PGT centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Find preimplantation genetic testing centers. PGT-A, PGT-M and PGT-SR at a glance: process, costs and legal situation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

52 centers for preimplantation genetic testing compared

According to their own information, 52 providers in Germany (35), Austria (8), and Switzerland (9) offer PGT. Sort by distance from your location and ask about costs and appointments. By city: Berlin · Munich · Zurich · Vienna · Hamburg · Stuttgart · Basel · Cologne · Frankfurt am Main · Düsseldorf · Münster · Ulm · Erlangen · Graz · Lucerne · St. Gallen.

This page covers Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) makes it possible to examine embryos genetically before they are transferred into the uterus. The aim is to select the embryos with the best chance of developing and to reduce the risk of genetic conditions.

PGT is carried out as part of IVF or ICSI treatment. The embryos are cultured in the lab, a small cell sample (biopsy) is taken, and the cells are analyzed genetically. Only after that does the transfer take place.

The three types of PGT

PGT-A (aneuploidy screening)

Tests the number of chromosomes in the embryos. Aneuploid embryos (with too many or too few chromosomes) are the most common cause of failed implantation, miscarriages, and chromosomal disorders such as trisomy 21.

Commonly offered for:

  • Women age 35 to 38 and older
  • Recurrent miscarriages (2 or more)
  • Several unsuccessful IVF cycles
  • A wish for single embryo transfer with the highest possible success rate

However, the European professional society ESHRE currently does not recommend PGT-A as a routine test. In Germany and Austria, aneuploidy screening is also only permitted under narrow legal conditions (see Legal situation).

PGT-M (monogenic disorders)

Looks specifically for certain single-gene conditions that are known in the family. The parents are often healthy themselves but carry the mutation.

Examples of conditions that can be tested:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Huntington's disease
  • Hemophilia
  • Beta thalassemia
  • Fragile X syndrome

For PGT-M, a custom probe must be developed before the IVF cycle. This takes 4 to 8 weeks and adds costs.

PGT-SR (structural chromosome changes)

Tests embryos for structural chromosomal abnormalities such as translocations (rearrangements), inversions, or deletions. This is relevant when one parent carries a balanced translocation, because that raises the risk of miscarriage or of children with unbalanced sets of chromosomes.

The PGT process

1. IVF/ICSI cycle

PGT always requires IVF or ICSI treatment, because the embryos have to be cultured in the lab.

2. Embryo culture to the blastocyst stage (day 5 to 6)

The embryos are cultured to the blastocyst stage (about 100 to 200 cells). Only then is a biopsy possible without putting the embryo at risk.

3. Trophectoderm biopsy

From the outer cell region of the embryo (the trophectoderm, which later becomes the placenta), 5 to 10 cells are removed. The inner cell mass, from which the child develops, is left untouched.

4. Vitrification

The biopsied embryos are frozen (vitrified) and stored while the genetic analysis is carried out.

5. Genetic analysis (1 to 3 weeks)

The biopsy samples are sent to a genetics lab. The analysis methods include:

  • NGS (next-generation sequencing): the most up-to-date method for PGT-A
  • PCR (polymerase chain reaction): for PGT-M
  • SNP arrays or FISH: complementary methods

6. Discussing the results

The result shows which embryos are euploid (chromosomally normal) and eligible for a transfer. The results are discussed with the fertility specialist and, for PGT-M, often with a medical geneticist.

7. Frozen embryo transfer (FET)

In a later cycle, a euploid embryo is thawed and transferred. The transfer takes place in a natural cycle or in a hormonally prepared cycle.

Success rates with PGT

PGT-A can improve the success rate per transfer, because only embryos with the correct number of chromosomes are transferred. Commonly cited reference values:

Criterion Without PGT-A With PGT-A
Pregnancy rate per transfer about 30%, average according to the German IVF Registry (Deutsches IVF-Register, D.I.R.) 55% to 65%
Miscarriage rate 15% to 20% 5% to 10%
Implantation rate 30% to 40% 50% to 60%

Important: PGT-A increases the success rate per transfer, not necessarily the cumulative rate per cycle, because some embryos are sorted out as aneuploid and cannot be transferred. Most randomized studies showed no benefit in the live birth rate, and some point to fewer miscarriages.

