IVF cost in Germany 2026: price per cycle and health insurance coverage

This page covers Germany, with a short section on Austria and Switzerland.

An IVF cycle in Germany costs between €3,000 and €5,000, not including medication. Once hormones and additional costs are added, you quickly land at €4,500 to €6,500 per attempt. With an average of two to three cycles until pregnancy, that adds up to a total investment of €10,000 to €20,000.

That sounds like a lot of money. It is. But the good news: The health insurance fund covers part of the cost, and many German states add more on top. Here you will find out how the costs break down and where you can save without cutting corners on quality.

What does an IVF cycle cost in detail?

The cost of an IVF cycle is made up of several components. The treatment alone (stimulation, retrieval, embryo culture, transfer) costs between €3,200 and €3,800 at most German clinics.

Medication costs come on top, and they vary considerably:

Why does the medication bill vary so much? Because the dose depends on your age, your AMH level, and how your ovaries respond. A 28-year-old woman with a high ovarian reserve needs considerably fewer hormones than a 38-year-old. In concrete terms: Gonal-f or Puregon (FSH medications) cost €150 to €300 per pen. For one cycle, you need 3 to 8 pens. On top of that come Cetrotide or Orgalutran (GnRH antagonist, about €50 per syringe) and the trigger shot Ovitrelle (about €50). Money-saving tip: Ask the clinic about imported medications, which are often 20% to 30% less expensive than the German versions.

A realistic figure to plan with: Count on €5,000 per attempt. Then you are on the safe side.

Hidden costs many people forget

The clinic’s invoice is only part of the picture. These items show up only in the course of treatment:

Cryopreservation: If surplus embryos or eggs are frozen, storage costs €200 to €400 per year. That sounds like little, but it adds up over the years. If you are freezing eggs as a precaution, you will find all the information in our elective egg freezing cost guide.

ICSI surcharge: If ICSI is performed instead of conventional IVF, €1,500 to €2,000 comes on top. According to the German IVF Registry (Deutsches IVF-Register, D.I.R.), that is the case in about two thirds of fresh fertilization cycles. You will find all the details on ICSI costs here.

Blastocyst culture: Some clinics bill the extended embryo culture to day 5 separately. Count on €500 to €800 extra.

Assisted hatching: €300 to €500, if recommended.

PGT-A (genetic testing of embryos): Genetic testing of embryos is permitted in Germany only under narrow legal conditions. Where it is permitted, it costs €2,000 to €4,000 extra. You will find more on preimplantation genetic testing here.

What does the health insurance fund cover?

Statutory health insurance covers 50% of the approved treatment costs for a maximum of three IVF cycles. That sounds fair, but there are conditions:

• Both partners must be married to each other
• Both must be at least 25, and the woman must be younger than 40 (entitlement ends on her 40th birthday)
• The man must be younger than 50
• Only the couple’s own eggs and sperm may be used
• A semen analysis must be available before treatment begins
• A treatment plan must be approved in advance by the health insurance fund

But not every statutory health insurance fund stops at 50%. Some pay more under their bylaws, so switching funds can be worth it. A few examples, as the funds themselves state them:

As of 2026. Bylaw benefits can change and apply only to treatment steps for the partner insured there. Call your health insurance fund and ask specifically about reimbursement for IVF. Switching funds is possible if you have been insured with your current fund for at least 12 months. The cancellation then takes effect at the end of the month after next. So plan this early.

Depending on the contract, private health insurance often covers the costs in full, usually when the cause lies with the insured person. Age limits and the number of attempts are set by the individual contract. Read your contract carefully.

Unmarried, same-sex, or over 40: what then?

The 50% rule of statutory health insurance applies only to married couples under the age limits. Everyone else pays the full price at first. But there are options:

Unmarried couples: Statutory health insurance does not pay as a general rule. Some funds offer voluntary additional benefits, so ask your fund directly. In addition, unmarried heterosexual couples can apply for federal and state funding in the nine participating German states (federal share up to 12.5% of the out-of-pocket cost in the 1st to 3rd attempt, up to 25% in the 4th attempt).

Same-sex couples: The statutory health insurance rule does not apply here either, not even for married female couples. There is no federal funding, and state funds are currently available only in Bremen and Rhineland-Palatinate. With private health insurance, it depends on the individual contract. For tax purposes, the Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof, BFH) has ruled that women in a same-sex partnership can deduct the costs if infertility is present in their case.

