The Numbers, the Subsidies: What’s Current and What’s Changing
Globally, one in twelve children is conceived through in vitro fertilization. The trend in recent years has been upward, likely due to sperm-related issues as well as the increasing age at which most women give birth—that is, after age 35.
The data were presented to “Alpha on Sunday” by the President of the Greek Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dr. Aphrodite Elissaiou, with whose help we sought to shed light on this specific method of assisted reproduction, which thousands of couples turn to each year in order to have a child, mainly due to infertility issues.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The global infertility rate ranges from 10 to 15 percent, according to Dr. Elissaiou. New research recently published in the scientific journal “The Lancet” predicts that cases of infertility among women aged 35 to 49 will reach 80 million by 2036, mainly due to delayed childbearing.
The data for Cyprus
In Cyprus, the government subsidizes couples and single women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) through the Infertility Treatment Program, with the numbers demonstrating the necessity of this financial support.
According to data we obtained from the Ministry of Health, 2,478 applications were received in 2023, 2,330 in 2024, and 2,235 in 2025.
Based on the statistics regarding the applications received, it appears that the majority of women undergoing comprehensive in vitro fertilization treatment are in the 31to 40, accounting for 57%, followed by women aged 41 to 50, accounting for 34%.
Subsidies and Eligibility
For a complete cycle of egg retrieval—embryo creation (in vitro fertilization)—and embryo transfer, the government provides the following amounts:
• 1st subsidy: €4,500
• 2nd subsidy: €3,500
• 3rd and 4th subsidies: €2,500
At the same time, the Program provides up to 35 free gonadotropin injections, up to four times.
Couples or single women who are permanent residents of Cyprus are eligible for the subsidy. In the case of couples, at least one partner must be a permanent resident of Cyprus and the other must be a resident of Cyprus with a temporary residence permit. According to the Plan, only beneficiaries of the General Health System (GESY) and women up to the age of 53 are eligible for the subsidy.
• Childless couples or childless single women are eligible for the subsidy up to four times.
• Couples or single women with one child are eligible for the subsidy up to three times.
• Couples or single women with two children are eligible for the subsidy up to two times.
The application forms are available on the Ministry of Health’s website. Once completed by the applicants, the attending physician, and the embryologist, they must be submitted along with all required supporting documents.
Amounts Are Increasing
According to “Alpha tis Kyriakis,” the Ministry of Health is pushing for an increase in the subsidy amount to €4,500 for each completed treatment cycle, as well as an increase in the number of subsidies from four to five. The relevant proposal is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet within the month. At the same time, the Ministry is moving forward with the creation of an online platform through which applications for the Infertility Treatment Subsidy Program will be submitted.
Procedure and Chances of Success
Dr. Aphrodite Elissaiou explains the procedure followed for in vitro fertilization.
“Preparation for in vitro fertilization includes an initial visit to the gynecologist who will oversee the treatment, during which the procedure and potential complications will be explained in detail. Preparation usually takes between two weeks and one month,” she notes.
Possible complications, although rare in experienced hands, include, as Dr. Elissaiou, a feeling of tightness in the abdomen due to hormonal stimulation (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may rarely occur), infection, and bleeding.
According to the doctor, the global success rate ranges from 50–70% on the first embryo transfer, while it reaches 85% on the third attempt.
When asked how many times the procedure can be repeated, Dr. Elissaiou replies that there is no specific limit, but globally it is reported that a woman can undergo in vitro fertilization up to eight times, provided there are no complications.