Costs

PGT is an additional service on top of IVF/ICSI treatment and is usually not covered by health insurance funds. In Germany, couples always pay the costs of PGT themselves, and in Switzerland mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) does not pay for IVF and therefore does not pay for PGT either.

PGT-A

  • Germany: €2,000 to €4,000 (depending on the number of embryos)
  • Austria: €2,000 to €3,500
  • Switzerland: CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000

PGT-M

More expensive because of the individualized probe development:

  • Probe development: €1,500 to €3,000 (one-time)
  • Analysis per cycle: €2,000 to €4,000
  • Even for severe genetic conditions, health insurance funds in Germany do not cover the costs of PGT. Including counseling, the ethics committee, assisted reproduction, and cryopreservation, the costs can add up to as much as €20,000, according to familienplanung.de.

PGT-SR

  • Cost structure similar to PGT-A: €2,000 to €4,000 per cycle

Each of these costs comes on top of the IVF/ICSI costs.

Legal situation

Germany

PGT has been permitted in Germany under strict conditions since 2011, following a landmark ruling of the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) and the revision of the Embryo Protection Act (Embryonenschutzgesetz). Requirements:

  • PGT-M and PGT-SR: Permitted when there is a high risk of a serious hereditary disease because of the genetic predisposition of the parents
  • PGT is also permitted to identify serious damage to the embryo that would, with a high probability, lead to a stillbirth or miscarriage
  • PGT-A: The law does not provide for routine aneuploidy screening, for example based on age alone
  • Every case must be reviewed and approved in advance by an interdisciplinary ethics committee
  • The testing may only be carried out at approved centers

Austria

Regulated by law since 2015 (Section 2a of the Austrian Reproductive Medicine Act, Fortpflanzungsmedizingesetz). PGT is only permitted:

  • After at least three medically documented spontaneous miscarriages or stillbirths with a probable genetic cause
  • After at least three embryo transfers without pregnancy, if a genetic cause is to be assumed
  • In case of a serious risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth or of a serious hereditary disease because of the genetic predisposition of a parent

Routine PGT-A screening, for example based on age alone, is not permitted without one of these indications. The testing may only be carried out at approved facilities that are independent of the IVF center.

Switzerland

PGT has been permitted in Switzerland since September 1, 2017. PGT-A is permitted to detect chromosomal changes that may impair the embryo's ability to develop. PGT-M is subject to strict conditions, such as the risk of a serious hereditary disease without effective treatment. Genetic counseling is mandatory. A maximum of 12 embryos may be developed and tested per cycle.

Limits and limitations

PGT is a powerful tool, but it has limits:

  • No guarantee of pregnancy: even euploid embryos may fail to implant
  • Mosaicism: some embryos show different chromosome patterns in different cells, which makes interpretation harder
  • False positive/negative results: rare, but possible
  • Not all genetic conditions can be tested: PGT-M requires prior knowledge of the specific mutation
  • Reduced number of embryos: some of the embryos are identified as aneuploid and cannot be transferred

Frequently asked questions

Does the biopsy harm the embryo?

Trophectoderm biopsy is considered safe. Studies show no increased rates of birth defects or developmental disorders in children after PGT. The biopsy is performed on the outer cell region, which later becomes the placenta.

Can you determine the child's sex?

PGT-A identifies the sex chromosomes, so sex selection is technically possible. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, however, choosing the sex without a medical indication is prohibited.

How long does the genetic analysis take?

Usually 1 to 3 weeks. During this time, the embryos are frozen and can be stored indefinitely.

Do I need a medical geneticist?

For PGT-M, genetic counseling by a medical geneticist is mandatory, both for establishing the indication and for discussing the results. In addition, the law in Germany requires information and counseling before every PGT, and in Switzerland genetic counseling.

Sources

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