Short answer: the safety of IVF in North Cyprus depends on the clinic you choose. Clinics there are licensed under local law, not by the UK’s HFEA. In 2026 the BBC reported UK families who believe the wrong donor was used, and the UK government now warns about the risks. Check any clinic with the questions below, and get every answer in writing.
What happened in 2026
March–April 2026: a BBC investigation reported British families who believe the wrong sperm or egg donor was used at clinics in northern Cyprus. The Ministry of Health in northern Cyprus said it was investigating whether clinics had broken laws and regulations.
14 August 2026: the UK Foreign Office added a line to its Cyprus travel advice: “Fertility treatment in the north of Cyprus carries risks as clinics are not regulated in the same way as in the UK.”
18 August 2026: a BBC follow-up reported that at least 30 children, most of them British, are feared to have been conceived using the wrong donors.
20 August 2026: the Ministry said its investigation is ongoing and asked affected families to contact it directly. No findings have been published yet.
How fertility treatment is regulated in North Cyprus
Clinics are licensed by the Ministry of Health in North Cyprus under its own laws. EU rules on tissues and cells do not apply.
The UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) does not regulate clinics abroad. In its own words: “We have no powers overseas so can’t help if something goes wrong.”
This means you, or someone working for you, must check the clinic before you start.
How we check clinics before we work with them
Dream IVF Cyprus is a patient coordination service, not a clinic. We only work with clinics that meet these conditions (full criteria):
Licensed and independent: the clinic is licensed and operates legally in North Cyprus.
Transparent pricing: the clinic states clearly what a package includes and excludes, including medication.
Clear communication: timely answers before, during and after treatment, in a language you understand.
Honest advice: the clinic tells you when a treatment is not suitable for you.
Patient feedback: what our patients tell us decides whether we keep working with a clinic.
Donor identity checks: we ask each partner clinic how donor eggs and sperm are labelled and double-checked (witnessing) at every step.
DNA testing support: if you have any doubt after birth, we help you arrange a DNA test.
We do not list or rank our partner clinics publicly. When you contact us, we tell you which clinic we suggest for your situation and why. We do not provide medical treatment, we do not guarantee results, and we do not publish paid reviews. Our partner clinics pay us a commission for coordinating your treatment; it is never added to your price.
Questions to ask any clinic in North Cyprus
Licence: which Ministry of Health licence does the clinic hold, and who is the responsible doctor?
Doctor: is the treating doctor registered with the Turkish Cypriot Medical Association (Kıbrıs Türk Tabipleri Birliği)?
Donor identity checks: how are donor eggs and sperm labelled, stored and double-checked at each step? Is witnessing done by a second person or an electronic system?
Donor information: which donor details and screening results will you receive in writing?
If doubts arise later: will the clinic cooperate with a DNA test, and what happens if the result does not match?
Success rates: what is the live birth rate per embryo transfer for patients of your age, with the number of cycles and the year? (how to read success rates)
Price in writing: what is included and excluded, including medication and any repeat cycle?
Embryos: how many embryos will be transferred, how long can spare embryos be stored, and at what cost?
Complaints: what is the clinic’s complaint process, and where can you go if it is not resolved?
Care at home: who arranges monitoring scans and pregnancy follow-up after you return?
FAQ
Is IVF in North Cyprus regulated by the UK’s HFEA?
No. The HFEA only regulates UK clinics. Clinics in North Cyprus are licensed locally.
What did the UK government say about fertility treatment in North Cyprus?
Since 14 August 2026, the Foreign Office travel advice says it “carries risks as clinics are not regulated in the same way as in the UK” and points patients to the HFEA’s guidance on treatment abroad.
How can I protect myself?
Choose a licensed clinic, ask the questions above, get answers in writing, and keep copies of all donor and treatment records.
Is egg or sperm donation anonymous in North Cyprus?
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Dr. Cemil ArslanFertility (IVF) specialist
Last reviewed: 4 October 2026