Surrogate compensation

Introduction

As a surrogate, you want to help prospective parents fulfil their desire for a child. Various costs are involved in this which should be covered by the intended parents. These include: 

• Preparation expenses
• Counsellor and lawyer costs
• Treatment costs
• Expenses related to pregnancy and birth
   

Click here for a detailed overview of surrogacy costs. 

You need to make agreements with the intended parents before the pregnancy on how these costs should be paid for. You can choose:

• To have the intended parents pay you a monthly sum for your expenses or
• You, as surrogate, can be given access to a dedicated bank account or
• You can send a payment request when you incur expenses or
• Perhaps another option would be better suited to your situation

Keep talking to one another about finances. Unforeseen costs may occur that you hadn't thought of in advance.

It's about the covering expenses. Although commercial surrogacy is not currently prohibited by law in the Netherlands, the purchase of children is. The new draft law states that commercial surrogacy will be prohibited.

Counsellor and lawyer costs

It is important to have agreements between intended parents, surrogate parents, and a potential egg donor legally formalized by a specialised surrogacy family law attorney prior to a pregnancy. It is customary for the intended parents to bear the costs for this too. 

Any psychological guidance or counselling costs are also for the intended parents' account. Sometimes psychological screening or guidance is a mandatory part of the process. 

Treatment costs 

In addition to pregnancy costs, any treatment costs are also paid for by the intended parents. Treatment costs vary depending on the type of surrogacy.

In a process where you get pregnant using your own egg (low-tech surrogacy), there can be costs for: 

• Any physical examinations prior to pregnancy
• STD testing and infectious disease testing
• Self-insemination equipment
• Ovulation and pregnancy tests
• Contraception (to prevent pregnancy with one's own partner)
   

The costs are higher for an IVF process. Not all of the treatment process is covered by healthcare insurance. These costs are also paid for by the intended parents. For further explanation, please see the section on treatment costs on the costs page.

Pregnancy expenses

As a surrogate the costs for pregnancy check-ups and the birth are covered by your healthcare insurance if you have Dutch healthcare insurance. If you are insured in another country, ask your insurer if they will cover these pregnancy check-ups and the birth in the Netherlands.  

You'll incur other costs beyond healthcare costs. It is customary for all expenses you incur related to the pregnancy to be covered by the intended parents. These include for example: 

• Pregnancy vitamins
• Pregnancy clothes
• Contraception (to prevent pregnancy with one's own partner)
   

 But also: 

• Travel and treatment expenses
• A contribution towards healthy food or cravings
• Compensation for missed workdays for you and your partner, but also allowances for irregular hours, changes to work duties, loss of income if you are self-employed and missed bonuses.
• Costs for additional childcare or housekeeping help during treatment or pregnancy
• Contribution towards (healthcare) insurance, compensation for the use of the deductible, disability insurance, term life insurance, life insurance.
• Physiotherapy costs or a contribution to a fitness club membership after the pregnancy
• Writing or altering a will
• etc.

Talking about finances

Talking about money can sometimes be awkward. For example, because you know that the intended parents have already incurred a lot of costs and you want the best for them. However, it's important to make solid agreements about money and put them in writing. This is also where a specialised cousellor or lawyer can provide support.