For couples such as Olga and Daniel, German residents who requested anonymity, the journey to parenthood led them away from Russia and toward Georgia. With surrogacy illegal in Germany and foreign access to Russian clinics banned since 2022, Georgia has emerged as a primary destination for international intended parents. However, the couple’s experience highlights significant concerns regarding the opacity of costs and the aggressive tactics employed by local agencies.
Located in the Caucasus region, Georgia has rapidly become a global hub for reproductive tourism. Data from the Public Service Development Agency indicates that more than 3,000 surrogate mothers were registered in 2023, contributing to over 5,000 births since 2012. The surge in demand became particularly acute following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the number of surrogate births jumping from approximately 300 in 2021 to over 1,100 by 2023.
Anastasia, a 39-year-old surrogate mother from Russia working in Georgia, noted that agencies often recruit women from across Eastern Europe. While her average compensation ranges between €18,000 and €28,000, with additional premiums for multiples, she observed that payment delays are a common grievance among her peers. For intended parents, the total cost in Georgian cities like Tbilisi and Batumi averages between €45,000 and €55,000—roughly one-third of the price charged by agencies in other nations.
Despite the lower price tag, Olga and Daniel reported facing considerable pressure during their search. After identifying a potential surrogate from Ukraine, the couple was repeatedly urged to finalize their decision quickly, with agency representatives suggesting that other interested parties were waiting in the wings. They also encountered vague answers regarding the health history of some candidates and felt manipulated by emotional appeals regarding their own desire for children.
Furthermore, the couple discovered discrepancies between the agency’s promises and reality. Although they were told their chosen surrogate would remain in a Tbilisi apartment for the duration of the pregnancy, they learned she planned to return to war-torn Ukraine after embryo implantation. Human rights advocates argue that this disconnect is systemic, given that Georgian law fails to regulate the role of intermediary agencies or establish minimum social guarantees for surrogate mothers.
Under current regulations, once an embryo is implanted, surrogate mothers lose the right to terminate the pregnancy or withdraw from the arrangement. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Women’s Health Coalition have criticized these practices as violations of reproductive self-determination. Ultimately, overwhelmed by the ethical ambiguities and aggressive commercial practices, Olga and Daniel decided to cancel their plans and return to Germany, leaving their quest for parenthood on hold.
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