Women aged 40 and over / men aged 50 and over: No statutory entitlement to a benefit from the health insurance fund. With private insurance, it depends on the contract. What everyone can use: tax deductibility as an extraordinary burden. More on that in a moment.

For all three groups: Before you start fertility treatment, ask the clinic for an individual cost estimate and check every funding option.

Funding programs of the German states

In addition to the health insurance fund, there are extra subsidies in nine German states. The funding runs through the federal initiative “Help and Support for Involuntary Childlessness,” and only IVF and ICSI are funded. For married couples, the federal government and the state together usually cover up to 50% of the out-of-pocket cost, capped at maximum amounts per cycle. You must submit the application before treatment begins:

According to the Fertility Information Portal (Informationsportal Kinderwunsch), federal funds are currently scarce, so approval is not guaranteed.

Two example calculations so you can see how big the differences are:

Best case: Married couple in Saxony: IVF cycle: €5,000 → statutory health insurance (50%): −€2,500 → Saxony funding (max. €750): −€750 → Tax (estimated): −€400 → Out-of-pocket cost: approx. €1,350

Worst case: Unmarried couple in North Rhine-Westphalia: IVF cycle: €5,000 → statutory health insurance: €0 → North Rhine-Westphalia: €0 → Tax (estimated): −€800 → Out-of-pocket cost: approx. €4,200

The difference between the best and the worst scenario: almost €3,000 per cycle. That is why it pays to use every funding option.

Tax deductibility

In Germany, IVF costs are tax deductible as an extraordinary burden. This applies to your out-of-pocket cost after insurance reimbursement, that is, everything you pay yourself. You can deduct:

• Treatment costs (clinic invoice)
• Medication costs (keep your prescriptions)
• Travel costs to the clinic (usually calculated at 30 cents per kilometer)
• Overnight accommodation costs if the clinic is out of town

Important: The Federal Fiscal Court has clarified that unmarried couples can also deduct the costs. Women in a same-sex partnership can deduct them if infertility is present in their case. Tax deductibility does not depend on marital status.

There is what is called a reasonable burden: a threshold that depends on your income and family status and that you have to bear yourself before the tax refund kicks in. For a married couple without children with a total amount of income of €60,000, this threshold is approx. €2,935 (calculated in steps). Everything above it reduces your taxes. With three IVF cycles at €2,500 out-of-pocket cost each (€7,500 in total), you can therefore claim about €4,565 as an extraordinary burden. The same applies to the costs of a comprehensive fertility treatment.

IVF cost in Austria and Switzerland

Austria

In Austria, the IVF Fund (IVF-Fonds) applies: It covers 70% of the costs for up to four attempts. The out-of-pocket cost is approx. €970 to €1,070 per IVF attempt, medication included. Requirements: The woman must be younger than 40 at the start of the attempt, and the man younger than 50. In addition, you need one of the specified diagnoses (fallopian tubes, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a male cause) and a primary residence in Austria for at least one partner. Cohabiting partnerships and registered partnerships also have access, female couples since 2015.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is no statutory coverage of costs for IVF. Treatment costs CHF 6,000 to CHF 9,000 per cycle (medication included). Mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) pays only for IUI (a maximum of three cycles per pregnancy), and IVF is expressly excluded. Some supplemental insurance plans cover partial amounts, but that is the exception.

How you can reduce the costs

Three strategies that can save you real money:

1. Switch health insurance funds: Some funds pay considerably more than 50%, AOK PLUS about 75%, for example. A switch can be worth it, but note the commitment period of 12 months with your current fund.

2. Apply for a funding program: If you live in one of the nine participating German states, the application is straightforward. Submit the application before you start treatment.

3. Compare clinics: Price differences between clinics can be 30% to 40%. Look at package prices, as some clinics offer discounted three-cycle packages. Compare fertility clinics on Fertilio.

Financing and installment payments

If a high out-of-pocket cost remains despite insurance, state funding, and tax refund, there are further options:

Installment payments directly with the clinic. Many fertility clinics offer interest-free installment payments over 6 to 12 months. Ask about it at your initial consultation, because not every clinic advertises it actively.

Fertility loan. Specialized providers such as FertiCredit offer earmarked loans with flexible terms. However, the interest rates are often higher than for a regular installment loan through your own bank. Comparing is worthwhile.

