Romania, which in 2024 recorded the lowest birth rate in the past 100 years, is now the only EU member state without financial support for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The government suspended the national IVF programme this year due to lack of budget funds, despite the country facing a deep demographic crisis. According to the National Institute of Statistics, just 149,612 children were born in Romania in 2024, more than 30% fewer than in 2012.
The National IVF Programme had previously operated successfully with funding from the Ministry of Family, but is now blocked. Patient organisations SOS Infertilitatea, Declic and Fertility Europe are calling for the release of funds from the government’s reserve budget to finance 5,000 procedures, about half of what was originally planned. They estimate such support could result in around 2,500 births.
“Infertility is recognised by the World Health Organization as a disease and affects one in five couples in Romania. We understand the budgetary difficulties the country is facing, but resuming the IVF programme means, for thousands of families, the only chance to become parents. At the same time, this measure is a long-term investment in Romania’s future. Austerity passes, but children remain,” said Nicoleta Cristea-Brunel, president of SOS Infertilitatea.
The cost of one IVF procedure, including tests, consultations, medication and treatment, can reach up to EUR 10,000. Under the previous programme, the state covered 15,000 lei, with the rest paid by patients. Socio-economic studies cited by NGOs argue that the state ultimately recoups such investment many times over through the future tax and social contributions of children born via IVF.
Across the EU, public funding for IVF is considered standard health and demographic policy. Countries including France, Spain, Belgium, Denmark and Slovenia finance multiple IVF cycles, with up to 12% of children born as a result of assisted reproduction. Fertility Europe, representing organisations in 30 countries, has urged Romania to align with these practices.
“In the European Union, IVF funding is a standard public policy, both as a health measure and as a demographic investment for the future. Countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Denmark and Slovenia fully or partially fund multiple IVF cycles, and results show that up to 12% of children are born thanks to assisted reproduction procedures. Continuing the IVF programme would align Romania with these good practices and demonstrate its commitment to EU principles of equality, access to healthcare and respect for reproductive rights,” said Maciej Śmiechowski, Chair of the Executive Committee of Fertility Europe.
International associations from countries such as Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Iceland, Israel, North Macedonia, Germany and the UK, where IVF is publicly funded, have also written directly to the Romanian Prime Minister, expressing concern and calling for the programme to be restarted.
