Sperm and Egg Donor Banks
Find a trusted donor bank
Browse regulated sperm and egg donor banks in the UK, Europe and worldwide. Learn how donor banks work, what to look for when choosing donor sperm or eggs, and explore legal and cost considerations for your journey.
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Licensed sperm and egg banks
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What is a sperm or egg donor bank?
A donor bank is a regulated organisation that recruits, screens and stores donor sperm or donor eggs for use in fertility treatment. Donor banks make it possible for individuals and couples to build their families using third-party gametes — whether due to medical reasons, fertility challenges, or family structure.
Banks work directly with patients or via their fertility clinic, shipping samples to licensed clinics worldwide for use in IUI, IVF, ICSI or surrogacy treatments.
Screened donors
Donors undergo medical, genetic and psychological screening before acceptance.
Cryopreserved samples
Sperm and eggs are frozen and stored in long-term cryogenic storage tanks.
Regulated & licensed
Reputable banks are licensed by national regulators (HFEA in the UK, FDA in the US, ESHRE in the EU).
Detailed donor profiles
Recipients can review education, medical history, physical traits, baby photos and personal essays.
Sperm Banks
Donor sperm
Sperm banks recruit screened male donors, freeze and quarantine their samples, and distribute vials to clinics or directly to patients. Used by single women, same-sex female couples and heterosexual couples facing male-factor infertility.
- •Donors typically aged 18–40, screened over 6+ months
- •Samples quarantined for at least 6 months before release
- •Used in IUI, IVF and ICSI treatments
- •Single vial typically costs £600–£1,500
- •Shipped frozen to your fertility clinic
Egg Banks
Donor eggs
Egg banks recruit screened female donors who complete an IVF stimulation cycle. The retrieved eggs are vitrified and stored until matched with a recipient. Used when egg quality is low, after early menopause, or for same-sex male couples with a surrogate.
- •Donors typically aged 21–35, undergo IVF stimulation cycle
- •Eggs are vitrified (flash-frozen) at the bank
- •Used in IVF and ICSI treatments
- •Egg lot (6–8 eggs) typically costs £8,000–£15,000
- •Some banks also offer fresh egg donation cycles
How to choose a donor bank
Choosing a donor bank is a deeply personal decision. Here are the key factors to compare when researching sperm and egg banks for your fertility journey.
Regulatory licensing
Choose banks licensed by recognised authorities (HFEA, FDA, ESHRE, ASRM).
Screening standards
Check the depth of medical, genetic, infectious disease and psychological screening.
Donor profile depth
Look for detailed profiles: family history, baby photos, audio interviews and essays.
Identity-release policy
Decide if you want an open ID (releasable) or anonymous donor — laws vary by country.
Family limits
Reputable banks cap the number of families per donor to limit half-siblings.
Shipping & logistics
Confirm the bank ships internationally and works with your chosen clinic.
Sibling registry
Some banks offer registries where donor-conceived siblings can connect later in life.
Costs & storage fees
Compare per-vial / per-lot costs and ongoing storage fees if you reserve extras.
Legal considerations: anonymity & family limits
Donor anonymity laws and family limits vary widely by country. These rules affect whether your donor-conceived child can ever access their donor's identity — an important consideration for many families.
| Country | Anonymity | Family / child limits |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Non-anonymous — donor-conceived children can request donor identity at age 18 | Max 10 families per donor (HFEA) |
| 🇺🇸United States | Donor's choice — anonymous, willing-to-be-known, or open ID | Voluntary bank-specific limits (typically 25 families) |
| 🇩🇰Denmark | Both anonymous and open-ID options available | Max 12 families per donor in Denmark |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Anonymous donation is required by law | Max 6 live births per donor |
| 🇳🇱Netherlands | Non-anonymous — donor identity released at age 16 | Max 12 children or 25 families per donor |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Non-anonymous — children can request identity at age 16 | Max 15 children per donor |
Always confirm current donor anonymity and family-limit rules directly with your chosen donor bank and fertility clinic — laws change and individual bank policies may be stricter than national regulations.
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Filter by country, donor type and identity-release options.
Donor banks: frequently asked questions
This page is an informational guide only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Donor screening standards, anonymity rules, family limits and costs vary by country and individual bank. Always confirm current policies directly with your chosen donor bank and fertility clinic before making decisions.Last updated: May 2026
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