Yes, IVF is legal in Belgium under the 2007 Law on Medically Assisted Reproduction, which aligns with EU bioethics directives. The procedure is permitted for heterosexual couples, single women, and female same-sex couples, with no explicit age caps but strict medical eligibility criteria enforced by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP).
Key Regulations for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Belgium
- Eligibility Criteria: Only medically certified infertility or genetic risk cases qualify. Same-sex couples and single women require prior psychological evaluation per FAMHP guidelines.
- Embryo Storage Limits: Cryopreservation is permitted for up to 5 years, extendable to 10 years under exceptional circumstances, as per the 2023 Royal Decree on Reproductive Cells.
- Donor Anonymity: Gamete donors remain anonymous, though offspring may access non-identifying medical data at age 18, per the 2021 Belgian Bioethics Act amendments.
Clinics must register with the FAMHP and comply with annual audits. Since 2026, digital tracking of embryo transfers has been mandatory to prevent unauthorized use. Non-compliance risks license revocation and criminal liability under the Penal Code’s provisions on reproductive rights.