only a specialist can evaluate.

Why are Czech IVF prices so much lower than the UK?

Three reasons. First, healthcare costs in general are lower in Czech Republic, including specialist salaries, clinic real estate and laboratory supplies. Second, public funding for IVF in Czech Republic creates volume, which lowers per-cycle cost. Third, our market is competitive: there are 48 IVF centres in a country of 10.5 million people. Quality has to be high or patients go elsewhere.

Are Czech IVF clinics regulated to EU standards?

Yes. All Czech IVF clinics are licensed and regulated by SÚKL (the Czech State Institute for Drug Control), comply with EU Tissues and Cells Directive 2004/23/EC, and report to NRAR (National Registry of Assisted Reproduction). Donor screening follows EU and ESHRE guidelines.

How long does treatment take?

A typical donor egg cycle from first consultation to embryo transfer takes 4 to 8 weeks. You'll usually need one visit to Prague of 5 to 7 days for the synchronisation and transfer phase. Embryo donation cycles can be slightly shorter (no donor cycle synchronisation needed).

What if the first cycle doesn't work?

Most patients budget for 2 to 3 cycles. Our cumulative success rates are based on this — single-cycle outcomes are not the right frame for fertility treatment. We discuss multi-cycle planning openly during consultation and offer multi-cycle packages with progressive discounts.

I'm a single woman or in a same-sex couple. Can I get treatment in Prague?

Unfortunately Czech law currently restricts IVF treatment to heterosexual couples. We'll be transparent: Spain is the standard alternative for single women and same-sex couples. We're happy to refer you to reputable Spanish clinics if your situation requires this.

How are donors selected and matched?

Donors are anonymous women aged 18 to 32, with most in their early-to-mid twenties. They undergo medical, genetic, infectious-disease and psychological screening. Roughly 40% of applicants pass all stages. Matching is done on physical characteristics: hair colour, eye colour, blood type, height, body type and skin tone. Under Czech law donor photos are not provided to recipients.

Will the child be able to find out who the donor is?

No. Czech law mandates lifelong mutual anonymity for both donor and recipient. This is different from UK law, where children can identify their donor at age 18.

What happens if I have embryos left over?

Surplus embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for use in subsequent cycles. Annual storage fees apply after year one. You can also donate them to other patients via the embryo donation programme. This is your decision and is documented in writing before treatment.

Do I need a referral from a UK doctor?

No referral is required. Many patients self-refer after researching their options. If you have previous test results from UK or other clinics, please share them, they help us avoid duplicate tests.

Sources

All numbers on this page are traceable

HFEA — Fertility Treatment 2023
UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Published June 2025 (preliminary data).
SART — National Summary 2022
US Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Final 2022 report.
ESHRE EIM — ART in Europe 2020
Human Reproduction 40(11):2038–2055, September 2025.
NICE Guideline CG156
UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence — Fertility assessment and treatment.
Smith et al., JAMA 2015
Cumulative live birth rate analysis (UK, 156,947 women).
Malizia et al., NEJM 2009
Cumulative live-birth rates after IVF (US, 6,164 women).
Czech Act No. 373/2011 Sb.
Czech law on Specific Health Services — donor anonymity.
UK Parliament WEC inquiry 2026
HFEA written evidence on egg donation supply, waiting times and freezing.

Methodology: The calculator's success rate estimates use population-level data from HFEA, SART and ESHRE registries. Individual factors (BMI, smoking status, diagnosis, prior cycles) adjust the baseline rate using published odds ratios. All estimates are presented as ranges. Actual clinical outcomes vary.