Yes, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is legal in Costa Rica, but its practice is tightly constrained by constitutional and legislative frameworks. The 2020 Supreme Court ruling (Voto 2019-001764) struck down a 2000 legislative ban, affirming IVF under the constitutional right to health and reproductive autonomy. However, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and the Consejo Superior de Salud enforce strict protocols, including mandatory genetic screening and embryo viability assessments. Recent 2026 amendments to the Ley General de Salud further regulate assisted reproduction, requiring prior judicial authorization for embryo implantation in cases of genetic anomalies.
Key Regulations for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Costa Rica
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Embryo Viability & Genetic Screening: IVF procedures must undergo mandatory pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to screen for hereditary diseases, as mandated by the Reglamento de Fertilización In Vitro (2023). Only embryos without detectable genetic defects may be implanted.
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Judicial Authorization for Implantation: Under the 2026 Ley de Protección del Embrión, any IVF cycle involving embryo selection or cryopreservation requires prior approval from a family court, ensuring compliance with constitutional protections of life from conception.
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Restrictions on Embryo Disposal: The disposal or research use of surplus embryos is prohibited; all unused embryos must be cryopreserved indefinitely or donated to other couples, per Decreto Ejecutivo 42342-S (2024).