How Are IVF Treatments Abroad Regulated?
Fertility struggles can be a difficult and emotional journey for couples and individuals. With the rising costs of fertility treatments in the United States, many are seeking alternatives to help fulfill their dream of starting a family. One option that may not have crossed your mind is working with a fertility clinic outside of the US. While it may seem daunting to travel to another country for medical procedures, it could be a viable solution for those struggling with the high costs and limited options of fertility treatments locally. However, with that in mind, you may wonder how IVF is actually regulated abroad, and whether those standards are strong enough to keep you safe during treatment.
With lower costs, more personalized care, and safe and regulated practices, working with a fertility clinic outside of the US like Chedid Grieco can offer unique advantages that can make all the difference in your path to parenthood. Below is a closer look at how IVF is actually regulated in Brazil, how that compares to the patchwork of rules in the US, and how we can help you on your journey toward parenthood.
Who Actually Regulates IVF in Brazil?
Unlike the US, where fertility care is split across multiple federal agencies and a patchwork of state laws, Brazil oversees assisted reproduction through a single body: the Federal Council of Medicine, or CFM. The CFM issues binding ethical resolutions that every fertility clinic in the country must follow, most recently updated under Resolution CFM No. 2.320/2022, which replaced the previous 2021 resolution. Because one resolution applies nationwide, patients get a consistent standard of practice regardless of which accredited clinic they choose in Brazil.
Under the current CFM framework, some of the key rules include the following:
- Embryos are not treated as legally protected individuals until implanted in the uterus, removing the legal ambiguity around embryo storage that has caused disruption in some US states.
- Clinics must follow ethical and bioethical principles when carrying out IVF, with safety and efficacy treated as a top priority for every procedure performed.
- IVF may only be carried out when there is a genuine possibility of success with low risk to the patient or resulting offspring; if risks are identified, the physician is expected to decline the procedure.
- Patients must be fully informed of the risks and chances of success and must give express written consent before treatment begins.
- There is no cap on the total number of embryos that may be created in the laboratory, and embryo biopsy for genetic analysis is permitted.
- Single individuals and same-sex couples are explicitly included under the CFM’s eligibility rules for assisted reproduction.
- The maximum in vitro development time for an embryo is fourteen days.
When choosing a fertility clinic for your IVF treatments, you should consider how well the clinic and its staff adhere to the various regulations in place to protect your health and your future child’s health and safety. When you work with Chedid Grieco, you will receive care from staff like Dr. Silvana Chedid. Dr. Chedid is a member of the American and European Human Reproduction Societies, the director of the Center for Pelvic Endoscopy and Human Reproduction at Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa in São Paulo, and has been the head of the Chedid Grieco Reproductive Medicine Laboratory since 1995. It is our goal to provide patients with the safe, personalized, and exciting fertility journey they deserve as they get one step closer to parenthood.
How Does This Compare to How IVF Is Regulated in the US?
In the United States, oversight of assisted reproduction is split across multiple federal agencies: the FDA handles donor tissue screening, the CDC collects and publishes clinic-level outcome data through the national ART Surveillance system, and CMS covers certain reimbursement standards. On top of that, individual states set their own rules for insurance coverage, embryo disposition, and, as seen in Alabama’s 2024 legal dispute over embryo personhood, even whether IVF services can continue operating without interruption. Our detailed comparison of how Brazilian fertility regulations compare to US state laws walks through this in more depth if you want the fuller picture.
The practical result is that patients researching IVF in the US often discover the rules are far less consistent than they assumed, while a clinic operating under Brazil’s single CFM framework answers to the same standard no matter where in the country it is located.
Are Costs Lower at Fertility Clinics Outside the US?
One of the most compelling reasons to consider fertility treatment abroad is the potential for significant cost savings. In the United States, the financial burden of fertility treatments can be overwhelming. For example, a single cycle of egg freezing can cost upwards of $22,000 according to Axios, not including the annual fees for egg storage, which range from $200 to $1,350. These costs can quickly add up, especially for couples who require multiple cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy.
Fertility clinics located outside of the United States often present a more affordable alternative without compromising the quality of care and treatment success rates. Many couples and individuals find that even after accounting for the additional expenses of travel and accommodation, undergoing fertility treatments abroad can result in significant savings. If you want to see the numbers side by side, our breakdown of total IVF costs in Miami versus São Paulo compares the full picture, including travel.
What Licensing Should You Look For in an International Clinic?
Regulation at the country level is only part of the picture. It also matters whether an international clinic holds credentials recognized by US authorities. Chedid Grieco holds FDA registration and a New York Department of Health tissue license, placing us among a small number of facilities outside the United States with that combination. Our guide to why FDA and NYDH licensing matter explains what those credentials mean in practice for patients evaluating clinics abroad.
Have Questions About IVF? Contact Chedid Grieco Today
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or have a few unanswered questions about IVF and how it can fit into your journey towards parenthood, Chedid Grieco is here to help. Our team is committed to providing you with the answers and support you need on your journey towards parenthood. With almost 9,000 babies born through our assistance, we have a proven track record of helping dreams come true. Patients from Miami can experience exceptional care at our Brazil clinic while also benefiting from lower costs. Visit our fertility tourism page to discover how we can assist you on your journey.
Reach out to us today to get the answers you need. You can give us a call at (305) 912-0050 or fill out our contact form. Let us guide you through your options with compassion and expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions About IVF Regulation Abroad
Who regulates IVF clinics in Brazil?
The Federal Council of Medicine, known as the CFM, regulates assisted reproduction across all of Brazil through binding ethical resolutions, most recently Resolution CFM No. 2.320 from 2022. Every accredited clinic in the country follows the same national standard, rather than a patchwork of regional rules.
Is IVF regulation in Brazil stricter or looser than in the US?
Brazil’s regulation is more consistent rather than simply stricter or looser. The CFM sets one binding standard nationwide, while the US splits oversight across the FDA, CDC, CMS, and individual state laws, which can create meaningfully different rules for patients depending on where they live.
What should I check before choosing a fertility clinic abroad?
Look for a clinic that is accredited under its home country’s regulatory body and that also holds credentials recognized by US authorities, such as FDA registration or a state tissue license. These credentials indicate the clinic is accountable to more than one regulatory framework, which adds a layer of confidence for patients traveling from the US.
Does Brazil allow single people and same-sex couples to pursue IVF?
Yes. The CFM’s current resolution explicitly includes single individuals and same-sex couples in its eligibility rules for assisted reproduction, which is a common question for patients in non-traditional family-building situations researching treatment abroad.
How much can I save by pursuing IVF outside the United States?
Savings vary by clinic and treatment plan, but many patients find that even after factoring in travel and accommodation, total costs abroad come in considerably below US pricing for comparable care. Reviewing a detailed cost comparison for your specific treatment plan is the most reliable way to see what savings would look like for your situation.