Regular installment loan. An unrestricted installment loan of €5,000 to €15,000 from your bank is often the least expensive option. Effective interest rates starting at 3% to 5% are realistic.

The sensible order: First use up all funding options: health insurance fund, state, taxes. Then work out the remaining out-of-pocket cost. Financing is not a sign of failure but of planning. But do not take out a loan before you have applied for all subsidies.

Frequently asked questions

How much does IVF cost without health insurance coverage?

Without coverage from the health insurance fund, you pay the full price: €3,500 to €6,500 per cycle (medication included). With three attempts, that comes to €10,500 to €19,500. This affects unmarried couples, same-sex couples, and women over 40.

How many IVF attempts does the health insurance fund pay for?

Statutory health insurance pays 50% for a maximum of three attempts (IVF and ICSI only as alternatives). Some funds go beyond that under their bylaws, for example AOK Bayern with an additional attempt (up to €1,500) or AOK PLUS with 75%. With private insurance, the contract sets the number of attempts, and there is often no blanket limit there.

Is ICSI more expensive than IVF?

Yes. ICSI costs €1,500 to €2,000 more than conventional IVF because each egg is fertilized individually under the microscope. With reduced sperm quality, however, ICSI is the considerably more promising method. More on the difference between IVF and ICSI.

What does an IVF cycle with blastocyst culture cost?

The extended embryo culture to day 5 (blastocyst stage) costs €500 to €800 extra. The advantage: The embryologists can better judge which embryo has the highest chance of implantation. Blastocyst culture makes sense above all when at least 4 to 5 eggs have been fertilized.

Is treatment abroad worth it?

Rarely, if the goal is purely saving money. Czechia and Spain are less expensive (€2,000 to €3,500 per cycle), but travel costs, accommodation, and the logistical effort often cancel out the price advantage. Treatment abroad makes more sense for egg donation (prohibited in Germany) or if you cannot find a suitable clinic in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).

What does IVF cost in Munich, Berlin, or Hamburg?

Clinics in large cities tend to be 10% to 20% more expensive than clinics in smaller cities. In Munich, the average is €4,000 to €5,500 per cycle, and in Berlin €3,500 to €5,000. But higher prices do not automatically mean better results. Ask about the clinic-specific pregnancy rates, which are more meaningful than the price.

Can I deduct IVF costs from my taxes?

Yes, as an extraordinary burden. You can deduct treatment, medication, and travel and accommodation costs. According to the Federal Fiscal Court, this also applies to unmarried couples and to women in a same-sex partnership, provided infertility is present in their case. You need all receipts and invoices. A reasonable burden applies as a threshold, and everything above it reduces your tax liability. Read the section “Tax deductibility” above for a concrete example calculation.

Does the health insurance fund also pay for unmarried couples?

As a general rule, the statutory fund does not, and bylaw benefits such as those of AOK Bayern expressly apply to married couples. Private insurance often covers the costs regardless of marital status. In addition, unmarried heterosexual couples can apply for federal and state funding in the nine participating German states.

Can I pay for IVF in installments?

Yes. Many fertility clinics offer interest-free installment payments over 6 to 12 months. Alternatively, there are specialized fertility loans or a regular installment loan through your own bank. Important: First use up all funding options (health insurance fund, state funding, taxes), then finance the remaining amount.

Your next step

IVF is an investment, both financially and emotionally. €3,500 to €6,500 per cycle sounds like a lot. But with the right health insurance fund, state funding, and tax refund, the out-of-pocket cost drops to a fraction.

Not sure which treatment is right for your situation? Our Fertility Clinic Finder helps you find the right starting point in 5 minutes. Anonymous, free, no registration.

Sources

• Section 27a SGB V: Assisted reproduction, Federal Ministry of Justice, as of 2026
• Guidelines on assisted reproduction, Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), 2022
• Funding check: Funding in the German states, Fertility Information Portal of the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ), 2026
• Assisted reproduction: TK benefits, Techniker Krankenkasse, 2026
• Section 175 SGB V: Exercise of the right of choice (switching health insurance funds), Federal Ministry of Justice, as of 2026
• Section 33 of the German Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz, EStG): Extraordinary burdens, Federal Ministry of Justice, as of 2026
• BFH, judgment of October 5, 2017, VI R 47/15: Fertility treatment in a same-sex partnership, Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof), 2017
• We would like a baby: Information on the IVF Fund, Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs, 2025
• D.I.R. Yearbook 2024, German IVF Registry, 2025